Thailand Holiday–Last Day

Last day

waterfall/trek/hard

packing

relaxing/beach

jetty

clean up

restaurant/treated banana fritters

check out and pay

bed early

Thailand Holiday Day 12 – Koh Samui – Snorkelling

Woke up around 7.20am and went and got some breakfast before being picked up at 8.20am for our trip through to Chewang Beach, it was close to the Fisherman’s Market where we met up this morning and on arriving we saw there were loads of people all milling about – too many for one speed boat surely?

The manager was addressing us all with instructions etc and we signed up and were allocated a boat and about 30 of us were on it. We had one of the larger speed boats but it was fine and we got on the front of it which turned out to be the best part I reckon.

The chap who was the main man for explaining and and organising everything was really nice and was good fun, he also allowed a relaxing of the rules and soon Lewis, Charlotte and Jack were taking it in turns to be sat high up on the front as we sped along.

We left port and headed out to sea for 45 minutes to a cluster of rocks where a few other boats were moored up and people were swimming/snorkelling in the water and we pull up alongside them and dropped anchor ourselves.

We were told we had an hour to snorkel so we kitted up and got into the water, Mum included. I struggled a bit I must admit to begin with as my mask kept letting water in and I was swallowing water as well making me choke and gag, in fact, it’s making me feel ill just typing it! Once sorted and got into a routine after 10 minutes I was fine and enjoying drifting around, my camera appeared to be doing its job and I was able to video and take photos as well. There were a lot of fish but the water wasn’t the best to be honest, especially after what we experienced in Egypt. It wasn’t too sunny either so that didn’t help either, but when we got home in the evening we saw that the photos and video was fine. Really pleased with my camera! They did throw in some bread and the shots I have of that is amazing, naughty by them but who cares, although they were throwing the bread at my head so I was being swamped! The hour was over all too quickly but it was enjoyable and I am glad we got to experience that at least.

We then travelled further to another island which we pulled up to, disembarked and were able to walk up some very steep steps to look into the middle of the island at a green lagoon – very impressive indeed, it was lovely. Stayed there about 45 minutes and then went about 10 minutes around the corner to the Anthong National Park where we stopped for a couple of hours to have our dinner. Nice buffet meal and then Me, Tash and Charlotte when for an explore to find the cave on the island, Jack stayed with Mum and Lewis went and slept on the boat. Good thing Mum didn’t come along, it was like rock-climbing, it was really tough. Steep, hot and using rope all the time to get up the slopes, I only had one hand as well as I was holding the cameras. The cave itself was good so it was worth the effort but the sweat was pouring off us, and then we had to get down!! Tough-going!

We pottered around relaxing for 20 minutes and then were called over to collect our life vests so we could then go Kayaking. We set off in twos and followed the main lead guy and he took us all over the place, it was interesting and so thrilling to be in the Thailand seas with the rock formations and vegetation exactly how you imagine it to be and from the TV or films – really enjoyed it. Went some odd ways and pushed ourselves and cracked our oars and that but definitely a really good experience. Loved it.

Once that was done we were back on the speed boat for the last trek homewards in which most people slept but the kids loved it as Jack & Charlotte were sat on the top deck on their own with the main guide. Took about an hour to get home and we even dropped some people off at their beaches – that was cool I have to admit!

Got into our minibus and back to the hotel for a freshen up, Victoria Bull is doing a sky dive today so we were trying to send messages of support and also find out as soon as it was completed how it went. Can’t believe she’s doing it, I don’t think I could if I am honest. We found out later when we were eating that it went well and she absolutely loved it and wants to do it again, fair play to her.

We went down to the beach around 6.15pm in the hope of seeing a sunset but it wasn’t to be tonight so we continued down to the restaurant that we like and they appeared pleased to see us and Mum treated us to a meal which was lovely of her. Had great food once again and a couple of beers and then walked back but it was still only about 8.30pm – far too early. So Mum came back her, the kids had long gone back their rooms and we played Bananagrams for a couple of turns (I won both!) and then Mum said her good nights and went to bed, I typed this up and will shut down shortly.

Updated a couple of things on Facebook and also checked out a few football scores, things not going well for Man Utd at the minute, drew with Burnley – 3rd game and I think they now have 2 points out of 9 – not a good start really.

Another amazing day in an amazing holiday, we’ve done so much, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind but it’s been fantastic, wouldn’t change any of it at all.

Thailand Holiday Day 12 – Koh Samui – Fishermans Market

Relaxing

Waiting to hear from Lewis and Lots

Beach

Bike ride

Thailand Holiday Day 11 – Koh Samui – no Lewis & Charlotte

Woke up with a bit of a hangover again! I think it’s because we’re not eating much all day and having a couple of beers in the evening hits hard! No alcohol tonight then…we’ll see.

Went down for breakfast around 10.00am after having had a bit of a swim out the front of the house and then went down to the beach. Kept an eye on the time and when it got close to 11.00am we waited at reception and saw Lewis & Charlotte off in the bus that arrived for them. As expect they went off with no fuss to catch the boat to Koh Tao to meet up with Nathan and stay the night in accommodation there.

All of a sudden it was quiet without them around. We returned to the beach and waved at each boat that went past. Read my book, Game of Thrones – so close to the end of it, it’s taken me a year to complete!! Around 2.00pm the wind picked up, clouds came over and the heavens opened, and it wouldn’t relent, after about 35 minutes of hiding in the shelter of the bar we gave up and went back to our rooms and refreshed, read the book or slept, the rain stopped and the sun came back out but by then we couldn’t be bothered to do anything and just got ready to go out to Chewang Beach again earlier than planned…although that didn’t necessarily happen.

Tash got an update from the kids to say they were fine and the crossing was very choppy with lots of people struggling with sea-sickness, no surprise there to be honest!!

We wandered out of the road and caught a cab to Chewang but instead of turning around he continued in the opposite direction to what we expected to go. We kept quiet and let him go where need be. The taxi this time was a pick up truck and us in the back, nice and cool but made me nervous that Jack was at the end and nodding off – I could picture him falling out and being crushed by a car following us – he wouldn’t move though!! We ended up going round the island in the end but eventually arrived at our destination, it just showed how small the island really is.

We jumped out, paid and walked a few yards when we realised we were at a food market area and it was a case of choosing anything from the stalls arrayed around the outside, them cooking the food and bringing it to the plastic tables we pitched up at. It was great, kebabs, fresh fish, smoothies and all sorts. I had Phad Thai yet again and we got a mixture of things, Jack even got the pizza he was desperate for! So I was full on my food, as were we all and it got me £1.50 including a coke! If only we’d used these sort of restaurants more often!! After that we wandered along the Chewang strip, a huge road full of sights and sounds – I really like it here. Went passed all the ‘girls’ advertising the cabaret and also girls sat at bars waiting for men to buy them drinks and more…

We were looking for trainers for Jack, Mum was looking for presents for everyone at home and Tash was looking for a designer bag. Everyone got what they wanted, Tash & I bargaining in a shop for the bags, got there in the end but I hate it I have to admit. It just feels like your getting stung every time.

After we’d done it all we stopped at a bar called Legends which was nice, had a Mojito (no alcohol pledge didn’t last) and I beat Jack at pool before we moved on and caught a cab home. Back to our bedrooms afterwards, Jack had no problems going off to his room on his own and I stayed up a bit later that planned because of reading my book, almost done!

A nice day, very relaxed and pleased not to be going to bed thinking ‘I’m going to have a hangover tomorrow!!’. Chased up Lewis & Charlotte for an update…nothing!

Trip Advisor comments

Chiang Mai Centara Hotel

Very nice hotel, swimming pool area excellent and on a busy road within 50 yards of some ‘lively’ bars.

Great location – in one direction you have the night market for the tit and tat Chang T-Shirts, floaty patterned trousers and knock off Designer bags, and in the other direction you have a very lively street with bars where you can keep to yourself or be next door to ones that have plenty of ladies of the night keen to provide attention to the men walking past. Definitely not seedy or intimidating – we were there as a family of two 40-somethings, 3 teenage kids (19, 18 & 13) and my mum (66 yrs old) and it was just an amusing experience!

There is a 3D museum within 15 mins walk – definitely put aside 90 minutes for that – great fun. Won’t spoil it with pictures but it’s a must!!

We (well my wife) found Sipohn through recommendations on Trip Advisor and I’m so very glad she did. Cannot recommend what he organised for us highly enough. I appreciate people have differing standards and ideas of what’s good or not so a bit about us and if you’re anything like us I would definitely recommend asking for the same tour we did!! We’re an active, sporty, adventurous family (me 46, wife 44, boy 19, girl 18 & boy 13) and my mum (66) all happy enough camping, staying in Days Inn Hotels or at the Hilton and not overly fussy with what we eat!! We, (well not so much my mum), enjoy zip lines, skiing, scuba diving, visiting different countries, resorts & restaurants, partying and having one or two drinks!

The tour we agreed meant being picked up at 6.40am and being dropped off at 6.30pm, so a long day from the off – not a huge amount of travelling but enough for catnaps between places – but 90mins drive home so decent snooze at end of tour!

I won’t spoil you with exact details because that defeats the object of you experiencing the tour but it included: (rough estimate of times)

Early morning Alms with the boy monks – 30 mins
Visiting the main Chiang Mai Temple on the hill – 1hr 15 mins
Visiting the Long Neck Tribe Village – 45 mins
Visiting Tiger Kingdom (not included as standard tour – pay extra at location) - 1hr
Buffet Lunch at Orchid farm – 1hr
Bamboo raft trip down river – 30mins
Visiting Elephant Sanctuary (bare-back trek through jungle terrain, and wash/play in river) – 2hrs

We had a personal guide called Bammi who really was excellent. She is such a stereo-typical Thai, enthusiastic about all she was telling us, honest, great English and great knowledge on everything going on that she was keen to share so it was such a good learning experience. She will likely cause some converts to Buddhism with her natural explanations of the teachings Buddha. My daughter is hooked!!

Concerns?

Tiger Kingdom – are they drugged & beaten? There are signs explaining why we can go in the cages with the animals and why they’re slow (need 18 hours sleep a day). My personal feeling from the experience is that they’re just tame. There were 2 week old cubs (not accessible to anyone – but visible) and if those cubs are trained from day one then they’ll definitely be tame when adult tigers. I don’t buy into the theory they’re mistreated and would recommend anyone to pay a visit

Elephant ‘Sanctuary’ – same sort of reasoning with Tiger Kingdom – again, I think there is no mistreatment at all. We had 13 elephants for our trek and each Mahout (trainer) is responsible for their own elephant and all seemed caring etc. One thing I would say, perhaps because I was on the biggest elephant there, I found the trek hard. You’re not in a wooden seat and being carried, you are riding bare-back, legs astride which for an old-football player with dodgy groin muscles wasn’t the most comfortable – and my balance was appalling, felt like I was going to fall off with every step. However, everyone else loved it so don’t let me put you off.

We deliberately did the elephants as a 2 hour visit and that definitely was plenty of time. I’ve read people complaining about their full day experiences, and I’m not in the least surprised, 2 hours is more than enough, anything more would be boring as hell!! We were even lucky with our timing in that there was a 12 hour old elephant that we were able to see – and after 20 mins ahhing him that was time enough…

I haven’t added too many updates to Trip Advisor in the past but as it was TA that made us go with Siphon I feel obliged to add my recommendation because for all the searching you do online to make the most of your holiday and get it right this was invaluable. Oh, if you use his website to send a message and don’t get a reply, try his personal email because the original messages didn’t get through to him for some reason.

I’d be more than happy to provide more details to anyone if you want to ask me questions personally I feel that strongly about the recommendation I am giving.

Cheers, Julian

Thailand Holiday Day 10 – Koh Samui Day Trip

Didn’t wake up until 9.30(ish) and after breakfast we went down to reception and waited for the complimentary minibus to take us to Chewang Beach, it was later and didn’t arrive at the hotel until 11.30am so we sat in the library and watched videos and Tash & Mum got talking to some people.

Once dropped off we immediately found a tourist office and after a bit of discussion we booked for Lewis and Charlotte to travel to Koh Tao to meet with Nathan for the night out where he’s DJ’ing, we also booked for us to have the speed boat trip and snorkelling experience. Fairly decent deals so we were all happy about that. God knows how big my bill will be on returning to Oxford!! Ah well, should have it covered soon enough..

Once that was done there was nothing left to do other than go to the beach, found some shade and a couple of sunbeds and relaxed. Where we were there were a load of inflatables designed as a climbing area and Mum paid for the 3 kids to go on it for an hour. There was no bartering and we couldn’t get it cheaper for 30 minutes! They loved it and we got loads of photos and videos of them messing about.

I took the chance to relax and sit on the beach and read my book, really enjoying it, making me remember the events in the programme from a couple of years ago!

When it was time to return we were waiting at our location and it then rained again, no problem though. Once back we went down the beach or pottered around until it was time to go out. We decided to go to the beach restaurant again and walking down there it rained once more, nothing too bad though and the brollies weren’t really needed! Nice meal again and a few drinks, walked back to our rooms and opened the beers we had in the fridge and got quite drunk actually.

We had a bit of a laugh playing games and chatting and Lewis even pushed Tash into the pool fully clothed(naughty) and within seconds we got a call on our phone asking us to keep the noise down…oops! Not much else happened and we soon called it a night and went to bed. Another good day.

Thailand Holiday Day 9 – Koh Samui - Hangover!

Goodness I don’t feel good today, didn’t really get to sleep until about 5.00am!!

Head is spinning and I still felt very drunk when waking up, as did Tash. Woke up about 10.30am and staggered down to breakfast, I wasn’t too keen to eat much but did my best and we then went down to the beach – did nothing all day to be fair other than sleep and keep quiet!!

The tide came in a bit today so we went out in the kayaks, all 6 of us in three of them and that was nice. Went to the jutting out area and over rocks to see what was around the corner and it was another private beach. Not sure if it was the wavy-ness of the sea or the remnants of our hangovers but Lewis, Tash and I were all struggling a bit so we didn’t stay out too much longer and came back – and back to sleep on the sun-beds and around the pool!

We decided to walk along the beach for the evening meal instead of staying on-site because it is expensive here and the beach restaurant I’d walked to earlier in the evening (to check it was open) welcomed us. There were a couple of people eating and they were from the hotel as well so they’d had the same idea as us!

No alcohol this evening unsurprisingly but the food was lovely. It’s funny how it’s all cooked individually, so Lewis got his and was finished by the time mine came out and then Mums and so on! Bit of a mix up with Lewis’s order and after his prawns (prowons!) he’d asked for chips but they brought out the full fish and ships (sic) dinner. We didn’t complain as he was still hungry so it worked out fine!

All went well and even better when we got the bill – it was about £20.00 in total for all of us, compared to £70.00 at the hotel!! And that included Lewis having two main meals! Walked back home and played games on our balcony before calling it a night.

I don’t think it was a wasted day as it was nice to have a relax but I’d prefer not to have too many more like that!!

Thailand Holiday Day 8 – Koh Samui – Relaxing/Chewang Beach

After a decent night’s sleep and a bit of a lay-in (woke up around 8.45am) it was out of the patio doors and into the water for a morning swim! Everyone slowly woke up and after checking out the beach (we wanted to see if people were reserving sun beds and thankfully they weren’t – that was the last thing we wanted to happen!!) we went to breakfast.

Bloody hell, that was a feast! They are so very welcoming and keen to help but the choice of breakfast was over-whelming, made to order drinks, pancakes, eggs etc. Loads of other normal food as well, even chocolate chip ice cream so Jack & Charlotte were very pleased indeed. I tried a traditional Thai coffee, it was gorgeous! A little sweet but so nice and very strong. Will definitely have one each morning for the rest of the week now!

And so, that was done and it was back to our rooms for a quick change and then down to the beach, still not many people there and we were able to pick our spot and have enough beds all together and relax. I’m typing this now at 1145am and Tash, Lewis and Charlotte are down at the sea (the tide is out) and me and Mum just relaxing. No idea where Jack is – up to some trouble somewhere no doubt!!

Took it easy all day, had a few drinks at the poolside bar (cocktails of course!) and just soaked up the nice weather and relaxed atmosphere. There aren’t many people here at all. We decided that we’d go out in the evening and in the afternoon we packed up and went to get ready. We didn’t get the taxi hotel and instead walked down the winding track to the main road and within seconds we’d flagged down a taxi, well truth be told, she’d flagged us down! Got a decent price and she told us about where to go and what to do other the coming days, gave us her number so we could use her again in the future.

She dropped us off and we started walking down Chewang Beach main street, that was interesting! Within minutes I’d been stopped by a European girl at a restaurant who was so helpful and gave us good advise where to go and what to do with haggling etc and with her advise we went down a side street to a restaurant but it was closed. As we were there though we saw another place that looked fine called Mr Crab so we ate there and I had my first cocktail, after a beer of course!

We then were off walking again down the street looking at the stalls etc. The amount of food places and clubs and ‘ladies’ it was bewildering, but exciting at the same time! Such a fantastic place, I’ve not been anywhere like it, except Chiang Mai and Bangkok!!

We took a detour down a side road to head towards the beach and ended up walking through a hotel, once on the beach there was all sorts going on, bars and fire shows and disco! We stopped at one place that had a fire show going on and we bought a bucket of Mojito, a bucket of Vodka and Lemonade and a coke for Jack and relaxed and enjoyed the show. We then got another Mojito bucket that Lewis and I were pretty much only drinking from! More fire men appeared, the music got better and we got rowdier!

Bought another bucket and then they were doing the limbo, each time you got under it there was an ice slush puppy shot waiting for you, we were all up, including Jack! And we were battering the shots!! Of all the people there watching at the bar we were the only ones up there really, we managed to drag some more people off their cushions but we won the contest and won a Bacardi bucket as a result…result!! The limbo was hard actually, we all did it but the 3 kids did it together and got lower and lower – good fun.

We then called over the waiter and suggested that because we’d bought so much drink could we have a shish pipe for free, and he agreed so we got a strawberry one and all started puffing on that. Mum had never done this so it was funny seeing her have a go. We all had such a laugh. The fireman finished with about 7 of them, we were up dancing together and messing about with the DJ and then Jack & Lewis were doing acrobatics with the guys as well. What finished it off was me and Jack singing and dancing to ‘I got a feeling’ by the Black Eyed Peas and then all of us doing Greek Line dancing to a song. It was madness, we were all very drunk indeed!

We decided to go into the street and join the nightclub but Mum and Jack got a taxi home and I was trying to get a cheap rate with the taxi – “Old lady, little boy!” but it didn’t have any effect!

Went into the nightclub and that was great, up on the stage showing off and dancing. Then something snapped and Tash & I started arguing, can’t even remember what about but I was in the wrong. We then left there, got some crisps and that for the fridge at home and got a taxi home. Made the night a little bit of a let down really at the very end but up until then we had such a good time and laugh. Tash and I were still arguing into the night but sorted it before going to sleep. Ah well, will try and gloss over that event when remembering this night!!

Thailand Holiday Day 7 – Chiang Mai to Koh Samui

Leaving Chiang Mai today but not until midday so bit of a lie-in this morning and down for breakfast at 9.30am before being picked up from the hotel at 10.50am. No problems with customs and onto the plane for a 2 hour journey down to our beach destination. Writing this on the plane whilst Jack and Lewis are asleep next to me, Charlotte also asleep and Mum & Tash reading. Food on its way so might have to stop typing briefly!

Amusing in the airport actually as Lewis & Jack disappeared and came back to meet us after visiting McDonalds!! They came back with chicken meals and Charlotte couldn’t resist and got one too. They sat there with such contented faces, Jack was closing his eyes with each mouthful savouring the taste!! He wasn’t showing off either and wasn’t aware I was watching him. Little pleasures!

The flight went really well and was over in about 90 minutes, even had food on it so that was a bonus!

The Koh Samui airport was so…quaint…exactly what I imagined a tropical/Caribbean Island to be like, so small and flowers and greenery everywhere – only one conveyor belt as well! A short minibus journey later and we were pulling up to the hotel. I say hotel but it’s a spa complex and to say it’s ‘plush’ is doing it a disservice…it is stunningly lovely.

Sat in the reception area we could see out across the different rooms that lead directly out of their ‘patios’ into steps into the pool area. So very, very nice! No chance of getting one of those we thought but it all looked lovely anyway, if anything, too nice if that’s possible!! Anyway, we got split up in that the two twins rooms were on one side and our double room was on the other and we followed the lady to our room and the whole time I had my fingers crossed and chanting under my breathe – ‘Ground floor, please let it be ground floor’. We crossed the bridge and walked towards the stairs and instead of going up the stairs we turned left and stayed on the ground floor! Result…Tash looked over her shoulder and was grinning ear to ear.

We walked into the room and it was stunning, and yes, it went out into the pool area, so pleased. Everything else about it was fine too, but this was what made it so good. When she left we looked out across the pool to see Jack in the complimentary bath robe and slippers, and Mum & Charlotte were on the bottom and same as the boys – happy all round!!

So straight into the pool and then a wander around to the beach, quite small and the sea is so very shallow, can’t see that I’ll be doing any snorkelling or scuba diving here, but it’s so picturesque – it’s an absolute picture postcard place. We all keep looking around and can’t quite believe we’re here! It’s very much where you’d expect honeymooners to come, but thankfully there are some families as well so we’re not the noisy, embarrassing family (especially with Jack in tow!!). Tash and I went for a walk along the beach to the next hotel but there wasn’t really one. There were a couple of massage stalls and a bar but not much else. Loads of litter but that was from the sea and not tourists, we both said it was a shame that the hotel doesn’t employ someone to go along and clear it as it would make the walk so much more pleasant (romantic) although I did notice that the width of the hotel’s beach front is litter free so perhaps they only concentrate on that area.

What was also cool were all the coconuts on the beach that have fallen out of the trees, just seemed so ‘Island Castaway’! Back to the hotel and we messed about in the pool, there is water polo set and also a bar so we had a couple of cocktails in the pool area…very nice indeed. As dusk came in they lit up the lanterns and torches and the place looked fantastic.

After a few hours we went back to our rooms and got ready before meeting up and having a look around a different part of the complex and pools and gym etc. Back to our area and we had a meal in the main restaurant and it was lovely. Very expensive, I have no idea how much all this food is going to cost when we get back home, will definitely be doing a bit of overtime!!! Ah well, can’t not do it.

The place was so quiet at around 9.45pm and there was nothing much else to do so we ended up back at our apartment and played cards for a bit before calling it a night.

Really delighted with where we have ended up, really couldn’t have chosen anywhere better, actually, for it to be better it would have been nice to be closer to a town for a livelier bar or something for food. But that’s just being picky because the place it gorgeous. We can use the kayaks, snorkelling and other facilities as well.

Thailand Holiday Day 6 – Chiang Mai – Zip Wire

Up early again this morning with a 6.30am breakfast and pick up at 7.00am to be driven close to the Tiger Kingdom and Orchid place to visit the Eagle Trek Zip wires. Mum was planning to do it but once we got there she decided against it and dropped out. Felt a bit guilty carrying on and having her get up early to join us but with hindsight it probably was the best decision and I think she was okay anyway.

We got kitted out and then jumped on a jeep to the start and Mum came along for that, it was clear that within the jungle there was no way she’d be able to follow us and she went back to base camp for cups of tea etc. And when she saw the first zip wires we went on she was pleased she’d not agreed to do it!!

We signed up for the Gold trek after a lot of umming and ahhing last night and it was definitely correct, we had such a good time and when we got to the Bronze finish line it would have been very disappointing to have stopped then!

So we spent most of the time zip-lining through the trees, longer & longer stretches and it was fantastic fun, it was just the 5 of us with two instructors and they were both excellent and good fun. Making the usual type of jokes about going and then panicking when someone set out as if they weren’t strapped in! There were a few cargo nets and walkways but the majority of it was wires.

A couple of stand-out lines were across the paddy fields and the views were brilliant, that was the highlight for me if I am honest and I think for all of us. There was also a couple of drops, not the Leap of Faith variety but more a controlled abseil down from high, 20 metres and then the very last finishing ones was 40 metres by a waterfall. We had a great time and so pleased we did it. One of the very long paddy field wires took us over the camp and we saw Mum underneath and she was also at the end so it was nice to feel she had some involvement.

Back to camp for some food, which we didn’t really need as it was only 10.30am and a catch up and chat and they then drove us back to the hotel. We all slept on the way and once changed went and sat by the pool which is where I am typing this from now!! And it’s bloody hot!! It’s overcast but the sun is out right now during a break in the clouds but when it’s out it’s amazing weather. And this is their winter!!

That’s one thing that’s surprised us a bit, we’ve not had much rain at all. None yesterday and so far none today. We’ll see how the rest of today goes, if it carries on like this then that will be wonderful!!

Played Lewis at crib and he beat me convincingly – got a 20 score, not bad…I let him win of course.

Got ready in 15 minutes and went out at 4.15pm to go and visit some temples in the Old City but it was still far too hot and Charlotte was hungry so we stopped at the first restaurant we saw and had our dinner, coming out it was overcast and a lot cooler so we wandered down the road and stopped at one temple which was really nice, looked around the side of it and saw the temple that we SHOULD have been at – amazing building where the monks were chanting and praying and around the back of that were the ruins of an ancient one and that was even more impressive. Once done we walked towards the Walking Street Market which is all homemade stuff and it went on and on and on..it was so long and lots of side stalls as well.

It was hot in there because there was no breeze and the number of people crowded there, we saw loads of things to buy and it was so reasonable there was no need to haggle or barter so we just accepted the prices that were offered. Everyone managed to buy something they liked, except me as I wanted a t-shirt in one of the first stalls but waited and waited and thinking we were going to return through the market ended up missing out as we didn’t return, instead we stopped for a drink at a side restaurant and then got a taxi back to our road of the hotel.

Tash and Lewis changed some money and we then went into one of those fish pedicure shops, never again! It was the strangest feeling and we were all shrieking as these fish were nibbling away at our feet. It wasn’t painful or anything like that, just felt like vibrations but not relaxing at all for any of us! Glad to have done it but won’t be in a hurry to ever do it again!!

Walking down this road was an eye-opener as it was a lively road that was full of girls or boys looking very much like girls enticing us in. As a family I suspect we weren’t worth bothering so it wasn’t hassle and more interesting if anything. What was interesting was that whether these were Lady boys or not they were very pretty/attractive so it would be so hard to make a guess as to the sexuality of them, perhaps I’m doing them a disservice and they were all girls who were desperate for a new life or purely for money. The number of European men, older than me, in these bars being paid attention by the girls was fascinating.

We stopped at one bar that looked fairly ‘normal’ and watched some of the telly (Premier League) and chatted to the owner who was American and a nice bloke, and then went a little further down the road to a side street that housed the Thai Boxing Fight that was taking place – we didn’t pay to go and watch but we could hear it all ‘kicking’ off. Good atmosphere. It was here that we stopped at another bar and this one was a little more seedier than the other one, there were a couple of men and loads of girls offering their attention to anyone that passed by. Lewis and Jack played pool and they were both shortly surrounded which was funny! We only stayed for one drink, it wasn’t intimidating at all and I would have loved to stay longer but it wasn’t to be!

Made our way home and another day and night over with! A great day though.

Thailand Holiday Day 5 – Chiang Mai – Tour

We were up early today at 6.00am for breakfast and were picked up from the hotel at 6.40am by a lady called Bammi, who was our tour guide for the day.

This was a fantastic day – let’s get that out of the way first, best day of the holiday so far and something they’ve all been looking forward to. Will definitely get on Trip Advisor and compliment the organisers for this!!

So first we drove up towards the mountain at Chiang Mai and Bammi was giving us information all day long – that was a great thing to have as there was so much information she told us about which we’ve never have got normally. Stopping halfway up the mountain we obtained food and provided it to the boy monks (Buddhist) for their breakfast and dinner and they in turn blessed us. This ritual takes place every day both for the tourists and normal residents so the monks are fed and people blessed. The monks are taught everything as expected and it’s not as strict here as you might expect, if they want to drop out they do. Very often the monks are kids that come from poor families that can’t afford to get their kids into school etc. Again, all very interesting.

With that done we continued up the mountain passing cyclists – bit bloody steep – for 12km until we got to the temple at the top. Jumped out the minibus and walked up the 300 steps to the top. Stayed for almost an hour walking round and having all sorts of information explained, the Buddhist philosophy struck a cord for Charlotte and Tash so I think they were inspired by Bammi and her attitude to life so Charlotte might become Buddhist..you heard it here first!!

Following this we drove a short distance to a very small village that is populated by the Long Neck tribe, this was interesting to hear about how (and why) they do what they do in terms of retaining some of the culture and customs, much of it purely for tourism needs. How they could live there I don’t know, it was dry but what it must be like in the mud there in the rains I can only imagine, strange to see people living like that to be honest. The girls there were doing weaving and some of it was amazing and Tash did buy a scarf from one of them – no haggling either, that would have just felt wrong!

Outside of the Village we travelled about 300 metres and we were at the Tiger Kingdom and the first part that Charlotte was really looking forward to. We paid up for the 15 minutes sessions (which actually was plenty) and Tash & Jack went in with the small tigers and the rest of us went in with the full size adults, and they were full size! In our cage we were with three tigers and took turns to stroke them and have photos etc and it was amazing to be honest. There is a lot on Trip Advisor where people are saying the animals are drugged etc and that may be true, I personally don’t think it was. I think they are both sleepy and also very tame because we saw tigers later that were literally a few weeks old. If they’re in captivity and being trained from that age then they will be tame. Anyway, we rotated around the tigers and hopefully got some good photos and it was definitely an experience not to be forgotten.

Tash & Jack enjoyed it as well and we then walked around some of the other cages, on the outside, as if we were at a zoo and saw some of the baby cubs and other tigers having a rest. A couple of white tigers were also there and looked great. Once done we cleaned up and were ready to move on!

Again, didn’t have to travel far for the next stop which was an Orchid farm where we were had a buffet meal amongst the beautiful orchid flowers and also a butterfly farm we walked through afterwards. It still felt a bit early for food but we had some anyway and Jack was pleased because it included KFC type chicken wings and I was pleased as it had spring rolls and chilli sauce!! Break over…time to move on.

Where next? Ah yes…after about another 45 minute drive we were at an elephant sanctuary but we weren’t there to see the elephants and walked straight through to the river where two old men appeared on a bamboo raft. Climbed aboard and they took us down the river. The flow and current was very quick and strong, we were in any danger of falling out or getting wet so it was a very relaxed, quiet and serene drift down the river to our landing station. A couple of times we were so very much alone and in the jungle it felt with the mountain at the side with all the over-grown plants and trees and no other signs of any life (human interference) at all. Loved it, didn’t last long and after about 25 mins that was it. All the kids had a go posing at the front and halfway through we passed a whole caravan of elephants carrying people in baskets – looked amazing to drift past them on a bamboo raft and they be on these elephants both in the water and amongst the greenery of the jungle – like a scene from a film.

That done we jumped into the minibus and went off through the trees again our final destination – the elephants!

On arrival we changed into our elephant travelling clothes and we all looked great(!) – more like convicts actually but it was good we did change as it protected the clothes we were wearing. We were very lucky also because they took us for a walk into the camp to visit a new-born baby elephant, it had been born the previous evening so wasn’t even a day old! It still could walk and weighed about 60lbs! The mother didn’t mind how close anyone got to it and we obviously stroked it and took loads of photos.

Once done we went back to camp and waited for about 30 mins (we were early!) for the previous bunch of people to get back and for a Spanish group of 4 to get sorted. After a talk about the elephants and some instructions on the basic commands – none of which I could remember 5 minutes later – we then went to the staging area where the mahoots (trainers) brought about 13 elephants, all pretty huge, up and we fed them bananas and then allotted and elephant each and had to climb aboard. I found that hard enough in itself, my elephant was massive and I didn’t feel very safe/stable one little bit. I think my balance has left me in my old age!!

Each mahoot remained so it was a case of each elephant following the other as we meandered through the forest on a trail that was tight and felt like we were in the middle of nowhere. It really was a great experience to be travelling through the forest riding on the back of an elephant but the novelty soon wore off…for me anyway, I was struggling! My groins were aching with trying to stay on and almost every footstep I felt as if I was going to tumble off and I was very high up indeed! We travelled for about 30-45 minutes and as I was thinking “I want to get off now!” we got to a road, crossed it and were at the river.

One by one we entered the river and the elephants would either just dip down or even roll over to one side and we all ended up in the water splashing and washing them, they seemed to like it and were spraying people but the river was incredibly strong, I was struggling to stay in one place!! That was quite a highlight, Mum didn’t come into the water and also didn’t get back on her elephant – she’d had enough like me!!

Getting back on was okay and thankfully we didn’t need to travel too much further for the trek to finish and get changed and get in the minibus for our travelling back home again. As much as I type above that I struggled I am so glad to say I’ve done it, they were clearly well looked after and the experience was brilliant – everyone agreed how much they’d enjoyed it. Charlotte was so looking forward to this and she too was pleased to have done it – so that was good!

Whilst waiting to go home, I asked Bammi about the zip wires and whether she had internet and she was able to phone and make a booking for us to go to the zip wire experience in the mountains tomorrow. We had a bit of a family debate regarding the costs and what package to do and we finally opted for the Silver one which meant we were upgraded to Gold – it is an expensive experience but the kids all fancied it, as did Mum but I am not 100% sure how comfortable she will feel about doing it. We’ll see tomorrow, I am sure she’ll be fine.

It took about 90 minutes to get home and as planned, we arrived back at the hotel at 6.30pm. We said our goodbyes to Bammi and collapsed in our bedrooms for an hour or so whilst Tash went off and had a massage in the hotel…alright for some!!

Once she decided to come back…we left the hotel and immediately got a taxi to the Old Town, it didn’t look or feel any different to the New Town to be far and we quickly found an Italian Restaurant to eat in. Everyone was hungry so we wanted to get some food asap and this was 8.30pm by now anyway! Once finished we walked a bit further into the town although there was nothing to see and found a bar to have a drink in. What a great bar that was – I’d love to have spent some more time there but it was late and we had an early start today and another early start tomorrow so we called it a night, got a taxi and came home.

So a thoroughly brilliant day had by all. I intend to get on Trip Advisor to compliment them as it really was perfect. Nothing went wrong and we couldn’t have done it without the help of the people we booked it with. What was definitely interesting is that the elephant camp for 2 hours was definitely enough time, all agreed, I couldn’t imagine how boring it would be to be there for a full day! Anyway, such a good time, this holiday is going down a storm and we’re creating loads of great memories for the kids I hope. And for us!!

Thailand Holiday – Day 4 – Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Up at 9.00am – hard to do, we’re all knackered

Breakfast and then checked out the hotel and got the minibus to the airport – only took 20 mins to get there and we were straight through customs with no bother. 60 minute flight to Chiang Mai and picked up by the travel people and taken 20 mins to the hotel.

Another very nice hotel indeed. Checked in and then checked out the pool and other areas and went our for a walk. We’re right in the middle of the market area which is really pleasing and walking through at about 4.00pm they were setting up. We decided to eat dinner early so did so and then came back to the hotel to get showered and changed.

Went out again around 7.15pm and walked through the market towards a museum that had everything in 3D – it was amazing and everyone loved it. It was all interactive and done in such a manner that the paintings appeared to come out and include you. Such good fun to try and come up with ways to make them seem even more real.

Once finished there we walked through the market and it was all the same things but everyone seemed to buy items that they’ve had in mind and presents for people back in Oxford. Lots of bartering so everyone was happy.

Back home early (10.15pm) because we have to be up at 6.00am tomorrow – that’s going to be tough!!!

Thailand Holiday–Day 1 – Abu Dhabi to Bangkok

So we crashed out at the hotel and had about 3-4 hours sleep after we’d had some food for breakfast – great few across the region. I was struggling with tiredness and the hangover I think, really didn’t feel on top of the world!

Met down in reception and had a walk around the block to wake us up and say we’d been into Abu Dhabi – bloody hell that was hot, it was about 40+ degrees, incredible heat. Sweating like mad after a few metres, got back to the hotel asap!!

Got picked up and went back to the airport to get our 6.30pm flight which in turn didn’t take off until 7.30pm and was another 7 hours flying. Watch Divergent on the recommendation of the kids and quite enjoyed it, good concept for a film. Again managed a couple of hours sleep and then we were landing in Bangkok for 6.00am

No one was waiting for us with our name placeholder sadly so we wandered around to see if they were outside or anything and then found a tourist info place and they phoned our operator and they turned up about 20 minutes later with the minibus to take us to our hotel. We snoozed some of the way but I wanted to see as much of Bangkok as possible and it’s huge! A mass of sprawling houses and high rise blocks etc. We went through a rough looking area and then stopped at our hotel which was lovely. Very posh indeed!

Went in and were amazed to be staying here, checked in and agreed to meet for breakfast at 9.30am after a sleep, however we all overslept and missed the breakfast! Made ourselves get up, get ready and then go outside to use the hotel taxi to drop us into the centre of Bangkok near the Golden Palace.

As soon as we got out of the minibus we were stopped by a chap who appeared to be a guide and he told us what we needed to do. He was amusing in his own right and we agreed that his suggestions were what we wanted to do so we jumped on two tuk tuks and they whisked us off to the river front. Not before we were laughing and being thrilled at the journey in these death traps! At the river we bartered and argued about the cost of a boat tour around some of the river and we agreed a price and were off in our own mini boat zooming across the main wide river to find some of the smaller arteries and worked our way around these and took video and photos of the houses and temples down here. Some rare sights indeed!

We stopped at a very small floating market but didn’t buy anything and saw tons of fish (big ones) all being fed and coming up to the boat. It was really interesting going through there seeing how some of the people live. After about an hour it was over and we were dropped off at one of the piers by the temples and we walked through another market. These are interesting to view, no one minds you walking through their kitchen it seems as everything is all closely compacted and tight and the markets are full of colour and bargains, you’d certainly never go hungry in Thailand as there are food stalls absolutely everywhere!

We decided to have something to eat so stopped under a canopy and ordered, not too sure what we were getting but it was all fresh cooked and in fact was very tasty. Lewis was good, he was all very confident with ordering and talking to people to try food and that, he’s been here and I think he liked that element of control or responsibility. There was a chap next to us selling fruit and he was doing a roaring trade, I can’t believe with all the options for food and how cheap it is how any of them make any money!!

Once finished we left and decided to look around the Grand Palace. We needed to be respectful so put on long trousers and I put my tracksuit bottoms over my shorts and regretted it immediately – I was soaked in sweat in seconds, it was so bloody hot. I wish I’d taken up the offer of the free loose leggings that we available for people to use. They looked so much cooler. Anyway, we walked further into the place and took some good photos. At the main entrance there was a stall for paying to go in and we ummed and ahhed about doing so but decided we were there so might as well – what a good decision that was!

The Grand Palace is beautiful! As the name suggests, the building and statues are covered with gold leaf and look incredible in the sunlight. We walked around and each time we turned a corner there was another amazing sight to see, I couldn’t take enough photos…literally…as my battery went! Never mind, managed to get enough.

Went inside some of the temples and that was just as impressive to be honest, one of them we were blessing each other with lotus flowers, probably offending someone with our silliness but we kept it to a minimum. Kept going round and round and each time, like I say above, it was more and more impressive. I could have stayed so much longer but Tash and Charlotte were flagging (too hot) and wanted to move on. So we left it behind and I gladly, i have to admit, removed my tracksuit bottoms. So where next?

We decided the next location should be Khoasan Road which is one of the most famous roads in Bangkok because it’s where back-packers and travellers congregate. So we started walking towards it and ignored some of the taxi offers as I thought we were close enough and we stopped on a street corner and treated the kids to a crepe each and then gave in and got all 6 of us in a tuk tuk…what was a laugh and it was a routine that came to be our method of travel for the next couple of trips! We were right to have got the tuk tuk as it was quite a trek to Khoasan Road, once dropped off it was a bit like Carnaby Street of old as we walked down it full of bars and street sellers.

I found one market stall where I got the flip flops I wanted and got a decent price and we then stopped at a bar for something to drink and watched the world go past. Offered cooked scorpions and other delicacies which we politely refused of course. After that drink we carried on down the road and right at the end Lewis found a stall where we bought some wireless speakers for the ipods. Dr Dre mini speakers which sadly when we got home found that one of them doesn’t work - £14.00 lost there, but we’d bought two others, for Lewis and one to put by for Jack’s birthday.

I was also, for the first time, propositioned for a Thai Massage, and then shown a price list for ‘extras’ including Boom Boom and a Ping Pong ball show – we all know what those mean!! I politely refused and pointed out my wife 10 yards behind me, he shrugged as if to say that was of no consequence! I love this place already!!!

Anyway, once we were at the end of the road we’d decided we’d done enough for now and to go back to the hotel so we ordered a tuk tuk to take us back to the hotel. When we arrived the doormen were all grinning from ear to ear, especially as we were all squashed into one tuk tuk. They opened the door for us and let us in, so we agreed a new time to meet up and went and rested and cleaned up.

Going out in the evening we decided to visit China Town so we got a taxi from outside of the hotel as this worked out a bit cheaper than from the actual hotel and 30 minutes later we were in China Town, just in time as it poured with rain. We kept close to the pavement and were walking quite literally through the actual stores of the people selling food. The smells were lovely, some of the sights a bit dubious and the hygiene you did wonder at as well. Charlotte really fancied a duck pancake and we found a restaurant to use and went inside out the back. It was clearly a Thai/Chinese frequented restaurant as there were no Europeans in sight, but if anything, that gave us more confidence we were in the right place as it was quite busy. We ordered and the food came out in dribs and drabs – Jack’s was last I think but he loved what he’d ordered and we had a really good meal.

By the time we’d finished the rain had stopped and we had a wander through the streets and I even took us along some side roads to explore that caused a few nervous looked from the family so we got back on track asap. After we’d done the length of the street there and back there was nothing else to do other than hail down another cab and get back to the hotel. It’s interesting, the cab drivers are always trying to look out for each other because they’re always suggesting 2 cabs when we’re happy to all be in one. And if we say no to one price another cab will accept the price that we’re after.

Anyway, a very packed day, everyone must be shattered but it’s not often you travel for two days to get somewhere, need to make the most of it whilst we’re here of course!

First impressions, really like it here!

Thailand Holiday - Day 3 – Bangkok

Our second day in Bangkok today and we have the whole day in front of us. I am typing this up by the pool whilst everyone is relaxing and having a rest. We worked hard yesterday so we’re not pushing ourselves so hard today.

Got up at 9,00am after a decent night’s sleep and I think we all could have stayed in bed longer but we’d made plans. Down for a nice breakfast – cooked pancakes and waffles amongst everything else. Made our way down the road to the Sky Tram and went a couple of stops to the shopping district, really hot today, the sun was out but it’s not really the sun that causes the heat it seems.

Walking round the shops was fine and the main shops we the same price as at home so no real bargains! Walked across to MBK and that was one massive market. We only walked around one floor and that was enough – there were at least 6 floors of it, it went on and on!

Bought some cheap clothes and after a coffee and a break we got a tuk tuk to Wat… The chap was laughing squeezing 6 of us onto it and once he’d dropped us off offered to wait to bring us back to the hotel which was fine  because we were leaving after that stop.

We walked up the outside of the temple and the views of the City were quite spectacular, very, very nice indeed. It was so very hot though and we were all sweating like mad. There was just no breeze or anything. After about an hour we came down and our man took us home but with a detour. He has a sponsor and this was a suit shop which he gets a credit for petrol when taking people to the shop. We were offered some decent costs for shirts and suit but I wasn’t really in the right frame of mind to take advantage of the offers and we made our excuses and left. Another manic ride back to the hotel and they laughed again on the door when we turned up at the hotel frontage crammed into our tuk tuk.

Quick change and we’re at the poolside now, Mum is writing her diary, Tash is getting a drink, Lewis and Jack are playing crib and Charlotte is relaxing in the shallow water reading her book!. Took some photos in the water with the camera and it’s so clear it’s unbelievable – especially with the video!

Plans for tonight are to visit the gay area!!

Slept by the pool and relaxed and then got showered and changed and went out around 6.30pm. Got two tuk tuks to the river and it was lovely restaurant that we found and stayed at and there were girls doing a traditional show. That was perfect and Lewis, Charlotte and Jack got called up and did some dancing much to everyone’s amusement as you could imagine!

After that we walked a little way and bartered for another tuk tuk that took us to PatPong road – notorious for a certain lifestyle and Jack’s eyes were out on stalks looking through the doors at the girls in bikinis wrapped around poles! We wandered through and had a laugh and then went down a side road and stopped at a bar. Once in there ordered drinks and then the skies opened – absolutely threw it down. So stayed for another drink and enjoyed the nightlife. We then got a taxi home and Lewis and I went down the road and found a pub, the Saxophone pub and had two more beers whilst watching a jazz band play. It was pretty full in there but it was nice to have a drink with Lewis. He finally bought me the one he’s owed me since his 18th Birthday!!

Another full on day and the same tomorrow I suspect!

Thailand Holiday – Day 2 – Bangkok – Tour

Can’t remember!!

Thailand Holiday–Day 0 – Setting off

So we’re off and on our way to Thailand. Woke up with hangovers after last night’s party, all of us struggling a bit to be honest! Drank too much yesterday which wasn’t the best idea. Packed up the car and met Mum & Derek at theirs and then drove (very slowly) to Heathrow Airport, dropped off the luggage with minimum fuss and said our goodbyes to Derek and made our way through to passport control and all that. Derek seemed a little lost at the airport and also seemed disappointed he wasn’t coming with us, we’ll have to remind him of that feeling next time we organise something so he doesn’t make the rash decision not to come along. Mind you, we do push ourselves!!
Not much of interest in and around the airport, usual thing. Boarded the plane and prepared ourselves for the 7 hour flight, blankets and all the usual things, nice flight with good food and plenty of choice for watching the TV – I took the opportunity to watch the second 300 film – really enjoyed it. Fell asleep for a couple of hours but it’s not comfortable at all.
Landed at Abu Dhabi airport and found out some bad news…our flight wasn’t delayed for much time, it was completely cancelled!! They’d known this at Heathrow but hadn’t warned us. So while we’re at the airport 6.00am their time we were told we were being given a hotel for a few hours to relax and sleep which in fact worked out well. So at 9.00am we got the transfer to Abu Dhabi hotel and checked in…

Charlotte’s Driving Test

She’s done it, Charlotte passed her driving test today at the third attempt. So very, very proud of her.

I got a text from Tash earlier this afternoon saying she’d failed again and I fell for it and got cross and disappointed and sent her a text and she replied with her certificate – really pleased for her. She definitely deserved it

We had a bit of a celebration last night as a result and she was able to go out an pick up Miles in the car!!

Alton Towers Day Trip

Great day today as we went to Alton Towers with Wayne, Kerry & the girls. Really busy but not mental and the only long queue was the new ride called Smiler which was 90 minutes. Worth the wait though! Really good ride. Went on all the usual suspects and got onto the front quite a few times which was pleasing, still really enjoy Oblivion in which we were all on the front row!

Feel a bit sorry for Kerry as she doesn’t go on any of the rides at all, but it works great as a bag carrier!! Got wet on the Rapids and then went into Nemesis Sub Terra which was such a laugh, one of those experiences where people jump out at you – we were at the front again so made us scared as anything, funny.

By the end of the day both Wayne & I had had enough, I think we’re getting too old for this!

Great day and it was 6 years ago since we last went and we managed to get a photo of them posing in the same place as they did after the pirate ship ride, that was nice to see and is below  

Really good fun day, got back home around 9.00pm and the new student was there and he seems nice enough and speaks fair English which is a bonus

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