Or who ever is still left...

I'm sorry for not keeping up with this thing, but time, life and everything has demanded a change. If you're still up for reading, then head over to http://lifeinatrashcan.blogspot.com for some real time action.
Or you can find me on www.myspace.com/cukoosnest

I think I'm done with this life here and need to vent a new thing in a new place. Sorry for the confusion, but sometimes we just aren't what we seem to be...

Ix

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What a summer! Moved house, got a new job, got a new computer...

So yeah, we managed to move house and deal with all the funny things that sort of business throws at you. Gas, heating, electricity, internet, the bath tub leaking into the dining room - the usual stuff really. We all hung out together through out the summer enjoying our great little garden and the various inhabitors - some more than others (i.e. the foxes vs. the cats etc).

I quit smoking the next day and have only had the occasional drag since. Although the last one was 3 months ago. Yes, the ultimate smoker has quit! It's a miracle!

My faithful albeit much abused laptop finally decided to commit hara-kiri with an overdose of red wine and is currently a vegetable in East London somewhere undergoing therapy. I have therefore been forced to buy a brand new super duper laptop. Ah, life is so hard...

So there are various reasons for why I have been offline and away for so long. The most significant being that I really just couldn't be bothered for a very long time to write about nothing at all. My life has been very boring for the most of the summer. And the bits that weren't so boring weren't really anything to write about either. So there you go! You didn't miss out on anything really...

Right... I think I'm going to have a snooze now....

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The Greek boys I live with are still being nasty, smelly, rotten, teenage-like boys. But I have found a cure for my nausea! I'm moving out! Clean and simple!

So my sister, Jen, Miss C and I are off to greener pastures! Oh what bliss! A great new little townhouse with a nice garden and a garage. Oh! And even a living room! Oh! And 2 showers and a guest room too! What luxury!

We moving out next Thursday. It's not far away from where we are staying now, but it's a bit too far to carry our stuff ourselves.... So what to do?

Rent-A-Van! Yeah! Great idea! We can get all our stuff moved really easy! Oh hang on, wait.... Who's driving it?
Sis? Erhm... no... lives at risk...
Jen? Erhm... no... *no comment*
Miss C? Erhm... no.... working...
Me? Erhm.... YES!

What?!?! Oh dear....
So me it is then. My first go at driving in London. So if any of you were planning on driving around the Old Kent Road/New Cross/Brockley area, maybe you want to re-route next Thursday?

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1. The Second Culture Shock
2. Got a job
3. Got frustrated with job (for complicated reasons)
4. Got slightly depressed about being frustrated with job
5. Thought life was to short for spouts of depression
6. "Postponed" job - ie. left under mutual agreement to maybe start again in a few months.
7. Had a hard time dealing with new-found freedom
8. Lapsed into total numbness
9. Been terrifyingly lazy for 10 days now...
10. The sun is shinning so I see that as a sign to get on with it.

So been doing excactly what everyone would advise me against. But it was what I needed to do. It has also been the reason why I haven't been around here for a while. Honestly I couldn't face writing about doing nothing and the reason behind it, until I actually knew what that reason was. So there you have it! A not so exciting chapter of my life. I'm sure now that you know that I'm not dead - or hate you - or am bored with you - that it's all down to me, you feel relieved! Or maybe you will just shrug and go: How typical! Whatever it is - don't deny your feelings!

I could begin a whole new blog just based on the last month and a half, but I decided to leave that one slip. It's just too complicated. So instead I might just write about what's going on now.

Lindt Chocolate Bunny time coming up! That is something that can get me very excited every year!
Because you see; every year my sister and I would be presented with this little golden bunny with a bell by our Granny. And every year it never failed to make us happy! The golden bunny of happiness! Yay! Even though our Granny now now longer is capable of going out to buy us these, I will make sure we still get them.

My Dad is coming to London next week with his girlfriend. Some nice dinners and a show is coming up in the near future. Maybe even a trip to Bath! See Dad! I do read your emails!

And then maybe I'll head down to Bordeaux to visit my friend Emilie. She doesn't know it yet, but I better tell her before I go, don't you think?

The London Wine and Sprits Fair is coming up. I think I wrote about this last year, but if you can't be bothered to find it, it's all about wines and spirits - from the entire world = HEAVEN!

Also this weekend I'm going to Guildford to visit my friend Helle. Yay! Actually I'm meant to be leaving now, so I better wrap it up...

So hopefully I will have something interesting to write about next. Maybe it will even be a funny one, who knows? God knows I need to have some serious fun!

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A whole month has passed since I came back from my trip. A WHOLE MONTH!? Where did it go? What did I do? And why am I so tired already again?

Well, I had a little time to recover from my shock of being back in cold London and then - surprise surprise - I went straight into a new project: Another bar opening. You should think that by now I should be able to do it without loosing myself in work, but no; life is not that nice. So yet again I am working for the big boys making them money. It's not all bad, but it doesn't give me a lot of motivation towards myself.
I have however learned from the last opening. For those of you out there who know, what that did to me: Don't worry, I won't ever be that stupid again. My hours are realistic and I do eat, sleep and have a little fun once in a while.

But the spreadsheets are calling me again. So I bid you good night.

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The second trip of a lifetime was as varied and full on, as the first one was. The impressions I was made to take in, the difficult choices, the choices I didn't have, the choices I made, the problems that arose and that I overcame... All were in the same spirit and all made the same strong, everlasting memories as 5 years ago.

But this time I was prepared! Not for the cultural or ethnic differences. Not for the challenge of the Asian transport system. Not for the scams and the unexpected helping hand. No... That you cannot be prepared for - and shouldn't be. That you just need a bit of common sense to deal with.
No, what I was prepared for this time, that 5 years ago hit me harder than anything I had ever experienced, was the "second culture shock"!

Forget jetlag, travel sickness, temperature differences, and the fact that there is only so much you can do, to convey your experiences with your friends at home. It is the experience that the place you have called home for years, all of a sudden is this strange new country; with these strange people you have as friends, with these strange underground ticket prices, that remind you so much of London, but is it? Things you took for granted to know about this place, you have somehow forgotten. Prices have changed as if over night and your friends talk about people you have never heard of from unknown tv shows. And where is the bloody Night Market? Oh, yeah... There isn't one, is there...?

Welcome home doesn't ring true for a while yet I can feel. Home is what you make it. And my room seems just as strange to me as a dodgy guesthouse in Bangkok right now. Welcome to a new experience, is more like it.
Right on!!!!

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I have very few exciting things to write about this times, as most of our time has been used on pure relaxation. Yesterday we moved to a different guesthouse that has a pool instead of hot water (small sacrifice really). And we spend the afternoon swimming or floating and reading good books. Perfect tropical holiday.
If anyone ever makes it to Bali on a shoestring: Stay at Kedin's Inn II, Sorga Gang, between Poppies Gang I & II. It's beautiful for Rp90,000 (less than ₤6) a night for a double room, with en suite bathroom and breakfast. And of course the pool...

After such a relaxing an afternoon, we went to meet up with Pauly and Amy, who are now here on their honeymoon. Shopping is hard work in Kuta; so we went for a swim in the Hard Rock Hotel pool. Unfortuantely we only had a brief swim, until we were asked to either pay Rp100,000 each or leave, by the pool attendant. But we did get a taster of the high and wealthy life of Bali at least. Hotel pool crashing is not as easy as one would like it to be. Darn!

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The last couple of days in Melbourne were great too. Somewhat cold at times, but great.
Our trip to the Yarra Valley was fantastic. For those of you who are not into the fine joys of wine; the Yarra Valley is 1 hour Northeast of Melbourne and the area produces some fine wines. Well on the same level as Hunter Valley near Sydney.
It was probably the most friendly tour we have been on ever. Whether it was due to the wine or just the friendly people - I don't know. But I destinctly remember talking to someone before we made our first stop at Yering Station Winery even.
After our first tasting (which started at exactly 11.07am) of a pretty average Sauvignon Blanc and a few other interesting, but not exceptional other ones, I was slightly disappointed. But only until I made my way to the tasting bar and picked out a few cool wines ones myself.
By 3.30pm we had visited all 4 wineries (approx. 30 tasters later - and no spitting) I was rather laced, but felt great. That afternoon I had the best sleep ever. And of course I dreamt of grapes...

The Bali arrival was hard on me. Getting there and finding a guesthouse was pretty easy, but on our first outing in Kuta that evening and I was already annoyed.
The top ten of offers in Kuta you are not allowed to ignore are:

10. Surf board? Surf today good!
9. Souvenir t-shirt?
8. Guesthouse here! Good room. Cheap.
7. Look at menu! Good food!
6. Hello Darling, nice sunglasses for you!
5. Massage?
4. Manicure, pedicure!
3. Braid your hair?
2. Yes! Look inside! Neckless!
1. Transport?

Hoping to go to Ubud in a few days. Not that I hope there will be any less hassle there, but at least I hope it won't be as annoying. Someone on the beach yesterday even tried to sell me a bow and arrows! And what would I want with that?

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Too much red red wine - and a great French Canadian Shepherd's Pie - later; I was trekking back to Melbourne central and my bed. But alas! The boys in the room next door were having a party all night, so the 5 hours sleep I had planned for were lost to the bad sound of West Coast Hip Hop filtering through the open window.

But bright and early Monday morning I was chirping! Chirping with a fairly coarse voice: "Let me go back to bed, pleeeeaaaaassssseeeeee!"
No luck though. The bus was to pick us up at 7.15am and there was really no way I could have missed it. It was going to take us down The Great Ocean Road.
First stop was Bell's Beach. Legendary to all surfers as probably the best strip of surf in the world. Legendary to the rest of us as the second most fly infested spot in the planet! Although at the time it seemed like the most infested. 10am and freezing cold about 40 odd surfers were sitting in the calm water hoping for a wave. None seemed to come. Poor bastards...
Tea and biscuits were meant to prepare us for the rollercoaster ride that is the Great Ocean Road. It almost worked, but I was pretty happy for the stops on the way - OH! My poor head! Looking at the wild koalas I so wished I could do like them: Eat eucalyptus leaves for 4 hours, get stoned and sleep for 20 hours - and repeat... Lazy buggers!
All in all it was a great day, with many cool spots, including of course The 12 Apostles (THE most fly infested spot in the universe!!!!!!) and Loch Ard Gorge. I'll post the pictures as soon as they come off the roll.

OH! I almost forgot! To those of you who have read my post Summer Ill...: We drove past the house that Mad Max and his family lived in at the start of the movie and apparently it's now worth $4million!!!!!! What?!?!?! It's a beach shack!

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It's also a bit colder again. We arrived at a chilling 18 degrees. Brrr.... But it does loook like it will warm up a bit for the weekend. I really hope so, this is meant to be summer!

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Great music, great view and the best company you can wish for - and all of this in Sydney on New Year's Eve 2005/06! It was amazing. It was beautiful, it was a memory for life.
And I haven't even told you about the fireworks yet...
Imagine this: A wharf. Outside. With a 3 diameter mirror ball in between 2 DJ stages. 150 meters of pure unobscured view of Sydney's beauty. A sofa. With us on it. Watching the fireworks exploding right in front of us. Behind us and to the right of us. While old frigate sail boats covered in lights sail past...
Sydney is number 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 on my list of all time top 10 New Year's Eve celebrations list! Thanks to Pauly! Good guy!

So it's now 2006. No-one here have really phantomed that yet - or anything else for that matter. The sun has welcomed us into this new year by blessing us with a 40 degrees rain of pure unfiltered heat. What little wind of mercy we get, is no blessing as it has the same effect as a hair dryer - dry, dry, dry, dry, damn it!!!
Hang-overs go unnoticed. Ask people how they feel today and you get a look of submission and a one syllable word: HOT! Some people have tried to find refuge at the beach - but most of those returned pretty fast. Too hot for any activity - I believe it's cinema night tonight! God bless the vexing air con!

Happy New Year!

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So to all of you cold, flu infested people back in Europe

Happy New Year!

And to all the rest of you - however fortunate or unfortunate you may be weatherwise

Happy New Year!

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Wish me luck!

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Try our special Danish hotdogs! Only $3.50!

Wow! Could this really turn out to be a Danish Christmas? Was this for real?
Well, as good as at least... If anyone is wondering what makes a hotdog Danish - go to Denmark and find out! Do I have to tell you guys everything?

Afer a few drinks at the King's Cross Hotel we decided to head home - we knew it would be a big day for us on Christmas Day, so we wanted to be prepared.

Early morning alarm finally gets us out of bed and after a while on a train to Cronulla for Christmas lunch with friends. A good old fashioned Australian Barbeque! Then off to the beach for that Christmas swim and tan. What a perfect Summer day!
Feeling lazy from the sun, we were then - like the royals we were - driven up into the Blue Mountains for an Australian Christmas Dinner. Has anyone out there ever heard of Balmain Bugs? Well, I haven't, but I ate one never the less. Quite yummy! Together with the chicken, the prawns, the potato salad, the ham, the salad and of course the Australian icon: The beatroot!

Recovering from Christmas in the Mountains we didn't make it back to catch the Sydney to Hobart boat race start off at 1pm. Not even on TV as we were simply just too tired to do anything. I'm not upset though - travelling is not about seeing things - it's about experiencing them.

And an experience I had today! After finding out that a climb across the suspension of the Sydney Habour Bridge would set us back $200 (£90), we decided for the cheap option of just climbing one of the Pylons (the funny towers at either end of the bridge) for just $8.50. All well and good - and happy with our excursion and our photos - we started on our way back down the 200 steps. Almost back at the ticket office I slipped off a step (yeah, I know!) and twisted my ankle. It hurt. A lot actually. But I was sure nothing was broken and just wanted to sit for a while, when one of the staff came up and offered to help. Man, I have never had so much of a fuzz kicked up about a minor injury before! And I have had my fair share - if not more. They wouldn't let me leave without having had my foot on ice for at least 1 hour and having it all bandaged up, while resting it on a pillow. They sat me down in the video room and I saw the 15 minute long feature film about the bridge at least 4 times before I managed to get out! And that's only because they were closing!
Glad to be out of that place - with an excuse to get a cab back to the hostel - we went to the pub for a few drink - and a refill of the ice bag. Reflecting on my history of injuries - this one will level with: That-one-time-in-Thailand-when-I-burned-my-leg-on-the-motorbike-exhaust-pipe. AKA The Silly Ones!

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Tomorrow we are heading down to the southern suburbs where we have been invited to a Christmas BBQ lunch and of course - drinks...
In the evening we are heading up into the Blue Mountains to keep the Australian Chrimbo festivities going.

See you all on the other side of the Silly Season! Enjoy!!!!

Have managed to download some of Tanja's photoes from Thailand for you guys to enjoy too. Have a look at my new picture site:
Visual

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Arrived in Sydney last week and went straight on the booze as it should be. Our plane was delayed so the rest of our plan was ruined, but we managed to get out to sunny suburb Merrylands the next day to visit old room mate and very good friend Carl and his girlfriend Chantel. It was great seeing Carl again after 3 years of almost no contact, and it didn't take long to get back into the old groove of picking on each other and generally having a good laugh. Chantel even seemed to enjoy the "time off" from this duty. I have to give a hand to this girl for being able to put up with him day in and day out. It's a hard job (I know this for a fact!) and she's doing a fantastic job! Good luck to the both of you!

We just arrived back in the city center today and are planing on meeting up with a few friends later on. Other than that, the sky is the limit and we'll just go with the flow. Game on!

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It would normally make me laugh (like I imagine you guys giggling right now), but when it's said with a totally ridiculous accent, it actually sounds quite natural and right.
It really messes with you head!

OK, so we are now on the Sunny Coast (look up Sunshine Coast in your Atlas!) about 1.5 hours north of Brisbane and about 30mins south of Noosa. In a little place called Cottontree.
It's beautiful here. Everything is brand new and blooming. The exact opposite of where we just came from to be honest. People here have way too much money and it affects their whole way of life. Not just that everything is quite expensive, but also that nothing is really that important.
Life is slow and regulated. Hot and lazy. Posh and tanned. I can see the attraction of a place like this. It really is like paradise on earth, but I would never be able to live here. I would just feel bad wearing dirty shoes on their clean pavement...

It is great to see my friend Karla again. We were very good friends for 3 years in London until her Visa ran out and she had to go. Nothing much has changed in the 14 months we have been apart - and so it should stay forever. Good friendships are worth a visit to paradise on the other side of the planet...

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As you can tell I didn't have to the best flight here. I had very little sleep (if you call 1 hour's snooze sleep!) and the films they were showing were crap!

I haven't really gotten back to being myself yet, so maybe I shouldn't really write anything today...
So, anyway! I'm still alive!

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A couple of days ago, 4 of us went to the Tiger Cave Temple about 20mins outside Krabi. A rain forest surrounds the temple and the stupa on the very top of a hill. Well, hill is more like a mountain actually. With 1237 (steep) steps to the top; it's no walk in the park; as both Tanja and I realised at step No.415. I honestly thought I was pretty fit, but my body had an altogether different point of view. So here I must confess that I didn't make it. Not even half way. Kirk however kept going and was back down in 1 hour. He ran up... Bastard..!
The Tiger cave itself is not impressive at all, but the tiny buddha statues in the abbey are. I don't think I properly noticed them last time I was there, although I think I probably just forgot.

Tuesday we to the waterfall in the National Park. It was so incredibly beautiful. Kirk and I managed to climb to the highest waterfall and found a quite secluded lagoon beneath it. Hidden treasures of Thailand. Althought the water was pretty cold!

Yesterday we went to the Gastrod Fossil Beach. Popularly known as The Shell Fossil Cemetery Beach. Millions of fossiled shells trapped in slaps of rock. And a very nice beach where the water was quite a bit warmer.

Today it's raining. Even though the rainy season should be over it is still raining a fair bit. Last week it rained almost every day and we have been stuck in town for that reason. I for one am very glad it cleared up, as the local politics are getting to me. We have made a lot of friends here. But since they have all been confined to indoors activities (which is non-excistent) even their long term friendships with each other have been fragile in the edges. If there is one thing I don't want on my holiday it is being the middle man in politics. But I guess people are people no matter where you go.

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The reason why I happen to know that, is because today is Loi Krathong. It is the full moon of November - a very special day in Thailand. Today is the day the rainy season ends. And to celebrate that, they make little boats out of banana tree stubs, banana leafes, and flowers.
All over town they have been making these boats all day long. Even in the tattoo shop and at the hair dresser! Everywhere you go they are for sale. So how can you not join into the festival when the festival is all around?

So what's the deal? Well, to put it simple: You make a wish and float the boat on the river. But that is putting it rather simple. Here's what you actually have to do, before you even get to the fairytale part:

You stick a candle and 3 incense sticks into it (which you first have to acquire from a non-English speaking Thai ). Then cut a piece of your hair and a nail (you have to cut it - so you have to find scissors you can borrow of a non-English speaking Thai ) and place the clippings in the boat together with 9 Baht (so you have to have coins ready - which luckily we were told beforehand). Then you have to find a spot on the pier steps and watch out for the waves, squat down without burning yourself on others' candles and make your wish - and that's when you get to float you boat...

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What have we been up to? Not a lot actually. We are still winding down and getting used to the tempo of Thailand. It feels great to walk down the street and notice a snail overtaking you with amazing speed.

Sun, sand, wind, heat, rain (it's still the rainy season here - but mostly at night), food, drinks, pool, even Jenga and Connect 4. Days and nights - two sides of the same coin here. Friendly and relaxed.

Days at Railay Beach and nights at Charlie's Bar. Even though we do something different every day; the days all seem to melt together into one big happy day. I can't tell you when we went to Railay or Ao Nang or when we went to the Seafood Festival. I don't even know what date it is let alone what day of the week. And I really don't seem to care either. It's like living in Limbo. It's like having all of your senses go pop all the time and making you numb. Like burning your mouth out on Green Curry until you can't fell a thing.

So what's the moral of the story? Well children: Don't do drugs - go to Thailand!

Ooops... brain on the floor again - time to get out that mop and find my way to Charlie's bar...

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4 years ago I went travelling with a friend of mine (who is now reading this blog burning up with jealousy), and Krabi was one of our multitude of destinations. Recommeded to us by fellow travellers as the gateway to Thai Island Paradise we bee-lined from Malaysia straight here. We arrived by bus at something like 3am, and were "taxied" by an oversized tuk tuk to a horrid hotel near the pier, called Grand Tower Hotel. Peckish and in need of cigarettes we unloaded and headed outside to look for a late night shop - which we found - across the road. A friendly family run place called Boy Minimart. Outside were a few travellers drinking beer and in desperate need of a cigarette, we joined them.

Krabi Town used to be the main hub for all boats - big and small - going to all the islands scattered around the Andaman Sea. When I say used to - I kind of mean that is still is. Except they have now moved the pier out of town, so that you don't even have to go through the town anymore. A huge shame...
There were once people everywhere going anywhere and everything that came with that. It was a charming little place - and we got stuck here for the majority of 4 weeks.
The thing about Krabi back then was that they were so used to see people come and go within 24 hours, that they hardly bothered remembering your name. On the 3rd day here I walked into Boy Minimart, and was promptly presented with my brand of cigarettes and a quizzical: "Ina! Why you not go to Island yet? Ko Phi Phi very nice!"
Familiar faces turned into good friends and here I am today, happy to see them again.

We arrived at K.R. Mansions at 5.50pm to be manically greeted by my friend Tick. A great room overlooking the limestone outcrops that are the trademark of Krabi was arranged and dinner followed. By nature Tick is a very helpfull person and she had already planned a nice place for us to go to "hang out" that evening - namely Old West Bar. "Ladies Night tonight! You can go! Free first drink for ladies!" It's not that she shouts - everything Tick says, just comes with an exclamation mark after it. You can't help but to be happy, smile and except gratefully.

Ladies night it was. 2 tequilas served for the new arrival of erhm... us! But we knew better than to keep going on those (don't we Jen?)... A spot in the outside bamboo alcoves cleared and we made ourselves comfortable with our drinks and 2 fellow travellers from Perth. Comfort lasted until about 1am. Slightly drunk and in dire need of a pee in a non-squat, toilet-papered, dry toilet, we staggered up the hill and the 5 flights of stairs to ...erhm...well, first the toilet and then to the Moon bar... But alas! It was closed. So we stared at the sky in awe of the stars. Until we felt dizzy anyway, then it was off to bed...

Today we managed to sleep till noon. Which is not really an achievement for either of us under normal circumstances, but in 40 degrees with a fan - I'd say it is... Into town we went to look around and to say hello to another friend Nung at the diving shop. We will meet her later for dinner and a few drinks at the Rasta Bar.
Life is great in Krabi!
yes, that was advertising....

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This is the biggest market ever! Those of you who know Camden Market in London (well, when it was still good anyway) can easily imagine The Weekend Market here - just multiply by about 6 or 7...
For shopaholics that are not inclined to High Street wares - this is the ultimate place to go. Although, if you do want fake Gucci or Armani - this is readily available there too.

It's 9pm and I'm seriously thinking about taking an all-night nap now. Tomorrow will be a day of rest. Maybe browse through MKB Center later in the afternoon and catch a movie at the super deluxe cinema. Massage or no massage, madam? Hmm, do I need to think about that?

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Let me just collect my brain - it seems to have melted into a puddle in the floor...

So after my last post we decided to go back to our guesthouse, but on the way we walked past the notorious Gulliver's Pub on the corner of Samsen Rd. and Khao San Rd. It could go either way I thought, but we were both so exhausted that I doubted we would last very long anyhow.
The last time I was there, it was a fairly messy place with a lot of farangs being the typical pissheads that we are. This time it wasn't much different, but the atmosphere had changed. No-one seemed interested in anyone except their own little groups. Highly irregular! But I have now spend a few days here and have come to realise that the travelling mentallity has actually changed a fair bit. Many are reluctant to speak to other travellers spontaniously - unlike 4 years ago. So we went to bed...
But that's a side note to everything else I suppose...

So 2 days in Bangkok and what did we do?

Well, Thursday we woke up at 9.30am to a humming capital and decided to go out of Banglumpoo (Khao San Rd area). China Town was the choice of the day.
Getting someone - anyone - to take you anywhere or even somewhere in this place is a piece of cake! But getting there the way you want and for a price that is fair - without any unplanned stops along the way is a different story altogether.
Leaving our guesthouse we ran straight into a hive of tuk tuk drivers who all had great prices to offer. "10 Baht - I take you everywhere. Where you wanna go?" I smell something rotten already... and it wasn't the rubbish in the street! "You wanna go Temple? Gem Shop? Golden Buddha? Where you wanna go?"
Coupon hunters. They take you to places that give them some sort of coupon, which seems worth a lot more than the Baht we pay. But it'll take you hours to get to where you want to go. A firm NO is your best bet here. What a way to start your day though!

So we fight our way out of Khao San and finally manage to find a young guy who'll take us straight there for 100 Baht - or as they say "50 - 50". Very confusing - you pay per person - not per tuktuk...

This guy was very sweet - and fast, and we got there quickly. Too late we realised that we weren't really were we were supposed to be... He dropped us of at the wrong street! Not just a little bit wrong, but about 2 blocks from China Town. After about an hour we finally managed to find it, with a little help from a helpful Thai/Australian.
Talk about throwing poor Sis straight into the mix! But I must say she handled it well, bless her!
Back to Barter Town - as I now like to call Khao San (2 men enters - 1 man leaves), we go looking for some food. The rest of the night was spend on shopping and food. Yummy!

Today was busy day for us. As we realised that there is so many things we would like to do, but very few days left to do them. So we prepared ourselves for a hectic day of pure tourist sightseeing! I'm not going to bore myself writing details about them all, as I have already been to these places before. But here's the low-down of our day:

Noon - 2pm: Wat Phra Khew (Emerald Buddha) & Grand Palace (Royal Residence).
2pm - 3.30pm: Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha - Mother of Pearl Feet et al).
3.30pm - 4pm: Lunch at the Wat Arun View point (Best Thai soup so far)
4pm - 5pm: Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) in Thonburi (Other side of river).
5pm - 8pm: Brain tissue meltdown

And here I am with my mop and my bucket trying to soak it all up in a tea cup...

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This is a holiday, I think to myself. A real one. I don't have to think about anything! No, wait - not true. I have to think about everything actually - how exciting!

Even the same old smell I have to think about. The kids on the street begging for a cigarette and the hawkers trying to sell you... erhm... "anythin' you want - you buy!". Thinking is superb!

Almost didn't get a chance to think though. But you can read all about that frightful story on Tanja's blog:
The Great Chicken Soup of the World The first thing gone almost wrong seen with new eyes...

So tired now... Sleep now...

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Ahhh, the pleasure of true love!

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Me: Yeah, that was the night you got really drunk and we got thrown out of the Crown Casino in Melbourne!
Her: What? No! I wasn't drunk!
Me: So why did you throw up in the cab in the way back to Frankston?
Her: I did not! And that wasn't the same night...
Me: OK, so you tried to throw up out of the window, but missed! But it was the same night.
Her: Was it?
Me: Yes...
*Slight pause*
Her: What I remember best is those yellow fruits we had.
Me: What? Mangos?
Her: No, they were pear shaped.
Me: Where did we have those? Malaysia?
Her: I don't know, but they were yellow...
*Slight pause*
Her: Oh yeah, now I remember! I had that room all to myself!
Me: What, the pool room?
Her: No, the little room behind that.
Me: Were we meant to sleep in there?
Her: Yes.
Me: Oh, I thought it was the pool room...

Christopher All-Mighty!
I hope this Blog will one day remind me of these things...

Seeing Demi again after so long was great! True friends never drift apart. It will feel strange to go to Krabi and not see her there. It seems - in my mind - that she belongs there. Or maybe that's just how I remember things?

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Tomorrow I'm going into Central London to get the final bits together for our travel insurance. Then straight off to Wolverhampton to see a very dear Thai friend mine Demi. Until Sunday... It'll be so nice to see her again. I think the last time I went was about 2 or even 3 years ago. Time flies too quickly!

Sunday will be a regular kind of relaxed day with friends to say goodbye - maybe at the pub, who knows?

Monday I'm getting my jabs. Then I'm going to the bank to collect my traveller's cheques. Then to find a cool costume somewhere - somehow... Then we are going to The Opal Nera Hallowe'en Party. Then I'm getting Jen in a cab (a mission in it's own right). Then the final and most difficult task of all: getting into bed before the sun comes up!

Tuesday is D-Day...
A late lunch is planned at my favourite restaurant (and former work place) for a "Last Supper" type thing. Then home to pack and having the last hot shower, before making our way to Heathrow for our 22.45 flight.

Yeah! What was I so worried about??? Plenty of time to pack!!!!

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Tues 01 Nov
London - Bangkok
Dep 21.45
Arr 15.50 (1 day later)

Mon 07 Nov
Bangkok - Krabi
Dep 15.00
Arr 16.20

Sun 27 Nov
Krabi - Bangkok
Dep 14.30
Arr 15.50

Wed 30 Nov
Bangkok - Brisbane (via Sydney)
Dep 17.35
Arr 08.35 (1 day later)

Wed 14 Dec
Brisbane - Sydney
Dep 13.15
Arr 15.45

Wed 04 Jan
Sydney - Melbourne
Dep 16.00
Arr 17.30

Sat 15 Jan
Melbourne - Sydney
Dep 08.00
Arr 09.20

Sat 15 Jan
Sydney - Denpasar (Bali)
Dep 11.15
Arr 14.10

Sun 29 Jan
Denpasar - London (via Singapore)
Dep 15.10
Arr 04.45 (1 day later and too f**king early!)

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Once we arrive in Bangkok we will buy flights to Krabi with Thai Airways. I will put that flight into the itinerary once it's bought.

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