Tuesday 1st February

Today we had the ultimate lazy day. Literally woke up at 12ish got some food and strolled around the markets again bartering with the locals and trying to get the biggest bargain possible. We came back to our hotel around 4 ish and slept untill 7 and then went out for our last meal in Thailand. We decided we had to go back to good ol' stop here, as that was the place where we had our first meal. The waitress that we became quite friendly with gave us a round of free drinks which was nice of her, and we stayed for a few games of pool and then did our last walk around Khao San road before getting an early night for the flight tomorrow.

We arrived back at the hotel and Tom and Lewis went to bed as we had a 6 o clock in the moring start to get to the airport. I was about to join them when Ning decided she wanted to take me to a traditional Thai night market. I was told about the night markets before I left for Thailand so definitely wanted to experience one so i decided to join her aslong as we were back by half 1. It was a bit of a strange experience to see all these stalls selling a range of items from swords, tazers and knifes, to those eye contact lenses that make your eyes look huge (the ones that are banned in the uk) But what I found the most odd was the fact that all the people were so awake and it felt like it was day time. Ning told me that they would just sleep in the daytime and wake up for the market. So they basically live nocturnal lives just to sell their goods! We left the market and got held up in traffic for what seemed like hours. So we arrived back at about half 2 in the morning. I said my goodbyes and headed straight to bed thinking to myself that the flight tomorrow is going to kill me if I dont sleep now.

Monday 31st January

Today we had a pretty Lazy day In Bangkok, as after about 3 days of the place you literally run out of things to do, and its not the most pleasant place to stay for a long time anyway. But we wondered around the markets again and got a few bits and peices. We then found a gym and spent a few hours in there and I experienced a steam room and sauna for the first time which was interesting..
I must say, it was a bit of a detox after the weeks of sleeping on trains and bus's and drinking Chang and Singah beer. So I was feeling pretty refreshed afterwards.

Later that evening the three of us met up with Andy and Lorna (2 of the group members from the trip) and we had dinner, together which was nice. Then the time finally arrived to experience whats known as a 'Ping Pong Show' Now I won't explain what it is or tell you what we witnessed .. and fortunately cameras wern't allowed.. which is a good thing for you lot!
So after the show we left white faced and a bit queezy and met up with Ning the girl from our hotel and her friend mint. We went to a few bars and nightclubs in Khao San. Then Some of us went home, and Ning and Mint took me and Lewis to a proper Thai nightclub. It was a bit intimidating as EVERYONE there was Thai and we were the only non Thai's there ... But they all seemed to love us and we got back in at 6.30 in the morning which sort of proves we had an amazing time there.

Sunday 30th January

We arrived at Bangkok train station around 9 am and said our farewells to a large chunk of the group. the remaining 5 or 6 of us decided to go to the huge shopping center called MBK. Its about 5 floors tall and sells almost everything you can think of and its crazy cheap! Tom bought a camera for like 160 quid and its worth 250 ! We almost spent a whole day there, theres so much to do. After we left we checked back in to our old hotel we stayed at before we left for the trip to southern Thailand. Later that night we met up with First and a few others from our group for a farewell meal. the restaurant was really nice. It was overlooking the river than runs through Bangkok and at night it looked amazing with all the street lights and fireworks being let off in the distance. We then decided to call it a night, as we were all shattered from the sleepless travel the night before.

Saturday 29th January

We had to check out our hotel at 12 and we had one last photograph as a whole group before everyone went their seperate ways. We then got the catermaran back to Chumporn and got the nightrain back to bangkok. As this was a day of just travelling to Bangkok I will take this opportunity to show a few more photos from the past weeks.

Friday 28th January

Today We went to a local diving center and hired snorkels and flippers for the day and went on a boat tour. First stop was to se the 'shark' which turned out to be a complete disaster as the Ko Samui rain clouds caught up with us and the waves became huge! So we didn't stay there long and moved on to the next spot. It was a very rocky boat ride but the next spot was amazing. As we arrived the weather calmed right down and the snorkeling was amazing! Me, Lew and our new companion Sammy really enjoyed it and we found ourselves being the last ones coming in out of the sea, every dive spot we visited.


Our last stop was an island. We had to pay 100 baht to enter as it was so well kept! the sands were literally white. It reminded me a lot of the beaches in the Maldives, and the sea was full of coral and exotic fish. We went for a quick snorkel sesh, then Me, Lew and Sammy decided to climb about a million steps and then some huge stones to reach the top of the huge hill that overlooked the whole Island and got some cracking photographs! Then we headed back and had a meal together as a group and then went to an ozzy Bar and then hit up a few beach parties.

Thursday 27th January

Today was a bit of a travel day, We arrived at the ferry port in Ko Samui mid morning and had a 2 hour ride on a catermaran boat to Ko Tao. Finally some sun !! The island looked even better when the sun was out. We arrived at our very posh 5 star hotel on the beachfront, and I havn't been in such a nice hotel. I shared a room with Tom and we had the most amazing balcony with in built sofas and a 40" tv and a impressive bathroom. We concluded that this would be our nicest accomodation throughout our whole travelling trip!
We took a strole around the beach which was really nice and right on our doorstep. Later that night we all went to the beach for a bbq. Afterwards we were told that we would be attending the Famous ladyboy show!! As we were walking through the streets on the way, we were already being harrassed by ladyboys on the way, Grabbing us and trying to kiss us etc. So I decided to have a few more chang beers before going to the show.
The show was actually amazing!! I was sat in the front row but slowly made my way to the rown behind as they were trying to get the audience involved! But it was no use hiding as they asked for voulenteers, and would you believe they rushed over to me and dragged me straight up and backstage! so Lewis and Tom, being such good friends, decided to join me.
I wont tell you what we had to go through that night... You can make your own mind up from the photographs....

Wednesday 26th January

Today Me and Lewis and one of our trip buddys, Andrew decided to ride elephants. Looking out the window we were a bit apprehensive as there was huge dark grey, mean looking clouds in the sky. Anyways We decided to go ahead regardless and we were pretty much the only ones there. First we watched an elephant show, where we witnessed things like elephants doing handstands etc. Then they asked me to voulenteer for the next trick..
Basically i had to lie on the floor while an elephant put its foot on my chest! We then moved on and watched a monkey show, and thats when the heavens opened up and it ABSOLUTELY chucked it down! the rain was so hard the monkey pretty much ran away and when it did get on with the show it just wanted to get out the rain so it was a bit rubbish..
Then we took a ride on the elephants. It lasted about 45 mins and was pretty good and we all got some good photos.






Later that evening Me and Lewis went to watch the Thai boxing at the local stadium. It was 1000 baht to get in which was like 22 quid and we saw some cracking knock outs! Then we went back to the green mango for the rest of the night.

Tuesday 25th January

We had an 8am meet this morning to head out of Koh Sok national park and catch the ferry to Ko Samui. Once we reached Samui we checked in at the sandy resort hotel and I had a double room to myself. One double bed and one single with a memory foam mattress which was a bit of a problem when choosing which one to sleep in. We headed to the beach which was literally on the hotels backdoor step and Lewis and I went for a swim in the sea which was almost bath-like temperature! it then became a bit overcast which was annoying and so we had a bit of a pre dinner snack and then went for a dip in the pool.
For dinner, we went to a sort of cook it yourself bbq which was definitely an odd experience! we basically had a hot pot thing on each table and you just put your raw meat on and away you go! I was more concerned about catching some sort of food poisoning so I didn't eat a vast amount.
We then all headed out to experience the ko Samui nightlife which was amazing ! beach parties and a nightclub called 'the green mango' was our personal highlight. I ended up chatting to a group of ladies (yes they were women) and I lost the other 3 I was with. So i ended up rushing around Samui on my own trying to remember the name of my hotel to get home! Luckely Lewis found me so the taxi ride home was a bit cheaper. He was more worried than I was!

Monday 24th January

We arrived at the other train station in southern Thailand at around 8am in the morning. I had the top bunk in the night train which meant that it was right next to the light on the ceiling and it rocked about twice as much as the lower bunk. So as you might guess I didn't get much sleep and I wasn't feeling to good in at the other end. I cant remember the place we arrived in but it wasn't the nicest of places we have visited so far! We had breakfast and then got a bus to Koh Sok national park. The rainforest itself is older than the Amazon! It was a very nice place and I had my own Hut to myself which was right next to the river than ran through the rainforest. We got settled and then met up for lunch and to decide on what to do in the afternoon. A majority of the group decided to ride elephants where as myself and the few remaining decided to go 'tubing' down the river. This it literally sitting in a blown up innertube and just making your way down the river. I really enjoyed it! we found a few good trees to jump out of and had a bit of an encounter with giant red ants in my pants but it was a awesome experience with amazing views of the tree covered mountains of Koh Sok. We then went to a monkey temple which didn't have any monkeys because it was the monks day off or something which was a bit of a let down. The day ended with us going to a local bar ... again

Sunday 23rd January

Today we had to be up pretty early as the three of us, and two others from our group had to meet with First (our group leader) and go to the dock to catch a traditional Thai boat to the floating market. Only 2 members of the travelling boys made it as one was feeling a bit worse for ware after last nights shinanigans. So we walked down to the dock and got on the boat. You start of on the main river and It was quite a bumpy ride! at some points it felt like the boat was about to snap in two which was a bit scary. But our driver seemed pretty relaxed so we wern't that worried. The boat stopped for a while which have us the chance to buy some bread and feed the huge catfish that surrounded our boat. We were told by First that one of his other group members once lost a finger by feeding the catfish which didn't help!
We then arrived to the floating market which was pretty impressive all the different colours and smells were amazing (not all smells though ..) we bought some strawberries and sugar, but I think the Thai version of sugar is just salt.. unless the woman got a bit confussed. We also tried some traditional spring rolls, pork satay and some squid dish.
After we had arrived back and on dry land we decided as a 4 to go to the wat po temple, which is the home of the famous reclining buddah. The buddah itself wasnt that impressive but it was huge!! I was more impressed by the buildings and temples in the surrounding grounds. There was so much detail it's unreal. We then went back to the hotel but the traffic was insane, literally not moving because of the Chinese market. So we decided to get out the taxi and just walk it. It took us about an hours walk through the humid streets of Bangkok to finally arive back at our hotel and our first priority was to dip our feet in the pool.
We then left for the train station and had dinner. We got on the train at about 9pm and we're expected to reach our destination at about 9am .. wish us luck .

Saturday 22nd January

Today we woke up pretty late, and had to check out of our hotel before 12. we just about managed this and left to find our new hotel (Bankok center hotel) we flagged down a taxi and he wanted 100 baht (2 pounds) to take us there. But as we were driving along he realised he had no clue where the hotel was. so what should have been a 2 minute journey took 2 and a half hours!! Good job we didn't ask him to put the meter on!
We finally arrived at the new hotel, which is the hotel we were staying in for the first 2 nights to get to know our group for the trip down to southern Thailand. We were a bit anxious about our group members, hoping that they would be quite young and up for a laugh. Thankfully they were! we all went out for a meal together at a local restaurant with our group leader, First. After the meal we decided to go for a few drinks as a group and ended up eating fried frogs, fried crickets and glow worms! I must say the worms were really nice and so were the frogs. Oh and no one was sick which was a bonus. After we all got well and truely 'chang'd up', a few of us decided to hit the town and we ended up having a tuk tuk race to Khao san road. The boys beat the girls, due to our tuk tuk driver running a red light! and the ride back was even more crazy ! the driver was popping wheelies in a tuk tuk ( I know i didnt think it was possible either!)

Friday the 21st January

Today we woke up pretty late (around about 11 am) and went for a stroll around the markets. We went back to 'stop here' for breakfast, well lunch... and then we finally gave in to the tuk tuk drivers nagging and decided to have a tour of bangkok. We were already aware of their little schemes and knew at some point they would take us to a few suit shops so they could get a coupon.
Our first stop was the Giant buddah which was pretty interesting and we were told about how the locals save up to buy gold leaves to stick to the statue of the buddah untill it it covered in gold leaves. From here we then went to the "lucky buddah" which we were told was only open to the public for one day a year and guess what ! today was that day ... Me and Tom knew straight away that this wasnt true but Lewis was won over. The so called school teacher then went on to say how this was the best buddah in Thailand and then somehow managed to change the convosation onto some suit shop. So it became obvious he was in on the suit scam too. (but lewis still believed it all)
So then we were taken to this suit shop and I must admit it was a bit tempting but we didn't give in and left empty handed. We then went to another temple, which we had to climb about a thousand steps to get to! but we got some really good photographs so it was worth it.
Later that evening we got chatting to our hotel receptionist (Ning) and she ended up coming out with us for the night as she needed to get some food. We all went to a few bars, one of which I got harrassed by some vile Thai woman so I had to explain to her that I had a wife and kids. We shortly left and then took Ning home and went back to our hotel.

Thursday 20th January

So anyway we boarded our second kingfisher flight which wasn't nearly as posh as our first plane. It looked like it was held together with sellotape and as soon as i sat down the man ,who turned out to be a woman, decided to recline the seat as soon as she sat down... there was only Indian sitcoms to watch so Me and Lew decided to check out the indian radio stations which killed a lot of the 5 hour flight time.

We arrived in Bangkok airport at around 8pm and got a minibus to our hotel on kaoh san road. We didnt really know what to expect because on the way to the hotel we passed some dodgy looking places. but as we got closer to our hotel we saw all the market stalls and it looked amazing! with a range from fake designer watches to deep fried crickets and frogs! we are staying in the Sawasdee krungthep inn and I must say it is a nice hotel. we had 3 double beds which was good (probably the only time we have a bed to ourselves) We then decided to go out and have our first proper Thai meal. we went to a restaurant called 'stop here' the food was nice and the people that served us were also really nice. We tried the local beer called Chang and then headed out to the main strip of kaoh san road. The one thing that is really annoying about here is that you cant cross the road without being pestered by tuk tuk drivers trying to take you to see a 'ping pong show' but i'm sure we will get used to it. We then went to a local Thai bar called 999 west which was brilliant. Live music and we got to know the band quite well and ended up singing with them on stage. We were also the only non Thai people in there which was even better. After it closed we then went back to our hotel but it took us a lot longer to get there because of everyone trying to sell us stuff and getting chased by ladyboys
what a first night !