Baan Duangkaew Resort Hua Hin

Today we have an early flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. We ordered the taxi to come pick us up at 5:30AM since our flight was at 7AM. I would say the only draw back is the location from everything else (which is a plus sometimes), but they wanted 500Baht for the pickup (it was only 400Baht from the airport on the way over). Anyway, can't really argue ...

Poon Suk street got us thinking about Dr Prunesquallor. Was he a Mervyn Peake or a Kenneth Horne character? We think Peake.

Just back from the Thai boxing. The Brit guy won his bout. The best fight was between two 10 year olds - pure aggression, no dancing or politicking around. First time either of us have been to see ...

As is only to be expected travelling with Jon and his bl**dy computer, which is too precious to leave unattended in Blighty, the aforementioned laptop fell from his bag onto the road as we were trying to negotiate a taxi to the bus station to come to Hua Hin. Thankfully the laptop survived (unlike the one which suffered a similar fate in a carpark in Coin. Spain - it's monitor died).
So ...

... by, and in, the pool.

That evening we went out for a pizza as we were all a bit "noodle and riced out" and wanted to try some familiar food. We went to the Pizza Hut which was decorated more like a lounge than a Hut and had a Super Supreme, Thai version. It was OK but nothing like the original! We were all too hot to do the Night Market justice and Imogen was very tired. We will go back for a better mooch tomorrow. Did see a man with two ...

... having someone bring us complimentary fruits and drinks... Wow... that was simply spectacular! We spent the rest of the morning by the pool and beach side, listening to the waves and simply enjoying the lazy day. Pool side, Regency Club Pool Elephant Ride ...

... the goods with us, trusting us to come up with the cash. I walked back to our bungalow and asked our host (who always seems to be around) where the nearest ATM was. He said it was too far to walk. 'The boy will take you on the motorcycle.' The 'boy' was in fact a young man who is the assistant here. I jumped on the back of his bike and we were off. He took me halfway back to Hua Hin to the closest ATM. I took out some cash and so did he. While I was taking out ...

... really confident.... and then... Last Thursday (1 week before the fight) in the middle of training, i felt a 'pop'... i'd torn my calf muscle!! GUTTED!! Couldn't stand up let alone walk or train... went to the hospital, had an injection in my **** for the pain and was given anti inflammtories and muscle relaxants to take for a weeks course and told to rest for 2 weeks!! No training and more definately NO ...

... them!! I have taken a load of pictures which I will try and download tomorrow night. I seem to be settling in well which is good, most people are nice to me and I am having an interesting time. I tell you something tho it really makes you appreciate the good friends you have at home, so here's to all of you xx Will write again soon Sawadeeka (or something like that!!) Julie x

the days are definitely getting shorter as I now need to turn the light on in the living room to read the bangkok post at 6am. picked up the post from the porch and put the coffee on. It was vietnamese coffee sent to me directly from hanoi by my dear friend bang tam who is the granddaughter of a national hero over there. juice, cereal (with soy milk) and coffee duly served I sat down for a long lazy morning with the newspaper. a news story about malaysia grabbed my ...

Wednesday 12th Today we are off to see the elephants. The concierge at the resort offered to take us so we don't have to worry about a taxi. Once there he offers to come back after our ride to pick us up. Driving into the elephant village we can see elephants with people on there backs walking around, they are magnificent beasts. It costs us 800 baht each which is about $29 Australian for 1 hour. We have to get onto a platform so we can climb on there, there skin ...