Monday 17th Feb (full day Ayytuhaya)
Got a (relatively speaking!) good nights sleep on train - although the guy woke us all up at like 5 / 5.15am even though it wasn't due in until 6.05 and as it left late was obviously gonna be later than that (ended up being 6.25am). We had a quick turn around but got a bargain of a train to Ayutthaya for 20 baht each leaving at 06.40 form platform 7. Got a taxi to our accomodation for 40 baht between us, the lady is quite full on but I reckon a good buisness woman. The girls like the mod cons but personally Im quite happy without TV hot water and fridge. Swings and roundabouts.
Got out 11ish after having refreshing showers.
Wow what a hot hot hot day. We managed to rent bikes for 30 baht each from round the corner (until 9pm) and we cycled in the unbearable humidity to the main temples within the river circumfrnce in Ayyuthaya. They are all pretty cool. I'd say the most striking image was the gold buddha in the Grand Palace which was like 16 metres high and also the buddha encased in tree roots. We visited Wat Phra Ratburana, Wat Phra Mahathat, Wat Thamikarrat, cycled past Phra Ram, and then finally Wkihaan Mongkhon Bophit and the most photographed site in Ayytuhaya, Wat Phra Si Sanphret. Amonst the rubble there is a strong sense of history with all temples largely been burnt or looted by the Burmese. There was however a funny smell in the air...BO? Wasnt pleasant anyway! Reminded me a bit of the first time i went to Venice. Was hot and smelling but cool none the less.
We spent a long time in the cafe by the Grand Palace. Coming home we cycled through the park and pretended we were in the sound of music. Sad but true!
I spent a lot of money on fluids today.
In this heat Im not sure if I can be bothered going off by myself with my big fat backpack to Lompuri and Sukothai. I will decide later once having done some research.
The girls came back from their late lunch (which I didnt do partly as I wasn't that hungry, partly for budget and partly so I could go on the internet) and I went back out on my bike. I found a really cool temple which wasn't even in the lonely planet guide. It was very modern so probably didn't have the history to warrant a place amongst the great sites of antiquity that Ayyuthaya is best know for. It was called Wat Suwandararam and it was a great privaledge to witness monks chanting and meditating in the temple. At first I thought I was intruding, spotting them through the open doorway and and so I made to tip-toe away, but a monk beckoned me to go in. It was kind of mesmerising. They all knelt on the floor in their mustard coloured robes draped over the one shoulder. All had shaved heads, brown weathered skin and looked in their 50's. The temple inside was as beautiful as it was outside. I stayed for maybe 10 / 15 minutes before slinking away intending to get to another temple beofre it shut at 6. But I didn't actually get there in the end - navigating by bike on those crazy streets is not that easy! I nearly came off once as thier idea of concreting the floors is not the same as ours!
Back in the room, I showered and changed and we caught a tuk tuk to a night market where I bought a couple of cheapo earings and we browsed the clothes rails. It seems standard here for 3 pounds for a t shirt or 5 or even 7 pounds for a thin dress. I wonder if places like new look sales are now on a par with such places or these are overpriced by Thai standards. It is sometimes difficult to tell, in your quest to not be ripped off as a foreigner you do not want to rip them off in return by bartering too low.
We sat on a table by the river (we had absolutely no idea where we were which for me was unusual - I like to know EXACTLY whats going on!!) - and I had a very decent sized meal of fried chicken and rice which was also rather tasty. We realised it was approaching 9pm and we grabbed a tuk tuk in the hope that we could see some of the ruins lit at night (apparantly a sight to behold) before they got turned off. Alas, we didnt make it and I am quite annoyed at myself as its one of the main sites of Ayytuthaya and probably my only chance. But c'est la vie.
We went back to the room and went to sleep after doing a spot of reading and internet browsing. Its actually a 3 bed room which you can add a mattress to. I offered to sleep on the floor as two of the girls had offered the best beds in the train (lower bunk is better than higher as there is less light) and all seemed to have slept worse than me - a first if ever there was one!
Money spent: Train Bankok to Ayutthaya (commuter 3rd class, 1 1/2 hours) 20 baht, taxi 10 baht, breakfast / early lunch (ham, egg on toast and orange juice) 95 baht, 150 baht entrance to 3 temples, coconut juice 10 baht, coke 20 baht, fanta 16 baht, 2 large water and green pepsi (a mistake!) lunch snack and tomorrows breakfast 83 baht. 13 baht each wireless for all day until 11pm. Accomodation 200 baht (but TV fridge hot water and damn in air con!!) 30 baht 2 tuck tucks, 18 baht iced tea drink, 50 baht chicken and rice at night market, 50 baht on two pairs of earings. TOTAL: 765 / 15.30
Best thing:Seeing the ruins
Worst thing: Missing them lit up at night.
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Monday, 16 February 2009
Sunday 16th Feb - leaving Kao Tao
Sunday 16th Feb - leaving Kao Tao
Slept well and deeply inbetween the regular disturbances of loud and / or drunk travellers chatting or shouting outside my window! Lottie knocked for me at 10.30am and I got up, showered and packed feeling a lot better than last night. Before we left I saw and said goodbye to Atticus (my diving buddy) and Gee (my instructor) which I was glad about. We got a 'taxi' to the pier which wasn't very far at all and I would have been happy to have walked to save the 1 english pound each (! but very expensive for here) but not gonna be petty about it. Wandered around the port and posted my PADI paperwork off to Australia. Bought a pair of fake billabong shorts. Did a bit of sunbathing on the beach while the girls used my notebook in the harbour front cafe which had intermittant wireless. I managed to start downloading photos to my blog which is cool but didnt have enought time to actually do it after downloading the necessary software. I could do with sorting them out first anyway as the girls have some photos that I might like to use from their cameras.
I am struck by how long it takes to travel a short distance when islands and boats are in the equation. Public transport here is predictably slow and late! Our Lompraya boat (the more expensive option) was 'broken' so we were transfered to the songserm which makes me feel a bit sea sick and is about 3 quid more expensive and quicker than the boat. But of course in Thai fashion we were not offered any compensation you just have to let these things go. Shame though as it did look a lot nicer and I remember reading in the lonely planet or travelfish or somewhere that it was worth going on at least once for the experience.
The boat took quite a long time but it was nice because I sat outside in the sun and read my new book - a trashy 'diary of a married call girl' which the girls have all got through. We had just under two hours to spare at the train station after we made the connection on an overcrowded and shoddy but fun long jeep / bus / tram like shuttle (people were literally hanging off the back but they dont think to offer the two free seats in the front next to the driver!) Health and safety in this country is not the best! At the train station for example we had to step round permanent holes in the ground containing pipes or what not.
Anyway. On the bus we were all in good spirits and I think people must have thought basically we were a bit annoying and mad as we were talking about such silly nonsensical subjects as would you rather be a vampire or a werewolf...? (Inspired of course by the novel we have all read / are reading.) but you can imagine the impression given to strangers being unaware of the context....!
We found a street cafe and I ordered a spicy pork meal with rice with a 'little' bit of spice (accompanied by a very clear gesture.) Ok so I nearly died when I took my first mouthful it was so hot. Bless her, Lauren who had ordered a chicken meal offered to swap with me and I was sooo glad even though it defies human logic how anyone can actually eat that without suffering from asphixia. The milk i ordered wasnt what I expected either but a sweet, condensed milk that took a bit of getting used to. Lauren got fed up with her chang beer so we swapped.
I sat with the bags at the station until our (late) train arrived. The train already had proper beds made up with sheets. pillow and a curtain to draw and is generally pretty cool (actually literally, the girls booked air con which is like my worst nightmare so as I type I am sitting here with my fleece, pg bottoms, socks, and with my mums old coat to hand which she insisted I bring with my cold to dump somewhere, but which I have hung onto for occassions such as these!!
I did a lot of reading on the boat, and there basically are places I want to visit on the way up to Chang Mai that dont seem to be on the girls itinary but I think I would regret not going to while Im in the vicinity so it may be that we split up for a bit or I cut short my time in Ayuthaya to get a bit of a head start knowing they will overtake me. Basically I want to visit Lompuri (even if only for a couple of hours as its famous for monkeys and I love monkeys! - there are also places to store bags at the station and within walking distance of all attractions.) Also Sukhothai which lonely planet has as a hightlight of the country based on only 2 weeks in Thailand so seems a pretty pivitol place to visit. The only problem with this though is as I want to do more than them, even in Chang Mai, so in reality I don't know how easy or likely it will be to 'catch them up' - and I think that would be a shame as we have a laugh all together and it is far more enjoyabale, safer and cheaper to be with them. So have to see about that one. Something will have to give. I'm sure it'll work out somehow. Where there's a will theres a way!
Money spent: 16 baht bagel, 5 baht banana, 50 baht taxi, 150 baht pair of shorts, 50 baht chicken and rice, & condensed milk drink street cafe by train station, 14 baht large bottle water, 10 baht two pastry type things for breakfast tomorrow. TOTAL 295 baht, nearly 6 quid.
Most funny thing: I had a mad moment on the boat and started dancing to some music not realising one of the Thai male staff was standing literally right behind me. He offered me a 100 baht tip in jest. The girls who found it hilarious are now embellishing the story to such a degree I sound like a professional lap dancer or something. And are threatening to put as such on facebook...!
Worst thing: Not going on the Lomprayer express boat but having paid for it.
Best thing: Er, still managing to sit in the sun a lot on an otherwise wasted 'travel' day. Also actually having an overnight train (ie bed) rather than horrible bus.
Slept well and deeply inbetween the regular disturbances of loud and / or drunk travellers chatting or shouting outside my window! Lottie knocked for me at 10.30am and I got up, showered and packed feeling a lot better than last night. Before we left I saw and said goodbye to Atticus (my diving buddy) and Gee (my instructor) which I was glad about. We got a 'taxi' to the pier which wasn't very far at all and I would have been happy to have walked to save the 1 english pound each (! but very expensive for here) but not gonna be petty about it. Wandered around the port and posted my PADI paperwork off to Australia. Bought a pair of fake billabong shorts. Did a bit of sunbathing on the beach while the girls used my notebook in the harbour front cafe which had intermittant wireless. I managed to start downloading photos to my blog which is cool but didnt have enought time to actually do it after downloading the necessary software. I could do with sorting them out first anyway as the girls have some photos that I might like to use from their cameras.
I am struck by how long it takes to travel a short distance when islands and boats are in the equation. Public transport here is predictably slow and late! Our Lompraya boat (the more expensive option) was 'broken' so we were transfered to the songserm which makes me feel a bit sea sick and is about 3 quid more expensive and quicker than the boat. But of course in Thai fashion we were not offered any compensation you just have to let these things go. Shame though as it did look a lot nicer and I remember reading in the lonely planet or travelfish or somewhere that it was worth going on at least once for the experience.
The boat took quite a long time but it was nice because I sat outside in the sun and read my new book - a trashy 'diary of a married call girl' which the girls have all got through. We had just under two hours to spare at the train station after we made the connection on an overcrowded and shoddy but fun long jeep / bus / tram like shuttle (people were literally hanging off the back but they dont think to offer the two free seats in the front next to the driver!) Health and safety in this country is not the best! At the train station for example we had to step round permanent holes in the ground containing pipes or what not.
Anyway. On the bus we were all in good spirits and I think people must have thought basically we were a bit annoying and mad as we were talking about such silly nonsensical subjects as would you rather be a vampire or a werewolf...? (Inspired of course by the novel we have all read / are reading.) but you can imagine the impression given to strangers being unaware of the context....!
We found a street cafe and I ordered a spicy pork meal with rice with a 'little' bit of spice (accompanied by a very clear gesture.) Ok so I nearly died when I took my first mouthful it was so hot. Bless her, Lauren who had ordered a chicken meal offered to swap with me and I was sooo glad even though it defies human logic how anyone can actually eat that without suffering from asphixia. The milk i ordered wasnt what I expected either but a sweet, condensed milk that took a bit of getting used to. Lauren got fed up with her chang beer so we swapped.
I sat with the bags at the station until our (late) train arrived. The train already had proper beds made up with sheets. pillow and a curtain to draw and is generally pretty cool (actually literally, the girls booked air con which is like my worst nightmare so as I type I am sitting here with my fleece, pg bottoms, socks, and with my mums old coat to hand which she insisted I bring with my cold to dump somewhere, but which I have hung onto for occassions such as these!!
I did a lot of reading on the boat, and there basically are places I want to visit on the way up to Chang Mai that dont seem to be on the girls itinary but I think I would regret not going to while Im in the vicinity so it may be that we split up for a bit or I cut short my time in Ayuthaya to get a bit of a head start knowing they will overtake me. Basically I want to visit Lompuri (even if only for a couple of hours as its famous for monkeys and I love monkeys! - there are also places to store bags at the station and within walking distance of all attractions.) Also Sukhothai which lonely planet has as a hightlight of the country based on only 2 weeks in Thailand so seems a pretty pivitol place to visit. The only problem with this though is as I want to do more than them, even in Chang Mai, so in reality I don't know how easy or likely it will be to 'catch them up' - and I think that would be a shame as we have a laugh all together and it is far more enjoyabale, safer and cheaper to be with them. So have to see about that one. Something will have to give. I'm sure it'll work out somehow. Where there's a will theres a way!
Money spent: 16 baht bagel, 5 baht banana, 50 baht taxi, 150 baht pair of shorts, 50 baht chicken and rice, & condensed milk drink street cafe by train station, 14 baht large bottle water, 10 baht two pastry type things for breakfast tomorrow. TOTAL 295 baht, nearly 6 quid.
Most funny thing: I had a mad moment on the boat and started dancing to some music not realising one of the Thai male staff was standing literally right behind me. He offered me a 100 baht tip in jest. The girls who found it hilarious are now embellishing the story to such a degree I sound like a professional lap dancer or something. And are threatening to put as such on facebook...!
Worst thing: Not going on the Lomprayer express boat but having paid for it.
Best thing: Er, still managing to sit in the sun a lot on an otherwise wasted 'travel' day. Also actually having an overnight train (ie bed) rather than horrible bus.
Sunday, 15 February 2009
15th Feb - Last full day on Ko Tao
Saturday 15th Feb - Last full day on Ko Tao
I'm soooooo glad I bought tiger balm yesterday (thanks girls) I absolutely plastered it all over my numerous bites and it was such a cool relief. I had to keep reapplying throughout the night but slept for the first time in 3 nights which was fantastic. I do feel very very tired today so I am not going to rush to do anything I may watch my TV for a while and read my book in bed. Methinks this accomodation is the best I'll have the whole trip so may as well make the most of it. The girls are bored with beaches now but oh I could just do with some chilled time. I swear I was made for a warmer climate!
I was looking through the fish (terminology - sure there must be a better word - aquarian?!) book this morning. The variety of speicies is just astounding. I could really get into diving but unfortunately there isn't much scope to pursue this particular hobby in little old England so will just have to go abraod a lot he he.
Had breakfast in my wi fi place. Feel a bit sick this morning dunno why, so gonna treat myself to breakfast rather than bread from the local shop! Bacon and Egg on toast yum yum. Wrote an email to Jetair to see if I could stop off in India on the way home, and checked my balances. I am spending too much although I dont how how! It should get much cheaper now on in.
Read my book and sunbathed. Continued to feel a bit off. Not sure if fatugue or side effects of pill or sunstroke or lack of sleep or even something like decompression sickness from diving. Went out for dinner with the girls but felt like I wanted to be sick so tried to (mind over matter!) enjoy myself checking out the swedish beach party - a big stage on the beach and a LOT of swedes!) but ended up coming home early just felt quite shaky and nauseous. Hope to feel better tomorrow. Bit gutted was looking forward to a proper night out here as my time (and energy!)has been taken up with diving practical and theory.
Really need to figure out how to add photos.
Money spent: Breakfast (egg, bacon on toast) 60 baht, big bottle sprite 30 baht, dinner (barbeque chicken on squew and watermelon juice) 150 baht. TOTAL: 240 baht (4.80) Plus 8500 baht diving course / 170 pounds but not including that in my everyday budget!
I'm soooooo glad I bought tiger balm yesterday (thanks girls) I absolutely plastered it all over my numerous bites and it was such a cool relief. I had to keep reapplying throughout the night but slept for the first time in 3 nights which was fantastic. I do feel very very tired today so I am not going to rush to do anything I may watch my TV for a while and read my book in bed. Methinks this accomodation is the best I'll have the whole trip so may as well make the most of it. The girls are bored with beaches now but oh I could just do with some chilled time. I swear I was made for a warmer climate!
I was looking through the fish (terminology - sure there must be a better word - aquarian?!) book this morning. The variety of speicies is just astounding. I could really get into diving but unfortunately there isn't much scope to pursue this particular hobby in little old England so will just have to go abraod a lot he he.
Had breakfast in my wi fi place. Feel a bit sick this morning dunno why, so gonna treat myself to breakfast rather than bread from the local shop! Bacon and Egg on toast yum yum. Wrote an email to Jetair to see if I could stop off in India on the way home, and checked my balances. I am spending too much although I dont how how! It should get much cheaper now on in.
Read my book and sunbathed. Continued to feel a bit off. Not sure if fatugue or side effects of pill or sunstroke or lack of sleep or even something like decompression sickness from diving. Went out for dinner with the girls but felt like I wanted to be sick so tried to (mind over matter!) enjoy myself checking out the swedish beach party - a big stage on the beach and a LOT of swedes!) but ended up coming home early just felt quite shaky and nauseous. Hope to feel better tomorrow. Bit gutted was looking forward to a proper night out here as my time (and energy!)has been taken up with diving practical and theory.
Really need to figure out how to add photos.
Money spent: Breakfast (egg, bacon on toast) 60 baht, big bottle sprite 30 baht, dinner (barbeque chicken on squew and watermelon juice) 150 baht. TOTAL: 240 baht (4.80) Plus 8500 baht diving course / 170 pounds but not including that in my everyday budget!
Saturday, 14 February 2009
Saturday 14th Feb (Valentines Day)
OK so I woke up this morning with no less than 65 bites (mosquito? I dont think so - feel like a chain smoker there was so much mosquito coil smoke in my room all night) possibly bed bugs or even from yesterday while sitting on the grass with only a sarong and thin white trousers seperating me from the many irritating creatures. Makes it all the worse as I never even mananged to connect.) ANYWAY they seem focused on the two areas in a nice little path from my butt cheeks to my knees. Extremely itchy and rather unattractive!
However, depite that AND having to wake up at the ridiculously early time of 6.15am to go for an early dive, I've had a fab day and am now a fully fledged Open Water Scuba Diver! Wahay! The dive was really cool although I would have liked to go down for longer. We did the maximum 18 metres on both dives. We saw trigger fish, eels bat fish amongst others. I thought the parrot fish were incredibly pretty and also we saw Titan Triggerfish which apparantly are known to attack divers when defending their nest. Other cool ones were two Moray eels together (the instructor said he hadnot seen two together in this region before) and blue-ringed angle fish. We also saw honeycomb grouper, trevellies, yellow back fuesellier, guppies, butterfly fish, aemone fish, sergeant major, moon wrase, rabbit fish, sea cucumbers, barracuda, potatoe grouper, long finned banner fish, bat fish. I am starting to really relax and enjoy it now - basically my control freak nature makes me worry the equipment will malfunction or something and its getting to trust that the regulator etc does do what its supposed to! I am still debating what to do about my advanced - at the end of the day i dont need the qualification but its a good way to do more diving and more depth gives more choice of dive. I'm so pleased we were on this island long enough for me to do as as this part of the trip was pre booked by the girls before I had even arrived. I will really really miss it here its jusy my sort of place I just love the vibe and mellow atmosphere.
We finished the PADI course with the exam (I got something like 90 something percent) by 2pm (even did it over a bar lunch!) so spent the afternoon on the beach but is sooooo hot am quite enjoying catching up with my online activities in a rather trendy beach front bar. Finally managed to text Gran and sent Mum my second text since being here.
Managed to spend a good 3 1/2 hours on the wireless and in the shade. I think my bites may be termites or giant ants. They are extremely nasty, quite big, and itch like crazy.
I had a shower (seem to be having 3 a day just to cool off!) and we headed out for food although I think I could happily have fallen asleep. On the way I found another bargain top for 150 baht a nice bright pink colour. Thats what I like about over here i have lots of bold colours to choose from.
Felt really hungry but I lost my appetite upon ordering my burger and chips with orange juice for dinner (180 baht) which was possibly the least romantic place on the island considering its valentines day! - and bought a Mojito in the same place I was in earlier for 80 baht - valentines day special. Got chatting to a guy who was repeating horror stories from the full moon party. Fortunately we got off quite lightly. The bar staff gave us all a red rose - aw ;) Had a giggle with Lottie and Lauren on the way home - Emily had already left as was falling asleep. My camera memory is full so have to sort that out tomorrow and do some hand washing too while we're in one placxe long enough fir it to dry...
Im quite into a book too at the moment is 'My sisters Keeper' by Jodi Picoult. About a girl who sues her parents for righs to her own body as she was deigned and born to help her sister with leukemia survive.
I really need to learn how to upload photos. Happy Valentines Day all ;)
Money spent: 50 baht lunch (noodles with vegetables) Vanilla mikshake in beach front wi fi bar 40 baht chang beer wi fi bar 50 baht, dinner (burger chips and orange juice, 180 baht, Tiger balm 55 baht, Mojoto cocktail 80 baht top 150 baht. TOTAL: 605 baht / 12.10 quid
Best thing: Being a certified Open Water Diver ;)
Worst thing: Itches and appearance of all my bites.
OK so I woke up this morning with no less than 65 bites (mosquito? I dont think so - feel like a chain smoker there was so much mosquito coil smoke in my room all night) possibly bed bugs or even from yesterday while sitting on the grass with only a sarong and thin white trousers seperating me from the many irritating creatures. Makes it all the worse as I never even mananged to connect.) ANYWAY they seem focused on the two areas in a nice little path from my butt cheeks to my knees. Extremely itchy and rather unattractive!
However, depite that AND having to wake up at the ridiculously early time of 6.15am to go for an early dive, I've had a fab day and am now a fully fledged Open Water Scuba Diver! Wahay! The dive was really cool although I would have liked to go down for longer. We did the maximum 18 metres on both dives. We saw trigger fish, eels bat fish amongst others. I thought the parrot fish were incredibly pretty and also we saw Titan Triggerfish which apparantly are known to attack divers when defending their nest. Other cool ones were two Moray eels together (the instructor said he hadnot seen two together in this region before) and blue-ringed angle fish. We also saw honeycomb grouper, trevellies, yellow back fuesellier, guppies, butterfly fish, aemone fish, sergeant major, moon wrase, rabbit fish, sea cucumbers, barracuda, potatoe grouper, long finned banner fish, bat fish. I am starting to really relax and enjoy it now - basically my control freak nature makes me worry the equipment will malfunction or something and its getting to trust that the regulator etc does do what its supposed to! I am still debating what to do about my advanced - at the end of the day i dont need the qualification but its a good way to do more diving and more depth gives more choice of dive. I'm so pleased we were on this island long enough for me to do as as this part of the trip was pre booked by the girls before I had even arrived. I will really really miss it here its jusy my sort of place I just love the vibe and mellow atmosphere.
We finished the PADI course with the exam (I got something like 90 something percent) by 2pm (even did it over a bar lunch!) so spent the afternoon on the beach but is sooooo hot am quite enjoying catching up with my online activities in a rather trendy beach front bar. Finally managed to text Gran and sent Mum my second text since being here.
Managed to spend a good 3 1/2 hours on the wireless and in the shade. I think my bites may be termites or giant ants. They are extremely nasty, quite big, and itch like crazy.
I had a shower (seem to be having 3 a day just to cool off!) and we headed out for food although I think I could happily have fallen asleep. On the way I found another bargain top for 150 baht a nice bright pink colour. Thats what I like about over here i have lots of bold colours to choose from.
Felt really hungry but I lost my appetite upon ordering my burger and chips with orange juice for dinner (180 baht) which was possibly the least romantic place on the island considering its valentines day! - and bought a Mojito in the same place I was in earlier for 80 baht - valentines day special. Got chatting to a guy who was repeating horror stories from the full moon party. Fortunately we got off quite lightly. The bar staff gave us all a red rose - aw ;) Had a giggle with Lottie and Lauren on the way home - Emily had already left as was falling asleep. My camera memory is full so have to sort that out tomorrow and do some hand washing too while we're in one placxe long enough fir it to dry...
Im quite into a book too at the moment is 'My sisters Keeper' by Jodi Picoult. About a girl who sues her parents for righs to her own body as she was deigned and born to help her sister with leukemia survive.
I really need to learn how to upload photos. Happy Valentines Day all ;)
Money spent: 50 baht lunch (noodles with vegetables) Vanilla mikshake in beach front wi fi bar 40 baht chang beer wi fi bar 50 baht, dinner (burger chips and orange juice, 180 baht, Tiger balm 55 baht, Mojoto cocktail 80 baht top 150 baht. TOTAL: 605 baht / 12.10 quid
Best thing: Being a certified Open Water Diver ;)
Worst thing: Itches and appearance of all my bites.
13th Feb - 4th day Ko Tao (2nd day diving course)
Friday 13th
Well I dont know about dreaming but I didnt get a wink of sleep. Partly because was too hot and partly concious of bites and party who knows why?! It seems quite apt considering exactly one week ago I would have been waiting for my baggage at Bankok airport. Seems I have done a lot since then.
Oh my word diving was complety awesome. We did theory in the morning - chapters 3 and 4 and doing the tests. Then this afternoon we set off on the boat at midday. The girls came too to snorkel which was really nice as well as ants friends (he's my diving buddy - I have decided to call him this as I have trouble remembering his name!) We went to Japanese Garden in the morning and Twins in the afternoon. The second open water dive was the best - we went to 7 and a half meters and already the difference is tangible - we saw bigger fish and a much greater variety, fish were below and above as well as around and I thought the giant cucumbers were really funny (attached to the coral.) The only fish that could have attacked divers would only do so when protecting their nest. It was quite big. I managed to swim around at depth without my goggles which is a mandatory skill and I have kept my potential panic under control! I had problems with my ears not equalising at the first descent, but other than that no real problems. It was a lovely afternoon - one of my best yet since being in Thailand. Apparantly you do not have to do your advanced all in one go - mny divers do their 'deep water' which allows them to dive at more interesting sites (basically the deeper the better.) You can also do 3 of the modules required for advance which gives you a seperate 'adventure diver' qualification which sounds quite cool! I have to do my homework to find out how much the full advanced is at Ko Phi Phi which I have definately decided I am going to at the end, or how much more it would cost if I got them all seperately. I dont really know why I want my advanced but I really enjoy diving and you can specialise in photography, navigation etc. The compulsary modules for advanced are buoancy and deep.
I am pretty knackered but brown and happy. I want to check out the internet now as am concious havnt been in much contact but havce either been busy or recovering from sleepless nights and needing to chill.
OK that was crap spent another wasted hour still cant connect still havnt published any of this blog or contacted my family. Must do tomorrow when PADI course over. And also I realised it is valentines day. Should be cool to spend it on Ko Tao. Did some more PADI homework and went out to a very popular indian on the beach front. I shared a naan and rice with Emily and had my own korma and am completely stuffed! Was very nice but more spicy than back home so hope doesnt interfere with my diving. On the way I saw a rail of bargain clothes and got a cool beach top for 100 baht (2 quid!) Will wear tomorrow on the boat as a bit dusty anyway.
Peeling more but getting comments now about my tan. Not bad in a week. Eli will be impressed. Am having a ball I love it here so much.
Very tired. Saw Atticus (first time Ive rememvbered his name!) in internet cafe on way home so we walked back together. We have very early start tomorrow - 6.30am leaving for the boat.I had a shower and am sitting under the fan as I type this to cool off. I have taken a nytol and opened a window burnt a coil and asked Atticus to have his TV quieter so hoping for a better nights sleep ;) I always sleep really well on the nytol it knocks me out. Bed time ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Money spent: Accomodation free, Lunch 60 baht, donut from lady 20 baht, dinner 265 baht (chicken korma curry and orange juice) coke (should last 2 days) and tomorrow bread breakfast 62 baht, clothes 100 baht. TOTAL: 507 baht (10.14)
Best thing: All day diving and indian in eve.
Worst thing: No sleep and getting bitten trying to connect to internet up the hill (which didnt work!).
Well I dont know about dreaming but I didnt get a wink of sleep. Partly because was too hot and partly concious of bites and party who knows why?! It seems quite apt considering exactly one week ago I would have been waiting for my baggage at Bankok airport. Seems I have done a lot since then.
Oh my word diving was complety awesome. We did theory in the morning - chapters 3 and 4 and doing the tests. Then this afternoon we set off on the boat at midday. The girls came too to snorkel which was really nice as well as ants friends (he's my diving buddy - I have decided to call him this as I have trouble remembering his name!) We went to Japanese Garden in the morning and Twins in the afternoon. The second open water dive was the best - we went to 7 and a half meters and already the difference is tangible - we saw bigger fish and a much greater variety, fish were below and above as well as around and I thought the giant cucumbers were really funny (attached to the coral.) The only fish that could have attacked divers would only do so when protecting their nest. It was quite big. I managed to swim around at depth without my goggles which is a mandatory skill and I have kept my potential panic under control! I had problems with my ears not equalising at the first descent, but other than that no real problems. It was a lovely afternoon - one of my best yet since being in Thailand. Apparantly you do not have to do your advanced all in one go - mny divers do their 'deep water' which allows them to dive at more interesting sites (basically the deeper the better.) You can also do 3 of the modules required for advance which gives you a seperate 'adventure diver' qualification which sounds quite cool! I have to do my homework to find out how much the full advanced is at Ko Phi Phi which I have definately decided I am going to at the end, or how much more it would cost if I got them all seperately. I dont really know why I want my advanced but I really enjoy diving and you can specialise in photography, navigation etc. The compulsary modules for advanced are buoancy and deep.
I am pretty knackered but brown and happy. I want to check out the internet now as am concious havnt been in much contact but havce either been busy or recovering from sleepless nights and needing to chill.
OK that was crap spent another wasted hour still cant connect still havnt published any of this blog or contacted my family. Must do tomorrow when PADI course over. And also I realised it is valentines day. Should be cool to spend it on Ko Tao. Did some more PADI homework and went out to a very popular indian on the beach front. I shared a naan and rice with Emily and had my own korma and am completely stuffed! Was very nice but more spicy than back home so hope doesnt interfere with my diving. On the way I saw a rail of bargain clothes and got a cool beach top for 100 baht (2 quid!) Will wear tomorrow on the boat as a bit dusty anyway.
Peeling more but getting comments now about my tan. Not bad in a week. Eli will be impressed. Am having a ball I love it here so much.
Very tired. Saw Atticus (first time Ive rememvbered his name!) in internet cafe on way home so we walked back together. We have very early start tomorrow - 6.30am leaving for the boat.I had a shower and am sitting under the fan as I type this to cool off. I have taken a nytol and opened a window burnt a coil and asked Atticus to have his TV quieter so hoping for a better nights sleep ;) I always sleep really well on the nytol it knocks me out. Bed time ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Money spent: Accomodation free, Lunch 60 baht, donut from lady 20 baht, dinner 265 baht (chicken korma curry and orange juice) coke (should last 2 days) and tomorrow bread breakfast 62 baht, clothes 100 baht. TOTAL: 507 baht (10.14)
Best thing: All day diving and indian in eve.
Worst thing: No sleep and getting bitten trying to connect to internet up the hill (which didnt work!).
12th Feb - 3rd day Kao Tao (1st day diving course.)
Thursday 12th
Went to sleep quite late in the end as the TV next door was really loud ! - but got woken up as promised at 8pm by my dive 'buddy' who is staying in the next room to me.
Think I have quite a good deal here - my own room with refrigerator, bathroom and wireless if I can be bothered to treck up the hill (!) is equivalent to 8 pounds a night and is free with my PADI course. Its nice to have my own room particularly with all the reading and theory for the PADI course, Apparantly advanced is less technical I am debating whether to do this in the Similian islands at the end of my trip when I'm on the west coast but it is much more expensive apparantly.If we had'nt have booked return train tickets already I'd have possibly have stayed on to do my advanced I think. Bit the train is known to get busy after full moon party.
We ran through chapters 1 and 2 on the PADI video this morning, and went down to the 'private' beach (about 2 metres long!) to do the quizes for chapters 1 and 2, at my suggestion - of course! Tan has to be a high priority ;) My 'buddy' seems really cool and is also very excited about diving. We are the only two people on the course and our instructor is fairly quiet (well normal really but quiet compared to the piss heads I was expecting as diving instructors here!) but got on with him well and he's a good instructor from Australia (Artemis is also australian.)
Lunch we joined the girls in DDs where I had toast, egg and beans for 60 baht. The afternoon was cool we went off in a decent sized boat with sun deck - only joined by two swedish girls and another instructor (they were doing an afternoon - had done their PADI in Sarmel Sheik which still being cheap was more more expensive than Ko Tao) I have to admit I was slightly worried about the technicalities of diving - (what if I forgot to breathe through my mouth?!) - but got through all the skills OK although I really didn't like it when I had to let my mask fill with water and then empty it beneath the surface. I normally never and dont like to swim without goggles so found this hard.
The fish and underwater life was amazing - even when we were snorkelling over to shallow water (this was out confined water dive today where you do all the skills at a shallow level.) the fish were close enough to touch even though as I learnt objects are roughly 30 % further away than how they appear. I am learning other interesting facts and concepts about bouyancy and pressure, even though I am not very scientifically minded! I am looking browner and starting to peel on my left shoulder where I burnt before. I think my lotions are old.
Got back having enjoyed my afternoon, showered and met the girls on the beach briefly before the light went down. They took my netbook to try to connect to internet but one place wanted 500 baht for 14 days! Blimey!
I got bitten last night in the room so may light a coil this eve. Really enjoying being able to watch BBC World is weird thinking I worked there sometimes before drama school.
I love Ko Tao which I had more time to explore but for now the course is keeping me busy. I must revise now as its gone 7.30 and have two chapters to do and go out for dinner with the girls. Both emily and Lottie now have injured toes from the full moon party! - hopefully they can come snorkelling on the same boat as me tomorrow so they can still feel they are doing fun things.
We ate at a little place my meal was huge so am a happy bunny. Am really enjoying having my own room and being able to chill. Is quite big - had two single beds in so chuck my bag on one. Refrigerator is coming in handy. Was gonna do coil but dont have lighter. Feel OK.
Having now read chapter three of my PADI that horrible mask thing I struggled with today is normally scheduled to be done in your open water 2 dive - basically the 5th time you go under water not the very first! I have a feeling because its cheap here they do kinda pack it in. I wish we'd had a bit less skills stuff today so I could just get accustomed to being and breathing underwater before moving onto the more challenging stuff but hey I suppose at least the worst is over and I know I can do it even if I don't like it. Hope it doesn't put me off but itll be interesting to see if I dream about it tonight as that will show it's on my mind. There was also a moment where I felt I wasnt getting enough air even though I was breathing deeply. I had an overwhelming desire to surface and breath normally but didnt give in to it and was OK. I had to do the skill of taking my kit off and putting it back on underwater so that was a good distraction as sometimes I think problems can be mentally overcome.
There is an awful lot to learn on this diving course. I think I am being a bit of a swat as I read the chapters properly and want to understand everything. The other guys just skims until he finds the relevant answers! But I guess its different personalities.
Ko Tao is very chilled out in the evening. There seems to be a culture of bars playing movies. The main road is actually little wider than a pavement and is full of charm in the daytime and at night. I really like this island. My instructor says that many of the foreign workers here do not have visas. But apparantly to get a normal job youd be paid about 150 baht a day! Not thanks! Even that must be better than the recession in England....
Is good to have a few days under budget as had a lot of expenses upon first arrival. Methinks once in Chang Mai everything will be cheaper. It allows me to do fun things like diving and possibly rock climbing in Krabi and maybe even a skydive. I love travelling. Clients from work which seemed to dominate my life for 1 1/2 years barely enter my thoughts now. I am possibly putting on weight due to not working out but also feeling better with tan and sunshine. Only stress I have now is being bitten by the little buggers!
Money spent: (free accomodation) Lunch 60 baht, sprite in bar 20 baht, 7/11 bread and large coke 45 baht, dinner (Chicken and cashew nuts with noodles) 70 baht. TOTAL: 195 baht (3.90)
Worst thing: Goggle skills thing in dive
Best thing: Seeing the fish when snorkelling and scuba diving! So cool!
Went to sleep quite late in the end as the TV next door was really loud ! - but got woken up as promised at 8pm by my dive 'buddy' who is staying in the next room to me.
Think I have quite a good deal here - my own room with refrigerator, bathroom and wireless if I can be bothered to treck up the hill (!) is equivalent to 8 pounds a night and is free with my PADI course. Its nice to have my own room particularly with all the reading and theory for the PADI course, Apparantly advanced is less technical I am debating whether to do this in the Similian islands at the end of my trip when I'm on the west coast but it is much more expensive apparantly.If we had'nt have booked return train tickets already I'd have possibly have stayed on to do my advanced I think. Bit the train is known to get busy after full moon party.
We ran through chapters 1 and 2 on the PADI video this morning, and went down to the 'private' beach (about 2 metres long!) to do the quizes for chapters 1 and 2, at my suggestion - of course! Tan has to be a high priority ;) My 'buddy' seems really cool and is also very excited about diving. We are the only two people on the course and our instructor is fairly quiet (well normal really but quiet compared to the piss heads I was expecting as diving instructors here!) but got on with him well and he's a good instructor from Australia (Artemis is also australian.)
Lunch we joined the girls in DDs where I had toast, egg and beans for 60 baht. The afternoon was cool we went off in a decent sized boat with sun deck - only joined by two swedish girls and another instructor (they were doing an afternoon - had done their PADI in Sarmel Sheik which still being cheap was more more expensive than Ko Tao) I have to admit I was slightly worried about the technicalities of diving - (what if I forgot to breathe through my mouth?!) - but got through all the skills OK although I really didn't like it when I had to let my mask fill with water and then empty it beneath the surface. I normally never and dont like to swim without goggles so found this hard.
The fish and underwater life was amazing - even when we were snorkelling over to shallow water (this was out confined water dive today where you do all the skills at a shallow level.) the fish were close enough to touch even though as I learnt objects are roughly 30 % further away than how they appear. I am learning other interesting facts and concepts about bouyancy and pressure, even though I am not very scientifically minded! I am looking browner and starting to peel on my left shoulder where I burnt before. I think my lotions are old.
Got back having enjoyed my afternoon, showered and met the girls on the beach briefly before the light went down. They took my netbook to try to connect to internet but one place wanted 500 baht for 14 days! Blimey!
I got bitten last night in the room so may light a coil this eve. Really enjoying being able to watch BBC World is weird thinking I worked there sometimes before drama school.
I love Ko Tao which I had more time to explore but for now the course is keeping me busy. I must revise now as its gone 7.30 and have two chapters to do and go out for dinner with the girls. Both emily and Lottie now have injured toes from the full moon party! - hopefully they can come snorkelling on the same boat as me tomorrow so they can still feel they are doing fun things.
We ate at a little place my meal was huge so am a happy bunny. Am really enjoying having my own room and being able to chill. Is quite big - had two single beds in so chuck my bag on one. Refrigerator is coming in handy. Was gonna do coil but dont have lighter. Feel OK.
Having now read chapter three of my PADI that horrible mask thing I struggled with today is normally scheduled to be done in your open water 2 dive - basically the 5th time you go under water not the very first! I have a feeling because its cheap here they do kinda pack it in. I wish we'd had a bit less skills stuff today so I could just get accustomed to being and breathing underwater before moving onto the more challenging stuff but hey I suppose at least the worst is over and I know I can do it even if I don't like it. Hope it doesn't put me off but itll be interesting to see if I dream about it tonight as that will show it's on my mind. There was also a moment where I felt I wasnt getting enough air even though I was breathing deeply. I had an overwhelming desire to surface and breath normally but didnt give in to it and was OK. I had to do the skill of taking my kit off and putting it back on underwater so that was a good distraction as sometimes I think problems can be mentally overcome.
There is an awful lot to learn on this diving course. I think I am being a bit of a swat as I read the chapters properly and want to understand everything. The other guys just skims until he finds the relevant answers! But I guess its different personalities.
Ko Tao is very chilled out in the evening. There seems to be a culture of bars playing movies. The main road is actually little wider than a pavement and is full of charm in the daytime and at night. I really like this island. My instructor says that many of the foreign workers here do not have visas. But apparantly to get a normal job youd be paid about 150 baht a day! Not thanks! Even that must be better than the recession in England....
Is good to have a few days under budget as had a lot of expenses upon first arrival. Methinks once in Chang Mai everything will be cheaper. It allows me to do fun things like diving and possibly rock climbing in Krabi and maybe even a skydive. I love travelling. Clients from work which seemed to dominate my life for 1 1/2 years barely enter my thoughts now. I am possibly putting on weight due to not working out but also feeling better with tan and sunshine. Only stress I have now is being bitten by the little buggers!
Money spent: (free accomodation) Lunch 60 baht, sprite in bar 20 baht, 7/11 bread and large coke 45 baht, dinner (Chicken and cashew nuts with noodles) 70 baht. TOTAL: 195 baht (3.90)
Worst thing: Goggle skills thing in dive
Best thing: Seeing the fish when snorkelling and scuba diving! So cool!
11th Feb - 2nd day Ko Tao
Wednesday 11th
Woke up feeling OK. Very nice weather. Showered packed and got in taxi to ferry which took forever to leave. Supposed to leave at 12.30. As we waited I checked out the various diving courses. Basically if you do the PADI course its 8500 baht with free accomodation for 5 nights and I get my own room which will be great.
Most of the day was taken up catching the ferry which left an hour late. We were all a bit tired and grumpy from not much sleep after full moon party.
Did decide on Tommys as I had free accomodation for 5 nights thrown in with my PADI dive so a total of 8500 (about 170 quid - absolute bargain its like the chapest place in the world to dive!) and the girls got a room between them for 500 baht so they were happy as an actual structure rather than a wooden bungalow!
Have to say when I saw the room and the view I could happily have moved on - I havnt been here long enought to appreciate a solid structure ad kinda had my heart set on a beach front bungalow or something of that nature as out accom in Ko Pang Yang was also not on the beach - but the girls were happy so I was happy and later was glad for our choice.
Ate at DD's close by - we are basically situated right at the end of the most popular beach on this island. We were so hungry (it was gone 5pm and I had had nothing to eat all day) but we could see the sunset even though there were lots of flies around for some reason. Had sweet and sour chicken and rice which was nice but not big enough! Went back to room early as had to read chapters 1 and 2 ahead of course tomorrow. Found it hard to take in as was so tired. Went up to base so could connect to wireless (funny how rooms are advertised as having wireless but you cant actually access if from your room or reception, or anywhere within hopping distance!). A little Thai boy was obviously fascinated by my little netbook and the manager kept making chit chat. I sat at the only take which I had the impression wasnt normally used by the average punter. I would have sat on the grass but it was dark. Took a few attempts to connect then was very slow. Concious havn't contacted family or anyone much since arriving. I tried to text Mum and Gran through a free texting service I had found but it doenst work out here I can only presume. I did manage to update my status on facebook but little else because wasn't responding much. I noticed Dad had added me as a friend on facebook which made me laugh but is cool. Is it this netbook that is causing problems? I'm not sure. Gave up, did Chapter 1 questions for course and had an early night.
Worst thing: Much of day was taken up travelling to Ko Tao
Best thing: Arriving at Ko Tao. Can tell I'm going to like it.
Money spent: (free accomodation) 25 baht water, paid lottie cuppa tea 30 Baht 7/11 bread for breakfast and lipton 52 baht, dinner (sweet and sour chicken) 150 baht TOTAL: 257 baht (5.14)
Woke up feeling OK. Very nice weather. Showered packed and got in taxi to ferry which took forever to leave. Supposed to leave at 12.30. As we waited I checked out the various diving courses. Basically if you do the PADI course its 8500 baht with free accomodation for 5 nights and I get my own room which will be great.
Most of the day was taken up catching the ferry which left an hour late. We were all a bit tired and grumpy from not much sleep after full moon party.
Did decide on Tommys as I had free accomodation for 5 nights thrown in with my PADI dive so a total of 8500 (about 170 quid - absolute bargain its like the chapest place in the world to dive!) and the girls got a room between them for 500 baht so they were happy as an actual structure rather than a wooden bungalow!
Have to say when I saw the room and the view I could happily have moved on - I havnt been here long enought to appreciate a solid structure ad kinda had my heart set on a beach front bungalow or something of that nature as out accom in Ko Pang Yang was also not on the beach - but the girls were happy so I was happy and later was glad for our choice.
Ate at DD's close by - we are basically situated right at the end of the most popular beach on this island. We were so hungry (it was gone 5pm and I had had nothing to eat all day) but we could see the sunset even though there were lots of flies around for some reason. Had sweet and sour chicken and rice which was nice but not big enough! Went back to room early as had to read chapters 1 and 2 ahead of course tomorrow. Found it hard to take in as was so tired. Went up to base so could connect to wireless (funny how rooms are advertised as having wireless but you cant actually access if from your room or reception, or anywhere within hopping distance!). A little Thai boy was obviously fascinated by my little netbook and the manager kept making chit chat. I sat at the only take which I had the impression wasnt normally used by the average punter. I would have sat on the grass but it was dark. Took a few attempts to connect then was very slow. Concious havn't contacted family or anyone much since arriving. I tried to text Mum and Gran through a free texting service I had found but it doenst work out here I can only presume. I did manage to update my status on facebook but little else because wasn't responding much. I noticed Dad had added me as a friend on facebook which made me laugh but is cool. Is it this netbook that is causing problems? I'm not sure. Gave up, did Chapter 1 questions for course and had an early night.
Worst thing: Much of day was taken up travelling to Ko Tao
Best thing: Arriving at Ko Tao. Can tell I'm going to like it.
Money spent: (free accomodation) 25 baht water, paid lottie cuppa tea 30 Baht 7/11 bread for breakfast and lipton 52 baht, dinner (sweet and sour chicken) 150 baht TOTAL: 257 baht (5.14)
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