Jetsetter. Paris - London - Cardiff - Dublin

Friday

Today was my last ‘cultural’ day in Paris. Spent the whole morning at the Louvre wandering around the place taking it all in. I ended up getting a bit lost in the Renaissance section, I cant escape that boringness! Then did a bit of shopping in the afternoon then that night I went to this show with these aussie dudes who were in my room. It was “How to be a Parisian in One Hour” and it was hilaaarious! So the guy compares tourists to Parisians to show how they would act totally differently in situations. He had things like in a restaurant, on the metro, in clubs trying to get with someone etc., looking for an apartment and a few more. It was a one man show and the guy was just so funny he did such an awesome job i would definitely recommend this to anyone going to Paris. Basically the summary of what to take away from the show was that Parisians are all assholes because living in Paris can be compared to hell...could sortof see what he meant actually in the whole extreme expensiveness and tiny apartments and terrible pay. Unsure if i could live there!

 

Saturday

Today was my Eurostar trip back to London. Got up and went for a big run around a park near my hostel which felt really good and extremely necessary. Then headed for the train. Such a sweet way to get between the two cities really easy. Anyway so got to London and headed to Larissa’s hostel which was in Pimlico quite far from the eurostar station but tubed my way there like the pro that I am. Got there around 4pm in the pitch black no less. Woke up laz and we headed out to get dinner. SO SO nice to see her we worked out it had been about 18 months since wed seen each other like re o week 2011. Crazyyyy. So we decided to get ourselves sorted and start drinking! Spent the night drinking at the hostel with a bunch of rowdy Europeans mostly Spanish and Italian who were SO loud but hilarious. Met some really cool people and had a verrry fun night. So we left the hostel round 1130 and headed to covent garden to this bar called roadhouse. Got on the tube and it hit 12am and people were singing away happy birthday and i was thinking HOWWW do they know its my bday, turns out it was this swiss dudes 25^th birthday same day as me! So the song turned huge and everyone on the tube was getting amongst haha it was so cool i wish i had videod it. This swiss guys friend was trying to get the whole tube singing some were having a bar others, not so much. Larissa was doing the same and getting mixed reactions also haha. Since we were about 25 people they couldn’t really deny me a birthday song! Anyway got to this bar and the line was HUGE. But it was like the only cool bar around apparently so we waited literally about an hour. Then it was TWELE pounds to get in! But i was like meh bday treat to myself. It was a really cool place we ended up just drinking and dancing til it closed. Made our way back to the bus chatting to randoms along the way. Saw this mini asian dude spew EVERYWHERE all over this bus it was a terrible way to end the night but oh well. Then we were out to it about 5am – really really fun night.

Sunday / entering my 24^th year (WHAT THE HELL)

Today Laz had pretty much allowed me free reign on what we do so of course I chose shopping. We hit up Oxford st and roamed for a few hours however nothing really worthy of a purchase, oh well we know I enjoy looking almost as much as buying. Then we went to the movies to see Looper. GREAT movie I definitely recommend. Then went back to the hostel to hang out and just chat to people, really really liked the people at Larissa’s hostel they were all really cool and welcoming – even asked me to stay on and work there! Haha. Was also asked a few times for legal advice...dished that out on the proviso they got that im actually not a lawyer and have no idea what the hell im talking about. So all in all a really good birthday. I got quite a few really nice personal messages from people which made my day and made me realise what amazing people I have in my life!

Monday

Today I was Cardiff bound. Nothing too interesting during the day just the train really. Got to Penarth around 4 and had some specific instructions on how to get to uncle davids. So I get there and its this little cobblestone street and I just have to say WHO invented cobblestone like it just makes no sense im constantly tripping over and looking like an idiot or attempted to grad this suitcase which just has a mind of its own and is all over the place. Anyway so im moving at snail pace trying to drag the suitcase along the street and this woman ahead of me stops and says “have you got far to go with that” and im like “umm im actually not sure, im walking to my uncles which shouldn’t be too far” anyway she so kindly offers me a ride which was amazing considering it would have taken about 30mins or more with that beast of a suitcase. A very great first impression of the Welsh! So that night uncle david cooks me an assortment of foods for dinner and I eat far more than I need to. But great to see him and chat about everything. Then auntie cath comes home with a cake in tow, so I have my 23^rd birthday cake, a cute little caterpillar sing me a song and blow out the candles. I just realised I forgot to make a wish, damn! Oh well making one now and counting it towards that. Sweet. Anyway then Uncle davids friend comes to get me for a show that he had an extra ticket to. So we went to this high school performance of Miss Saigon. REALLY GOOD. The kids were amazing hard to believe some of them were like 15, amazing singers and actors. Just a really good show in general, think they are known for their shows at this school. Met a bunch of welsh people all of which were under the impression id come all the way to Wales to see this show haha that was kinda fun for a while.

Tuesday

Today I was Dublin bound!! Caths dad kindly took me to the airport and I was off for Dublin arriving around 2pm. Got to my hostel pretty easy (much easier with just a small carry on bag) then decided to go for a big run around this park. Really pretty park but I got kicked out at 4pm because it was closed. So i ended up spending the night hanging out with two people from my room we went and watched this ‘jam session’ at the hostel with this chick who was really good on guitar just singing and chatting with everyone. Really cool and chilled. Decided to head to bed and not go out because I felt like I was almost about to coma out, so tiring travelling around all the time!

Wednesday (today)

Today I got some sightseeing done, went to a few museums saw some old buildings, standard stuff and nothing too exciting. Just loving being immersed in the Irish accent its so pretty! Did some shopping also looking out for Christmas presents really. Now just back at the hostel having dinner with the two people from my room then we shall see what the night has in store! Have a trip to cork tomorrow leaving at 7am so probably best not to have a big night...we will see!

J'ADORE Paris

PARIS my official favourite city in the world (so far!)

So for those who know me well you know Paris was my number one destination I have dreamed of going my whole life and I can safely say it has lived up to all the hype and more. I have loved every minute of being here! I walked into the city with the false assumption that 'oh everyone will speak english' (like in Thailand etc.) WRONG WRONG WRONG. Hardly anyone does!! And my top in French circa 2006 has not helped in the slightest. Reeeally should have brushed up as I kept saying I would all year but meh.

Okay so run down of each dayyy -

SATURDAY
So arrived in Paris around 5ish and lugged my well overweight suitcase to my hotel. Somehow I am getting lucky and just stumbling in the right directions and getting to where I need to be, so good. Then I get there and I'm told 'its level 3, there are the stairs'. These are the steepest windiest stairs I have ever seen. So I try and lug this mammoth suitcase up but it just is not going to happen. Thankfully the french dude helps me up there. Get to my room and no one to be found even though each of the 10 beds is full. Thankfully some Aussie chicks turn up and I have to turn on the charm. I have realised it is actually super easy to meet people if you are just nice and friendly and actually give a shit about other people. Not to say i didnt before but it can get a bit tiring asking people the same questions and answering the same ones and then trying to retain all that info. Eventually wth the people i actually hung out with I had to be like sorry in one ear out the other, pleeease repeat. Anyway so I ended up meeting this Aussie dude in the foyer and he invites me to this pub crawl with 4 other americans, two chicks and two dudes. So i head off to god knows where with god knows who. Ended up being SUCH a fun night, so cool to just not know anyone and no one know you and just start fresh. Anyway the pub crawl was nothing like the ones in Qtown or Dunedin it was like 20 min walks between bars and some like old men pubs with like 4people in them buuut we made it work since there was like 60 of us it tended to fill any place out that we went to. Ended up missing the last tube home and we missioned it back to the hostel in the freezing cold at around 3am. I must say the french or other tourists or just who ever was out that night are seriously grabby. Like it seems to be normal to them to actually grab you and like engulf you in a hug and literally not let you go even when you are squirming away. No is just not an answer to them...ew. Thankfully had like 4 dudes with us girls so it was easier to get away but MAN that was just crazy.

SUNDAY
Today was the start of touristy-ness in Paris when my new Aussie Daniel and I went to Versailles. He invited me along the night before and I was just like meh why not, hadnt planned on going out there but SO glad I did. Such a beautiful castle but freakishly overextravagent. Like as each new king came along it seemed he had to make it bigger and better than the last. You could see the different stages of the castle and it has just gotten extreme. The gardens themselves must take about 100 gardeners about a week to maintain. We barely scratched the surface but managed to get the whole castle done. We got to see so many different rooms, the kings bedroom, his billiards room, his throne room, the room of mirrors, etc. There is a room for pretty much anything any king could have wanted! I was thoroughly amazed by the paintings on the ceiling but by about room 15 I realised it was just a common normal thing for a french palace..who knew. So that was worth the trip out there, took about 45 minutes and the actual viewing was about 5 hours so it was a long day. But we had made plans with this guy and girl to meet at the Eiffel Tower at 9pm to mission it up the stairs and see the city by night. So Daniel and I roped it around 4more people and headed there. Met up with the other two and went to take the stairs only to find out they were closed. Kinda gutted but also uncover glad as there were 702 and it was raining, lift thank youuu. We stayed up there for about 90 minutes honestly, it was absolutely stunning. I just stood and stared for so long taking it all in, getting snaps and just had this revelation that THIS was the reason I came, to see that sight. And it was totally worth it. Anyway after that it was about 11pm and time for home. Really great day but very busy.

MONDAY
Today I decided to get a few things ticked off my hit list. So I headed to the Notre Dame got there took out my camera and realised I had forgotten my memory card sooo no photos. SUCH an idiot. Sooo I decided I would spend the afternoon shopping, not exactly gutted with that. But the Notre dame was so beautiful. Amazing stained glass windows and candles and sculptures everywhere. There was this messages of peace box and I wrote my own little message and put it in. That was cool. So ended up spending the rest of that day out shopping. Headed home around dinner time and ran into my American friend Meg. we had planned to go out for drinks that night because it was her last night of travel before going home where she hadnt been in 3 years. Epic night for her. Anyway we decided to skip dinner and have a few drinks. TWO EUROS (breakin the bank) for a bottle of the nicest white wine and we were on our way. No cups at the hostel so setlled for measuring containers (still a scarfie much) then meg forced some belgium beer down me (told her I wasnt into it but she said it tasted like flowers..unsure if this was a good convincing tool but I tried it and yes it did taste like flowers, oddly the best beer i have tried though tbh!) then we roped in Ellen and this other chick Lizzie. Went out for some more drinks and had the most interesting chats I have had since ive been here. To cut a long story short Meg has been in the peace corps working in south africa for the last 29 months and god did she have some eye opening stories. hearing about how thepeople live in her village and also about what she had to go through and how it changed her was just so interesting. i could listen to that girl talk for days! so interesting hearing about Ellens travels shes been away from Aussie travelling 6 months and shes pretty tired. Dont know how shes done it! And Lizzie has just given up finding work in the UK and is travelling France (a degree in Swahili and african studies is apparently not too easy to find a job..) anyway that was that night, really really interesting.

TUESDAY
Today Ellen and I decided to go get some more things ticked off our list. Hit up the Arc de Triomphe and the Champse-Elysees. Both stunning. Such a weird feeling being here and experiencing both of those. The view from the top of the Arc was beautiful got some good snaps. But the roundabout down below was the most interesting, I have NO clue how french people drive but its utter chaos. Apparently no insurance covers that roundabout because its just like a no go accident zone haha. Walked down the christmas markets down the end of the champs-elysees, soo cool. bought me a bracelet the guy handmade in front of me, even bartered it down 10 euro wooo thailand ways are still with me. Then we walked around a nice garden and then to see the louvre. Then went to the Pont des Arts called 'Love Lock bridge' where people write their names on locks and lock it to the bridge. so cute. Then went back to the Notre Dame after we got sufficiently lost trying to find it on the island its on in the middle of the Seine. Then we headed home for a much needed rest. Thennn headed off to dinner and a movie, we decided to go on a date with dates...thought it was super cool to take dates (the fruit) into the movies...dont know why but yes we are both equally weird. Saw skyfall SUCH a good movie would so recommend. prob my fave james bond one so far actually! Then headed home for the night.

WEDNESDAY
Today I went to the Sacre Coure to start off with. Walked up the stairs and got the most amazing view of Paris. Stunning. Then wandered Montmartre area where there are painters everywhere all wanting to paint you. Not keen but cool to see all their works. Such a cute little area cobblestone streets and cute old buildings. Very french. cool christmas markets up there too. Must say coming here over christmas is very very cool, everything is so festive and pretty i love it! Then I walked around Montmarte more and just kinda kept wandering until I landed in Africa. Literally the only white person in this area and I started to get a bit nervous. I was just walking and walking and finally got out but man the street people were like vultures all either trying to sell me fake crap or looking at me like an alien. weeeird. Anyway next stop was Musee d'Orsay. Very cool to see some amazing paintings that I had also studied - some Van Gogh, Gaughin, Monet, Manet etc. etc. alllll the big names were there. Took some sneaky shots too which I shall upload. Then just wandered around a bit before heading from one hostel to another. got to the new one which is SO nice really new and warm and much better in terms of actualy hostel than the last. But people here arent really as friendly. All guys in my room two from aussie two from america and a japanese chick who doesnt speak much english. Have had chats and got to know them a bit but its not really the same.Spent the night wandering Belleville the new suburb im in. Its like ive literally walked into China. Asian places EVERYWHERE. Kinda lame but interesting all the same. Spent the rest of the night chatting to people here and doing some organising for Ireland and my last few days in Paris.

THURSDAY
DISNEYLAND BABYYY! Today went to disneyland - all I can say is SO much fun!!! Loved space mountain and this other lift ride. Really just wanted to go on all the thrilling rides, managed all of one park but didnt get to do more than 1 ride in the 2nd one since it closed at 6. But still got to do heaps! Bought a cool cup as a little remembrance of the trip. The only lame thing was that it was cold and rainy howeverrrr this also meant no real lines so that was good. Waited about 20 mins max. Made me think of when I went to Disneyland in california and I just do NOT know how my parents did it!! I rememeber me complaining about not getting a pair of minnie mouse ears the whoole day like what a little shit! Sorry 11 years later mum!!

Right so that sums up Paris so far! Next in store is the Louvre, potentially a boat ride and I am going to a comedy show thing tomorrow night. All very exciting! Then off to London for the weekend for my birthday SO excited to spend it with Laz. Will probably update next week when I am in Cardiff :) :)

London Part 2

So I am currently writing this on the Eurostar heading from London to Paris woohoo my top city in the world I have wanted to visit, very excited. Now to try and remember what I have done over t the last few days.

Wed 4^th

Today I started off the day going to the Tate Modern. I was expecting quite a lot more in terms of actual art work but I still loved what I saw. It was really cool to see the art I had studied at school in real life – I am a huge fan of Mondrian and some of Picasso so felt really excited to be up close and personal with that! The only thing that was kinda lame was that you had to pay for most exhibitions except for the permanent ones so I couldn’t see about half of the exhibitions. Wasnt really phased on the renaissance art, have never really liked it that much and there was a bit of that at the national gallery so it was cool to see more late 20^th century art. Could even make some of my own art at these interactive art computers. Thennn I went across the Millennium bridge to see shakespeares globe – surprisingly tiny. Then headed across to see st pauls cathedral. Huuuge. But not bothered to pay to actually go in just cool to see from the outside. Also saw the marble arch the day before I think. It all kind of merges into one. Then had this really yum lunch at a sushi train place BUT man was that expensive like $16 for lunch – outrageous. But with all the yum food wizzing past you just cant help but want to grab more. I must say I have hugely expanded my horizons food wise on this trip. Every meal I have tried to try something that I haven’t before. Big things over here are turkey and pomegranate in like a sandwhcih – not something you would see in New Zealand at all really. 

Thurs 5^th

Today was my pricey day visiting the Tower of London and going on the London Eye. Got this hour long tour at the Tower of London from one of those guard looking dudes. Hilaaarious guy and made the whole thing really fun. Learnt me a bit of English history. We sat in this cathedral where 1500 bodies were buried underneath. They would just lift up a stone dig a small hole toss and body in then close it back up. Then theyd wait til it had disintegrated and then could dig it up to place the new one on top , crazy. That included three queens who had been beheaded at the tower of London. So that was quite cool. Then later that day went on the London eye once it had got dark. Soo cool to see the whole city that way. Then that night went out with the boys in the flat i was staying at. Went to a couple of really cool bars in Shoreditch, really cool place I would definitely go back there.

Fri 6^th

Today I really just packed up and prepared to head off to Epping where I stayed the night with dads friends the Taskers. SUCH Londoners. They picked me up from the station and back to their place. All very English looking the street and the house. Mick was the most animated man I have EVER met. I can totally see why he was Dads best ever boss to this day. Just a great man very chatty and lively and interesting. Sat and chatted with Josie his wife all night while Mick was at a Christmas function. Very interesting to hear more about some of englands current issues/evevnts etc. Had the best sleep of my life, first night in my own room/bed in about three weeks – loved it. Then an amazing cooked breakfast this morning chatting with Mick all the way to the train station where he dropped me a few hours ago. Now well on my way to Paris, excited to see what tonight has in store, will update in the next few days!

LONDON BABY

Okaaaay big run down of my first 4 days in LONDON!!

So I surprisingly slept NINE hours on the plane, stoked! woke up with 2 hours to go and couldnt believe it! So that helped with any jet lag because it kinda adjusted me to the next 7 hour time difference. Arrived at 6am and missioned my way to the tube, mastered that one rather quickly and made it to Hughs in a record time of 3.5 hours! Haha he thought my flight had been delayed but nope, just took quiiite a while to get my way there.

Anyway so Day 1 London -

Spent today walking around Shoreditch which is where I'm staying. Apparently its the "coolest of the cool" and yes it does seem like a pretty cool area. First cafe I went to happened to be run by NZers - so that was my first and ONLY good coffee so far on this trip. let me just say that London has TERRIBLE coffee. 1) Finding a place to actually sit down is almost impossible, places are so busy and packed theres like lines out the door 2) When you do find somewhere the coffee machine is either broken or they dont even know what a mocha is! One place didnt know what trim was...I have since learnt to say skinny, my bad. Annnyway back on point. So walked around the shops here and the markets, so many things catching my eye but for those who have shopped with me, I kinda need to be on my own so as not to annoy whoever I'm with when I want to stop at every turn. Soo later that day we went to London bridge, walked along the Thames then to Tower of London. decided to go back later and do the tour because it was $40 - expense! Then we headed to Kiwi House which is this place where all NZers go to watch NZ stuff in London. The game = absolute embarassment. I was just glad we werent in some english bar with psycho englishmen who would rub it in our faces! So that night I was exhausted and headed home to bed round 8.

Day 2 LONDON

Today was literally shopping shopping shopping. I was just exploring Shoreditch and came across this huuuge sunday market. It was awesome I went through all the cool vintage shops around here - really cool stuff. Set my eyes on a few pieces that I decided to come back and get later - if theyre still there then its meant to be.

Day 3

Today was more shopping. Literally about 7 hours of it - my absolute HEAVEN. Went to Oxford st and spent about 2 or 3 hours just in topshop! I was actually getting stressed at how big it was like HOW AM I GOING TO COVER ALL BASES when I get lost at every turn! It was EPIC. I bought a few things from one store and jeans from zara. went to Liberty this high end dept store and drooled over the Marc Jacobs and all other brands that I could never afford. so sad. So i just walked around other shopping areas til I found my way back to Oxford St. Must mention my continued mastering of the tube system. I really like it! So easy to use I feel like a total pro now

Day 4 TOURISTY CRAP

Today was devoted to touristy crap and MAN did I get a lot done. Sights I visited weerrreee:

Buckingham Palace
Westminster Abbey
Big Ben
House of Parliament
Trafalgar Square
National Gallery

So amazing to see all these and MANY snaps were taken. I loved all of it. Then I went to Camden Markets and Portobello Rd Markets in Notting Hill. Had some dinner there then back to Shoreditch.

Then tonight I went out with my friend Laila's cousin who is a true Londoner. Such a fun night she took me to this new bar which was AMAZING. It was like mexican/havana type themed, had like a caravan you could sit in and the toilets were like beach bungalows, just so cool! The owner is her friend so free cocktails and mexican food were in abundance it was great. Now she has me all set to take me out to some other upscale areas for my birthday so looks like my 23rd birthday plans are set! Very excited she said at her local bar/cafe she just casually sits alongside Pixie Geldof, definitely have to check this area out.

Sooo finally got all that written out, hopefully can update my last days in London then I plan on heading off to Scotland woohooo!

Lone Wolf

Well I am sitting here at Bangkok airport and the time has come where I am now a total nomad, alone and kinda feeling weird about it! Said the sad goodbyes to Alana about an hour ago so we are one hour down and thousands to go.

I would like to be able to say the last few days have been super eventful and full of fun filled adventures. But the truth is they have been faaar from it. We have really been locked up in our hotel like a thai prison cell and to be honest, were glad to see the back of Koh Phangan!

Sounds a bit dbuzz but its the truth. Had about 2 days in bed after the neck/gastro issues between Alana and I. Not that there was anything to do since it was literally raining non stop for the entire time we were there so tan = gone, SO GUTTED about this!

So Koh Phangan = literally did nothing worthy of reporting. Excccept the whole reason we went there which was for the full moon party and I must say one of the biggest nights of my life! so Alana and I managed to mish it into town to get some fluro gears to wear - both got some full moon party tops and some fluro bands to wear. Then later that day we started drinking at the hotel restaurant/bar with all the other people staying there. Heeeaps of fun there met so many random people. ended up with a bunch of kiwis and south africans arguing over many important issues such as who are the biggest drinkers. Who do SA's think they are..? Got roped into doing various SICK as shots by the SA's then headed down to the beach for the full moon. Cannot describe the setting it was AMAZING. Apparently 25,000 people were there on the beach and theres just DJs and lights and people partying and dancing everywhere. so much fun. So we spent most of the night at this bar that was kinda like a boat like it jutted out onto the sea and in my state i started to think omg are we actually going out to sea on some boat...fail. Anyway so sadly lana felt sick and left early :( but sam and I continued on to the wee hours of the night not making it home til 7am. It was like all of a sudden it was daytime and I was like man what a rager, made it out til sunrise haha did not expect that. Comad people allll over the beach was hilarious. Almost got into a fight with a random thai lady just because i said "the "F" word" twice NEAR her. Total psycho. Anyway made it home covered in paint with random necklaces and other various possessions I obtained over the night and was OUT to it as soon as I hit the bed.

the next day was another worst day of my life. Absolute worst hangover ever. was moping around feeling sorry for myself and couldnt even make it out of the hotel. So that was a tooootal write off but totally worth it.

Then came today. the ONLY sunny day on the island and were bloody leaving it grrr! BUT we were actually itching to get out of there we needed civilisation again! So we started the LONG journey of the sickening boat ride back to Koh Samui where the airport is. Water was sooo chopping and there were literally waves coming in to the boat where we were sitting. Feeling sufficiently sick we got off the boat and headed to Koh samui airport. Flight is continuously delayed eventually three hours later than planned were off to Bangkok. Now I have another three hours to wait here then the long 13 hour flight to London begins.

I am a bit nervous to think what the hell I am going to do when I get off in London and its like nooo one knows me or cares about where I am/what I'm doing but also excited because we know I have dreamed of going to europe forever!!! So as soon as I get there I have some very specific instructions including maps and photos from the friend I am staying with as to how to get to his house...this should be interesting... think I'll crash as soon as I get there so next update will be from London woooooo!

Phuket - Ko Phangan

Right well to begin this blog let me inform you of my current state. I am sitting in bed in the dark...in a freakin neck brace. Got lana next to me who at one stage was on a drip, needle in her ass and crying her eyes out. We are both in a total state and while were kinda finding it funny now it was not quite so funny last night. So I woke up yesterday in HUGE pain and I basically couldn’t move. Turns out this is because I slept for too long in a really messed up position. All day I was like hunched over neck to one side walking around like a grandma and lana is literally spewing every 30 minutes. So after one day of complete pain we decide a doctor is needed. This cute little doctor comes and tells Alana she has gastro and me i have a sprained muscle in my neck. So that brings us to the drip and neckbrace. Tonnes of pills surround us and a total doctors bill of $700 AHHH. NOT liking Ko Phangan at this point...AT ALL.

Anyway that aside I should try and remember what we have done the last few days.

Day 8:

Today was a pretty chilled day for me just sat by the pool and read all day. Alana and Sam went to Karon beach for the day which they really liked – a lot less touristy and busy. Then that night we went out for a nice last dinner in Phuket and had an early night. Meant to mention that we went to a ping pong show the night before. Was quite av but Alana hadn’t been before. All we really saw was ping pong balls and quite grossly, live birds. Crazy! Funniest part was meeting a 45 yr old stripper with 3 kids. She let us smack her with this spongy thing that makes a hard sound but actually doesn’t hurt at all. Then she and another stripper started grabbing my boobs...must be normal over here to grab a random chicks boobs or something!!

Day 9:

Today was our mission from Phuket to Ko Samui and on to Ko Phangan. Got up with plenty of time to spare and yet somehow we were again rushing to the airport cutting it SUPER fine thinking we might miss another flight...so embarrassing. But we make it in time thank god. We keep bumping into the same people which is quite cool. This huge aussie family from the hotel that Alana and I keep trying to work out their dynamics, think we got it sussed. And the aussies who showed us some bar tricks were on the same flight as us to Samui. So we flew the 40 mins to Ko Samui and arrived there expecting to get a jet boat over to Phangan. Incorrect. It was like $280 to get a jet boat so gave up the dream of champagne on the back of our private boat and caught the dingy old ferry across. Total mission but we made it over in an hour. Then another tuk tuk to our hotel and were finally here. We decided to head out for dinner straight away. Ended up at this cool place (maybe not so cool if it made lana sick) but had yum food. Since it started POURING down we had no choice but to continue drinking there. So only 4 drinks later and it hit us all of a sudden like a train. I think the heat just makes it way worse. Decided to call it a night we were just far too tired - I think a whole day of travel wore us out completely.

So Day 10:

As described...literally one of the worst days of my life. Just been in so much pain both Alana and I just wishing someone was here to take care of us. Magically about 4pm the nicest aussie woman shows up and is like a mum to us, totally taking care of us calling the doctor getting us food and water and helping us move rooms – a total godsend she was amazing. So yup had the doctor come help us but all we wanted to do was sleep. I think we were both out to it at about 8pm. So now here we are day 11, it is STILL pissing down and lana and I cant think of anything worse than partying for the full moon tomorrow night. I will keep you updated on that one but it aint looking good!!

Patong

Right must update this more often before I start to forget what we've actually been doing.

Day 5:

Today was a full on shopping day. We decided to split up to get more done since we were all looking for different things. So we set a meeting time and place and were off. I was cruising the markets putting on my ultimate bitch to all the salespeople - its so weird to think that in NZ we would neveeer ignore a salesperson or someone talking to us on the streets but here its like even if you look remotely in their direction or even at their store its like they grab you and want to be your best friend. Pointing out all their merchandise as if you dont have eyes and cant see whats right in front of you. Annnyway so I go to this stall and the guy is like "we have back room, more stock" so I was like hellls yes and hes taking me all up these stairs and unlocks this door takes me in and locks it behind me. All of a sudden i was like whaaat am I doing no one knows where I am or what im doing...but I think the people are just really interested in selling you stuff as opposed to like beating and robbing you. Sooo I end up buying some fake vans and getting outta there. Started being like this back room guru and going to see all the goods they hide in random creepy rooms - bought a bag and that was me done for the day. Typical me I forgot what time we were meeting, it was either 1 or 130 so I go at both times just to see, turns out it was 1.30 ahh what a retard. Caaant really remember what we did in the arvo but that night we went to "Phuket FantaSea" which has this super catchy themesong we all cant stop singing. It was the BEST thing I have done yet - sooo cool! It was like a cultural theme park with tigers and snakes and random animals. Then it was an hour and a half long show with elephants, dancing, acting, magic, acrobats, and just such cool visual effects I was actually blown away. then we had a buffet dinner at this HUGE banquet room (check FB for photos) and that was a raelly cool opportunity to try different thai dishes, so we just got a little of each. Also tried random thai desserts, cant say im a fan they tasted like straight up egg with a bit of sugar. ew. So after we all felt sufficiently sick to our stomachs and wanting to spew we decided to put down the forks and get the hell outta there. SUCH a good day/night!

Day 6:

Today was a total lazy pool/beach day. We spent all morning soaking in some rays and hanging by the pool, this was definitely the nicest hottest day yet. Eating fruit and shakes by the pool then we headed down to the beach. Alana was super keen to do parasailing and she just bit the bullet and did it! She really enjoyed it even though it was literally about 4 minutes. Had some nice lunch talking to a dude from Nepal who was telling us about his DVD store. We asked him all the questions we'd be wanting to ask - who buys DVDs since everyone downloads, do you hate people just shutting you down and ignoring you, why did you come here etc. etc. Quite interesting but then he got kinda annoying so we got outta there. Then we went back to drinks by the pool - not the wisest idea because we were all "a bit tiddly" (as Lana would say) by like 6pm. Walking back from the pool it just hit us, all the sun and drinks was not the greatest mix. so sam went off to thai boxing and alana and I went out on the towwwwn. Very fun night but couldnt stay out tooo long we were so tired from the sun. Man doing nothing is TIRING!

Day 7:

Today we wake up super late had to rush down for breakfast. Sam was feeling super sick so he had to stay back at the hotel and nap while Alana and I did some more shopping. Got me a cute coin purse, some cool lights for my bed post thing and a hat. Bartering was in full force this day but some people were just not having a bar and werent budging on their RIDICULOUS prices. So missed out on some cool stuff but meh. Trying to save luggage room for the rest of the trip! Then we went down to the beach to meet up with some friends wed all met - that was fun they were filling me in on England and what to do/where to go. All im hearing is London is shit and im going to get robbed...theyre reeeally selling it to me. so walking back to the hotel hearing the usual "dvd, massaaaage, gidday mate (everyone thinking were aussies), tuk tuk" and the worst thing is these guys holding ugly as LEMURS and literally putting them in our faces!! Scares the crap out of me!!! I had to ask what it was because theyre freaking everywhere and making me scream everytime I have one thrown in my face and the guy tries to tell me its a koala..OH YUP. this must be some new fad because theyre everywhere and id never seen one last time i was here. Annnyway so later that evening we went out for a massage at the same place wed gone a few nights before. I got stuck with the dude and I was NOT keen but he was actually the best!! Definitely going back there. Then we went out for dinner at the place we went on the first night. I tried Penang curry (Kierans suggestion and a good one) which is like a yellow curry and really liked it! Definitely expanding my food horizons so much being here. New appreciation for green red and yellow curries which I thought I hated before this trip. Also tried a few new random fruits too which Ive all liked. So went out tonight and planned on this being our RAGER - mission, successful. Had a huuuge night went to so many cool bars - we have learnt to load up on the cheap drinks first before going to actual pricey clubs. Started at this one bar where these aussies spent like an hour showing us some tricks they learnt from thais. kinda like mindgames using matchsticks. definitely keeping those badboys to mess with peoples minds when i get home. Then we moved on  to white room which is like 2000's gangsta beats with australian guidos everrrrywhere. Quite hilarious we kinda just chilled and took it all in. Had a bit of a dance and a laugh there then moved on. I keep getting asked if im swedish everywhere! secretly quite stoked with that one. anyway so we continued on the night went to a few cool bars just dancing for hours then alana and i had lost sam so we headed home walked all the way laughing the entire walk with all our hilarious jokes we have accumulated so far...not funny to the outside world but funny to us haha.

Right well its 12.40pm and im stuck inside because it is PELTING down. Grrr! We have only had one nice sunny day which is lame. dont really know what to do with ourselves when it rains like this. Better head off going to meet up with sam and lana who are out having lunch.

Will post again in Ko Phangan probably!

Day three:
Today was a complete fail in more ways than one. So first we get up and decide we have heeeaps of time before our flight to Phuket so why not lounge around the pool for an hour or so. WRONG. We gave ourselves 30 mins to get to the airport and apparently had the wrong one so ended up taking an hour and we legit missed our flight. Sooo amature. New respect for AirAsia as they put us on another flight 4 hours later for free. So we had to bus to this other airport and wait it out, alllll good compared to what other crap we might have had to go through.

Eventually we make it to Phuket. Straight into a van which takes us to yet another 'stop' to try and convince everyone to buy crap at 'cheap deal cheap deal'. Then we switch vans and end up chatting to these cool travellers from Wales and Ireland. Got some tips on where to go in Ireland...nowhere was her advice..haha apparently 2 days is all you need to soak in the only good place - Dublin. And all there is to do is drink. Meh sounds fiiine to me. Anyway we get dropped off at our AMAZING hotel (thanks Abbey!) and decide to dump our stuff and venture out. Sams second major fail is discovered - he has lost his favourite shoes. They still havent turned up and we actually have NO idea what happened to them. RIP awesome shoes. Annnyway so were headed out to Phuket nightlife, AWESOME. Such a fun night! We all end up having quite a few drinks and surprising feeling kinda old...most of the people seemed about 18 at the bars/clubs we went to. But we go hard for a few hours before calling it a night and heading back straight to sleep. So that ended up being a really good day despite all the total mess ups!

Day four:

Today was super chilled. We just hung by the pool alllll morning. Then we hit up the gym pumped some weights in the sweltering heat - probably good for us given all the yum food consumption and somewhat excessive amount of cocktails. Then we head out for some shopping. Hitting up the markets and the mall - again not much was bought, a few tops and jewellery is all. Already SO SO over all the psycho people trying to get you to buy stuff ARGH if I wanted that crap I would look myself and NO I don't want DVD or masssaaaagggeee!! Well actually we did want massages and got them tonight - so good! Funny side note - literally about every half hour some dude congratulates Sam on 'having two wives' hahahaha its actually classic their first reaction to our random group dynamics. We cant get enough of it. Right so had dinner, massage then we decide to go be random and buy weird thai stuff from the supermarket that we dont know what it is (Narissa and I did this heaps last time and it was so fun opening the packet to the unknown!) and we stumble across this thai show. 200 baht so were like whyyy not. Totally in thai and we are literally the only tourists there. Getting super weird looks and trying to laugh when everyone else was can be hard! Was soo interesting though the whole show was so sparkly and just crazy like singing and dancing. God knows what the hell it was actually about though. Well that pretty much sums up today - pictures to come!

Photo photo

Better add a few photos

 

Chang Beer at a bar on Khaosan Rd

 

 

Us today at a temple

 

More to come when I have more time!!

Day 1 The Journey and Day 2 Bangkok craziness

First blog entry wooo!

DAY ONE:

The looong plane journey:
Up at 3am on the plane by 7am and in Sydney by about 12pm. Really liked Sydney for the one hour we managed to squeeze in there! Visited the Opera House and Harbour Bridge - pretty standard. Stupidly forgot to bring Aussie dollars so Sam to the rescue. First slight issue of the trip - Sam realises hours later he has left his iPad on the plane...oops. By some miracle we manage to locate it and its back safe in Sams possession. So the next leg of the plane journey again long and uninteresting.

Bangkok arrival:Jipped as soon as we arrive when for some reason we give a way overgenerous tip to this dude for carrying our bags a few metres. finally arrive at our hotel and even though we have been up 24 hours straight decide what the helllll lets go out 'on the turps' (as Dad would say and we found extra hilarious in our zombie like state last night). Hit Khaosan Rd nightlife, full of cheaps drinks and tourists. So we got cheap cocktails and buckets and spent the night at a few cool bars. Met some entertaining Thais who were obviously school kids way overexcited at partying in town literally grinding all over people for attention from every passerby. Annnyway we eventually found this epic club and attempted to stay there for a bit but the tiredness hit and we were outta there and to bed pretty quick

TWENTY EIGHT hours awake going strong!

DAY TWO Barak is in Phuket:
Today consisted of cramming in as much tourist stuff as possible into a 24 hour period. We went to a few temples, buddas, palaces - that sort of thing. We had this cute as tuk tuk driver who told us he was Michael schumaker and drove like an absolute maniac. He took us to random as factories and 'high end fashion stores', another little con we have since learned to avoid. Later we took a boat ride down the canal which was pretty eye opening seeing how all the people live down there. Then hit up MBK this mammoth shopping centre with like 7 floors all just packed with any and every type of store you can think of. Surprisingly none of us have bought anything yet, saving that for Phuket! So its now 6.30pm and we are starting to get ready for partying in Bangkok round two. Lets see how long we last given we are all prrrretty exhausted.

Oh and to explain the title - Barak Obama is in Bangkok! Self important president that he is he got two of the biggest tourist must do's shut down so he could see them...damnit! Though to be honest we were semi keen to go and hang round just to see him since we really do love the guy.

Till next time :)