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Well we're back safe and sound and never has a year gone so fast. We know that it's cheating writing this from the comfort of the bungalow but the computer here is so much quicker plus it's too cold to be off cavorting in a t-shirt.
Since leaving you in Borneo we've been all over the place, seen lots of exciting things from temples to tuk-tuks and lakes to logging tracks and been joined at times by two honourary travellers. We'll have to do the last few months in stages otherwise our fingers will get sore from typing our tales (mine the slightly more dramatic and ever so slightly exaggerated ones and Bridgeys tales of the "completely different trip that she went on", as she always says as my stories come out slightly wrong).
So off we flew.. from Sandakan to Kuala Lumpa and KL to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok where we spent a couple of days eagerly awaiting the arrival of our mummy, that and munching on fruit salad (one of the few highlights of Bangkok)from our street vendor friends. We waited for what felt like ages for mum to appear, taking bets on wether she'ld appear with a rucksack or suitcase- she did us proud rucksack on and no makeup, thats our girl! People really wouldn't recognise us!
We spent a couple of days in BAngkok, accompanied by Martin our German friend from the overland truck in Africa. He's lived in Thailand for many years so introduced us to the highlights, an eye opening trip on the khlongs (canals) revelled a different side of Bangkok as people washed, fished and discarded of their waste in the river- all i can say is that i really didn't want to fall in that river (like Jo almost did) as we saw dead dogs floating by. We also spent a day looking around the Grand PAlace where all that glistens is not gold. It was spectacular though as the sunlight caught the brightly coloured mosaic tiles and gold leaf. It was quite something!
Next port of call in this whirllwind tour of Thailand was a visit to the old capital of Ayuttha with its many crumbling temples, wandering the temples in the drizzling rain only added to the atmosphere. From there we embarked on the long and tiring overnight train to ChiangMai. Sat for 14 hours on hard wooden seats with food sellers walking up and down the train shouting what sounded like "Jammy Car" (what's JAmmy CAr when it's at home?) and we've arrived in ChiangMai (at 5am in the morning). A friendly tuktuk lady with her pimped out tuktuk took us to a nice little guesthouse. There in ChiangMai we went on a jungle trek arriving at the home of the White Karen (one of the largest of Thailands rural tribes), saw workers in the rice paddies, got wet bums on bamboo rafts as we punted down the river and had the ride of our lives (well mum and Bridgey did) on rather mischievious elephants. We also had ringside seats at MuayThai boxing, sitting with the other Westerners was not our style so we climbed up to the back with the Westerners and found ourselves in with the boxers themselves and their families.
Not satisfied with numb bums once we decided to try again as we got a 19hours train, bus and boat ride over to the island of Ko Samet where we gave mum a much needed rest. We spent a few days walking on the beach, watching the sun go down whilst sipping cocktails and chatting over curries. Here Bridgey began her 3pm egg obsession keeping the beach vendors in business. Offer her a cup of tea and a hardboiled egg and she's a happy little girl.
The time with mum flew by (unlike the time with dad-only joking papa we love you really) and it was soon time to say a sad farewell. As mum waved goodbye we said hello again to Martin (our German friend) who spent the next few days driving us through beautiful rural Thailand where Waterbuffalo roamed and women worked the fields. Visiting the ancient Khmer temple complex of Prath Vaneer was jaw stopping, the view from the top of the hill on which the ruins stood looked out over Thailand, Cambodia and Laos- it was incredible. A big thankyou to Martin for taking us, we got to see a side of Thailand which we really enjoyed.
From one whirlwind trip to another it was off to Myanmar we flew.
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