Monday, 25 April 2011

Trekking and Tubing.

Hello.

Just in Laos at the moment, which according to Elliot is the most bombed country in the worlds history. Travelled from Chiang Mai on a 17 hour VIP bus. I am still struglling to work out how they managed to call it a VIP bus as we were crammed into it like a can of sardines. Chiang Mai was a great experience and we did so much. On the first day we went to a Tiger farm, where you pay a flat rate to go in to the tigers enclosure. Ben and Harri choose the small ones as they wanted to see the little babies, but we went for the massive ones. At first we were all speechless and didn't really know how to approach them but the trainers assured us they were completely safe. (We did have to sign a form agreeing that if we were mauled to death it wouldnt be the responsibilty of tiger farm Chiang Mai......cheers) The tigers were really cool and we got pretty close to them, our ones were called "Jackie Chan" and "Bob Marley". After petting some of the most deadly cats in the world our guide took us to this Snake farm. The snake show was better than the last one as the trainer was more of a nutter. He made to King Cobras fight each other, then he kissed them. (great party trick). After our wild day we booked a two day trek deep into the jungle of North Thailand. Our guide was a fantastic bloke, he nicknamed James, "Rambo". He made him sit in the front with him so he could always talk to him! Anyway our jungle trek started off with a causal elephant ride, our elephant was old and naughty we called him T-Pain. He kept on spraying us and demanding banannas (Naughty T-Pain). After the elephants it was a hardcore trek up the hills, we stopped off at some cool waterfalls and lagoons. Our guides made a bamboo bong which we all stuck a question mark on. We climbed 1200 meters to the hill tribe where we stayed the night. The climb was a little too much for a certain Mr. Watson and chundered which the people at the base of the hills could probably hear. The hill tribe people were really friendly and the children sang us songs. We slept in a bamboo shack and had a terrible night sleep. Next morning, rise and shine. Was a pretty awesome site too wake up at the top of a mountain, left the tribe then the heavens opened. Rain rain rain rain. After sliding back down the mountain, covered in mud. White water rafting was on the cards. Quite tame but fun all the same. 2 day trek came to an end, never been so tired in my life! Then it was a chill out day then off to LAOS...........

VIP Bus- Shambles. Got to Vang Vieng, went tubing. Majestic. Will explain more about that another time. Too tired now. Just going to type words and you can figure it out....

Tiger Whisky, buckets, Beerlao, jumps,zip wires, loud music, river, people, spray paint, beer pong, 11am,bars, danger, fun,safety, the M.I.N.E game, Scandenvian girls.


Anyway heard the royal wedding is this weekend. Shall be watching that one (not). Good luck to will and kate. Also well done too Fernando Torres for scoring his first Chelsea goal. Your now my backround on my phone congrats........

Message to the Bozz= Heard about the Watty antics, gill and turn I feel for you. Shall I bring some Ninjas back with me to sort it out?! Revenge will occur in the summer.....

LOVE TO ALL

X

Pics

Friday, 15 April 2011

Happy Thai New Year.

Hello everybody.


Arrived in Thailand on the 5th April, it was sad to say goodbye to our Indian shack and the lush beach. We stayed one night in the capital of Goa, Panjim. We set out to do some cultural stuff there so we saw one Portuguese Church, got a little bored so got a domino's then went back to the room and watch LOTR (Lord of the Rings if your not a fan). We flew from Goa to Mumbai and had about 5 hours to kill. We found this taxi and asked him to give us a tour around the city. Mumbai was an assault on the senses. It was mental, the waves and waves of people, shacks, buildings. Quite surprised we survived the taxi journey as people would be flying in at all angles on bikes, cars, tuk tuks etc. We did make it down to the Gateway of India which was quite cool. Got back to Mumbai International, waited in the most uncomfortable chair of all time. Then went through to the other side, great airport 9/10. Enjoyed the KFC and games arcade (basketball shooting and need for speed). Started to get stomach cramps again, which wasn't enjoyable. Flight over 3/10. Felt terrible and turbulence.


ANYWAY, finally got to Bangkok then got a two hour taxi to Elzzzy's grandma's. (Pattaya City) Arrived to the palace that is Elzzzy's grandmas (Judy) and her husband (Paul). They were very hospitable and the shock of seeing a bed with sheets, pillows and a duvet was almost too good. Oh and the en suite, air con and pool. I still wasnt feeling right after a few days in Pattaya so went to the hospital there which is similar to a 5 star hotel. Saw Dr. Sompote and told me to leave him a present in a jar. Then he delivered the news that I have parasites AND bacteria in my intestine which is quite rare. So he then sorted me a prescription. He gave me an assortment of pills, handing them out like sweets. Had to take 20 a day! So the next few days were quite chilled for us. Went to a pretty cool aquarium where we all held a iguana! Then went to this elephant sanctuary where we got lifted up by an elephant trunk, exquisitely trained. Also went to this huge Golden Buddah and released these birds as its good luck. Then I got blessed by a monk and the three words he said to me were "Lucky, Money, Chelsea"..... Thought that I had buddah on my side for the United game. Unfortunately a certain Wayne Rooney shattered my dreams. Had some lovely grub in Pattaya, including the feast of a barbeque that Elzzzy's grandma laid out for us. I was on a strict diet (no dairy, seafood, spicy things or booze). We went out to this famous street in Pattaya called "walking street". You may have heard of it from tv programs such as Banged up abroad or Trouble in Thailand. It was certainly a great experience. If I were to have a penny for the amount of seedy fat bald men I saw with good looking Thai girls I would be a very rich man. Because we are all young innocent men (and harri!), we did get a lot of attention from Thai girls on the side the street. I would certainly stick a question mark on a few of them and check their orignal birth certificate. Anyway after a week in luxury it was time to get stuck in too Bangkok.


Arrived in Bangkok, staying in Lucky house. Met up with some lads we met in India so a large session was in order. Although was still on anti-biotics which was a bit annoying, but still had a jokes night. Its Thai New Year at the moment (Sonkran), its a 5 day festival where everyone swarms to the streets and has a huge water fight. You can't not step out of your room and get drenched. We invested in some water guns which was so key. We have had 4 days now of being completely drenched, it was fun the first few days but the novelty is slowly starting to fade. The first day was mad, ice cold water, chalk, loud music, beers. Lasts all day and night. Today we had a sweet day, went to the Grand Palace. The architecture was fantastic, then elz , harri and I decided to go on a little boat trip. We went trough all the back cannals of Bangkok which was awesome, people live on a bit of metal held up by wooden posts. Then the driver took us to this snake farm. The animals their hated life, which was quite sad. Terrible conditions but great snake show. Harri and Elz held snakes. Touched a King Cobra, that was good enough for me! Harri had it round her neck (Mental?) Off to Chaing Mai tomorrow for some rural thailand life. Enough city life for now. Will enjoy a bit of silence. Going to do some elepahnt trekking and hopefully see those women with long necks. ( yes you can call me Bruce Parry from now on).


Love to all x

Sunday, 3 April 2011

Picography's.















India- World Cup Champions.

Hello beautiful people.

Had a great last week here in India, finally I got better about 5 days ago, the antibiotics kicked in which I was so relieved about as it could of possibly been an early end to my holidays. Almost LHR bound.

With me regaining a full fitting fit spirit we were more adventurous. One day we rented out scooters (yes they are safe grandma) and toured around, some of the scenery was simply mind blowing. I couldnt believe how green everything is. We went to two beaches and there was nobody on them apart from this stark naked chap who we certainly stuck a question mark on. We also went to a temple which was just a standard one, but it was in mint clean condition, all pink inside and a big statue of Ganesh.

We ended up staying in Palolem for another week, so we have been here for almost 4 weeks. The guys that run our huts are really nice, we have good banter with them. The owner was kind enough to invite us too his daughters 4th birthday. The celebrations were really unique and it was nice to share it with them.

This past week has been a really good one, splashing out quite a bit of cash on various bits and pieces. (steak special medium rare). Ben's now rooted to his ipod as he has downloaded football manager and thinks he is the next Arsene Wenger.

Last night was the world cup final, all the locals shut there shops early and made it their highest prioty to get in front of a TV. Towards the end of the game, every run for India was cheered on by all. When they won the whole beach exploded, (quite literally). Fireworks were set off and people danced and sung their way down the beach. "SACHIN, SACHIN, SACHIN". It was an amazing experience to be in India for when they won, cricket for the local people here is their life. Everybody is over the moon.

Anyway, we are leaving Palolem today to head up to the capital to see the old town then its a flight up to Mumbai to catch our plane to Bangkok. The weather there is terrible at the moment and there is a constant threat of flooding/ landslides etc. But we will cross that bridge when we get there.


Hope everybody is well at home, missing you all.

LOVE

x