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Kieran:
Greetings possums!
We write to you from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where it is raining not only cats and dogs but also blue whales and woolly mammoths; it is HEAVY!
To pick up where we left off last time, we flew from Hanoi to Bangkok on the 13th, where we had a mental day and night; I kid you not, we spent the ENTIRE day in the MBK shopping centre (the Trafford Centre but there are 7 floors, not 2), and then the evening of course had to be devoted to Khao San Road. What a place. Just a shame about the rest of Bangkok. HOLE. Think that sums that up!
The next day we flew with great excitement to the island of Koh Samui for the big one; 10 days of beach with my Mum and Tez. It was a magic moment when we arrived on Mae Nam beach- when my Mum spotted us from about 50 yards away she started belting it down the beach towards us and virtually scooped us both up in a massive hug, one child under each arm!
The first 3 days were extremely hot but unfortunately the evenings were rather wet, so we weren't able to venture too far from the local area of Mae Nam. It was a very nice, quiet place though, our rooms overlooking a quiet beach with a fantastic view on the horizon of our next island stop, Koh Phangan. After 3 days we took a 2 hour boat across to Koh Phangan, where we would spend the next 7 days.
For anyone that has been to Koh Phangan, don't worry, we were far away from Haad Rin and it's 'Full', 'Half', 'Quarter', 'One Eighth', 'One Sixteenth' and 'Once in a Blue' Moon parties. Talk about clutching at straws. 'Ooh, the moon looks like it has a face today, let's have a Man Face Moon party to celebrate and charge everyone a million Baht to get in!'
Anyway, yes, we stayed in the North East of the island, on Thong Nai Pan Yai beach. It was paradise. Our hotel, the Havana Resort, was unbelievable and the beach postcard-esque. It has been one of the best weeks of our trip- sun, sea, snorkelling, living in luxury, not having to move anywhere for a week, but best of all getting to do with it some of our family.
Some of the highlights were; Mum and Tez setting off a huge chinese lantern that we had bought them one evening- it shot straight up into a clear night sky and fireworks unexpectedly started firing out of it, it was lovely. The next evening we spent laid on rugs on the beach watching fire throwers in front of the apparently world-famous Yai Bar! They were very good, but I'm mighty glad we weren't laid near the front. It is also the one and only time on my life that i've thoroughly enjoyed a spot of tribal house!
We also went on a day-long speedboat trip around the Anthong National Marine Park, which is a collection of 42 island mountains in the Gulf of Thailand. It is smaller than Ha Long Bay, and thus less well known, but it is almost as stunning. The trip included snorkelling, trekking on one of the islands to see an emerald lagoon and kayaking around another. We had a great day.
Yesterday was a sad day as Mum and Tez flew off back home. We had a quiet evening in Bohput (back on Samui, very nice place) ahead of today's flight. We have a day of sightseeing planned tomorrow and then the day after we head to Taman Negara: the oldest rainforest in the world and home to flying squirrels and dog toothed cat snakes. And lots of leeches apparently!
It appears to have stopped raining now so we are going to go out and try some of the famous hawker food that they have here in KL. Bon appetit!
Kieran and Emmy
- comments
suzy and tez Wow, what a fantastic time we had with you guys in Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. ~Thanks again for the amazing chinese lantern, Terry has really celebrated his birthday in style this year!! Was right sad to leave you two on Saturday:( Enjoy the rest of your time in KL - I'm sure the rainforest will be quite an experience - make sure you keep the camera dry!! Ours unfortunately not working since the dip in briny when jumping on ferry!!
Mum We're back from a great trip to Cuba. Although the weather was really hot, unusually so according to the locals who use umbrellas for sunshades. We travelled a lot and saw lots of the culture and heritage as well as historical site of the island. Will tell you all and bore you with photos when we see you. Hope you two are both well. Looking forward to hearing from you.