Friday, September 25, 2009

New Site


Hey all

Welcome to the new site - all pictures are now on the flickr website - if you click on the picture icon to the right you can look at our pictures - any problems use this link http://www.flickr.com/photos/7818959@N05/ and use the use the folders on the right to get pictures from the places we have been.

Hope it is as easy to use as the old one - we also have a map of where we have been that will alway be at the bottom of the page - you can zoom in and out and move the map to find out where we are or go through the link to get it as a full page on google map. Just click on the VIEW OUR JOURNEY SO FAR IN A LARGER MAP to go through and see it more clearly.

On the new blog it shows 5 entries per page and you can look at old diary entries by clicking on the archive section on the right of the new blog, or on "older posts" at the bottom of the page.

A&L
x

Koh Lanta - 20th September

Being our last full day at the resort we had thought it'd be a good idea to see some of the island and hire mopeds. While I was dying in bed Liam had busied himself with the task and next thing I'm being hurried out to give it a go. Being very hungover my senses weren't the best so it took me a few minutes to get my balance right. We stopped up the road (did NOT want to go out on the main road without a LOT of practise runs in safety) and I realised I couldn't turn! Liam's attempt to show me ended up with him and moped in the ditch so needless to say we returned the vehicles and got our money back post haste!

Koh Lanta - 19th September


After the realisation that nowhere was accesible by foot (road a bit dangerous as no path) we decided to make the most of the nightlife in our resort (with 4 other people!!). A good night had by all with buckets a plenty!

Koh Lanta - 18th September


Another day another boat trip - this time to Koh Lanta, away from the hustle and bustle of Phi phi. The resort was very pretty with two swimming pools that overlooked the sea. The beach was sandy but the sea extremely rocky so it was a good excuse to lounge by the pool all day and not have to deal with sand everywhere!

Phi Phi - 17th September




Unfortunately using the free wifi in a bar meant that we had quite a few drinks but had also committed to going on a boat trip the next day! Getting up at 9am this morning to sit on a long boat with TEN other people wasn't the best cure of a hangover but we got through somehow! The stops included the real monkey island where one woman got too friendly and soon regretted it. Then it was my first experience of snorkelling at Shark point - and yes Liam saw one!! I had difficulty with this initially as I was trying to breathe normally which was far too quick. As always Liam was there to help me out and in no time I was breathing like Darth Vader under the sea. One lesson learned - although I had applied factor 50 it's not enough to cope with an exposed back out of water, ouch! Next stop Bamboo island with lovely white sands and some shallow water snorkelling for me. I think the next stop was Mosquito island where we saw island people living just above the sea in the rocks. We went snorkelling in what was apparently deep water but even though I took the stairs into the water when I kicked my leg back I got a pretty nasty cut from the coral. I stayed in the sea for a while regardless but once the pain was getting too annoying I went back to discover I was bleeding pretty badly - good jobs it wasn't shark point!! Once wrapped up the next stop was Maya Bay - the scene of the famous 'The Beach'. With my coral cut and Liam's hangover we decided to give it a miss, afterall a beach is a beach right? It seemed like people found it pretty difficult to navigate the rocks to climb through to the other side and with the tide out I get the feeling no one was that impressed!! As a whole the group decided against sitting in the sea for 20 mins to watch the sunset but some of the group jumped off a cliff on the way back.

Phi Phi - 16th September

After a night of CONSTANT rain we ventured out and got a longboat (to ourselves) around the coast to Long Beach. After a few more showers it cleared up so we ventured into the water which was extremely rocky so not so enjoyable. Had a pub crawl along the three bars on the beach before coming back again. Have just had a lovely indian curry cos as we leave this busy tourist island the day after tomorrow we know we won't see such a thing for a while again!

Phi Phi - 15th September

Today is a duvet day after a pretty hard night - LIam hasn't left the bungalow (which we've taken for another 3 days, it's lush!) - I got us takeaway toasties for breakfast, I'm such a giver! Fancy some fried rice later methinks; that's one thing I've not mentioned yet: every meal we've eaten has been AMAZING and Liam has yet to use his spork as we've not been given chopsticks yet!!

Phi Phi - 14th September


Monday was pretty cloudy (but still hot) so we took a kayake out on the sea to a beach around the coast called monkey island. I (Aileen) was up front on the boat and FREAKED out with the size of the waves and the fear of falling in and not being able to get out. Liam talked me down and we were soon rowing as a team - tough work though; Grainne how did you do it for Gaelforce and how long was it?! We struggled on two 20 minute trips! The tales of monkey island were of pests that would take your stuff from your boat so we were prepared for a fight. Perhaps it was the weather but only one monkey was visibile and pretty content eating biscuits from another group so we escaped any pilfering. Went out last night and got DRENCHED on the way home - taking shelter was pointless as the rain just didn't let up. The rain hasn't been constant but it has been pretty regular. To be honest I quite like it, I'm no good with too much sunshine - must be my Irish blood!!

Phi Phi - 13th September

Went up to the viewpoint (also tsunami evacuation route) at 1pm- BIG mistake at that time: idea was to get up early to do the trek before the heat but a big lie in meant we suffered the ascent in the hottest part of the day! Well worth it at the top though, it's pretty clear why the Tsunami wreaked such damage as the main part of the island is a thin strip of land with the sea on either side. A slice of perspective was given to us on our way down too - while we were sweating on our walk there was building going on on the side of the hill with no such thing as machinery to bring the materials up. A combination of manual pulley plus sheer manpower made us realise we had it pretty easy after all. That night we went to another of the nightly beach/bar parties where there was a fire show which involved lots of drunk people doing the limbo under a pole of fire and jumping through a ring of fire in exchange for free shots! We've since seen a proper fire show with a skilled performer but letting drunk amateurs do it is madness!!

Phi Phi - 11th - 12th September


After one day and one long night (woken at 4am) of incredible rain the move to phi phi was under way. Got a LOVELY bungalow not too far from the village so feeling right at home now. First proper night out - liam experienced his first bucket which was quickly followed by a lost bet on thai boxing! Ended up at a party on the beach until 4am so getting up at 10am to negotiate a lower rate on the room for the next 3 nights wasn't the easiest....taking it easy today, might hit the beach for the first time in daylight later. Missing everyone and happy that you're here with us on this fabulous trip (typing this on our new laptop in a free wireless bar with bacardi breezers for the hangover!). Spread the word of the blog cos don't think it's publicised enough!

Thailand, Phuket - 10th September

The road to Thailand begins with a mid-day flight to Phuket. We need to think of a plan of action on what/where happens next! Landed in Phuket and got the bus to Phuket town, found a cheapo hotel for a fiver for the night....need to work out how to get off this island quick cos Liam needs a beach with hut!! The one flight of stairs without lift means another ruthless culling of clothing etc is on the cards....

Our Journey So Far.......

Click here to see map

Kuala Lumpur - 9th September


Spent the day on foot around KL, a great way to see a city is to walk around looking for the computer centre!! We walked all day in the balmy heat getting some respite in the a/c malls. Thankfully a bargain was struck so we're able to bring you these notes.....Walked down to the Petronas towers that night to swing from it's heady heights - see photos!

Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur - 8th September




Landed in KL and got pretty straightforward cab but were unknowingly dropped too far up the road the hotel was on!! We dragged our non backpacker luggage through a busy market street for 20 mins before finding the place in the opposite direction to where we'd been told to go! Needless to say some clothes were dumped after thissweaty work....

Our Journey So Far.......

Our flight to KL

The long goodbye.......


So we've been saying farewell for what seems like months now and the end is really nearly in sight!! The latest round of goodbyes was Powers Bar in Kilburn Thursday night which was an emotional roller coaster but great craic! I'm going to attempt to upload the photos and videos so you can all cringe along.....