Guess what .... Im back!!! Packed with loads of info but much too tired to write it all today, so tomorrow I will begin my recount. We all had a fantastic time (despite all 6 of us being sick at various stages of the trip!) Plan landed at 6.45am this morning, stretch limo home an hour trip during which all 6 of us very quickly nodded off to sleep, then in the door and the kids going through all my 4 suitcases searching for their goodies!!! And of course the mandatory 5 loads of washing! I must say it was a bit of a shock leaving the 38 degree heat of Bangkok and arriving in Sydney to a cold cloudy and rainy welcome ... oh well ... guess thats that nasty "R" word - REALITY!!!

Will start my JBR tomorrow guys ... Kitty

PS Kimbo. I see you have done your Hua Hin JBR - I will read through it tomorrow also.

Hi Kitty
Just moving on to Karon beach today for another 8 nights kept thinking bout you whilst we have been in patong
Looking forward to the JBR
Jackie

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Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

Yeh same here Jax, was on the lookout for you on the few days that our paths may have crossed in Patong, but did not see you. So ... how did you survive Songkran in Patong???? As for us, we got absolutely drenched as we ventured out to Chatachuk Markets on the Sunday, thinking that maybe it would be tamer out there with all the merchandise, but alas it was not!!! But ... it was a lot of fun and in the heat of the day at Chatachuk, more often than not we were standing there saying "c'mon bring it on - squirt me more!" The markets were
H U G E ... to say the least and we only managed about 3 hours there then the heat got to us and we actually ran out of money. We did find it much cheaper than anywhere else, but it was hard work bargaining ... I actually lost 700gm that day in pure sweat!!!!!

So Jax where did you stay in Patong? And where are you staying in Karon? We went on several drives down the coast past Karon and Kata and it looks so nice, much more laid back than Patong. But dont get me wrong - we just loved the hustle and bustle of being right in the middle of everything. We loved the location of the Merlin and we loved the Merlin itself! Enough from me for now ... sorry I just start waffling on sometimes. Jax I hope you have a fantastic rest of your holiday and keep us updated along the way. I didnt even make it to a computer the whole time I was there, although my daughter did manage to convince me to let her go on and chat to her friends a few times .... how would the children of today have survived back in our era?????

Hi Kitty, back. Cant wait to hear your thoughts and read your report. I forgot to tell you to make sure to get all your laundry done in Thailand before you pack. It is very cheap, makes packing easier, keeps the weight down as dirty sweaty clothes have to weigh more and most importantly you wont have to do 5 loads when you get home. Anyway, just a hint for next time...I hope there will be a next time.

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I love Thailand this much

That is really funny--my first thought was why on earth did Kitty bring washing home. I love unpacking all the plastic wrapped freshly laundered clothes and putting them straight in the drawers.
Chatachuk markets are great fun but hard work to see even a fraction of them same with MBK.
Looking forward to a good read with your JBR Kitty
Cheers laurs

Ohhh! that’s so good to know! I had no idea it would be cheaper(and less hassle!) to get your washing done over there!
GREAT!

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....Thailand here we come....

Yes well ... I did actually take note (only while in Patong) of the signs ups everywhere saying laundry cd be done for something miniscule like 60bt per kilo or something. My friend Nicole and I did note that seemed very cheap and maybe we shd get some done, but (like many other things) we just never got around to it.

So ... note to self (and to anyone out there who's listening!) that yes it is indeed a good idea to get all your washing done over there. I have come from the heat of Thailand to this **** weather, today it is 18 degrees, cold and raining and so ... silly me ... with all my washing to do is going crazy as I cant stand to have it all laying around and having my laundry full of clothes hung up everywhere.

Anyway ... so yes Laurs and Shane ... great idea ... Grace remember to do this!!!!

JBR will start very soon ... as soon as I have another cup of tea (proper tea - Lipton Intense with just a little bit of sugar and skim milk ... I have craved my perfect cup of tea for 2 weeks ... sometimes its just the little things that make you want to hurry up and get back home!!!)

Kitty

Noted! thanks Kitty!
are you in Sydney? it is cold, wet and rainy and about 18degrees here to! Cannot WAIT to get to 30 + in Thailand!

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....Thailand here we come....

Im in Wollongong so near enough to Sydney. While in Thailand when people ask where are you from? We'd say Wollongong and they'd go "where?" so we just always ended up saying Sydney! Yes ... its cold and yukky weather here (not good washing weather thats for sure!) and right about now Im craving the 35-38 degree heat of Patong and Bangkok!
Yes ... so def take forum advice and get as much washing done as poss over there before you come home. Oh ... and have a great trip!
Kitty

HAHA.. I could imagine Sydney is much better known than the gong'!

Cant WAIT for Thailand- only 15 sleeps to go!!!!

PS your JBR was GREAT! very interesting read.

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....Thailand here we come....