This is the JBR from our 10 week trip in 2008

Well where to start. At the beginning may be a good place.
The time had finally come the 28th March we were going to the airport about 3.30 in the afternoon. Our friend Tony was picking us up and as he has a big swanky Mercedes we would be travelling in style.
We had been counting down the hours to this moment.
Flight on emirates ok and we were lucky enough to get enough spare seats to spread out.
It is a long way there is no doubt about that. The transit through Dubai really adds on the hours.
Finally we touched down in Bangkok and the first stop was to be in the Bhiman Inn a small place off the koh san rd. we have never stayed in this area before so it was a first.
After a quick shower we set off to explore and have a green curry and a chang. This place is mad with lots of hustle and bustle going on. It was not long before the fatigue caught up with us and we headed back to bed.
Sunday morning saw us up early and off we went down to the river at pier 13. We bought a couple of tickets for 15 baht each and had a great trip down the river. We got off at the end of the trip where you can get the sky train but instead of doing that we wandered around the streets. In desperate need of a coffee we tried a couple of places but were unsuccessful.
We got back on the river and this time paid 20 baht each but this time had a commentary along with the journey.
In the afternoon we decided to try the little pool that the hotel had and there were the strangest arrangement for getting in the steps were like slots in the wall and only room for your toes. I could not manage this and although I got in I could not get out. What a palaver Dave had to put a chair in for me to climb on to and then pull me out. I was so glad that there was no body there to witness it I would have been really embarrassed. Having said that I have now told you all and you can imagine me dragging my sorry a@se out the water!
That night it was back down the koh san.
The morning after we flew to krabi. We flew from the old (Don muang) airport. I like this airport. You can keep your Gucci shops etc in the new one.
The flight was on Nok air and ok. I had a window seat and I could see all the way as there was very little cloud.
We had not beeked anything so we got some accommodation at the airport. It was for the aonang paradise. A nice little hotel with a small pool. The rooms were ok but the bed was just a standard double. We have a super king size at home and I find a double too small.
Krabi is beautiful but we found the same this time as last time that the standard of food apart from the food court going towards nopparata was just not as good as we have had in other places.
We went to nopparata to a bar called kenneths. We had spent some time here last time a Kenneth who is now about 9 recognised us.
I forgot to mention that we got the BUS from the airport. At this stage I felt that I was very much the intrepid traveller.
I was on anti biotics for the first few days as I had been bitten by something nasty in Bangkok and it had turned in to cellulitus.
We went on the beach with the monkeys and I loved this. I really like monkeys.
We did not bother this time with railey or the other beaches that you get to by boat as we have been there before.
Krabi is okay but I don’t think that we will return. The scenery is lovely with the limestone cliffs etc. I don’t like the stretch along the beach, shops etc I don’t know what it is about them. You have to watch what you are spending as we found some places to be quite pricey.
We decided to make our way to Koh Lanta we had only ever been before for the day but we decided to plump for 5 days and booked some accommodation off agoda. We went and booked our tickets for the boat. I worried at this stage that it would be a rough boat trip. I would not say that I am a terrible sailor but I have a phobia about other being sick…..this would be tested in the coming weeks.
We ate in maccy dees twice I am ashamed to say this is something we never do, and would not dream of doing at home tells you something about the food.
Enjoyed ourselves but ready to move on when it came. At this stage it seemed as thought we had months stretching out in front of us.

__________________
Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

JBR2Well the time had come to move to Koh Lanta. We set off at about 8 in the morning to go to the boat. It was only a short ride and we picked others up on the way. We sat inside not on the very bottom deck and had a good talk to some young Germans.
The boat filled up but was by no means full and off we went. Just after we had set off we stopped and another boat pulled up along side and dispatched people on to our boat.
When we had set sail I went up on deck and really enjoyed standing there with my MP3 I was really glad that Jo had sorted this out for me before we went. The wind was blowing in my face as we went along and I was losing myself to Eminem’s lose yourself in the music and lots of other tunes.
We arrived at Saladan port and located some transport to our accommodation now at the moment I can’t for the life in me remember what it was called. We got it off agoda and we had booked 2 nights to start with. It was at the far end of the beach. We were delighted that they had upgraded us to a suite. Fantastic view from the room and a bit of a hike from the pool. The place was nearly deserted.

That night we set off along the dark and dusty road to find a bar or place to eat. After what seemed like hours we went in to a 7/11 and got a beer and sat outside. It was like the annual insect ball and we were being eaten alive……….sharp exit.
We carried ion and eventually found somewhere the food was good and well priced. Back to the room and a lie down after all that trekking.

Kohl anta is beautiful in an unspoiled kind of way. We fell in to an easy pattern and met a couple from the UK who we used to join for a drink in the hotel at night.
Hello Jen Stevo Hannah and Matthew if you ever read this.
We decided to extend our stay instead of tear arssing off to Phi Phi we had been to Phi Phi before and we were enjoying this.
We hired a car and went all around the island we fed elephants and walked on beaches with only the two of us. It was lovely. We went to where the sea gypsies live.
Each night we went to Saladan to eat. We found a difference in the staff in the eating places and bars etc. Koh Lanta is 95% Muslim and there is a different vibe.
One of the nicest things was a Thai market and fair that was on ever night and was for the Thaïs with all that families out enjoying themselves. There were markets bouncy castles and bingo!!! In Thai of course as well as big jugs of chang for 100 baht and delicious food.
We booked our ticket for phuket and the next leg was going to be not only Patong a complete contrast from where we where but also it was Songkran and…………………..the $35 (aussie) accommodation that we had bought off eBay. I rang the organisers and told them that we would be arriving by boat and could someone pick us up for no charge……yes they would.

Our time in Lanta was coming to an end and so was the season for although we were having fab weather we were told that the boats stop in May and low season there was really low.

The morning came to move on it was a chunk of boat journey to Phuket via phi Phi . We again were lucky with the weather.

Arriving at the port the driver met us and proceeded to Patong he took us first to the wrong hotel and then after quite a lot of confusion found the Than thip villa. When we booked in we were told that the new wing was not officially open until the day after. They were also expecting bikers in for the big bike week. Did not know that that was happening or I would have taken my Harley!
We said that we would try the rooms and if it was too noisy we would move. The room was lovely everything was as you would expect brand new. Plasma screen TV large bed beautiful and the added bonus that no one had stayed in it before us.

Could this be true could it be equal to about £15. Oh dear what had we done, were we going to be done! When would they pounce? We unpacked and marvelled at what could be the bargain of the centaury or a thorn in the side. Well you will have to wait to find out as I am going now to finish off this very nice bottle of shiraz………………………………see you soon

__________________
Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

Off we go….I am not totally sure that people want to read the ramblings of an old and confused woman…..well middle aged and just a bit dippy.
Vote now if you want me to continue.

We were waiting for there catch to the cheap room and the next morning we got a phone call to say that Vince had dropped by and left a package for us….Vince? Oh yeah the presentation. He left word to say that we would be picked up at 10 am the morning after.
We scuttered off to the beach in case Vince was still hanging around.
Did not take us long to find a fave bar which turned out to be a bar called Teeps. Beer 50bht from 7pm until midnight my kind of bar. There were also lot’s of Aussies called Kev and Denno and Bev and bill and things like that. I like Aussies.
At 10 on the dot the guy turned up our new friend Vince. He led us to the car past all the Harleys and big beefy bikes, who by the way had owners that were quieter than church mice. Very civilized the Thai hells angels it seemed.
We went to a hotel for the presentation which was about access to a web page for cheap rooms. Vince did not seem to be able to answer our questions and Dave asked if we could contact them later about it and got the stock answer of it is only for today. So Dave tells him that means that you can’t contact us either after today.
We thanked them very politely and said that it was not for us although we could see the application working for some.
We were given 4 vouchers to give to friends and family for the same and offered a taxi back which we declined.
So that was it…….well was it yes it certainly has been up to yet.
We liked this side of Phuket before we had stayed at the Amari end and fought our way along the front and disliked it. We liked the vibe down this end the beach was nice and the bars well priced and decent places to eat.
There were rock bands on down near the beach where a stage had been set up. They were selling jugs of beer and it was great. Songkran was nearly upon us and it was the first time that we would be in Thailand for it. The night before I got drowned by a stupid Swedish woman.
As I posted it was here that we witnessed the scam with the jet ski and it did leave a nasty taste in our mouth.
It was great to see the Thai families enjoying themselves.
Before we knew where we were it was nearly at the end of our week at Patong beach. One thing that we really disliked were the tuk tuk mafia wanting 200 baht to take us just along the road. No thank you I would rather put 4 beers down my neck and walk pattaya has not got a lot o offer but they could learn something from the baht busses even if they doubled that up to 20 baht per person they were always full and moving not like the rows and rows in phuket just sat there.
We were off to Karon beach and the Centara. We have stayed in these hotels before so I did not research the reviews much. We got a taxi there and for the first time it looked like rain.
The bar and reception was lovely and all you would expect from a hotel of this standing. We were staying in the terrace ooms and we were taken there OMG, OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! I was appalled I could have got a better room in a guest house for a 1,000 baht a night. I dug my heals in and said that I would not stay there and that I wanted an upgrade and I would come part way to paying towards it. There were no deluxe rooms left only superior deluxe and the upgrade was usually 2,000 but they would do it for 1,000 per night I should bladdy well think so. In with the was free papers, internet, cocktails between 5.30 and 7pm ( that will have stopped now when they found out what we could consume!), free tea and coffee and canapés. It was also a lot bigger and nicer room around a pool. Great.
The next day it unravelled…………………. We had been to reception to pay the difference and was told to leave it until we wee going. We had the wrong ticket for the towels and the madam on the desk was a real upstart. We went in for coffee and the girl in there was a right surley cow and nearly flung it at me. Land of smiled nobody told her it was.Then back in the room the phone rang and a voice demanded to know if we were going to come to reception and pay for the up grade WHAT? were we going to come there immediately or did they want us to send some one.
Oh we were going to reception alright GET ME THE MANAGER…….. NOW !!!!!

__________________
Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

On with the tale we go……….
Well we saw the manager. Khun Andre who was Swiss and apologised. He gave us a bottle of wine and vouchers for a full afternoon in the spa for both of us.

When we had stayed in Karon last time we used to go in to a bar called Magic. It was a go-go bar of sorts but to be honest it looked like where the clapped out girls had gone to retire. No nubile virgin here I don’t think.

There was also a dog…………….I know you think that I have lost it but the tale or tail will come together. This dog that did not belong to the bar but lived further down nearer to the front village. We used to see it when we were there last time in Jan 2007. You could not miss it as it was as ugly as sin. It had a squashed nose and snorted all the time it also had teeth that stuck out, straight out. I will post a picture when I can I have been trying all afternoon. Anyway keep the dog in mind!
We called in the bar to see an old girl called Tick that we used to chat to last time we were there. They tells us matter of fact “oh Tick she dead” on further enquiry we were told they were not sure what she died of they thought something inside…….pretty certain it would be !!!
Anyway just then old snort the dog comes strolling up and plonks himself next to me like a long lost friend. I was amazed tick was dead but the dog still living. To make it worse everyone wanted a picture of the dog and especially the Japanese who I ended up telling them it was my dog and a very rare snotty snuffler breed. There are pictures all over Japan with me and snotty snuffer.

We hired a jeep whilst we were there and did a good trip out and around.

The room was very comfy and the pool nice and don’t forget the included wine so we whiled away our time here in bliss of the outside world.

We did meet an elderly lass from the UK who had won a competition to go there and had gone on her own as her sister said that it was no place was Thailand for the likes of them. She was really nice and joined us for a drink or two.

We decided that we needed to get back round to Krabi for our flight back we decided to get a shared mini bus it cost us 300 each and this was a lot cheaper than getting a private car.

One night that we went out we decided to have a drink at the bar in the front of the hotel. There were high stools up to the bar. We climbed on them and it was only then that Dave realised that someone had vomited all over the chair and it was all over him. It was gross…………..
That really spoiled the night and Daves shorts!

We whiled away our time in phuket I looked on the internet and booked a hotel for the night in Krabi town we had not stayed in the town before only at Aonang. I thought that we could have a few hours round the pool, read for a while have a look around the town and get an earlier night.

We had an early pick up from the Centara……he was late. We were the last to get in the mini bus and the were a strange assortment of people in 3 Arabs and 2 French back packers and one German bloke. We also had a maniac driver and although I am not easily spooked I thought that we were going to die on a Thai road, game over, life up, what a way to go.
All to save a few baht. The van stopped as it got into Krabi and we did not know where we were they were trying to heard us on to another mini bus there was no room for us and I decided it would be better to get a tuk to where we were going.
The driver did not know where he was going and eventually and he lagged a guy down in a car that said that he would take us for 200 baht. Once on our way her then changed his mind and said that it was a long way and he wanted to charge 250. on yer bike mate!!

We got to the hotel and it was new. We settled in the room. The hotel was miles out of anywhere there was nothing around it was on a main road and the only thing anywhere near was a paint shop. Oh well I said to Dave we will just relax and have a couple of hours around the pool. Me getting my swim stuff on, towel and book under arm goes to reception to ask direction to where the where the pool was……………..erm we don’t have one came the reply, it will be ready in 3 hours…..what she meant was 3 months. But says I “ I saw it on your web site”. Closer inspection of the picture revealed a small pond with coy carp in……..Oh bug#er……..Doh! did I feel a nit wit…Intrepid and savy traveller that would be me then.

__________________
Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

Sorry for the above I posted the same twice. I have continued on a separate post

__________________
Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

Thank you so much jax for your JBR. We are making notes. I envy you, you had so much time & we had just one week. Anyways I am retiring soon & hope to spend at least 3 weeks in Thailand next winter. Please continue.

I have to say that if I don’t seem as chipper as usual it is because a deep depression has settled over me. This has not been helped by the weather here turning decidedly….well British is all I can say.
Well on with the tale. We went in to krabi town and it rained! There was hardly anything open and it was miserable. Well off to bed and back to Bangkok tomorrow for an overnight stay before Vietnam.
The airport at krabi let me warn you, has no facilities for refreshments once you pass through security. You just sit there and twiddle your thumbs, contemplate your navel or whatever before you flight leaves.
We flew in to the old (Don Muang) airport and got a taxi to the convenience hotel. This hotel is very convenient for the airport just that nothing else but the airport. It had not cost a lot of money and it was very basic.
We went for a walk around and about and were looking for places to eat but could not find any the hotel had an open air place downstairs. The hotel is in the middle of fields. No problem there until it started to rain and every insect within a 3 mile radius piled in to the restaurant. We were inundated and the only way to try and stop them was to turn out the lights. Another early night! I felt like I was itching all night.
Up in the morning for a flight to Vietnam. I am going to post this bit here as it would spoil the flow if I did not.
Up and at 'em for the flight. The flight was on Nok airways and was uneventful apart from the young bloke next to me who was like he was suffering from St vitas dance he never kept bloody still jittering and fidgeting away the whole flight.
On landing we secured a taxi and went off to the hotel. I had booked a couple of nights through agoda. The hotel that changes its name to suit its mood and who is likely to sue it all the time. It was booked as the paradise orchid it is also the paradise, the new paradise orchid and the new orchid take your pick what ever one you choose it is all sh#t.
We booked some travel through the travel agent there to nga trang only to be told later that he could not get it we had paid $760. It was coming up to the May Day holiday this was true. We asked for our money back and got in to a right row. These people are not Thai and will front you. I thought that at one stage Dave was going to plant him. The guy ran off down the street!!!!
When we had calmed down we decided that they must not have the money to pay us back so we went to then and said could we look at a situation that was acceptable to us all. Could he get us flights to danag so we could go to hoi an and then back to Bangkok. He came up with a flight schedule that suited us and would mean we could meet up with Jo as she flew out from the UK and fly straight out to Samui.
The cost we thought was very expensive at $760 but he told us that the flights were on Vietnam airlines (allowing us 20k baggage) and one leg was business most importantly the times were great and fit in with what we wanted. I said to Dave that we needed to make the best of our time there so we went for a cyclo ride. The place is manic the food left a lot to be desired and the breakfast in the hotel was inedible the only thing that I had was dry bread and water in the mornings as the coffee was also undrinkable. Also be aware that the coffee is served with thick sweet condensed milk everywhere YUK and positively dangerous for a diabetic.
The shopping here was amazing but with travelling around so much we could not buy much. We were also well wound up with the last couple of days hassle. I think at this point that we were both thinking that home seemed a better option. It was a real low point of the trip.
The roads are mad with rows and rows of scooters and motor bikes and you take your life in to your own hands when trying to cross the road the advice we were given was just go! They will go round you and it seemed to be true. On the way to the airport we saw 3 people who had come off their bikes and were in the road.
The flight to Danang was ok and the Vietnam airlines plane was new and efficient. What did throw us was that I had been to the desk before we took off the ask something only to be told that the other 2 flights we had were not with Vietnam airline at all they had been changed at the last minute by the travel agent to air Asia. Not only this but they were at much later times and would get us in to Bangkok too late for the Samui flight and to meet Jo.
I was gutted we had been done over like a kipper. As well as the money my pride was hurt that someone was able to do this.

I had booked 2 nights accommodation through agoda with the indochine hotel in Hoi an. We were not in the best of moods and I only hoped that this hotel was ok.
When we got there we had been up graded. Good start. The room was massive if I tell you it had 7 sets of French doors and windows round it and 3 aircon units it will tell you something of its size. There were also 2 massive beds dining furniture and a view that was spectacular overlooking the paddy fields and a shrimp farm. Main drawback, no pool.
We had paid $49 a night and negotiated the same rate for a further 5 nights.
We went to the beach the weather was lovely the sand was really white. The sea quality good if not more choppy than where we had been.
The seafood on the beach was good and plentiful and very cheap.
They produced a wine that was on some occasions drinkable it was a bit like Russian roulette but if you got a good one it was really cheap and a winner. The beer also was good and one in particular beer larue that was the equivalent of about 20 baht. It was lighter than some at under 4% but it was owned by fosters and I liked it….and the price.
Every morning we went out on pushbikes and rode around the country side it was breathtaking really beautiful.
We did this every morning followed by the day on the beach. Evenings were very low key and we went back to the room early with a bottle of wine and played cards. You needed to be early as the French tour buses were away early and they are so noisy. I am sorry but I find the French very rude I am sorry if I have offended anyone with this but they were not willing to pass the time of day and ignored you if you said good morning. There was an ignorant woman smoking in the dining room at breakfast even though you could sit outside if you wanted.
Some things seemed strange there were no 7/11 or stores and supermarkets as such. Things were harder to get hold of. There were no phone cards and internet cafes were not in abundance like Thailand. I felt that the food hygiene was not the same and I saw quite a few rats. One in particular kept me awake with the thought of it. It was HUGE, and came out of the restaurant that we had just been eating in Dave was convinced that he had seen it in a waiters jacket.


We whiled away the time and I was getting excited about meeting up with Jo. The receptionist tried to change our flights to what they should have been it would cost us another $400 we could not pay this on top of the $760.
I went to Hoi An town as we were staying down at the beach me and Dave had a mega row about a pair of shoes that I bought. I was just wondering if they would fit sideways up…….
The market was something else but hassle upon hassle. As I say the people are more confrontational. They also pull their face if you buy from anyone else.
For a couple of days in the middle it was very busy as it was the main May Day holiday the Viet don’t get much time off and this is one of the main holiday besides Tet. It was the second time on this trip that we had been involved in some celebrations and it was a good feeling to see everyone letting their hair down.
Not long to meeting Jo now. I was getting really excited.
We left the hotel and was taken to the airport by the manager of the hotel….. we boarded the first flight to Saigon (HCM). Although a short one and a bit hours it was a nightmare. I have mentioned my vomiting phobia….oh if I have not this is a long standing phobia of people being sick. The child to the side of me started throwing up BEFORE take off. The child behind just after and both continued for the entire journey. This was the supposed business class part !!!!!!
The next leg we were charged $50 excess baggage as we were with cheap airline air Asia thanks to swizzling, lying, cheating, conniving bugger ‘o a travel agent. I felt murderous.
We arrived in Bangkok. We had missed the last flight to Samui.
I was tired fed up pi##ed off and just plumped for the nearest hotel the Nova. No, I was not going back to insect central (convenience). Dave started to raise an objection about the price but before he could get the sentence out I was sat in the mini bus planning which extortionate bottle of wine to order in the bar. Some times Dave just knows instinctively when enough is enough and he got in the mini bus beside me.
Back in Bangkok I felt we had come home…………….

__________________
Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

Well after our night in the Novotel with a bill of £134 we were ready to fly to Samui and to meet up with Jo.
I was really looking forward to seeing her and knowing that she was already in Samui made it all a bit surreal.
Off to the airport and we took advantage of the excellent Bangkok airways lounge. We could have gone on an earlier plane but it was a prop and would not have got us in much sooner.
The airport was a revelation and totally changed from last year although still ”cute” it was nowhere near like when we first used to go 9 years ago.
I was chomping at the bit to see Jo and she was waiting in reception for us with 2 cold chang beers.
We were all jabbering away at once and trying to check in. Now I had got a deal on this hotel buy 5 nights get 5 free. As we had arrived early I decided to try to get the same deal on a couple of nights. This was no go and they charged us 3,600 baht for 1 night. I had got the 10 for £265 that is around 1500 per night. A major rip off.
Jo said I don’t think that you will like the rooms they are very dated and I know from what you have said before about the standard usually being good that this is probably not up to standard.
She was right. As we left the hotel 11 days later they seemed to be renovating it.
The housekeeping was very good, breakfast ok. The sea in front of the hotel had loads of sea lice and you got nipped. The sun beds also needed replacing.
Anyway sod all that we were here and so was Jo. We unpacked and went down on to the beach had a bite to eat and then made arrangements to go out that night.
We met in our room and we showed Jo the photos we had taken so far on our laptop. We went out and made our way along beach rd stopping every so often for a beer, and another and another. We discovered that the will wait that we used to go it to was closed !!!!! There is another but we don’t think that it is anywhere near as good.
We ended up on the beach and had a fab if boozy night we were all so hyper that the alcohol was just flowing down.
The morning after……….. Dave had started with a really bad cold and sore throat, coupled with the hangover. I went to the supermarket and it was closed until 10 I then went for brekkie and took Dave a coffee back. Jo was nowhere to be seen.
I ventured back out at 10 to go to the supermarket and was accosted as you are by a taxi driver. As I walked away I thought it may be worth going to Tesco lotus as I want quite a few things. I went back to him and negotiated a rate with him. I told him that I would not be long as I only wanted a few things. His English was very limited so this was with a number of nods and smiles.
Off we went the taxi felt like the arse was dropping off it. You need to use your imagination with this next bit as I can’t tell it as funny in writing as it was.
I repeated to him in the car park that I would not be long. He seemed to understand. As I was going in to the store I turned round to find him next to me with a trolley, grinning. Oh bugger I could not get it through to him that he needed to just wait with the car.
Oh well went around shopping with my personal shopper with me. I then decided as I was there to get some wine. After selecting some the assistant was exchanging an animated conversation with my PS (personal shopper). The upshot was you can’t buy wine until 11am and it was 10.15. I said that I would leave it he was insistent by gestures to his watch that we would wait. I tried to pass the time on by walking round the clothes bit. Everything I looked at or touched he said one word “beautiful”. I felt like I was on candid camera. There was also the problem that I told Dave that I was just going up the road to the supermarket.
At the stroke of 11 he announced to me and all of Tesco that it was WINE TIME! By this time the trolley was nearly overflowing with not needed, boredom purchases.
We went back to the hotel and I carted 7 carrier bags of shopping to the room the look on Dave’s face. He said where have you been I was worried. I said I have been to get you some paracetomol at which he looked at the bags and just shook his head.
3pm before Jo emerged bless her. I think that tonight will be quieter. Daves birthday tomorrow so it needs to be.

__________________
Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

Happy birthday Dave! Dave’s birthday or La as I call him so it must be May the 8th. I had got him a ring and some earrings from a lovely silver shop near the hotel. He was still full of a cold and not a 100%.
Jo and I said that he could choose where to eat and he chose the snitzel house. This has been here for years.
Had a nice day walking the beach up to OP bungalows and sitting watching the world go by. Went back to the hotel and Jo paid for Dave to have a massage for his birthday. Back at the room the hotel had given him a cake nice touch but it was all butter icing and neither of us has particularly sweet tooth so we end up sneaking it in to bins all over to avoid offending anyone.
Went out that night and had a good meal and then went to the Star caberet where we made it known to the staff that it was Daves birthday. The had him dressed up as a woman and backstage where the partially stripped him and placed big red kisses all over him. I laughed so much that I thought that I was going to have a stroke.
We had had a really good night.
We made arrangements to pick up a car for a couple of days we could find somewhere to move on to and we could show Jo around Samui.
After another day of beaching and walking Jo went to sort out some glasses. We went out for something to eat and ended up in the wave a great little bar with fab owners.
We decided to go back to the hotel and on our way back a very enthusiastic (hum!) bar girl came rushing out screaming WEL—COME!!!, WEL----COME, HELLO. We looked at each other and went well just one. 3 hours later and numerous drinks Dave shimming up the pole ‘cos he offered the girls 100 baht for the first one up and they all declined! We staggered out leaving Jo there.
In the morning I though oh my God what if something happened to her I could just imagine her mother beating a path to our door.
Turns out she had pulled. Now I am not going to go in to details here as it is a public forum but get this. A lass from Lancashire in the UK pulls a guy from Lancashire in the UK in girlie bar in Thailand. Bet the girls in the bar were pissed off, who pays the bar fine on that one then!
It was another 3 in the afternoon for Jo again the next day.
Fun catching up with the details though.
Can’t remember what else we did that day. So engrossed with the news!
We picked the car up and did the bottom of the island Lamai, lipa noi etc. We laughed and laughed about things that are much too rude to repeat here.
We went to Tesco Lotus and this time without the personal shopper. That night we went to starfish and coffee in fishermans village. We have been before and we have also stayed there for a few days but I realised this time I don’t like it.
Back for an earlyish night.
Up and out and did the other way round the island visiting Maenam big Buddha etc. We got a blessing for a monk. I like big Buddha I like the shops etc they are a bit different. That night we went to Lamai to eat at salathai. Nice meal as it usually is. Went back to Wave.
Car went back today.
Dave had lost the room key and we had to get another they left us without one for 3 days and each time we wanted to get back in we had to go back to reception. They wanted 1,000 baht to replace it and I told them to go take a hike and we settled on 500.
Now let me tell you about Kate Winslet. There was this bloody infuriating woman who had done everything that you had with bells on. She knew every hotel and bar/ restaurant owner on the island. If you paid 100 baht for something she only paid 50. You know the sort you have all met them. She had visited she said in the same year that we first had 9 years ago. According to her there were no roads then !!!! I don’t remember that. Any way her husband was called Jack and all you could hear round the pool was Jack, Jack, Jack. Dave said she’s like bloody Kate Winslet in Titanic.
I love sitting round the pool with a cool drink – book - all relaxed and slagging folk off.
I can be a nice person sometimes. How boring is that.

__________________
Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

I like to get the comments back and I do hope that I am not boring every one.
Well the trip was progressing and Jo was loving it. She is now a Thai addict of course the place is worse than a crack den or McDonalds.
Went to the ark bar on the Wednesday night as this is the night for the Ark bar on the beach good tunes lively atmosphere and great - great (can’t think of another compliment!). had a really good night. Got back late and Jo is telling me the day after that she went back out at 3am to ring a mutual friend in the UK. As she got to the supermarket two bikes collided, one of them was travelling up the one way road the wrong way. One bike was ridden by a Thai guy and the other had a German couple on. There were no real injuries but Jo told the Thai guy to sit down and keep still- until he had calmed down a bit. One of the bar girls came out and was sat with him. The German couple picked up some of the pieces of their bike and then went on their way. Jo finally got on the phone to Craig. After talking to him for a while the bar girl butts in and says “ ‘scuse me Madam can he go now” Jo says “ can who go?”. “ you told him wait, you let him go now”. I wonder if she had not asked if he would have sat there all night LOL.

The day after I was on the internet and was contacted by Ali from the forum and was so glad that it seemed she had been at the Ark bar last night. It looked as though we were going to finally meet up. I made arrangements to meet in Tropical Murphies at 7.30 the night after. She sent me an email to say that she would be there. We went along and sat at the front of the pub. We waited until 8.25 but she did not arrive. I sat with a piece of paper saying Jax and Dave. We then left and I left a note with one of the staff in case she turned up later and made enquiries. I don’t know what happened. Ali where are you?
One night we went and had our hair cut at 10.30 Dave was trying to rectify his terrible cut from Vietnam.

Jo met up with Jason another couple of time and one afternoon she went to Tesco with him. He had been out there since November and was due to go home on the 1st June.
Whilst we had the car we had paid a deposit on the white house hotel for the 17th may this was the day that Jo was flying home so she would come with us to the hotel and then we would take her to the airport. The White house is at cheongmon. I love it here and the hotel looked lovely.

Jo had a big night out on the next to last night and she went in to the girlie bar when we were on our way back. She was blitzed but she had had a good time. We all had but it was drawing to a close.

We moved from the chaba on the 17th. We unpacked and then spent the day on the beach the weather was lovely and hot and it was a nice end to the holiday for Jo.
We took her to the airport and said goodbye we then went back to chewing as we had the car and decided to make use of it. We were very subdued on the drive back. We were looking forward to the rest of the trip but missing Jo already. I suppose it was a bit like if you move somewhere you love but someone comes to visit.
We went to the islander for something to eat. We then went back to cheongmon and went on the beach for a drink.

The next few days we lazed around and enjoyed the beach the weather was good and we walked back and forwards along the beach and swam. We ate at the little places on the beach. Although it is lovely there is not enough to keep us amused at night.
We met a couple Ray and Nick who we had met before a few years ago then they had been staying for 3 months and it was that that got me thinking of a longer trip. This time they were there for 12 months!

We changed our flights from Samui to Bangkok to Samui to Pattaya. We have never been to Pattaya and we thought that we may as well try it. I got on the net and booked a lovely looking hotel called the Dor Shada for 5 nights it said that it was on Jomtein beach. OK.

We left Samui on the 21st and I was hoping that we had made the right decision as the weather was really good. We went to the airport to get the flight that was about one hour. It had been the full moon party the night before and a few revellers turned up to get on the plane there were some lads wasted but not too much trouble. Then there were 2 girls they were either Swedish or German they were totally trollied . Pissed or very drugged up I think both. They were sat opposite me. Even before take off blondie has her head in a sick bag. Please see earlier reference to me and sick!!!

Luckly I was able to move down the plane. This continued for the entire flight when we got off I noticed that the had thrown the bags tissues etc across the seat. I was not repeat not going to travel in a mini bus with here from the airport to Pattaya it was about a 30 klm journey. To get our own taxi it was 1200. This is ridiculous as you can get a taxi from Pattaya to Bangkok for 800. Anyway it had to be done.
I hope miss puke slipped on her own vomit.

__________________
Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.