Southern Thailand

Check out my best pics from Southern Thailand on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020259&l=c0a3a&id=220000480

Wed 7 Nov

Fresh start today (even after Natalie and I got stuck in the lift!) as I was booked on one tour, we had two different tour guides and some new friends. The six of us from the northern tour stuck together a bit at the start but soon we were all mates heading off to explore the south of Thailand, but first, one last day in Bangkok... A local boat down the canal and then a bus and we were at the Grand Palace which is pretty amazing! Saw the Emerald Buddha, Wat Po and the Reclining Buddha (huge!!) Had a quiet arvo, cup noodles on the floor of the train station and then boarded the night train heading south and drinks with some crazy French people

Thur 8 Nov

Got off the train and onto a 2 hour bus ride then 1.5hr ferry ride and we were on Koh Samui : ) Samui means cold in Japanese - im sure its no relation but it was raining and cold when we got there but the flooding wasnt too bad that we had to cancel our island tour. Stoked because we got to see Na Muang Waterfall, Grandma & Grandpa rock formations and the mummified monk. Pretty cool riding around the island on the songthaew with such high waters and stopped to check out the Big Buddha before settling into our cute as bungalows with hammocks for enjoying the sun : P Despite the rain a few of us headed out to check out the night life - the Reggae bar was closed due to the flodding but we danced the night away at Green Mango with the prostitutes till 4am

Fri 9 Nov

Slept in till midday then went for a swim on the beach and spent the arvo at an elephant and monkey show. Im not really sure about these, obviously at some the animals were better treated than others and this one seemed to be one of the better ones and it was pretty cute to play with the baby elephants (they even give you a massage and kisses!). Went across from quiet Bo Put to pumping Chaweng Beach for dinner at the Best Bar which was amazing. Gorgeous to sit out on the beach and chill at the low tables (FYI perfect date place!) enjoyed some shisha and we even lit a wish lantern.

Sat 10 Nov

Early start with songthaew and ferry back to Donsak before another 3 hour songthaew ride but it was worth it to arrive at our gorgeous tree top river huts right on the edge of Khao Sok National Park. Unfortunately the rain came just as we started our canoe trip but we had a great time and I even tried kissing a frog to find my prince! On the way back we played with some monkeys at a temple and had a quiet night in playing with the monkey that lives in reception.

Sun 11 Nov

Took longtail boats around the huge rock formation to Railay Beach in the Krabi province. Went for a swim but it didn’t get deep until you went out quite a way and then spent the evening drinking and relaxing at Bamboo Bar until the wee hours.

Mon 12 Nov

Today was why so many people come to Thailand. The sun came out in full force, we hired a boat for the day and headed off to explore the islands. We started off at Bamboo Island, saw the viking cave and then jumped off the back of the boat at Pi Leh Lagoon for some snorkelling. Lohsamah Bay was a bit prettier and this reef a little more alive. Maya Bay (where “The Beach” was filmed was our last stop before lunch on Phi Phi Don and a wander around before a final snorkel at Hin Klarng where I dived off the front of the boat and a nemo fish kissed my hand : ) Finished off they day with an amazing sunset on the West Beach of Railay, a beautiful Mas Man curry at Yaya’s and a few quiets at Bamboo Bar

Tue 13 Nov

Up bright and early to catch the sunrise on the Eastern beach. Everyone was quite sunburnt from yesterday so it was quite a rough day lugging our packs around. Boat to Ao Nang, songthaew and then back on a longtail boat for a tour around Phang Nga where we saw cave drawings and sailed through limestone Lod Cave and saw the amazing floating Muslim village ( Koh Pannyi) before our stop off at James Bond Island. Spent the night on Koh Lawa on the beach which was beautiful, pretty sunset, dinner, fresh coconut juice before sleeping on the beach (so glad I bought the sleeping bag with the in-built mosquito net)

Wed 14 Nov

Missed the sunrise because it was on the other side of the island but still got an early morning swim in : ) Took a boat back to the mainland (the songthaew’s are a little bigger in the south) and settled into our place in Phuket Town. Rode across to Patong Beach after dinner to see the ladyboy show ‘Simon Cabaret”

Thur 15 Nov

Last breakfast with the tour group, and had to ask one of the hotel staff to climb out my window and down onto the roof to get my skirt that had blown down while I was trying to dry it! Before relocating to our hostel. Took to local bus (20baht) across to Patong instead of taking a 400baht songthaew (grr tourist prices!) The beach was packed! (cant believe people come here for a break...) so we wandered down the markets at Thawiwong Rd. Local bus ride was great to see 12baht pancake stalls on the side of the road and kids coming out to welcome their mothers home, complete contrast to the Festival Centre which was a huge mall with AC comfort. SE Asia is so full of these huge contrasts

Fri 16 Nov

Took a walk around the streets and booked my bus back to Bangkok for the next evening before heading along to check out the butterfly farm which was really pretty and almost made arguing over the price of transport worth it. Thought about going out for dinner but ended up getting something from 7-11 and chilling at the hostel instead

Sat 17 Nov

Up early to see Natalie off and spent most of the day chilling at the hostel and running into brick walls trying to book accommodation in Bangkok. Killed time watching a movie “motorcycle diaries” which really made me want to travel through South America before making my way to my night bus. This was a huge adventure, loved being the only non-Thai person on the bus and just followed everyone else when they piled off the bus for free dinner and then got a bit of sleep

Sun 18 Nov

Grabbed a free lift with some other travellers from the bus station to Khao San Road and spent the morning chilling in my room and the afternoon having one last wander through the markets. Enjoyed a banana pancake and milkshake inside a fresh coconut for dinner (gonna miss those!)

Mon 19 Nov

Took the airport bus (way cheaper than a taxi) and was there with plenty of time to spare so had one last green curry and sent some postcards before boarding my flight to Manila.