SORRY IT's BEEN SOOOO LONG. HERE's THAILAND

Bangkok Day 1

Our first day and still neither of us felt right still.Today, Margareta and Sixten came to join us and we were hoping that we'd feel better so we could enjoy the sweets that they were bringing but no such luck.It feels like a waste when you're in a place and you want to be out doing stuff but you can't as you are totally wiped out. By the time Margareta and Sixten had got to the hotel, had their welcome meeting etc it was about 8.30. So we decided to go out and try to get some food. By looking at the map it didn't look too far to walk into Siam Square so we decided to do that. We walked for about 30 minutes and when we checked with the map we had only got about 2 cm out of 10. Not great as it was so hot and we were still feeling weak after the food poisoning. We finally got to Siam Square about 10PM. only to find that everything was shut. Not a single food place was open. As we didn't know where else to go we decided to take the sky train back to Victory Monument. It took 8 minutes tops and we kind of wished we had done that in the first place.When we got to victory monument we managed to get some food but it was not the greatest but it was cheap.

Bangkok Day 2

So today we decided that we wanted to take the ferry to the Royal Palace and then go and see the giant Buddha and the royal barge. But we only got to the front desk before we were given other suggestions. We were told that the ferry would be no good and that we should take a longtail boat instead along the canal to palace. As it was not too expensive we decided to go along with this idea. The hotel arranged a Taxi to take us to the longtail boat. As soon as we stepped into the car we were given leaflet after leaflet of things the taxi driver could take us to see and do. We just kept on saying thanks, but no thanks but he continued anyway. Martin and Margareta both were thinking about having suits made up so we asked the driver if he knew somewhere. Of course he did, and although we said that we didn't want to go there now we were taken to a tailor along the route. We managed to get a boat ok and he took us to the Royal barge. It is a very impressive collection of boats that the Royal family use for their possession along the river. After this we stopped off to buy some bread before we could feed the hundreds of fish that were trying to get some bread. We got take around the canal before we got dropped off at the palace. Before coming to Bangkok we had been warned about the cons outside the palace so we were very aware not to trust anyone saying anything. So it started as soon as we got to the main crossing outside the ferry terminal. A couple of people came up saying that the palace was closed today. We ignored them but as we could not see where the entrance was we stopped on a corner to look at the map. A friendly "tourist police officer" came up and asked if we wanted help. He said that the palace was closed until 3PM when it reopened. He 'kindly' offered a taxi that could take us around some other sites before we returned. We declined his offer but he had planted a seed that the Palace was not open until 3PM. He 'was' after all a police officer so why would he lie???!!! We continued a little bit further up the road where a lady came up and said the same thing as the police officer had. So instead of ignoring her we decided to believe her and the made up Palace official T-shirt and we got a Tuk tuk to take us to the Golden Mountain. The visit was pleasant enough but we decided we wanted to go back to the palace instead of going to the next temple so we asked the drivers to take us back. He turned around and said that before he did he would take us to a shop. We did not have to buy anything we just needed to go in and look. We said fine as long as we go back afterwards. He took us to a tailor. After our brief visit we told the driver we wanted to go back. He said we only needed to stop once more before heading back. This time it was at a jeweller. We turned in the doorway and now firmly told the driver to take us back. He refused. So we said we would get out and not pay him if he didn't take us back. He refused again so we left the tuk tuk's and took a Taxi back to the palace. And guess what, the palace was closed!!! We felt like mugs. We could not believe after everything we had read and been told we still went for it. Anyway, so after having lost faith in the Tuk tuk drivers we decided to ask in a café about the local bus. We were given the right bus number which took us to town. Our first stop was the night bazaar and then we went to dinner at MBK. We finished a long 12 hour day with a glass of wine and beer.

Bangkok Day 3

After having failed to go to the Royal Palace we decided to have another go. Instead of taking a Taxi we took the local bus instead (safe and always the same price). The bus dropped us off right outside the entrance of the palace and we went in (ignoring everyone saying it was closed). And we are glad we went as it was amazing to see. After the palace we went into town to do some shipping. Margareta bought a jacket and Marie bought a pair of shorts. After shopping we went to Cabbages and condoms for dinner. We were all impressed by the flowers and figures all made from condoms. After another 12 hour day we headed home.

Bangkok day 4/Chiang Mai day 1

Margareta and Sixten paid for us to have breakfast again at the hotel which was great as we could stuff our faces with fruit, bread, eggs all being a luxury compared to the normal cornflakes and milk. We got the train to the airport and the flight to Chiang Mai was fine. The weather in Chiang Mai was much cooler than Bangkok which was nice. We got to the hotel which was basic but ok. In the evening we went out for dinner and then went for some drinks and a game of pool.

Chiang Mai Day 2

Marin and Sixten woke up with sore heads but today was all about elephants so no time for hangovers.

We got collected at 8AM and taken to the market to buy some bananas for the elephants (they eat a lot). We then stopped at an orchid and butterfly farm before we got to Jumbo camp.We were introduced to the Elephants and then we were asked to go and change into traditional mahout wear. After this we were told about the elephants on the camp and were thought how to control (steer) the elephants. The words were in Thai and some of them were pretty hard to remember. Sixten and Margareta didn't like the pronunciations so much and were worried about how this was all going to end up. After our lesson we had lunch and then we went up to feed the elephants with bananas. It was pretty cool but they are massive and you feel very little next to them. They got one of the elephants to give Marie a kiss on the cheek which left a huge mud mark, nice!! After the feeding session we got introduced to Roti again who would be testing our getting on and off skills along with our directions. Marie decided to go first and got up on first attempt. Quickly she realised that these animals are not like horses that will move as soon as you tell them to. It will take a little bit more force and direction. So she eventually got it around the track and back. The Mahout gave Marie some advice and said that I would probably find it easier to go bare feet instead of with flip flops. And it was. After another walk around the track it was time to get off. Being a little bit too keen she came off but scraped her arm on the way down as the elephant skin is like leather.

Next it was Martin to get on. He successfully got the elephant to do two loops of the track. Next it was Sixten. He struggled a little bit with the commands as they were not easy to remember. He did manage to get the elephant round the track but I think he was pretty happy to get off. Lastly Margareta went on. She got up ok but she was pretty scared. She calmed down and when she was told what to say and do she was fine around the track. She was very happy to get off and decided to opt for the chair with my dad instead of riding bareback.

There were three elephants that we were going to take out for a ride, two on each, so Martin and Marie had to share one and Margareta and Sixten shared one. We got on ok, albeit a little bit shaky. We had not been told where we were going to ride them but we assumed, as it was our first go, it would be somewhere easy. It wasn't. We started straight off with a hill with massive mud elephant tracks. Obviously not a match for the elephant but it was for us to stay on. After half way, we stopped and changed over so that Martin was driving and Marie was on the back. Neither front or back was easy but the person at the front had to do all the kicking, which hard with the hills. We made it back in one piece and it was an amazing experience. After the elephants had finished drinking water we got off and were given some palm trees to plant. You also got to write your own name plaque so they know which tree was planted by whom. Not sure how long it stays there for but it was good to plant something for the elephants to eat.

After this it was bath time. The elephants got into the water and then we threw water over them and brushed all the mud off. They seemed to really enjoy it.

After a group photo with the elephants our day was over and we headed back to Chiang Mai.

In the evening we went around the night market and Margareta bought a couple of bits.

Chiang Mai Day 3

We had to check out from the hotel at 12 so we decided to hang around there until it was time to leave. Our flight was not until 10 o'clock so we had plenty of time to kill. After deliberating what to do we decided to go to the Summer palace and the temple.The man from the hotel arranged a taxi for us and off we went. The Summer Palace was located in the mountains probably 40 minutes from Chiang Mai. When we got there it was pretty cool and misty. But the grounds were lovely and Martin and I fell in love with this little cabin that they use for their guests. We both said that we would prefer to live in that instead of the Palace itself. We also saw some lovely roses and gardens. After we had finished at the Palace we went to the temple on the way back. We got some fruit and corn on the cob for the cable car up to the top. There were some amazing views overlooking Chiang Mai and the airport.

We told the driver to take us back into town where we were going to get some food before going to the airport. We came into town and realised the big Sunday market was on. It was huge!!!We could have spent hours walking around but we decided to go and eat so we didn't have to rush.

We headed to the airport at seven and then killed a couple of hours there before taking the flight to Phuket.

Phuket/ Koh Lanta - Day 1 20th

We had arranged with the hostel to book us on the early boat to Koh Lanta so after only a couple of hours sleep off we went again. We all slept on the boat over to Koh Lanta so it didn't seem so bad. When we finally arrived the Hotel shuttle was there waiting for us. We got to the hotel and checked in fine. The hotel was nice and close to the sea. We had views overlooking to pool. We went and had some lunch in the restaurant but then decided to stay by the pool and chill out.

In the evening we went to Khlongnin Village for some food and drinks. Martin had some nice red snapper.

Koh Lanta - Day 2 21st

Beach, Beah oh lovely beach. Not going to write much about today as we just chilled out. Oh, we booked a Thai Cooking class for the 23rd.

Koh Lanta - Day 3 22nd

More chilling out on the beach, eating and drinking.

Koh Lanta - Day 4 23rd

In the morning we went to the beach (hard life) and then we got picked up to go to our cooking class at 5PM. There were six of us in total which was a nice size. We started by making fresh spring rolls. Martin and I had eaten them in Vietnam before and really loved them. After we had finished making them we ate them. Yummy. Then we went onto making the red curry paste. It was great to smell and taste the ingredients. When we had finished with the paste we went onto making chilli and basil stir fry. Martin, Sixten and Margareta made it with seafood and I made it with tofu. It was really nice and sooo easy. We continued by making the red curry and again it was great to see the technique he used and how it all became so easy after having had it shown and explained. After we had made the curry it was time for the egg fried rice with vegetables before we served up the curry. The egg fried rice was cooked very differently from how we had imagined. You don't get a sticky pan if you make it the right way. Finally it was time to eat the feast and it was great and we all really enjoyed it. With all the previous dishes we were all feeling full so we took some curry and rice home for lunch the next day. It was such a nice Christmas present from Margareta and Sixten.

Koh Lanta - Day 5 24th

God Jul. This is one Christmas Eve we will not forget and Martin and I have already decided we will not celebrate Christmas in a hot, not Christian, country ever again. If it wasn't for Margareta and Sixten being with us we would not know it was Christmas at all. We both love Christmas so it's hard not to feel the Christmas spirit. Anyway, we will make it up next year. So after having had breakfast we headed to the beach where Martin and I bought some Santa hats. We wore them on the beach and then decided to have a nice cocktail to celebrate.

We had a prearranged gala dinner in the evening which was compulsory so we headed back to the hotel around 3PM to get ready.

We got to the dinner around seven and we were pretty much the first people there. They had set up tables on the beach and it was very nice. We had our welcome drink and then sat down for dinner. The buffet had a good selection of salads, BBQ'd fish and meat. As a dessert they had made these two massive chocolate cakes. They were delicious but after our second go we were about ready to burst. So all in all very similar to any other Christmas Eve. After dinner they started with the entertainment and we saw traditional thai dances, thai boxing and fire juggling. After this they asked us to walk out on the beach and light the paper lanterns. We all realised them together and it made for a very pretty display on the sky. They continued with the entertainment but went a little bit overboard with a drag Britney impressionist and a male dancer who was dripping hot wax on himself. We decided that this was too much to take in and after 2 bottles of wine we called it a night.

Koh Lanta - Day 6 25th

Merry Christmas. If we had little Christmas feeling yesterday, we had next to none today. But we decided to hire a car and have a look around the island. We drove to the old town and visited the Hammock house. As it was Christmas Day Martin and I decided to treat ourselves to a nice Hammock for our next house (wherever that will be). We also bought Fred, Sofia and Siri a Hammock for the cabin. We continued up the cost and came to where the mangrove forest is. We hired a longtail boat which took us up the mangrove to see and feed the Monkeys. We also saw a massive lizard making his way across the river. Sixten and Margareta really enjoyed this!!!

We drove back to the hotel to talk to June and Graham before we went out for the evening. We wanted to go somewhere nice for Christmas dinner so we headed for one of the seafood restaurants in the main town. Margareta had fresh fish with Martin and Marie and Sixten had Thai.

We were meant to leave Koh Lanta tomorrow but decided that this would be too much of a hassle so we booked another night with the hotel.

Koh Lanta - Day 7 26th

As this was Margareta and Sixten's last day with us we didn't want to get up to much so we stayed around the pool at the hotel. Marie, Margareta and Sixten went for a walk along the beach and saw a nudist hiding in the bush. There are some really nice and quiet beaches on Koh Lanta but there's no one keeping them clean. It's such a shame that they don't put more effort in to cleaning the area as it would be beautiful. I know they have built everything up from scratch after the Tsunami and I don't want to complain but still…

Koh Lanta/Phi Phi - Day 1 27th

This was a sad day. I didn't want to leave my mum and dad and saying goodbye was horrible. I will miss them so much. I really hope they come to South America so we will see them again before August next year. I think the last day have been hard for both of us as we have felt a bit homesick. But home, for the time being, is where we lay our heads to rest in an evening.The meaning of the word home has definitely changed.

After saying our goodbyes, we took the boat over to Koh Phi Phi. It was very busy when we arrived and loads of people wanting to take us to hotels etc etc. We decided to go and have a look at some bungalows 15 mins away from the harbour. We walked in the heat over to the bungalows only to find a massive whole in between the toilet and the bedroom. With so many animals around there was no way I was going to stay here. So we took out bags and continued down towards town. We got about 1/3 when a man asked if we needed a room. He showed us a picture of the room and said he had both fan and air con. We followed him to the hotel to have a look. The fan room he showed us was clean and tidy and for 600 Bath per night we could not complain. So we paid and downed our bags. I needed a shower as I was so so hot from carrying my bag in the heat. We had a shower and then headed out to look around. It was a small town but packed with tattoo studios, massage parlours, restaurants, cafes etc. We walked past Island Divers and went in to get some info. The girl explained about the PADI course they offered and where we would be diving etc. We decided to have a look around before making our minds up. We continued walking for 10 minutes and then went into another diving centre. After a couple of minutes we realised we must be in the same place as before (but different branch) as the information was so similar. We went to one more place before we decided to go back to the first place and sign up with them. So we were given our books and 1 day to prep before starting out PADI. I was excited but scared at the same time.I am after all not a fish like Martin.

Phi Phi Day 2 28th

Today we laid on the beach going though out PADI books. Marie getting more nervous by the minute.

Phi Phi Day 3 29th

So today we started our PADI course. We did theory in the morning and then after lunch we were going to go in the water and practice some skills. The theory was fine as we had done so much the day before. When we broke for lunch Martin and I had to make a call to the dive doctor to get an all clear for our backs. We also had to go and get a medical from the local doctor. It was all fine but better to have it cleared as if something happened I bet the insurance company wouldn't like it. After lunch we practised setting up our kit and then took it out to the confined water in the harbour. We started by doing regulator recovery and then clearing the mask. Marie had issues with her mask and had to go up to sort it out. She ended up with the instructor's mask. We then went under again and had to take the mask off and then put it back on again. It was pretty scary but it went ok. Marie had another panic because she thought the air tasted funny. So when we got to the surface she asked the instructor to taste her air. It was surprisingly fine, but good on the instructor for trying it. After this we went down for a final time and this time it felt better.

First day was over and both of us were knackered. So some food and then an early night. We are not used to the 8 o'clock starts.

Phi Phi Day 4 30th

Day 2 of Padi. Today we had two dives planned, one in the morning and one in the afternoon after lunch. There were two people joining us for the dive, one Swedish girl and a Turkish guy. It was their first dive so they had to do some skills before we went in. It was nice to have time to relax before the dive and not be in the spotlight to do skills. After about 10 minutes we went in and started our dive. First of all we saw a little Clown fish family, lion fish and some beautiful fan coral, then we saw some eels poking their heads out from the rocks.

After the dive we stopped at Maya Bay (where they filmed the beach) and whilst the others had food Martin and I had to do our swimming test. After lunch we went onto our next dive site. This time Martin and I had to do our skills first and I could not get them right to start with. After we had finished the skills, we continued the dive but I didn't feel as good on this dive. I didn't feel like I was managing my buoyancy very well and I kept on floating up and then taking ages to come back down etc. Anyway, we did manage to see some turtles and some more lion fish.

We went for dinner in the evening and Martin and I had a chat about the dives and what I seemed to have a problem with. It was good to talk it though and he offered me some advice as he's more used to being under water.

Phi Phi Day 5 31st

Final day of PADI. We started at eight and we were both looking forward to our last two dives. We were joined by two Dutch girls. They were PADI qualified but they had not dived for a few years. We got to the dive site and they did their skills first and then Martin and I had to do some. It went much better this time and it seemed like what Martin and I had spoken about worked so I had no problems with my mask. The dive went really well and we saw some more coral fish and then a sting ray. We also saw some more eels. During this dive Martin and I was wearing dive watches so we could read the depth much better. We went down to 17.6 m. Very cool.

After lunch we went down for our last dive. We had all been using about the same amount of air during the first dive so we knew that we would get a fairly long second dive. Our instructor hurried us along to get ready so we would be first in the water. This was so we could get a chance to see sharks!!. Half way through our second dive the instructor Clynt signalled Leopard shark (zebra sharks) and we all got very excited. It was laying in the sand pretending not to be there. It was probably about 1.5 meters long so a fairly good size. Martin got so excited he stopped his controlled breathing and started to float to the surface. We continued further and just before we were about to go up we saw some Black tip reef shark. We were so lucky to see both meaning we pretty much saw all there was to see in the waters around Phi Phi.

Both dives went really well and I was so much happier with my kit and with my buoyancy. We came back to land and decided to have a short break before doing the PADI test.

Our test lasted for about an hour and Martin and I both passed without any issues. So we can now say we are qualified open water divers. Whooohooo.

As a treat, I went to have a manicure and a pedicure.

We were pretty knackered in the evening but we went out for dinner and then went to slinky's to see in the New Year.

Phi Phi Day 6 1st

Nice long sleep and then we lounged on the beach for the whole day. Did some shopping in the evening and then watched the football, Spurs v Fulham.

Phi Phi Day 7 2nd

We had a lazy morning and then walked up to the viewpoint, overlooking the whole island. It was an amazing view and it was also a picture for you to see how destroyed the island was after the Tsunami. After this we went to the beach and chilled out for the rest of the day. We watched some more football in the evening after having had a massage.

Phi Phi Day 8 3rd

Last day on Phi Phi so we decided to go to the beach!!! In the evening we did some more shopping and collected our washing. I have to say it is so cheap to do the washing, I wish it was the same in England. We went to this little Pad Thai shack for dinner and it was pretty tasty. We then moved onto a bar for a couple of drinks. But instead of finishing after a couple we decided to order a jug of Mojito. So we ended up in Slinky's dancing on the beach. A good way to finish Thailand off but I knew my head would be sore in the morning.

Phi Phi/Bangkok

Got up and went on the ferry for 8 o'clock. The sweets we had bought for the flight over to Sydney lasted for about 10 minutes.

We are not going to write any more about today as it just involved travelling so not very exciting.

Overall we both enjoyed Thailand but it's very touristy and quite expensive compared to Vietnam and Laos. It is also not as pretty and clean as Vietnam and Cambodia. Koh Phi Phi could have been a paradise island if you removed all the bars and if they did something about the horrible sewage smell. But then it would not be Koh Phi Phi a true backpacker island.