Well, since our last entry we have certainly seen a lot of stuff!!
We spent 3 nights in Bangkok, which to sum up in a few words, is: Wats (temples), Buddhas, Klongs (canals) and tuk tuks (3 wheeler 'taxis'). We enjoyed our 4 days there, but we were definitely ready to go after that. Very busy and everyone is out to make a quick buck (or baht!) We couldn't even leave our hotel without getting hassled with 'where u going?' and insisting on taking us there. Unfortunately, they do not understand no! tuk tuk drivers even follow you down the road to try there luck for a 6th time...
If we did actaully need a tuk tuk for travelling thru Bangkok, we had to negotiate the price before getting in and even then they take you to your destination via an expensive Thai silk or jewelery place so they get petrol coupons from the owners! 'where you from?' .. 'ah, special discount for you...'
We enjoyed our 12th floor swimming pool on many occasions after walking round in 90 degree heat! There wasn't a whole lot to see in Bangkok, and we felt we had done everything we had wanted to in our few days. Most places are very touristy. Although what amazed us is the fact that there were no prices on anything! They maken up a price on the spot, which when we first got there took as face value, what we didn't realise is we were paying double for everything! Got to bargain with them a lot!
The most fun bargaining we had was when we went to 'Phatpong Road'. This was a sea of market stalls, some of which were trying to sell you a bit more than we bargained for...
When we decided it was time to leave we went to the TAT tourist 'information'. Not all that helpful, but still managed to book a bus down to Surat Thani (10 hours south of Bangkok). Nice n easy, get the bus there and then a boat over to the island of Koh Samui (our final destination). Ha ha ha ha ha. Easy?! First of all our bus stopped at every service station for the first 2 hours, each about 20 mins apart... then we stopped again and didn't go any further. bundled out the bus to see water pouring out the back..
they spent at least an hour 'fixing' it, and then promptly bodged it again as soon as the engine started. waited there for about 3 hours and then another bus showed up. arrived in Surat Thani at 9am (3hours late) to find out that Vicky's bag had been accidently taken off the bus by another passenger who we kicked out an hour and a half ago... s**t!!!!!
We both waited for what seemed like hours, (actually only 1!) for the bag to be mini bused to us... obviously we had now missed our bus to the pier, so we also missed our boat. *sigh*
Finally made it to Koh Samui 20 hours after we left Bangkok (on a 10hr trip). This island is fantastic. Our accomodation is brilliant, we spent 5 nights in our bungalow (like a hotel room, just all separate) 2 mins walk to our private cove... shame. We hired a motorbike (yeah baby!) and we have been cruising round the island in 100 degree heat, the wind in our hair and looking out to beaches from every angle...
bike is brilliant, we are sharing the driving (actually, we're fighting over it!) and is so much cheaper than public transport. taxis are few and far between anyway, and charge at least 300 baht to get from one side of the island to the other, one way. we have paid 200 baht (3pound 50p) for a whole day! (24 hours! -none of this 'back by 6' business).
We spent a day cheating death by climbing up the side of a couple of waterfalls... in slip slops. wot a couple of monkeys.
We really fancied playing mini golf one evwening, and it is clearly marked on our map. so off we went. and an hour later, we're still driving round in circles. up dirt tracks, round the palm tree woods, and round the bend. didn't find it, but we saw a LOT of Chaweng, the main area on the island, with the most popular beach. we saw the bits you're supposed to see, and the bits you weren't. even at night time it is hotter here than it is during the day in blighty (ha ha). can u imagine what its like during the day?! needless to say we are both burnt (oops).
Moz doesn't believe in suntan lotion; vicky bathes in it! but both got burnt?!
The atmosphere is more relaxed down here, the southern people are more chilled and definitely more willing to help. All good.
We wanted to stay in our bungalow longer but had to go, fully booked. So we jumped in a taxi and went 5 mins up the road and got a different place!! Brand new complex, literally opened this week. pool, bar, nice room. lovely. best part is, only 4 quid a nite! Dunno how long we will stay here, its our 6th nite on the island tonight. We are presently sitting in a European-style bar called 'The Three Monkeys'. free internet connection, hence the long rambling monkeytales entry (and Vicky's typing!)!! (and Moz isn't helping at all - he's a drunk monkey) (Providing Singha-fuelled inspiration I fi*bjk..)
Ok, enough arguing. We're getting along fine here (when moz keeps quiet!) (Not difficult - barely get a word in edge..... nope here she goes again ... )
Just one last thing, we have booked our bus and boat ticket (maybe we should've booked the train..) for Tuesday to go to the island 'Phuket' (not pronounced as you would in english, which we found out when talking to locals) on the other side of Thailand (the West).
Watch this space for more island hopping monkey adventures! (and more brackets)
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