Vietnam and Thailand '08 day 29 - 35
Now 5pm on last day here. Had another swim in the sea today. You know how pleasant it is after feeling cold all day to get into a nice warm bath - well here, after feeling a bit too hot all day, it is just great to submerge yourself into the nicely cool, but never cold, sea.
Had a great holiday, and so looking forward to seeing everyone at home again. Even missed Megan and Tigga and co.
All the Best to everyone
John
Monday, March 17, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Vietnam and Thailand '08 day 22 - 28
Vietnam and Thailand '08 day 22 - 28
Not a lot to report really. Weather always hot, some cloud, a little rain, lots of sun. Eaten too many free danish pastries and free biscuits, really enjoying the local food in The Elephant Restaurant. Slept a lot, had a few swims in the pool and runs along the beach. (no trips) Love it here.
See you all soon,
John
Not a lot to report really. Weather always hot, some cloud, a little rain, lots of sun. Eaten too many free danish pastries and free biscuits, really enjoying the local food in The Elephant Restaurant. Slept a lot, had a few swims in the pool and runs along the beach. (no trips) Love it here.
See you all soon,
John
Monday, March 03, 2008
Vietnam and Thailand '08 day 15 - 21
Vietnam and Thailand '08 day 15 - 21
Hello all, it's catch up time.
Been here in Phuket 1 week now and it's blissful.
Some really good news about the hotel, they provide free danish pastries all day every day. Very fresh and tasty they are too.
Elephant Restaurant is as good as ever, they have a huge selection of local dishes, had a different one every time so far, I look forward to my meal there each evening.
No trips here so far, just relaxing with a few swims and runs in between.
Planning to make next posting 1 week from today.
Best wishes to everyone,
John
Hello all, it's catch up time.
Been here in Phuket 1 week now and it's blissful.
Some really good news about the hotel, they provide free danish pastries all day every day. Very fresh and tasty they are too.
Elephant Restaurant is as good as ever, they have a huge selection of local dishes, had a different one every time so far, I look forward to my meal there each evening.
No trips here so far, just relaxing with a few swims and runs in between.
Planning to make next posting 1 week from today.
Best wishes to everyone,
John
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Vietnam ans Thailand '08 day 14
Vietnam and Thailand '08 day 14
Had time for one last walk around Chiang Mai before flights via Bangkok to Phuket. All went well and on time.
Now in the same resort in Phuket as last year, it's always nice to come back to a familiar place. Especially welcome is the 7 course breakfast, all good quality tasty stuff.
The programme here is to do some relaxing, reading, eating and sleeping. Maybe try to get a bit fit in between.
Plan to report progress tomorrow.
All the Best,
John
Had time for one last walk around Chiang Mai before flights via Bangkok to Phuket. All went well and on time.
Now in the same resort in Phuket as last year, it's always nice to come back to a familiar place. Especially welcome is the 7 course breakfast, all good quality tasty stuff.
The programme here is to do some relaxing, reading, eating and sleeping. Maybe try to get a bit fit in between.
Plan to report progress tomorrow.
All the Best,
John
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Vietnam and Thailand '08 day 13
Vietnam and Thailand '08 day 13
Another day out today, this time with guide Pon
First to Sankampaeng Hot Springs, a visitor centre way out in the countryside frequented mainly by the local population rather than tourists I think. Beautiful grounds to walk around with flower beds and trees. Boiling water (105 degrees c according to one notice exclamation mark) shooting and bubbling out of the ground and collected in a pond and a little river of hot water winding its way through the grounds. A pool that you can swim in, and little chalets that you can stay in. A lovely spot to visit.
Pon bought a basket of eggs at the ticket office. At the pond, she suspended them in the water for them to boil. Then we sat with our feet dangling in the river of hot water and ate the eggs with a little soy sauce sprinkled on top. Blissful.
Back on the road, we stopped at a roadside stall, where Pon bought some vegetables. They have become very expensive in the city apparently, possibly a by-product of tourism. They are very concerned about inflation over here.
Half way back, we parked up in a small town for lunch in a tiny restaurant in a small market area, again obviously used mainly by locals, for a very enjoyable Thai meal.
Then, in the same town, we spent 2 hours in an umbrella factory. Well, parasols really. This WAS for tourists, and was fascinating. Watched workers making the frames out of bamboo and the material out of a sticky solution made from the bark of a tree. Especially interesting watching a very skilled lady placing the material over the frame and sticking and trimming it. All of the patterns and pictures on the material are hand-painted by an army of painters, who also, for a small fee, will paint a picture on your equipment. I had an elephant painted and Pon had flowers painted on her mobile phone. I will show you when I get home.
Bought a mobile for Jo in the shop, bought a parasol for Pon.
A charming day, loved every minute.
This was my last full day in the north of Thailand. Whilst the friendliness is the same as everywhere else in this part of the world, the people and culture are subtly different. The north has a charm of its own, not to be missed and well worth the time spent here.
Happy days, take care everyone,
John
Another day out today, this time with guide Pon
First to Sankampaeng Hot Springs, a visitor centre way out in the countryside frequented mainly by the local population rather than tourists I think. Beautiful grounds to walk around with flower beds and trees. Boiling water (105 degrees c according to one notice exclamation mark) shooting and bubbling out of the ground and collected in a pond and a little river of hot water winding its way through the grounds. A pool that you can swim in, and little chalets that you can stay in. A lovely spot to visit.
Pon bought a basket of eggs at the ticket office. At the pond, she suspended them in the water for them to boil. Then we sat with our feet dangling in the river of hot water and ate the eggs with a little soy sauce sprinkled on top. Blissful.
Back on the road, we stopped at a roadside stall, where Pon bought some vegetables. They have become very expensive in the city apparently, possibly a by-product of tourism. They are very concerned about inflation over here.
Half way back, we parked up in a small town for lunch in a tiny restaurant in a small market area, again obviously used mainly by locals, for a very enjoyable Thai meal.
Then, in the same town, we spent 2 hours in an umbrella factory. Well, parasols really. This WAS for tourists, and was fascinating. Watched workers making the frames out of bamboo and the material out of a sticky solution made from the bark of a tree. Especially interesting watching a very skilled lady placing the material over the frame and sticking and trimming it. All of the patterns and pictures on the material are hand-painted by an army of painters, who also, for a small fee, will paint a picture on your equipment. I had an elephant painted and Pon had flowers painted on her mobile phone. I will show you when I get home.
Bought a mobile for Jo in the shop, bought a parasol for Pon.
A charming day, loved every minute.
This was my last full day in the north of Thailand. Whilst the friendliness is the same as everywhere else in this part of the world, the people and culture are subtly different. The north has a charm of its own, not to be missed and well worth the time spent here.
Happy days, take care everyone,
John
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