So it's been just over 2 weeks, but actually feels like so much longer, because I seem to have squeezed in quite a lot. And now it's coming to an end....

I flew back to Bangkok from Hanoi; on arriving at Bangkok airport, I felt strangely like I was "home" again - even though I can't read any of the signs in Thai, and can't speak much of the language, I know how things work here, so it was nice to spend my last couple weeks here. (And when I say I know how things work, it doesn't really make sense, because I'm not sure there is much of a system here, and if there is, pretty sure Thai people don't know about it either!).

Anyway, met Marte the following day, after not much sleep! We got the rail link back to Lub D, and decided to go out and explore for the day. Day 1: we walked for what seemed like forever, got a boat down the river and went to the Grand Palace, but I'd been before, and we didn't fancy the 500B entrance fee, so just took pictures from the outside!

The following day, we went to Chatuchak market - I love this place! Every other time I'd been, I told myself I would wait until my last time to buy things, so this time I did....! My bank balance is really suffering from the last month or so!

On the Sunday, we got a bus over to Kanchanburi - arrived, found somewhere to check in, and there didn't seem to be many people around! We hired bikes, and went to see the famous railway bridge, then in the afternoon it started raining, so we went for a massage and a pedicure! :D That evening, went for pizza, and I spent a lot of the evening on my phone, checking the Yeovil result!

Monday we got up early, and got a bus to Erawan waterfalls - really beautiful! At times, a little bit of a trek - some ups and downs in mud - but really worth it. We made it to all 7 levels, where apparently a lot of tourists only go to 2 or 3. It was lovely though, and we met a Korean and Thai guy who we hung out with for the last few. There were lots of fish in the water nibbling away at our feet, which Marte was loving as she could have a free fish spa!

That evening, we got a bus back to Khao San road, and spent the next morning exploring Wat Pho (the one with the reclining Buddha) and Wat Arun (the one with really good views of the skyline!), before our flight to Krabi in the evening. We hadn't made plans any further, so when we got to Krabi, we got a bus to the town... Dropped off in a random place, and it was pitch black! We both mentioned how we'd never seen a closed 7-11 before, and I remembered that the only time I had was on Koh Samet when there was a power cut... same again! So we found somewhere to check in, in the dark, and went for dinner by candlelight!

Next morning, we got a bus to Koh Lanta. No boats are running as it's low season, so we got a minibus, which just involved a couple car ferries. Checked into Coco Lanta, which was really nice! Everything was very quiet, and it really was low season! But we spent our couple days just enjoying our nice bungalow, eating good Thai food, sunbathing and relaxing in the pool, which was perfect. The evenings were super quiet though, so we went to Phi Phi in search of some life!

2 days on Phi Phi, and it pretty much rained all the time. First day, we thought it would be a good idea to go to the view point. 10 minute walk, some nice photos, easy right?! Yeh... a couple hours later, several stops to shelter from the rain, a LOT of mosquito bites, and a fair bit of moaning, and we made it. In all fairness, the views were beautiful though! And on the way down, a lovely Thai man gave us a lift on the back of his motorbike :) We celebrated with pizza, and made friends with a Canadian guy who we planned to meet for drinks later.

On to the beach! But it rained.... we met an English girl, Hayley, got chatting, the rain didn't die down... so we decided to go swimming anyway! The rain was crazy, but the sea was nice and warm in comparison!

We showered, warmed up a little, then went for a manicure (times are hard, you know how it is!), before meeting Hayley for dinner. Then went for drinks, which wasn't quite as planned as it was a Buddhist holiday so lots of the bars were closed, and they couldn't play loud music! We met our Canadian friend, Gary, though, and had cocktails and ended with some drinks on the beach - so had a nice evening anyway. He was telling us about his passion for swimming with sharks - crazy, but really interesting!

Next day, still no sun for the beach, so we had breakfast, and did some shopping, before our ferry back to the mainland to go to Ao Nang. Got there, and met up with Jon and Chloe from TTT, and some new recruits, so had dinner and drinks with them that evening.

After a late night, we had a lie in, then went for breakfast, sat by the beach in some sunshine (but not on it, as the tide was in) and had a wander round the town. The next day we finally got our beach day! Which was lucky, as it was our last in the South! Ended our day with food and a massage :)

Flew back to Bangkok in the morning, and then got a bus to Prakhonchai, so that was just a travel day. On Wednesday, we got up early for a day at school. It was really nice - everyone was so excited to see me, and when we went to assembly, I could hear all the students telling each other "ah, Kru Nic!" :D I ended up taking one of P'Ni's classes, which was really nice, as it was my favourite class. At the end, they were all "ah, don't go! We miss you!"

Went out for lunch - som tam and sticky rice of course - then back to school for the afternoon. Rain came in the evening, so was going to take Marte on a little tour of Prakhonchai, but we just relaxed instead. Went for dinner at Baan Pete with Kru At, Kru Jeap, and the Kanlayaprasits, which was delicious!

In the morning on Thursday, we were taken to Phanom Rung, so Marte could see the local sites of Buriram, which was really nice (but so hot!), then had lunch at Kanlayaprasit school, before our bus back in the afternoon. In the evening, checked in to Wild Orchid in Bangkok, and had dinner and cocktails with live music, which was really nice.

Friday was Marte's last day, so we did our final bit of shopping, then I had a pedicure, while Marte had a massage. She left, and I waited for a taxi to take me and all my luggage to Lub D - noone wanted to take me on the meter, and they didn't want to go to Silom, because of the traffic. I was like "you're a taxi driver, in Bangkok, what do you expect?!" But anyway, I got there, and the driver helped me with my bags, so not all bad. And then when I checked in, they said I was "guest of the day" as I had stayed with them before, and had been upgraded to a private room! Perfect for my last stay (normally I like to stay in a dorm to meet new people), as I had to do some stuff online, and just wanted to relax anyway.

Went for dinner with Pong and his new tour group that evening, which was nice. Then yesterday, I met up with some of the guys I had worked on summer camp with, and we had Thai food. Was really nice to catch up with them for a final time!

Today! It's my final day, and I'm just waiting around now. I have SO much luggage, and I'm pretty sure I have too much weight, but don't want to throw out anything I don't have to, so waiting until I get to the airport, and have my prioritised list of what can go if necessary!

Feels so weird to be coming home after 8 months, but am really excited to see everyone! I came to SE Asia again, with the intention of getting a bit more done, so that next time I go away, I could go somewhere new.... But think I'm hooked on this place, and know I'll be back.

See you all on the other side! xxxxxxxxxxxx