Sunrise in Ankor and on to Bangkok

We finally managed to see the sunrise at Ankor Wat.Leaving at 4.40am. It was beautiful. The sun rises directly behind the temple. Although there are lots of people there its a huge space so was fantastic. I could spend a whole year there photographing the sunrise.
We then went on to another temple further away and practically had the temple to ourselves only another 4 people there. Early in the morning is a great time to do the temples as its very cool. But if you want to visit Ankor when its quiet go at 10am as all the sunrise visitors have long since gone.

This second temple was fantastic you could really explore it. I went clibing over caved in roofs, through overgrown gardens, and into dark tunnels with daylight pouring in from the odd window or doorway. The temples are built very symetrically and its amazing to think the precision they managed all those years ago. There are carvings all over them depicting life back then, dancing people, praying, fighting even building the temples themselves. During the wars in Cambodia many of the temples were attacked. They would chip away the carvings from the stone. There are bridges there and the walls are made of huge 7ft carved people in stone - warriors. And when the temples were attacked they sliced off all the heads - by the thousands. Each head was about 2ft wide and the cut is perfectly flat - we can't understand what tools they had back then to do that or how long each one would take.

(Chloe ask Mum and Dad before you read futher.)

Later that day we went to visit Aki Ra's landmine Museum. Not a museum like you would expect in the UK. More a space with a room covered in pictures and stories and lots of old deactivated land mines, bombs etc. The space was more like a ommunity area with a group of children sat watching tv. Ducks and chickens wandering around. A 19 year old lad took us around the museum he had lost his leg. The stories he told were fantastic and shocked us into silence. They showed the countires that havent signed the landmine treaty and a list of countries that still produce them in the last 4 years - no 1 was America!

To be told the effect of each mine was chilling and made you question what is wrong with some humans. They had a use mine that would be strapped to a tree - it would then be triggered by trip wire or someone with a control button. This mine was filled with hundreds of ball bearings that would be blown 50ft into the air and travel up to 200 feet. These could kill 50 people in one hit.

Another horrible one was one that was disguised as a cigarette - well the result of that one you can imagine. The horror of all this is that Cambodia was so heavily mined that in some areas there could be up to 5 mines in 1 square meter! The lad took us to there garden where he asked us to spot the mines - you would see one or two and then there would be another 4 that you would miss. They were all so well camoflaged it was just horrible. Children that go to school are now educated but people are dying and losing limbs there everyday.

The boy that showed us around told us his story - he had lost a leg. While visiting a farm with his parents he and his brother and sister asked if they could go into the jungle over the road. 100ft in and he stood on a mine. His brother and sister were behind him. We asked if they were ok and no they had both been killed - he woke up in hospital and his parents told him what happened - he was 8years old.

Its all really sad and scarey and you really begin to appreciate how lucky we are in the uk.

We were told that the temples were heavily laiden with mines - now that is a huge space and you have to think that they couldnt have deactivated them all. I regret exploring the temples so freely. Major lesson - in Cambodia never wander off the beaten track not even to get that lovely photo.

Also another man we spoke to said that if the government wanted to get rid of most of the mines they could but strangly it attracts tourists and makes people have more sympathy for the country and giving them more money. The country is very poor but the locals also try to scam you where ever possible. There is big gambling and drinking problems there. Children are sent out and told not to return home until they have 5 us dollars so they beg and try to sell postcards etc. A local woman who knows many of the children and feeds them and takes them out. She used to buy them clothes - when she next saw them they would be clotheless - the reason - the parents took them away because they wouldn't look poor enough to beg. Also in the town (Siem Reap) there are many people begging without limbs - we are told they hide their fake limbs - go out and beg and then re attach the limb and walk home. It's a real shame that it becomes hard to know who to help and who is scamming you. You need to be careful in Cambodia - only carry what you need, don't flash cash, dont leave money in your pockets. Know the exchange rate. Never wander alone at night. Also pre plan your accomodation - buses are timed on purpose to arrive late in the evening so that you are tired and confused - an easy target for ripping you off!

But on the whole it was a beautiful country. The children were fantastic. The food was fantastic - we had the best meal of our trip there at a restaurant called Amok. The local food called Khumer food is gorgeous - lots of coconut currys. The array of fruit sold there is amazing - anything we didn't know we just pointed and tried it - some nice some not!

We also had a little break by visiting a local pool. A large courtyard with a pool, hammocks, music, a bar, lots of pet snakes and board games. It was like being at the beach and cost 2 us dollars to get in although if you start drinking it becomes expensive. We had a fantastic afternoon there are it was run by a man from Bristol!

We took the bus from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Bangkok, Thailand. Boy oh boy - if I was ever to return I would fly. Air Asia do cheap flights either Bangkok to Phnom Penn or Siem Reap to Kuala Lumpur. The bus was awful - the windscreen was cracked, no aircon, seats small plastic and uncomfortable, the road was good for 30 mins and then the other 5'30 hrs to the boarder were terrible bumpy tracks, ther doors and windows rattles enough to stop you hearing conversations. the windows rattled shut every 2 minutes. The road was red and dusty - we were filthy when we arrived the boarder. Which was very confusing and you end up walking a mile with all your bags. We got to the bus at the other end and 2 men pushed in front meaning we had to wait for 30mins for the next one. We finally got on it and were driven 5 minutes when they told us all to get off as they needed to wash the bus! we were all fuming, back on another 10 minutes later they stopped and threw us all off again as one of the seats was broken so they had stopped at a garage to fix it! Also the driver spoke no english and had a rather angry temperment! Eventually we arrived in Bangkok left 7am arrived 9 pm - ahhhh lovely.

To make the trip better I had been having stomach cramps for the last hour. We got to the hotel room and oh dear oh dear I had a terrible case of the trots enough to scare me! I just felt so lucky that my stomach had held out as there was no stopping the bus from the boarder all the was to bangkok about 5 hours! On a brighter note we met up with Gwilyam and caught up on his stories of diving with mantas on the similan islands, trying to learn Thai kick boxing - he stopped on day for when they started to really hurt him! and he has now also gained a few tattoos!!!!!

The boys went out drinking - i stayed close to my trusty toilet! Today I have been wandering the markets buying bits and bobs. Including some strong tea tree faces wash - im spotty ARGH! I'm just going to wake the boys now.

We will be off to try our suits on for size and then do some more shopping.

Lots of love
Miss you all
Anna and Chris zzzzzz

Congratulations to Helen for finishing her sentance at HSBC.
May your future be filled with fun, adventure, lots of time in the big outdoors and a Loving happy new marriage!

Well done Debbie for reaching 6months of pregnancy - may the summer be cool and comfortable for you!

Ho Chin Minh City to Cambodia

Sorry for delay in update.
How is everyone? Nice to hear from you Elle - what is your email address?

We left the peaceful life of Muine on a night bus into Ho Chin Minh City or Saigon. Stayed at this small arty backpacker place tucked into a miniscule space down a back alley. Wandered the streets and into the markets -quite expensive but good fun. At first its overwelming. The staff kind of grab you and pull you and talk non stop and they stand in your way so you can exit their market stall! That was the clothes dept - once passed that it wasnt so bad. Although we have heard horror stories from people that ate there finding hair and even a receipt in the bottom of their food!

We had been recommended to eat at a restaurant whos name translates into 'Delious' and boy was it. It was really classy and nice and even had a que to get in. The food was fab - we asked advice and the waiters showed us how to eat each dich -rolling rice cakes filled with pork balls, vermicelli noodles, pineapple, greens and dipping them in sauce. Also tried Lotus tea there = very refreshing and different.

Continued to wander the city seeing famous buildings etc. Then for the first time on the trip in daytime - the heavens opened and we had a solid hour of terrific rain. All the cars and motorbikes travel at the same speed and dangerous fashion no matter what the weather except now wearing ponchos! We stood under shelter with about 50 Vietnamesae people and watched the rain pass. Chatted to0 one lady who wanted to practice her english.

We went out in the evening hoping to match the fantastic lunch only to fail and sit in backpacker zone eating western foor. Although drinking local vodka - cheap and by the bottle! Did some souvenier shopping.

Next day we rose early and took a bus to the Mekong Delta. there we took a boat and visited various sites. A fish market - all still alive and flipping. Also sold frogs. The locals were noisy and arguing. And as it was saturday the kids took to plaing in the river by hamging onto the side of our boat and catching a free lift. Or climbing on - almost tipping the boat and then leaping off. Its amazing there were say between 8-10 years old and had bodies full of muscles like a man wood. Must be the fish diet!

We then had lunch on an esland in the middle of a fruit orchid where there were all kinds of fruit including pinapple - very strange to see a pinnapple perched on top of a plant. Visited small villages that make coconut candy -mmmm yummy yummy -brought some to take home don't worry. We then drank sweet honey lime tea - yummy and listened to a local band - nice music - shame about the high pitch squealing - oh sorry singing!

We then were put onto a mini bus with no aisle - it was crammed with seats. This was 3.30pm we thought ok so we travel for an hour..... (heading for Chac Doc - the boarder crossing city)So we arrived at our hotel about 9pm! lovely. Crossing terrifying bridge after terrifying bridge. I think they were made of railway sleepers and made such a loud noise when you went over them. The driver im sure had his foot to the floor the whole way. Very scarey when you think there are children and cyclists right by the roads. Anyway stayed in our worst room yet built just big enough to fit the bed in the room. Ahh lovely.

Woke early - 6am by man banging on door. Walked to the river and took a boat - visited the local floating fish farms and a small village. then continued up the Mekong Delta - arriving at the boarder poit at lunchtime. This was nice passing small villages, boats filled with fish, rice factories etc. The boarder crossing was almost static in pace - we carried our bags in boiling heat off the boat and up the huge banks, to pass our bags through a scanner and then on to the boat again and then off again to passport control about 6mins per person - we had about 60 people with us yipeee!. Then we climbed onto another boat which was made of metal - iot was a hot tin can on water travelling so slow there was no breeze! It looked like a plane that had crashed and then had been welded together and turned into a boat! - not what the posters showed!

But we realised we could climb outside and sit on the skirting making it a really pleasent journey. There were nice people and the kids that lived by the river bank were fantastic. There were all playing in the water and would start doing flips, waving madly and shouting hello. The cows changed from Vietnam being muscly and brown to Cambodia where ther were white and super model skinny. We were then put on another bus that thankfully only took an hour or so to get to Pnomh Penn - capital of Cambodia. We jumped on Tuk Tuks ( a motorbike with a sheltered cart on the back) to the backpacker land and found a lovely Pink room to stay in.

The next day we were hoping to take the boat to Siem Reap but we were warned that it was rubbish and overpriced. Often leaving customers stranded on the river waiting for the tide to change so we took the cheap and chirpy option of the bus. At 5.30 am there was a massive downpour of rain with thunder and lighting leaving our street ankle level in brown water - nice!The bus was Packed with Vietnamese people including Monks in their orange sheets!. We stopped and ate local foor and bought lovely fresh fruit.

We arrived at Siem Reap in good time - 12.30pm and wow its crazy when you get off the bus. there were 50 or so drivers all fighting for your custom even when you are on the bus they bang on the windows and try to talk to you. Lucky we had booked ahead. Getting off the bus there were 2 policemen with canes to beat the locals back! Our driver had picked up chirs' bag for him and was heading to the tuk tuk when the police stopped him and took it back to the bus - a good sign i guess.

We wandered the town - mainly a building site at daytime - every other building is a building site here. But at night it turned out to be really nice and cool with art galleries and restaurants and bars dotted everywhere. The only down side was all the children begging and trying to sell you things. Also there are many land mine victims around the streets with missing limbs begging too.

We ate the best meal of the whole trip at a restaurant called Amok- every bite was delicious and i followed it with a dreamy dark choc moose. We arranged to go and watch sunrise the next day at 4.40 am.

BUT our driver turned up late - just after 5am. You can imagine that I wasnt so happy at that hour in the morning so we gave him the sack! We tried to get another but couldnt so returned to bed tired and grumpy!

Waking later we took a different Tuk Tuk driver and headed off to the temples. They are absolutly amazing and are really the only reason we came to Cambodia. They go on and on forever and its amazing to think how they made them thousands of years ago and they only took about 40 years to build each one. Using thousands and thousands of slaves. The stone travelled 60km by boat - but the boats would have sunk if they were on board to they sunk them and hung them underneath the boats. Amazing. The high peaks of the temples are reached by climbing big and as steep as you can imagine stairs. You go up ok and then think oh my... how will I ever get down! One regret is that we didn't have a guide with us for the day. But from the next temple on we picked a local person who told us what they knew and gave them a tip at the end.

We went to the tomb where they shot Tomb Raider and it was fantastic with all these 150ft trees with roots as big as houses growing over the temple. Huge wow factor. Went to see sunset from a temple on a mountain - but sorry to say it was a massive tourist trap - chris felt like he was at Glastonbury - so we left early to enjoy each others company and to see the front of the optherwise very dark Ankor Wat be lit up nice and warm by the suns last few rays.

Shattered.
Tomorrow we will try for sunrise again. fingers crossed.

wow wee sorry so long!

Good luck to Steve and Rach - counting down the days to their wedding.
Also to Helen counting down the days til retirement... oh no so redundancy!

lots of love
Sweaty Anna and Chris

last few days in Mui ne

We have been enjoying the beach life for some time now and its just lovely not to be packing and unpacking your bags all the time.

Went out for a meal at The Hot Rock and had its speciality BBQ which is a DIY BBQ on your table. They give you an array of marinades and a place full of small portions of fish, squid, chicken, pork , beef, scallops etc and you cook it yourself.

We finally finshed out kite surfing lesson yesterday when the winds were lower. Much more practice needed!

Hoping to visit sand dunes today - they have bright organge and yellow ones here.

Tonight at 1am we will be catching a bus to Saigon and then making our way into Cambodia up the Mekong Delta.

lots of love
anna and chris

Kite Surf day 2

Hi

We have nearly completed level 1 of the kite surfing course. Today was quite a bit harder and the wind was quite fast. We were dragging our bodies in the sea by the kite. And learning how to relaunch it if we crashed it into the sea.

I think we will continue onto level 2 but we probably won't complete the qualification as our instructor thinks the wind levels will drop later in the week hindering our chance to practice. Enjoying it very much though.

This afternoon I was photographing the kite surfers and got chatting to an Irish couple doing it. I have photos to pass onto them which they were excited to see. They own a kite surf shop in Belfast and told us that Bali is good for kite surfing so if we want to continue it maybe we can there.

I forgot to mention on our first day here I found a baby octopus washed up on the beach. Can't believe I spotted it as it was camofaged in the sand. It was about 10cm with suckers about 2mm thick. I picked it up and it started changing colours. Very cute - returned it safely back in the sea - no photos alas.

Watching beach life here is interesting. Obviously the tourists use it to swim in, wind surf and kite surf on. Its interesting to watch the fushion of all the brightly coloured wind toys and westerners with the locals and their natural made impliments. They have small round boats with a wooden carved ore. They swim out alone holding a net and setting it out with bouys in the sea. Husband and wife teams including pregnant wives walk the length of the beach. The lady carries 2 buckets balance on wood over her shoulders and the men have a net harnesed to themselves. They sift through the beach just in the surf collecting small crabs and shell fish eventually pouring them into the buckets and sorting the catch. Hard work especially in the heat.

Internet connection where we are now costs about 12 pence for an hour! we had a massive feast of food today all for 3pounds including drinks! Interestingly if you ask for tomato salad you get a plate full of sliced tomatoes! But they taste lovely here so its not all bad.

We are halfway through out trip today! Time is flying along.

Speaking of which ; A big Happy First Birthday to Baby Amy. Enjoying celebrating it at the weekend Ms Laura Hannaford Naisbett!

We hear the weather is perking up in the UK. Hope its nice and sunny.

Its always boiling here - worrying about dealing with the heat in Cambodia - trying to enjoy the costal breeze for as long as possible.

Lots of Love
Anna Chris
and the geckos now living in our bungalow and keeping me awake at night! making strange noises!

Kite Surfing

Hi

I must correct my spelling of Mui Ne from yesterdays post!
Sat in open air internet cafe - just had a load of annoying flies around me and the screen - quickly followed by 3 geckos running up and down the walls, catching and eating them! Makes a change from the cock roach.

Kite surfing today was good. We did much more than I expected. We did 2 1/2 hours until the wind got too strong.

Learnt about reading the wind and weather conditions. How to judge the sea. how to rig the kite, its safety bits. Flew a 4m kite and practised safe take offs and landings. Also used the kite as a sail to bring you back into the beach - incase youdrop your kite in the sea and cant get it back up. so you rescue yourself.

Tomorrow we will be in the sea practising dragging our bodies up and down the sea in a controlled fashion!!!! Then you get to move on to dragging with a board but its a very slow process.

Our instructor is great at it. When the wind is fast in the afternoon he is out jumping 15ft in the air, spinning around etc.

Played in the huge waves again.

Its lovely here as its very quiet, no parties just relaxing and reading etc.
Also saw sunrise again to day - not as good as yesterday. Chris is still yet to see one zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Well done Stevie Lawes on finishing another fine shoot! congrats on possible future work. Plus hope all is coming together for the wedding.

Branwen - have you had your baby?

lots of love to everyone
and a big hi to Nan - hope you are doing well.

xxxx
Anna and Chris

Straight out of Nha Trang and on to Mue ni

We didnt like Nha Trang - it was like a big city on the beach. It's the closest beach to Saigon so i guess is busy. We just spent one day there lying on the beach and then out for 2 4 1 cocktails in the evening at a bar called Crazy Kims - which was a relly good bar as its aim is to stop paedophilia, and they have a free school for the street kids. So Cheers to a good cause!

HAPPY EASTER
Hope you all have a good easter weekend. No chocolate eggs out here but Chris did buy me the only chocolate bar he could find!

We left Nha Trang yest am taking a coach to Mue Ni - supposed to be a 4 hr coach journey - but we are begining to get used to the way things are run so we left at 7.30 am and arrived at 12.30. The coach is cleverly run by a tour company - when you arrive in Mue ni you arrive at one of the tour company's hotels, where is you want to go onto your hotel you have to wait 1 hour! even though its only just up the road. In the meantime they try to show you a room sell you food etc. Clever business.

We waited and are now in a resort so small they dont even have a restaurant!
Mui ne is lovely, it used to be a small fishing village and due to its high wind levels now is host to lots of windsurfers and kite surfers.

This morning I watched a beautiful sunrise. The beach unexpectedly was teaming with life. Fishermen were out on their small round boats, and were dragging their nets in. People were jogging and swimming and watching the sun.

The sea is flat calm and bath water warm in the morning and then the wind picks up around 11am and the waves start rolling in - they keep going until sunset. We have spent about an hour today being thrashed about and dragged under in the waves - good fun until it hurts! bloodshot eyes filled with sand! nice.

Tomorrow we hope to have a kite surfing lesson. When you see the proffesionals at it all day it makes you really want to do it. But in reality our lesson willl be mainly learning how to control the kite rather than surfing the waves.

Tired and sunkissed now. What a way to spend Easter day.

Missing you all
Big Hugs

Anna + Chris
xx

Travelling South in Vietnam

euuugh im sat on the net and there is a cockroach by my feet! Nice touch!

Mon 10th April we took a plane to Hoi An.
Hoi and is a beautiful small town that has a nice beach 5km away. It's well known for having clothes made of lovely silks for cheap money. Needless to say I gained some - only 2 dresses though!

It is by far the nicest place in Vietnam so far with lovely bars and art galleries.
We hired bikes in the day and cycled to the beach a whopping 38 oC hot hot hot! Saying that the sea was still quite cold!

The sunsets there were lovely and the food was amazing too.

Yesterday(thurs 13th April) we caught a train from Hoi an to Nha Trang - due to be a 9hour journey but it was delayed - we left the hotel 9am and arrived in Nha Trang at 11pm - nice!
However we were lucky as we were first class and had a sleeper bunk. Aparently it was horrendous in the normal coaches playing vietnamese tv really loud the whole journey!

The views on the train were stunning. Everything you think of Vietnam - paddyfields, cows, ducks, chickens grazing, cemetaries, villages, haystacks, mountains - the lot - with a nice sunset to boot. Not bad for about 12pounds but we found out later we could have flown for 25pounds. It was worth the view but i wouldnt take the same trip twice!

Computer is playing up - i will update later.
love Anna and Chris

Vietnam - The North

xin chao - hello
We flew into Hanoi airport, North Vietnam on fri 7th April.

The weather is much cooler here and is mainly overcast. Temp 260C.
Hanoi is smaller than Bangkok but the roads are much busier. We are informed that if someone hits us while crossing the road it will be our fault and they may claim for damages - hmm not sure I believe that!

To cross the road you take pigeon steps - move really slowly. There are mainly motorbikes but also cars, bikes and cyclos everywhere. The idea is that if you cross slowly they will all weave around you - and it does work. There can be 50 or more bikes coming at you at any one time. Its crazy.

Its an interesting city and the food reflects that - not really sure what we are eating at times! We were in a restaurant the other night and they had Camel on the menu! The roads are so busy that it can be hard t wander around to shop. So we haven't shopped at all. I was looking forward to visiting shoe street - but it wasnt great and the quality of some of it was very tacky - but the leather shoes looked good.

Went to see the famous 'Water Puppet Show' which is an ancient tradition. The locals used to make puppets and put on plays in the paddy fields. The music to the show was lovely and live but the show itself is worth a miss! Lasts an hour and is good for about 5 minutes. yawn.

Yesterday we travelled to Halong Bay - which looks amazing. 2000 islands that shoot up hundreds of feet from the sea.
http://www.vietscape.com/travel/halong/

It was raining when we arrived but luckily stopped for the trip which was on an old junk boat and you stayed overnight. The islands always seem to be surrounded in a mist. We went to visit a magnificant cave like Wookey Hole but 50x bigger. It was 8000 sq feet. Huge and lovely - Helen you would enjoy this. The rock formations are really interesting and there are all different shapes and patterns.

Unfortunately we didnt pick the right type of tour group to go with. We had booked to kayak but their kayaks werent proper ones and they only had rubbish ores. At night we moored up in the middle of the islands with all the other tour groups and they were all kayaking around until it got dark. And we were just sat there. We felt the trip was too much time travelling with not enough time there and not enough activities. Handspan are a recommended comp to travel with - they have much better coaches for the 3 hour journey each way. 1 night is def enough.

(note to hel: take water and alcohol with you as its expensive otherwise, book as vegetarian if you don't want seafood. Its all rice and noodles so mayb take some food with you!)

When we returned to Hanoi we went straight for a massage in one of the bigger hotels cost about 3 pounds and includes a fresh herb sauna - lovely. The massage was nice - different to Thai. Lots of pummelling and pressure points where as Thai sort of push and pull you about. Chris' lady masseur seemed to want to offer some extras for his massage! Her hands travelled a little too far and she had to be stopped! hee hee. We were warned about things like that that cant be published here but thought surely not in a larger hotel!!!

Chris has had a reaction to his malaria tablets -Doxycycline. He has had lots of the side effects and is ill in bed now. Headache, sensitive to light, aching joints........ So I wouldn't advise taking them. I'm fine on Malerone - but they are expensive.

We fly to Hoi An tomorrow - halfway down Vietnam - which should mean more sun and a hotter climate.

How are you all?
We miss you

love Anna and chris

Big day in Bangkok

Yesterday we had a great day in Bangkok.

We starting walking to catch a boat. 2 Thai ladies started chatting to us about how it was unusual to see short farang (foreigners) as most of them are tall. Cheers! Anyway they were lovely and they gave us loads of information about Bangkok and told us about a promotion the govenment is doing to promote tourism after the Tsunami. You can get a Tuk Tuk to take you around the city for the whole day for 20 baht each - thats 30p! Normally Tuk Tuks want about 100 baht for a one way trip!!

The government Tuk Tuks have yellow licence plates and the drivers have blue shirts on. They stopped one for us and off we went. We went to a Buddist Temple. Many are closed to the public at times because Thai New Year is coming so they are having special ceremonies. Unfortunately we miss is it. They celebrate from 10th to 13th april.

The temples are beautiful - especially the roofs - they are gold and glitter in the sun.

After the temple we went to a suit shop - they wont give you an estimate price as they know you will walk straight back out so you go through and pick the materials and colours etc must have been in there an hour before we even talked money. The one we went to is very well recomended - we were talking to a teacher in the temple and thats where he has his suits made. Shop is called called Number 10. Chris has ordered 3 suits 4 shirts and 3 ties - all made from Cashmere with silk lining for 250 pounds. And I have ordered a grey suit with trousers and skirt for 80 pounds. Looking forward to trying them on and hoping there are the quality and fit we expect. The price they quoted us was 1000 pounds! So getting it for 330 was a brilliant bargain. We had to batter with the shop owner and they said we mustn't tell people the price we paid - they really wanted our business and keep all our measurments on file for 5 years so we can order more.

Then our Tuk Tuk diver called 'Aaoh' took us for some street food - not the best we have had so far ( i interupt this messege - the heavens have opened and its now puring with rain!) we hard pork with huge gooey noodles and gooey gravy - the lady then over charged us because we were tourist charge us 1 pound instead of 40 pence. Thats a lot of money to them - we didnt mind though!

We then went to another temple and on to the Grand Palace where the king used to live - didnt go in as it was closing in 40 minutes.

We then caught a river boat - The locals try and get you on tour boats for about 5 punds each but we were catching the local taxi boats which cost 15 - 20 pence each instead! They are like the tube in uk but on water. They have different boats that are faster and stop at less places or the slow ones that stop at eveystop. It crosses from ones side of the river to the other and stops very briefly - you have to be quick!

We came back to our hotel and showered. Then took a meter taxi - the cheapest way to travel (bar government Tuk Tuk) to the Pat Pong district - red light area. We went shopping in the markets but didnt go into the bars filled with ladies. Instead took a taxi to Suan-Lum night bizare - which was amazing. There is a huge eating area for around 1000 people up one side is a long row of small hot food counters - you buy coupons to spend on food starts at about 30pence, the other side is lined with bars to buy beers Large bottle 1 pound. cocktails 2 pounds. Then there is a big stage at one end with live bands and huge screens overhead that show the football and sport.

We then ventured into the markets which are a bit like Spitalfields market in london. Really lovely stalls with different things. By 11.30 pm we have been trhough about 1/8th of the market! So we will return today and continue.

Caught taxi back, chris went out to the bar we were at the previous evening and i showered and read my book. Bed 2-3am!
Terrific day.

Just had the loudest thunder ever i jumped while writing this!!!
xxxx

from peace and quiet to BANGKOK

Last sat we had a brilliant day diving Ko Rok a marine park off the south of Koh Lanta. The diving was ace like being in an aquarium. We saw lobsters and finally a turtle. As me and chris are usually at the rear of the dive we have missed the turtles on 2 previous dives.

We had our lunch on a beautiful little bay, crystal clear water absolutely stunning.

Sunday we rose early and took a ferry to Krabi port, Thai mainland. We then travelled and stayed in Ao Nang for the night in order to catch our flight the next day. Ao nang its self was really horrible and touristy.

But the beaches and views just around the corner were fantastic. we took a boat to Riley beach and Nang Pra - which were amazing. Beautiful beaches, with huge rocks that jump out of the water and go up and 500 metres, they over hang the water and it feels quite scary to swim under them. Tried to find a photo on the net but struggling!

Monday (yesterday) we flew with Air Asia - Asia's ryanair to Bangkok less than 30 pounds each cheap as chips and it was fine. Arriving in Bangkok was a massive shock and the total opposite of Koh Lanta's quiet beach life. It was actually raining when we arrived but changed to boiling hot sun in about 10 mins.

We are staying at Wild Orchid near Khao San Road which is the back packers area of Bangkok. Rooms in the area start from 1 pound but that will involve no window, shared bathroom, mattress on the floor prob with free bed bugs and lots of noise! We are in a superior room in the hotel but by most people's standards it would be basic. I quite like it though - after the 5 flights of stairs we have a lovely littel balcony and through another door we have our bathroom which is on a balcony too! you can sit on the loo and watch Bangkok or as i did this morning watch the sunrise! lovely. There are hanging blinds to provide privacy!!

Yesterday we went to the largest shopping mall - 6 floors, a mile long - yikes. I found it a bit overwhelming and actually wore my sunglasses some of the time because of all the bright lights. Chris had his hair cut and came out looking rather 'fabulous darling'!! heee hee

Sat in the bars and watched the world go by for the evening. Our bar at a certain time turned into sitting on the floor! The staff toook away our tables and chairs, put matts on the floor, we removed our shoes and sat on the matts. The prices of the drinks rose by about 10 or 20 pence as they then had to pay off the police to be able to keep serving alcohol!!! Funny stuff.

Not sure what today holds for us! Some more rides in Tuk Tuks i expect - hopefully today the traffic will be moving!

We found out the 'ecko' noises we hear are not geckos but a larger type of lizard which you can always hear even in bangkok but not see!

Lots of love
Anna
Chris - im off to wake him up!