First stop Thailand…

I arrived in Bangkok about 5pm after an 11 hour flight and shared a taxi with a couple of guys I met in the airport to get to my accommodation. Had 3 nights booked in a cheap hotel which was quite nice. After dumping my stuff in my room I went for a wander up Khoa San road and got food. At first I thought it was just cloudy but I soon realised it was smog! Very hectic in Bangkok, all the locals are after your money and you barter for everything. It was very busy where I was, right im the middle of it. I met a Swedish guy a bit later on that night and got chatting so we had many beers, he then was stupid enough to say that the English couldn't drink, so we didn't quit till about 3am! In the morning (feeling a bit fraj) I got some food and went to the grand palace. I took lots of pictures but they really don't do it justice, it's an awesome place and I spent hours there, I walked back to my hotel (maybe just over a mile) but managed to get a bit lost, after being propositioned by a lady boy I decided to flee in the nearest tut-tut.haha. Traffic is crazy busy and the drivers are just as crazy!!

I met lots of nice people, a lot doing the same thing as me, most memorable that night was a jordy couple on their honey moon, so we ended up going to a few bars. Despite being determined to have an early night and still a bit jet lagged, I only managed to get back to the hotel at 4am (ouch) Had a great night though, and being only there for 3 days I was always going to make the most of it. I still managed to get up okay the day after and went to the national museum - it was okay but nothing special really. It was then my last night and I found a rooftop bar with live music which was awesome, just a guy with a guitar singing but really really good, met a bunch of people from all over French, Belgium, new Zealand so ended up with them just chatting and having a good night. The French girl of the bunch could even do a cool trick which I have yet to practice (pretty good though..yes im a geek) Walked back to the hotel about 11 but I bumped into the jordy couple again!! ..So we thought it would be good to have some drinks and….then…..Sambuca. She was really funny though and we both blamed each other for the late night. I have already been in touch with them on facebook so will definitely stay in contact, they want me to go down to Newcastle for a night out. So yes it got kind of late again on my last night, and I had to be up early ish to get my already booked taxi to the airport to get to Krabi (South of Bangkok). However, I somehow managed to not set my alarm correctly and overslept! I was panicking big time, shoved everything in my backpack and fled the hotel as fast as I could. Got another taxi though and still made it in good time, however I did manage to forget my (rather expensive) sunglasses. Quite displeased at that but I have rung the hotel and they are going to keep them for me till I get back. I'm going back up that way anyway in 2 weeks (somehow) so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Traveller lesson #1 learnt: Do not stay up drinking Sambuca if you have travelling plans the day after and you cannot configure your alarm on your phone!!!

Anyway, got my flight, and from the airport to a bit of luxury for 5 nights in Ao Nang, Krabi, right near the beach. Quiet and very nice accommodation, just managed to get an hour of the sun in the pool before coming back to my room to write this first instalment. Going to leave the beer I think for a few days and get up nice and early tomorrow to go to the beach and look at some places to go and scuba diving. J

…I didn't quite get round to sending the first instalment so thought I would bring it up to date and post it shortly…

My first full day in Krabi was spent chilling out, went down to Ao Nang beach which is really nice and the view from there is something else when you first see it. Only stayed an hour or so and then went for a wander round the place and then had a couple of hours of iPod and pool time in the afternoon which was much needed. I went to a place called Boat Noodle for tea which was great food (thanks for the tip Tom), I then went onto a cool bar with awesome live reggae music and other tunes; picture these Rasta guys doing radio head and tracy chapman, haha, but it was so good. Then there was a fire show thing, guys doing crazy things with fire including eating it, it was pretty good to watch, I then watched Liverpool stuff the filthy mancs 3-1, which was also nice. I think you could hear me over the live band every time they scored.haha. Got quite an early night because I had some rock climbing to do today. The location was really nice (I know I keep saying everything is really nice but im at a bit of a loss how to describe it all - hopefully my pictures will help!) with cliffs right on the beach. It was in a different place called railay bay so took a boat (they all have these big long tail boats) to get there. I was a bit nervous at first not knowing the guy who was holding my rope but he had done it before and he was nice (even being a bog eyed chap from Holland). I did about 5 climbs from between 10 to 30 meter pitches, very grippy limestone but more than enough to challenge me in that heat, was reallyglad to of done it though and might do some more before I go. Got back about 3 hours ago and went and booked my diving around Phi Phi island, doing that the day after tomorrow and I can't wait, three dives and lunch is included. Called in a little restaurant for my first Thai curry after that, it was the best thing I have eaten since I got to Thailand (although the noodles are also very high on the list) and it was less than £5 with a beer! It started to rain to but I thought I would be okay walking back in it, but then it absolutely cained it down, like nothing you really see in the UK, then the thunder, lots of it. It's been like that the 2 days I have been here, really nice in the morning and scorching then about 3pm the heavens open up. Ao Nang (Krabi) itself is a nice place, there is plenty to do with trips and things but it's quite quiet (which suits me fine for the moment) I may just be saying that though because I have come from Bangkok - the most hectic place ever. Nothing planned really for tomorrow, maybe just a chill day, but also going to look get some accommodation sorted on Phi Phi island when my 5 days are up here.

That all for now folks! J