So after being on Koh Phi Phi for 3 nights we decided that it was pretty awesome and and so thought that staying for another 3 nights was a good plan. There is however only a certain amount of sunbathing you can do before it gets a bit tiresome, so we booked up a half day tour around some of the sights and sounds of Koh Phi Phi for 250 baht (about 5 quid.)
The first stop was Monkey beach and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out what exactly that involved. The highlight was definitely watching one of the monkeys drinking a 2 litre bottle of coke given to him by a local, and then jumping around like a lunatic! From Monkey beach we heading further down the coast for our first spot of snorkelling of the day, however despite seeing a whole array of fish and such like, we didn't get to see any sharks. The nights involved much the same as always, one too many buckets and drunken dancing at Stones bar.
After finally having to leave Koh Phi Phi. (definitely the best place we have been so far) it was a short ferry ride over to Koh Lanta. We didn't know too much about Lanta before we went so it was a bit of a risk because we didn't know what to expect. There are however 3 things that i learnt during my time on Lanta.
One, the food is the worst food i have ever had in my life. The highlight definitely being Alex's 'Breakfast'. Which was apparently the worst breakfast he has ever had in his life, unbelievably involving red kidney beans instead of baked beans!
Two, the concept of the english language is even worse than it is in other parts of Thailand, like getting blood out of a stone at times!
Three, mushroom shakes are rubbish (at least in Lanta they are!) Probably not the best sign when they are one of the best tasting milkshakes i've ever had. Anyway, despite the mushroom shakes we decided to go for a spot of late night swimming, before getting caught in yet another torrential downpour! Luckily because of the virtual no effect of the shakes, appart from all of us having weird dreams that night, the swim didn't turn into a scene from a Michael Barrymore pool party!
On more thing that i forgot to mention during our time in Bangkok is the driving styles of Thai people. To say it's bad is a massive understatement, especially seeing as they 'apparently' drive on the same side of the road as we do in England. There seems to be a mysterious 'middle' lane on any road which can be used by anyone in a kind of suicidal game of chicken. Now this wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing (as you often see it in England too). But when you take the potholed roads an a moped with a whole family on it on a collision course with a pick-up truck blasting out a horrible 90's remix of Celine Dion into account, it can be pretty scary!
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Sunday, 1 May 2011
Koh Phi Phi
After a 12 hour overnight bus journey, 3 stop offs, and a lady-boy attendant, we finally arrived in Krabi from Bangkok. The first point of call was Ao Nang, and our first, but by no means last, long boat trip to a beach called Ton Sai bay. The plan was to stay for the first night, but after discovering the accomodation was more basic than a prison cell in Vietnam we decided to go to the next beach up, a place called Railay beach.
Now for everyone who hasn't been to Railay beach there are two possible ways to get there from Ton Sai. Firstly, a pretty relaxed longboat trip which takes 5 minutes, or there is the more dangerous and arduous way of walking around the jagged coastline. We of course decided to walk. Now this wouldnt have been such a bad decision if we had any sort of rockclimbing experience or if i didnt have 10 kg backpack or a pair of broken flip flops. Luckily however they're werent too many injuries sustained on the slippery rocks, and it was the small inconvenience of a few cuts on rasor sharp barnicles!
The following morning we took the boat and set off for Koh Phi Phi. 90 minutes later and a couple of early morning beers and we had arrived! It was pretty obvious that the island is now a huge tourist hotspot, partly im sure from films like 'The Beach', and partly word of mouth. A definite step up from Bangkok, and nice to not be bothered every 5 seconds by someone trying to sell you a wooden frog, a fake watch, or a tuxedo! What they expect me to possibly want a tuxedo for in 35 degree heat i have no idea!
The first day involved chilling on the beach (something i have got quite used to already.) Not quite got my head around how the water is hotter than bath water yet though! We then headed out in the evening with a few people we met earlier on in the day for a few buckets, before getting caught in another torrential downpour. Again something we have discovered is likely to probably happen quite a lot during our time here!
The following night we decided to give Reggae Bar a try to see some English lager louts attempt to beat each other up in a boxing ring, whilst other (less brave) lager louts cheer them on from the sideline. All in all pretty good entertainment, including some pretty lethal knockouts!
Now for everyone who hasn't been to Railay beach there are two possible ways to get there from Ton Sai. Firstly, a pretty relaxed longboat trip which takes 5 minutes, or there is the more dangerous and arduous way of walking around the jagged coastline. We of course decided to walk. Now this wouldnt have been such a bad decision if we had any sort of rockclimbing experience or if i didnt have 10 kg backpack or a pair of broken flip flops. Luckily however they're werent too many injuries sustained on the slippery rocks, and it was the small inconvenience of a few cuts on rasor sharp barnicles!
The following morning we took the boat and set off for Koh Phi Phi. 90 minutes later and a couple of early morning beers and we had arrived! It was pretty obvious that the island is now a huge tourist hotspot, partly im sure from films like 'The Beach', and partly word of mouth. A definite step up from Bangkok, and nice to not be bothered every 5 seconds by someone trying to sell you a wooden frog, a fake watch, or a tuxedo! What they expect me to possibly want a tuxedo for in 35 degree heat i have no idea!
The first day involved chilling on the beach (something i have got quite used to already.) Not quite got my head around how the water is hotter than bath water yet though! We then headed out in the evening with a few people we met earlier on in the day for a few buckets, before getting caught in another torrential downpour. Again something we have discovered is likely to probably happen quite a lot during our time here!
The following night we decided to give Reggae Bar a try to see some English lager louts attempt to beat each other up in a boxing ring, whilst other (less brave) lager louts cheer them on from the sideline. All in all pretty good entertainment, including some pretty lethal knockouts!
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Ping Pong
As there's a torential downpour happening outside right now i thought i would do an update on what we've been up to for the last three days!
Before coming to Bangkok i was told by someone that Bangkok was the most poluted city in the world, and having only been here for three days its pretty easy to see why. Despite the general haze, smell and unpredictable weather conditions there is defintely a unique charm about Koh San Road.Whether its the Faliraki feel or the cheap buckets there's always something to do, despite the locals hassling you to go to a Ping Pong show, a tuk tuk ride or a 'tour' around Bangkok.
Despite this, we were willingly persuaded to experience a Ping Pong show on our very first night, and it certainly was an experience. The highlight for me being one of the girls opening a beer bottle and the lid firing off and hitting a guy in the face. She was apolagetic, but i don't think his girlfriend was too amused! The journey back also included our first Tuk Tuk experience. For those of you who don't know what a Tuk Tuk is, it's a cross between a go-kart and a moped. whether or not the driver is meant to pull wheelies and not stop for a single traffic light the whole way is another story though!
Day 2 was pretty uneventful, mainly because Alex decided to sleep for about 18 hours straight, (which to be fair is eay to do in the air conditioned rooms!) We did however eventually head out and ended up in a bar called Rooftop (basically a glorified karaoke bar) where we met up with some fellow travellers, all be it welsh! The highlight being an american guy cerenading his girlfriend and then breaking down in tears on stage, whcih i found rather amusing.
Stay tuned.
Bucket count so far - 4
Before coming to Bangkok i was told by someone that Bangkok was the most poluted city in the world, and having only been here for three days its pretty easy to see why. Despite the general haze, smell and unpredictable weather conditions there is defintely a unique charm about Koh San Road.Whether its the Faliraki feel or the cheap buckets there's always something to do, despite the locals hassling you to go to a Ping Pong show, a tuk tuk ride or a 'tour' around Bangkok.
Despite this, we were willingly persuaded to experience a Ping Pong show on our very first night, and it certainly was an experience. The highlight for me being one of the girls opening a beer bottle and the lid firing off and hitting a guy in the face. She was apolagetic, but i don't think his girlfriend was too amused! The journey back also included our first Tuk Tuk experience. For those of you who don't know what a Tuk Tuk is, it's a cross between a go-kart and a moped. whether or not the driver is meant to pull wheelies and not stop for a single traffic light the whole way is another story though!
Day 2 was pretty uneventful, mainly because Alex decided to sleep for about 18 hours straight, (which to be fair is eay to do in the air conditioned rooms!) We did however eventually head out and ended up in a bar called Rooftop (basically a glorified karaoke bar) where we met up with some fellow travellers, all be it welsh! The highlight being an american guy cerenading his girlfriend and then breaking down in tears on stage, whcih i found rather amusing.
Stay tuned.
Bucket count so far - 4
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Bangkok, the oriental city
So after a 28 hour journey, 15 hours in Delhi airport, 5 airplane meals and 4 films later we finally arrived in Bangkok. There are three main things i have realised since getting to Bangkok (appart from the fact that my 1990's retro backpack is the worst backpack i have seen thus far).
Firstly, i must need my head testing for ever thinking that a 15 hour stop off in Delhi airport to save a mere 100 quid was a good idea! The only upside was the all-you-can-eat Indian buffet that we decided to get (our 3rd curry in 24 hours!)
The second thing was how incredibly humid Bangkok is. Fortunately our hostel is airconditioned, but appart from the brief restbite of the lobby areas aircon i havent stopped sweating since the moment we touched down. I think it's pretty safe to say that any pre-travelling weight i may have put on will be coming off pretty damn quickly!
The third thing i have noticed is that foreigners, and in particular English people, stick out like sore thumbs. whether its the pasty white skin, the horribly oversized backpacks, or the look of not having a clue where you are going, its pretty obvious from a mile off who the newbies are and who the seasoned travellers are.
After arriving into Bangkok at 8am we booked into a hostel called Nap Park, which for those of you who have been to Bangkok before is just off Koh San Road. The hostel itself is pretty nice. Aircon, beds in the lobby and a bar. The only downside is the 20 other sweaty people in our room.
Were being joined in a couple of days by our other mates Will and Henry, befoire we head down south to Phuket and the islands, as well as a bucket or two im sure!
For those of you who have asked there are photos coming soon!
Stay tuned
Ben
Firstly, i must need my head testing for ever thinking that a 15 hour stop off in Delhi airport to save a mere 100 quid was a good idea! The only upside was the all-you-can-eat Indian buffet that we decided to get (our 3rd curry in 24 hours!)
The second thing was how incredibly humid Bangkok is. Fortunately our hostel is airconditioned, but appart from the brief restbite of the lobby areas aircon i havent stopped sweating since the moment we touched down. I think it's pretty safe to say that any pre-travelling weight i may have put on will be coming off pretty damn quickly!
The third thing i have noticed is that foreigners, and in particular English people, stick out like sore thumbs. whether its the pasty white skin, the horribly oversized backpacks, or the look of not having a clue where you are going, its pretty obvious from a mile off who the newbies are and who the seasoned travellers are.
After arriving into Bangkok at 8am we booked into a hostel called Nap Park, which for those of you who have been to Bangkok before is just off Koh San Road. The hostel itself is pretty nice. Aircon, beds in the lobby and a bar. The only downside is the 20 other sweaty people in our room.
Were being joined in a couple of days by our other mates Will and Henry, befoire we head down south to Phuket and the islands, as well as a bucket or two im sure!
For those of you who have asked there are photos coming soon!
Stay tuned
Ben
Monday, 18 April 2011
yetanothertravelblog: "Where to?"
yetanothertravelblog: "Where to?": "Following on from the question of 'So, are you excited', the other question i normally get from people i talk to about my trip is 'Where are..."
Friday, 15 April 2011
"Where to?"
Following on from the question of "So, are you excited", the other question i normally get from people i talk to about my trip is "Where are you going?" My answer is always "everywhere and anywhere".
I really have no set schedule of where i want to go. Mainly because i'm lazy and the most constructive thing i have done thus far to plan an itinerary is to buy a lonely Planet book (which i have read a total of 2 pages from.) The main reason however is that i want to be flexible, and i think if you try and plan more than a few months in advance you're eventually going to change it due to factors beyond your control, so why bother in the first place!?
Having said that, me and my travel buddy Alex do have a vague idea of where we'l be going first and the places we would like to eventually see at some point during the trip. We will be starting in Bangkok, and here is the current itinerary for the first few months on the road:
1. Thailand - Starting in Bangkok. This is an obvious starting point for anyone going to SE Asia because it's central and fairly easy to get too. (Minus the nightmare 25 hour journey including a 15 hour stop off in Delhi airport which we mindblowingly decided to opt for.) From Bangkok we will head south, spending the next couple of weeks in the Gulf of Thailand, taking in the usual backpaker hot-spots, Phuket, Ko Tao, Ko Phanghan, Ko Phi Phi etc
2. Cambodia - This is where the prior planning stops. However, some of the places i would like to go are Angkor Wat, Battambang, Shanoukvile and Kampot.
3. Vietnam - One of the places i'm most looking forward to on the trip, and in particular mopedding, most probably illegally, across the vietnamese countryside. Other places to go include Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Nha Trang.
4 - Laos - The main reason for goign to Laos, and im sure the reason why most travellers go to Laos, is of course to go tubing. The idea being getting into a rubber ring and floating down a muddy river, stopping off at various 'drinking holes' along the way to get drunk! Sounds all good to me!
If you have any recommendations of places you have been to, or places you would recommend to go en route then get in touch!
Stay tuned!
I really have no set schedule of where i want to go. Mainly because i'm lazy and the most constructive thing i have done thus far to plan an itinerary is to buy a lonely Planet book (which i have read a total of 2 pages from.) The main reason however is that i want to be flexible, and i think if you try and plan more than a few months in advance you're eventually going to change it due to factors beyond your control, so why bother in the first place!?
Having said that, me and my travel buddy Alex do have a vague idea of where we'l be going first and the places we would like to eventually see at some point during the trip. We will be starting in Bangkok, and here is the current itinerary for the first few months on the road:
1. Thailand - Starting in Bangkok. This is an obvious starting point for anyone going to SE Asia because it's central and fairly easy to get too. (Minus the nightmare 25 hour journey including a 15 hour stop off in Delhi airport which we mindblowingly decided to opt for.) From Bangkok we will head south, spending the next couple of weeks in the Gulf of Thailand, taking in the usual backpaker hot-spots, Phuket, Ko Tao, Ko Phanghan, Ko Phi Phi etc
2. Cambodia - This is where the prior planning stops. However, some of the places i would like to go are Angkor Wat, Battambang, Shanoukvile and Kampot.
3. Vietnam - One of the places i'm most looking forward to on the trip, and in particular mopedding, most probably illegally, across the vietnamese countryside. Other places to go include Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Nha Trang.
4 - Laos - The main reason for goign to Laos, and im sure the reason why most travellers go to Laos, is of course to go tubing. The idea being getting into a rubber ring and floating down a muddy river, stopping off at various 'drinking holes' along the way to get drunk! Sounds all good to me!
If you have any recommendations of places you have been to, or places you would recommend to go en route then get in touch!
Stay tuned!
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Welcome!
Welcome to ‘Yet Another Travel Blog’. As I’m sure many of you are aware Alex and I are becoming professional vagabonds and setting off on our round-the-world adventure on 18th April.
This blog is my way of sharing our adventure, and no doubt weird and wonderful stories along the way! As well as a chance to share photos, places we have been too, places we have liked and places we have disliked.
“So, are you excited?” It’s probably the question I’ve been asked most often in the past few weeks. The answer people are looking for, of course, is something like, “Yeah, I’m really excited.” The truth is I really am, but also a little apprehensive about living out of a backpack for an indefinite period of time with little or no grasp of any of the languages of the countries we are going too (apart from a few basic phrases from my Lonely Planet book!)
I recently read an article in the Daily Mail (don’t judge me!) about the science of pleasure, specifically relating to travel. Researchers who have studied how people feel about a holiday before, during and after the trip have found that people are happiest while anticipating their trips — happier even than when they’re actually on holiday.
If anticipation is so powerful for someone going on a lad’s holiday to Faliraki, a romantic getaway or a camping trip to Newquay, then it certainly is for someone going on a months-long trip around the world!
I think, at a certain point, all the preparation that goes into a trip this big can overshadow just how exciting an opportunity it really is. So having quit my job, moved out of my flat, opened a bank account, had 6 injections and given away my car, soon the only task left will be looking forward to the trip!
Our first point of call isBangkok
Stay tuned!
This blog is my way of sharing our adventure, and no doubt weird and wonderful stories along the way! As well as a chance to share photos, places we have been too, places we have liked and places we have disliked.
“So, are you excited?” It’s probably the question I’ve been asked most often in the past few weeks. The answer people are looking for, of course, is something like, “Yeah, I’m really excited.” The truth is I really am, but also a little apprehensive about living out of a backpack for an indefinite period of time with little or no grasp of any of the languages of the countries we are going too (apart from a few basic phrases from my Lonely Planet book!)
I recently read an article in the Daily Mail (don’t judge me!) about the science of pleasure, specifically relating to travel. Researchers who have studied how people feel about a holiday before, during and after the trip have found that people are happiest while anticipating their trips — happier even than when they’re actually on holiday.
If anticipation is so powerful for someone going on a lad’s holiday to Faliraki, a romantic getaway or a camping trip to Newquay, then it certainly is for someone going on a months-long trip around the world!
I think, at a certain point, all the preparation that goes into a trip this big can overshadow just how exciting an opportunity it really is. So having quit my job, moved out of my flat, opened a bank account, had 6 injections and given away my car, soon the only task left will be looking forward to the trip!
Our first point of call is
Stay tuned!
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