King of the Ocean

After the constant partying at Ko Phangan we decided it was about time to stop faffing around and actually achieve something on this trip. With that in mind we headed back to Ko Tao to start our Open Water scuba diving course. Apparently this is the cheapest place in the world to do it and believe me it was worth every penny. After a couple of mornings of theory and a simple dive just off the beach it was time to get down to the real action.

Diving at just off a gorgeous island (apparently the Chilli Peppers rented the whole place one year) at a site called Japenese Gardens we stepped off the boat and plummeted into the unknown. What then followed was one of the most surreal, and funniest, moments of my life thus far. Kneeling on the bottom of the ocean, 10 metres below the surface and surrounded by beautiful multi coloured tropical fish, we were just about to start honing our buoyancy skills when I heard a muffled shriek and a flurry of bubbles from my left. Turning around I saw Andy jumping up and down like a girl. Just as I was about to burst into laughter I started doing the same as I was attacked by a horde of fish biting at my dead skin (can three qualify as a horde?). Needless to say the diving instructor just sat there with an incredulous look on her face; never had she seen two fully grown men (well one fully grown man) make such a fuss over a few cleaner wrasse.

Moving on...our second proper dive was due to be at Chumpon where they had seen sharks for two days running. Getting up at 6 30 like eager little beavers we were very excited at the prospect of getting close to some of the most exciting creatures the ocean has to offer. Annoyingly due to strong currents, and potentially instructor incompetency, we drifted off the dive site and were unable to go down. What made this worse was that the other groups managed their dives fine and came back on the boat boasting about the 3 bull sharks they had seen...gutted.

Still all was not lost, we went back to Japenese Gardens where we witnessed an awesome sight. We spotted a massive green turtle and was able to get as close as half a metre away as it fed on the coral surrounded fish cleaning up any spillages. It was very surreal - like watching a David Attenborough live. Cashback.

Ko Phangan&Full Moon Party

Our trip to Ko Phangan started in the best possible way... with football! Having dumped our stuff at our latest hole of a bungalow we made our way to the beach where there was az beach soccer tournament ongoing. Woody and I were desperate to get involved so we just joined a team who were short. It all started so well, scoring 2 in 2 to help us through to the quazrter finals as group winners. Next day we returned as favourites according to the mc - this guy looks like he never sleeps...ever. Our stint as favourites lasted approx 15 minutes as we crashed out after a dramatic penalty shootout. Needless to say i missed a second consecutive quarter final penalty and lost the 4th penalty shootout this year...brilliant!

Never one to dwell on misfortunes i used the promise and excitement of the largest beach party in the world to forget any sorrow i may or may not have been feeling. Several hours and several buckets of alcohol later (thats right, they serve it in buckets here...it is that type of gig) we had hit the laser filled, drowned in sound, sand. And here we stayed until sunrise (well some of us) transfixed, or bemused, by fire jugglers, sea fornicators and the skipping rope from hell- what a night!

Kanachaburi

So after having enough of Bangkok we jumped on a train to Kanachaburi. The journey was quite an experience - the train itself was a rickety old thing and we weren't sure if we would make it through our 2 hour journey. The scenery was amazing, cutting our way through rainforests and shanty towns - the lack of comfort was soon forgotten and we focussed instead on the views. Our hostel here is awesome - for less then 2 quid a night we have a hut down by the river with our own drinking area with great views - unlike Bangkok I am in no hurry to leave this place. It is so chilled out and relaxed it is how I imagine the Caribbean.

Kanachaburi is an important historical town as this is was were the famous Bridge over the Rver Kwai sits. But despite the historical value our first port of call was a place called the Tiger Temple. Now this place has received mixed reviews - it is essentially a Tiger Sanctuary run by monks where you are able to pet the tigers. The main criticisms have focussed on reports that the tigers are drugged. I definately do not think this was the case - whilst I didnt like the idea that these animals were swamped with tourists everyday I think this is where the mistreatment ends. Anyway i thoughroughly enjoyed the trip and it is not everyday you get to pet a tiger!

Impressions: Bangkok - A city of Sin

After spending 2 days in Bangkok I think I can safely say it is the most insane city i have ever had the opportunity to visit. Even crossing the road is dicing with death; the pelican crossings mean nothing and are impossible to fathom!

We have decided to sack off Bangkok after just two days. Whilst I enjoyed the experience the actual city was pretty horrendous. Depravation is everywhere with everyone fighting for each Baht they can get. With all of the prostitutes, masseuses, beggars and street sellers you cannot walk 10 metres down the road without someone trying to entice you into buying whatever it is that they are selling! Admittedly it may have just been the area in which we stayed that was like this but the whole intensity of the city was not for me - too busy and too expensive!

Bangkok - Golden Mount&Royal Palace

Dragged out of bed by the eager beaver that is Andy Taylor our first proper day in Bangkok started with a hangover. Whilst I wasn't feeling too bad after numerous Changs (6.5% - cashback!) our resident sicknote, Mr. Woodroof, was convinced he was suffering from the deadly disease Dengue Fever not simply a mild hangover.

Still we pushed on dragging James kicking and screaming, jumped in a taxi and headed to the Royal Palace. Upon arriving, we were greeted by a man in a suit speaking immaculate English. He informed us that the Palace was closed for 2 hrs and advised us to get a tuk-tuk for 20 baht (30p) to see several other attractions. What a mistake this was...Not only did we shit ourselves for the entire journey as we flirted with death on the packed roads in little more then a shack on 2 wheels, we also became part of an elaborate scam involving at least 4 people. After visiting 2 of the attractions (both of which were lame) we were driven to a shop where the tuk tuk driver gets commission. We told the driver where to go and were subsequently turfed out in the middle of Bangkok with no idea where we were...ideal. It was a loooooong walk back. Moral of the story: If something looks too good to be true it probably is (or - don't trust jumped up little idiots in silly suits!)

Still on a brighter not we did get to visit the Golden Mount, which offered great views of the city, before rocking up to the Royal Palace to see the emerald buddha. The buddha was amazing - on a alter dripping in gold and surrounded by some great temples. Trying to upload the pics but proving to be an epic on a very slow connection!