Scones & Scuba Diving

After adequately gorging myself on the delights of Georgetown cuisine it was about time to move on. I headed up to the Cameron Highlands which is up in the mountains and famous for its strawberry farms, tea plantations and afternoon tea and scones. I was fearing for my life on the drive up there- but arrived safely and in time to head up to the tea plantations for a quick tour and a leisurely cuppa. There was a fairly strange atmosphere- curry houses next to tea houses and a hostel which resembled your grandmas house. Suzi and I spent the evening in Granny's lounge, drinking tea, eating biscuits and watching a dodgy horror film.

It was about time to head back to the beach so we caught a bus and boat over to the Perhenthian Islands on the east coast of Malaysia. On arriving I realised that although the place is 'paradise', there really is very little to do but be a beach-bum. So... on a bit of a whim I signed up on a PADI Open Water course. Best decision I have ever made. Had a cracking three days swimming with sharks, sting-rays, boxfish and all sorts of funky looking creatures. I passed yesterday which now means I can dive independently, with a buddy- which is actually a little worrying.

The island itself is a really strange but beautiful place. We lived up in the jungle in wooden huts, electricity is limited, giant lizards roam around, 6 Inch spiders hang out and you are eaten alive by mosquitos. Doesn't sound like paradise but if you have a look at the pictures you will see the appeal...

I leave in four hours, headed back over to the west coast for Langkawi and from there- who knows...

Time To Move On...

The following four days on Koh Lanta blew my mind. I spent most of the time reading, wandering aimlessly and spending my evenings with Suzi, Tijen & some lovely thai guys from a hostel called The Sanctuary- next door to where we were staying. Every night they would dust off their instruments and sing us off to sleep. I don't think I have ever felt so relaxed as I did during those last few days in Koh Lanta. My send off was superb although the 12 hour bus ride to cross the border in to Malaysia the next day wasn't too pretty after a night of no sleep. I said goodbye to Suzi who I had been travelling with since Chiang Mai, Norhtern Thailand- although it appears we just cannot stay apart as she is sat behind me right now.

I headed straight for Georgetwon, Penang, which is pretty much the food capital of Malaysia. There are influences from all over- India, China, Japan, Thai, and obviously Malaysia. I have forgotten what it feels like to be hungry and every meal is accompanied by my new favourite drink- a sweet ginger tea. One night after I had arrived- I got a message from Suzi saying she was heading over to Penang so we reunited... Over the last few days I have been visiting the main historical buildings of Penang- which are all really elaborate British colonial buildings, having a look around the museums and exploring-as much as I can, my favourite place- Little India.

The atmosphere in Little India is incredible. Music shops are pumping out Bangrha dance music and the air literally tastes spicy. Tempting food stalls line the streets and Indian tailors are hard at work sewing sahris. After decorating myself with a henna tattoo at an indian beauty salon we headed up Penang Hill to watch sunset. A pretty dubious, vertical railway chugged up the hill for about 30 minutes. The view from the top over Georgetown, accompanied by some tapioca crisps topped the day of nicely.

Island Hopping

I spent only 2 days in Phi Phi. The isalnd itself was beautiful but the atmosphere was not great. There was a serious lack of Thai people and a serious amount of drunk teenagers. I spent a day on a boat which cruised around the island and visited a beach full of monkeys- stopped in few spots for some snorkelling and then headed over to THE BEACH- as in the film. Unfortunatley I wasn't aware we were visiting THE BEACH and didn't take my camera. Whoopsie. You'll have to take my word for it that it was beautiful. Lacking Leo, however.

I decided to visit Koh Lanta and took the one hour boat ride between the two islands. Even though they are a mere hour apart the islands are worlds apart... Koh Lanta hardly has any tourists at the moment as it is low season. The beaches are clear and the towns have character. Last night, after a scrumptious meal, myself and a couple of girls I have met since being here headed over to a bar opening. There was live music- something between Thai folk music and reggae- a succesful hybrid if ever I heard one.

Today we rented mopeds and pretty much covered the entirity of the island. I can see why there are so many expats living here- it would be an extremely easy place to become stuck.

Tomorrow I'm making a trip to the local sunday market for some retail therapy and then off to Penang, Malaysia on Tuesday.

Island Living...

I have just arrived on to Koh Phi Phi on the West coast of Thailand. The Island- from what I have seen- is beautiful, but it has a lot to live up to!

My last few days in Koh Phangan were amazing. Completely relaxing and utterly wonderful. On Monday night, Da, the owner of the Bungalows, organised a BBQ for us. She made the most incredible BBQ'd Fish and chilli sauce and we sat until midnight out on the balcony of my bungalow nattering and nibbling.

There was an enormous storm last night so I was a little anxious about today's boat ride to Koh Phi Phi but all went fine and I have found a nice little hostel to stay for a couple of nights.

Today I am exactly half way through my trip...

Time For a Breather

After an intense Muay Thai boxing session I decided I was definately due some quiet time. The last few days have been incredible. Waking up early, sitting in the hammock on the balcony of my beach hut, sunbathing until I need a swim, swimming in crystal clear waters, lunch overlooking the empty beach, dinner from the market in town and then back to sleep ready to do it all again the next day.

Last night was a bit of a shock to the system. I attended the monthly 'Full Moon Party'. It was mayhem, good fun, but mayhem. Music pounds out over the beach and people travel from all over the world to come a drink out of 'buckets' and dance on the beach. Not for the civilized traveller like myself- huhum.

I am going to have another couple of days here on Ko Phangan then I am making the trip over to the west coast for some more Island living on Koh PiPi and Ko Lanta before crossing in to Malaysia and getting stuck in to some activity again...

From Flash-Packing to Flea-Pit

I made the journey two nights ago from Vientienne to Bangkok on a surprisingly comfortable overnight train. Bangkok is pretty overwhelming- especially when you've come from the luxury of a riverside home in Vientienne- so my single room overlooking a Kho San back-alley, i'm thinking, is a little under par.

I've just sat down in an internet cafe after the most surreal day of my life. I decided to make an early start exploring Bangkok this morning as I leave in an hour for Ko Phagnan. Little did I know it's the King of Thailands Birthday/Anniversary (haven't quite figured that one out) and the Thai people LOVE their King.

I walked out of the backpackers bubble of Kho San Rd this morning at about 9am and already their were crowds of Thai people all wearing pink t-shirts lining the street. Stalls were set up selling weird and wonderful things- dentures- being probably the oddest- and a return of the heamorrhoids cream. After a stroll around Wat Pho to see the giant reclining Buddah I was walking up through the celebrations when everybody stood and saluted and the King of Thailand drove past with the royal family.

I am sad to say I was a fool to the oldest trick in the Bangkok Book. A Tuk Tuk driver offers you a cheap price for a trip around Bangkok to see a few sites and then drags you to his friends tailoring/jewellery/souvenir shop so that he can get a free tank of petrol as commision. I like to think I keep my cool in these situations but trying to flogg me a mouse shaped insence for 250baht (5 quid) pushed me to my limits somewhat.

Wednesday 6th May

I left Bangkok yesterday on a bus bound for Kho Phagnan. The journey went pretty smoothly and I decided to stay at a place recommended by Bee, a lady who gave me my thai massage in Chiang Mai. I have a bungalow to myself on the beach... my bed faces the sea and I keep the shutters open so that from my bed I can see the secluded beach, the water and the sunset. It really isn't bad for 6 quid a night. I am on the north side of the island so it is really quiet- I am heading down to Haat Rin which is where most backpackers stay on Saturday for the full moon party. Tomorrow I have an early start being pushed to my limits doing Muay Thai boxing. Wish me luck!

Khob Jai Lai Lai

Vang Vien turned out to be not so much my cup of tea. Although the backdrop to the town is beautiful the town itself has been consumed by the 'backpacker culture', made up mainly of bars and tour companies. The main attraction is 'tubing'. 'Tubing' involves floating down the river in rubber rings, stopping off at bars, getting drunk, rope swinging in to the river then continuing on to the next bar. Unfortunately, Laos is right nearing the end of the hot, dry season and the rivers are really low meaning that rocks are jutting out of the river in places. Call me boring, but I wasn't up for cracking my head open on a rock and floating un-noticed down in to Cambodia. Despite the danger side of it I was still suffering from food poisoning (and still am!) so I opted for floating down the river aimlessly laughing at the idiots in bikinis and body paint.

Thursday night's shower is worth a mention. I have had some eventful showers in my time- but this takes the biscuit. Has anyone seen the film Arachnophobia? The scene when she is in the shower and the turantula crawls down her face? This scene was played out on thursday night featuring me and a blinking huge Cockroach. I have come to the conclusion. COCKROACHES LIKE MY FACE.

After this traumatic experience I headed down to Vientienne. Suzie, the lovely lady I have been travelling with for a couple of weeks had a friend of a friend living in the city. So for the past few days I have officially been FLASHPACKING. Queen Size bed, House on the Mekong, it has been luxury.

I am leaving Laos this evening on an overnight train headed for Bangkok.