The new statesman has the Arch Bishop of Canterbury, Have I got news for your does it weekly and I have Dr Hilary Hodge. The common feature is not ardent religious belief but there status as guest editors. .
27/28/29/30th June
I have been given an onerous responsibility – to write the blog for the last 4 days – I am sure that I cannot maintain the standards set by Luke – ie entertaining, amusing and very descriptive. However my son has delegated the task to me so here goes. Monday am I had to rise at 5.30am being in Manchester with Amy. Her response to me having to get up so early was in usual Amy mode – don’t expect me to have any sympathy for you – you are flying off to a tropical island. To be fair she had by 5.30am already been up to take Oli to Stockport station to get his train to London , had returned to the flat and gone back to sleep! So off I go. Luke had sent requests for all sorts to be brought out – I am sure much of it he could have bought himself particularly being in Singapore but his frugal nature felt it was better for me to lug the stuff out as I would then have paid for it. The consequence of this was that my case – having bought a new light weight one especially – weighed 26 Kg – weight restriction 20 Kg. Fortunately the elderly man (well a bit younger than me) chatted away whilst weighing the case took pity on me and just affixed a red label which warned the baggage handlers that it was very heavy and omitted to charge me any extra – phew! My next problem was that I wanted an aisle seat on the plane due to lack of mobility and difficulty with clambering over people -but despite him trying to alter the already booked middle of a row seat he gave up and said just ask the person on the end of the row if they would mind swopping seats. The victim in question turned out to be a delightful young Liverpudlian who said no problem hun. He apparently manages to spend his time traveling to and from Kwala Lumpar and home – when asked how could he afford to do this with usual Liverpool panache said its my girlfriend – she’s loaded and lives in Kwala Lumpar. The next surprise was that the plane was going via Munich – I hadn’t really paid much attention to the paper work – it did say one stop – but had given no details. When asking my new found friend whether or not we got off the plane the response was you just stick with me hun you’ll be fine. So there we go I had acquired a minder. Anyway the stop over in Munich took about an hour – we did have to get off the plane the down side being that we had to take the hand luggage with us which was a pain. Mine had become heavy due to the 2 litres of booze I had bought at Manchester – but more of that later. Once we had reboarded the flight time to Singapore was 12 hours – ugh. We were in the row behind the row next to the emergency exit ie the one with lots and lots of leg room. After we got back on the plane and everybody was on the Newzealander (sells rugby gear to English clubs – and obviously retired rugby thug – but I forgave him for that) sitting in the front row said why don’t one of you guys come and sit here – as no one else had paid the supplement to book those seats – so me now being in the aisle seat was in pole position to claim the bounty. Bliss I could stretch out to my hearts content – and my erstwhile minder got his aisle seat back. I had decided that the long flight was something to be endured so it was. We landed at Singapore at midnight UK time. However it becomes 7am Singapore time – so that is my nights sleep obliterated it’s the beginning of the next day. Oh well I wasn’t going to get any sleep anyway as I now had to wait to fly at 9.30am to Bali. On the plane we are handed out entrance and exit forms to be filled in plus a customs declaration form. Unfortunately I read what the limits for customs were – 1 litre of booze plus limited Balinese currency – both of which I had in excess. Now being British but more because one reads in the press of draconian penalties for straying from the rules in these countries I debated what I should do – to declare or not declare the booze which of course is easily detectable. I convinced myself of the merits of both approaches but decided in the end I was too tired to encounter any hassle with customs so I would declare the booze. The mistake was to fill the form in to that end. On reaching Bali the first thing you have to do is to pay 25 US dollars for a visa which I duly did. The luggage was put through the x ray machine again on entry – unusual to say the least so I thought well they will see the bottles clearly. However no reaction. I could have walked straight past the customs but I can’t now because I have filled the damn form in. I realise I have made a big mistake as soon as I talk to the customs man – he thinks I have got a right plonker here – I can increase my family income for the day substantially – he charges me 15 quid which promptly goes in his back pocket – my introduction to the way the world works in Bali. I comfort myself with the thought that his need is undoubtedly greater mine and I have helped his family – oh yeah! Anyway the villa owner is waiting to pick me up – he is Dutch – oh yes of course that is what the Dutch east Indies meant – I’d heard of it but had no idea where it was. The first impression is of heavy traffic, thousands of motor bikes, rubbish beside the roads and chaos. We are now traveling along this busy busy road with lots of small shops, people until we turn off and go along very narrow lanes with lots of houses of varying sizes, some with what is effectively their front rooms turned into open fronted shops selling very few things until we reach some more up market properties of which ours is one. It is called oasis and it is. There are 4 villas each one enclosed and private but opening onto a central area with a lovely pool and poolside furniture. It is now 2pm and I haven’t slept (although have dozed a bit on the plane) for 24 hours. I lie down on my bed and sleep until 6pm – bliss. I could have gone back to sleep then but decided I had better get up or I wouldn’t sleep during the night. At this point the thoughts of a cup of tea emerge – I’ve got the tea bags ( thanks Sarah for reminding me to bring them) but of course no milk. At this point I spy someone in the pool area so go out to make their acquaintance. Yes of course they can give me some milk. However, we get chatting and it transpires that their son was wandering round Asia several years ago alighted on Bali – met a girl, married her and stayed here living with her family. They have a 3 month old daughter. Mum and dad are here to see them had brought Mum’s sister and brother in law who on the 2nd day here had a heart attack and has been in hospital ever since. So Sarah Spain is but a stones throw away from grandchildren in comparison! Anyway I also see that Dad has got Wimbledon on so I come back clutching the milk and try to get the TV to work but can’t. Trot back helpless- so dad comes and gets it going for me. I now have a cup of tea and Wimbledon highlights – its still too early in England for live play. The couple also offer to buy us some essentials and bring them back for us later – how kind as we haven’t a clue where any shops are and are too tired to bother anyway. Just after 8pm Luke and James arrive. As you can imagine quite an emotional reunion – the booze I have brought is consumed in some quantity and we finally fall into bed at 2am. This now brings us to Wednesday – its difficult to know which day it is. The boys are in heaven just being at the villa – opulent surroundings a couch to lie on and joy of all joys a full sized bath. James occupies this for some time and is content to lounge about the villa all day ostensibly planning our activities for the week. Luke and I venture out to the local supermarket to buy supplies for the day. After an after lunch nap when the heat of the day is less ( Luke says it is the coolest place they have been so far – thank goodness says me for that) Luke and I explore the surroundings, find the beach and have a nice walk along by the sea – reminds us of Formby/Southport as the tide is out a long way. We return – Luke gets a nice salad meal ready while I watch Wimbledon and James still maintains his reclining position and all are happy. Thursday is another pottering day but we decide to book a car and driver to take us out for the day tomorrow. I have a delightful swim in the pool before the sun gets too hot. Now Luke can’t understand why his guest blog editor is taking so long – he is about to check my work – well at least it is not written in dyslexia format!
The long term editor approves of the guest editors work. So much so he hopes she may return later in the week.
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
War, missed tours and airports
26/6/11
With a war legacy such as Singapore’s it was unsurprising that our family friend who collates details of the Sedbergh’s war fallen would ask us to visit the Singapore war cemetery. So Sunday was spent seeking out the war cemetery and finding the names of those who had perished during the Second World War. Even more poignantly each of the 10 service men had never been found and were simply listed on a war memorial that went on and on. Of those we sought the vast majority were from the public school famous for churning out officers although there was at least one local who had the name of Dent (the local village just up the road from Sedbergh).
29/6/11
The plan had been for us to go on another walking tour but this looked unlikely at 2am when James had still not got to sleep. The plan was further obliterated by my alarm failing to go off. I did however make a determined effort to get to the tour but alas was 20 minutes late and despite walking along the route of the tour I could not locate the group. Not to be detailed I took myself on my own tour ending up and Marina Bay Sands or in my view the three sky scrapers with a space ship on top ball built on reclaimed land. Whatever one calls it there can be no doubting that the structure is huge and imposing. I arrived in the attached (obligatory??) huge shopping mall and asked directions to the sky park. I was told to take an elevator, go up one flight of stairs turn left at this shop and that and then I would be there. Sensing it would be quicker to walk around the outside of the building I enquired as to whether this would be possible. The answer “of course sir but it’s not air conditioned out there.’
After my brush with the elements I arrived unscathed and un scorched at the first sky scraper. I located the lifts paid $20 and was shot up 57 floors in 30 seconds or in my reckoning 228 meters. Unsurprisingly my ears popped on the way up. Never the less the rocket like journey was worth it for the views were spectacular and it gave a glimpse into the makeup of Singapore.
Where I was standing albeit 57 floors above ground level was reclaimed land build by importing water rocks and sand from around Asia. That said most of Singapore’s neighbours will not sell these items particularly sand as the net result is that Singapore encroaches on their territorial waters with every meter of reclaimed land. The view also demonstrated the strategic importance of Singapore in terms of trade as the sea was crammed with literally hundreds of cargo ships. The container parks were nestled next to the multi bullion dollar generating banks and the multi million pound apartment complexes. For an Island so small there is certainly a lot going on.
Having left a note for James we caught up in china town where we met Gary’s dad, John. This meeting was not coincidence but the fruits of my planning. 8 months ago I sent Gary away from one of his visits to our house with two months supplies of my tablets. These tablets were transported to his parents at Christmas where that awaited my arrival. After handing over the precious goods John took up for lunch in China town. Such a location normally requires me to find a stall that has pictures that depict the food but with John we dined in resultants with only words on display. John was the consummate host and selected numerous dishes for us to try. We can see where Gary gets his love of food and ability to eat a number of dishes as john was quite disappointed when we called a halt to the eating after only four plates. John had intended that we sample some other stalls as well but alas all we could manage was a desert of ice, sweet potato and coconut shared between us.
After lunch we waddled to the botanic gardens where we had an enjoyable in not rather hot explore of the lush green space in the heart of Singapore. The highlight may have been the cool house, an environment designed to simulate the cool mountain climate where certain orchards flower. The rest of the gardens were not so cool so after a few hours we retired to the hostel for the evening.
28/6/11
We are definitely flash packers for I sit on board a Singapore airlines flight sipping a glass of wine whilst typing this on my notebook. Boat from Singapore to Bali I think not. First class on the airline not that either but never the less there is more leg room than easy jet and they give away free stuff too!
Today was crunch day. Would our passports be ready three hours before we were supposed to collect them? If not we would miss our flight so we arrived in good time at the embassy and I was ready for a bawling match should it become necessary as we had flights booked and mum would be waiting in Bali for us. As it turns out our fears were unfounded as the Indonesian embassy was efficiency personified. We arrived, check in and collected our passports within 15 minutes. Top marks from us.
Later we arrived at what we may describe as our favourite place in Singapore… its airport. This marvel is cool efficient, clean and there is so much to do. If you had the time there is a cinema, there is the intent, a garden, a chill out area, computer games a multitude of shops and much more that we have yet to discover. And the best thing for cheapskates such as us is that it’s all free (well apart from the shopping). So it was with no great disappointment that we arrived four hours before our flight. After checking in we reclined in confortable chairs, had an automated foot message and surfed the free internet. Can we stay for a week next time???
With a war legacy such as Singapore’s it was unsurprising that our family friend who collates details of the Sedbergh’s war fallen would ask us to visit the Singapore war cemetery. So Sunday was spent seeking out the war cemetery and finding the names of those who had perished during the Second World War. Even more poignantly each of the 10 service men had never been found and were simply listed on a war memorial that went on and on. Of those we sought the vast majority were from the public school famous for churning out officers although there was at least one local who had the name of Dent (the local village just up the road from Sedbergh).
29/6/11
The plan had been for us to go on another walking tour but this looked unlikely at 2am when James had still not got to sleep. The plan was further obliterated by my alarm failing to go off. I did however make a determined effort to get to the tour but alas was 20 minutes late and despite walking along the route of the tour I could not locate the group. Not to be detailed I took myself on my own tour ending up and Marina Bay Sands or in my view the three sky scrapers with a space ship on top ball built on reclaimed land. Whatever one calls it there can be no doubting that the structure is huge and imposing. I arrived in the attached (obligatory??) huge shopping mall and asked directions to the sky park. I was told to take an elevator, go up one flight of stairs turn left at this shop and that and then I would be there. Sensing it would be quicker to walk around the outside of the building I enquired as to whether this would be possible. The answer “of course sir but it’s not air conditioned out there.’
After my brush with the elements I arrived unscathed and un scorched at the first sky scraper. I located the lifts paid $20 and was shot up 57 floors in 30 seconds or in my reckoning 228 meters. Unsurprisingly my ears popped on the way up. Never the less the rocket like journey was worth it for the views were spectacular and it gave a glimpse into the makeup of Singapore.
Where I was standing albeit 57 floors above ground level was reclaimed land build by importing water rocks and sand from around Asia. That said most of Singapore’s neighbours will not sell these items particularly sand as the net result is that Singapore encroaches on their territorial waters with every meter of reclaimed land. The view also demonstrated the strategic importance of Singapore in terms of trade as the sea was crammed with literally hundreds of cargo ships. The container parks were nestled next to the multi bullion dollar generating banks and the multi million pound apartment complexes. For an Island so small there is certainly a lot going on.
Having left a note for James we caught up in china town where we met Gary’s dad, John. This meeting was not coincidence but the fruits of my planning. 8 months ago I sent Gary away from one of his visits to our house with two months supplies of my tablets. These tablets were transported to his parents at Christmas where that awaited my arrival. After handing over the precious goods John took up for lunch in China town. Such a location normally requires me to find a stall that has pictures that depict the food but with John we dined in resultants with only words on display. John was the consummate host and selected numerous dishes for us to try. We can see where Gary gets his love of food and ability to eat a number of dishes as john was quite disappointed when we called a halt to the eating after only four plates. John had intended that we sample some other stalls as well but alas all we could manage was a desert of ice, sweet potato and coconut shared between us.
After lunch we waddled to the botanic gardens where we had an enjoyable in not rather hot explore of the lush green space in the heart of Singapore. The highlight may have been the cool house, an environment designed to simulate the cool mountain climate where certain orchards flower. The rest of the gardens were not so cool so after a few hours we retired to the hostel for the evening.
28/6/11
We are definitely flash packers for I sit on board a Singapore airlines flight sipping a glass of wine whilst typing this on my notebook. Boat from Singapore to Bali I think not. First class on the airline not that either but never the less there is more leg room than easy jet and they give away free stuff too!
Today was crunch day. Would our passports be ready three hours before we were supposed to collect them? If not we would miss our flight so we arrived in good time at the embassy and I was ready for a bawling match should it become necessary as we had flights booked and mum would be waiting in Bali for us. As it turns out our fears were unfounded as the Indonesian embassy was efficiency personified. We arrived, check in and collected our passports within 15 minutes. Top marks from us.
Later we arrived at what we may describe as our favourite place in Singapore… its airport. This marvel is cool efficient, clean and there is so much to do. If you had the time there is a cinema, there is the intent, a garden, a chill out area, computer games a multitude of shops and much more that we have yet to discover. And the best thing for cheapskates such as us is that it’s all free (well apart from the shopping). So it was with no great disappointment that we arrived four hours before our flight. After checking in we reclined in confortable chairs, had an automated foot message and surfed the free internet. Can we stay for a week next time???
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
This is a gay bar but there will be no same sex kissing or touching please!
25/6/11
We set off on another tour (yes you guessed it there was a cheap package available!) this time to the WW2 memorial museum. Here we saw how the area was overrun by the Japanese with surprising ease. As always on these tours I was left thinking what a waste of human life but this time there was an added twist of the extreme brutality that the prisoners of war suffered at the hands of their captors. Whilst there may not be many saving graces associated with war there is the Geneva Convention and this governs the treatment of prisoners. It would appear that Europeans (allies or aggressors) by in largely followed these conventions the Japanese did not leading to some gruesome behaviours and exhibits. We also learned that the world view of the Second World War in Asia appears to be different to that of the Japanese view. Whereas we would see the Japanese as an imperialist force trying to take over lots of Asia the Japanese would argue that there motivation was to make an Asia for Asians by turning out the colonialists.
The afternoon saw James have a rest and me head off on another tour. This time of the dock area. Hear I saw the location of a warehouse that used to house Ice brought all the way from Boston! I also saw a huge skyscraper with three columns with a spaceship on it and lots over very modern things next to the old. It was also clear that the Singaporean government is not a curator of history and the old must make way for the new. The guide described it as all being based on dollars. If an organisation wants to take on an old building and pay the government rental fees then the building can stay. If not then the developers move in. This brought me onto thinking about the population and land space of Singapore. It may well be a tiny island with a dense population but for some reason it does not feel crowded. Many times I would like down the road and see no traffic. There is also green space and not just token bits but large areas. I presume this has been achieved though high-rise living to free up valuable land space and an efficient public transport system to make car ownership a luxury rather then a necessity.
The evening heralded a big gay night out. Whilst homosexuality is illegal it is tolerated. The government has explicitly said it will turn a blind eye but will not repeal the (British law) as this would offend social norms. With this in mind we were keen to seek out gay Singapore. The first obstacle was that the bars do not explicitly call themselves gay bars but use uthermisams such as ‘a bar for friends of Dorothy.’ We did however locate Gay Street and its 5 gay bars. Upon entering the bar the first thing we noticed was the distinct lack of physical interaction between the patrons. Whilst not a fan of excessive public displays of affection I would expect some hand holding and god forbid kissing and even the toilets being used for nefarious activities as is the case in gay bars across Europe. Alas regulations and social norms also prevail in the ‘alternative scene.’ Being intrigued by the different approach to a night out I decided to talk to some local Singaporeans and ascertained that whilst you may hook up in a bar or nightclub you would go home to engage in kissing or affection. James also learned that 5 years ago the authorities received a complaint about the bar that we were in. The complained was outraged by the displays of public affection between those of the same sex. The authorities investigated and took the necessary enforcement action… instructing the owners to put up signs prohibiting kissing, touch or anything of a sexual nature! Unfortunately we were not aware of this before the night out so when James and I danced alongside Neil and Jason (a British couple we had met) and we probably broke most of the rules. Oh well one never likes to conform!
We set off on another tour (yes you guessed it there was a cheap package available!) this time to the WW2 memorial museum. Here we saw how the area was overrun by the Japanese with surprising ease. As always on these tours I was left thinking what a waste of human life but this time there was an added twist of the extreme brutality that the prisoners of war suffered at the hands of their captors. Whilst there may not be many saving graces associated with war there is the Geneva Convention and this governs the treatment of prisoners. It would appear that Europeans (allies or aggressors) by in largely followed these conventions the Japanese did not leading to some gruesome behaviours and exhibits. We also learned that the world view of the Second World War in Asia appears to be different to that of the Japanese view. Whereas we would see the Japanese as an imperialist force trying to take over lots of Asia the Japanese would argue that there motivation was to make an Asia for Asians by turning out the colonialists.
The afternoon saw James have a rest and me head off on another tour. This time of the dock area. Hear I saw the location of a warehouse that used to house Ice brought all the way from Boston! I also saw a huge skyscraper with three columns with a spaceship on it and lots over very modern things next to the old. It was also clear that the Singaporean government is not a curator of history and the old must make way for the new. The guide described it as all being based on dollars. If an organisation wants to take on an old building and pay the government rental fees then the building can stay. If not then the developers move in. This brought me onto thinking about the population and land space of Singapore. It may well be a tiny island with a dense population but for some reason it does not feel crowded. Many times I would like down the road and see no traffic. There is also green space and not just token bits but large areas. I presume this has been achieved though high-rise living to free up valuable land space and an efficient public transport system to make car ownership a luxury rather then a necessity.
The evening heralded a big gay night out. Whilst homosexuality is illegal it is tolerated. The government has explicitly said it will turn a blind eye but will not repeal the (British law) as this would offend social norms. With this in mind we were keen to seek out gay Singapore. The first obstacle was that the bars do not explicitly call themselves gay bars but use uthermisams such as ‘a bar for friends of Dorothy.’ We did however locate Gay Street and its 5 gay bars. Upon entering the bar the first thing we noticed was the distinct lack of physical interaction between the patrons. Whilst not a fan of excessive public displays of affection I would expect some hand holding and god forbid kissing and even the toilets being used for nefarious activities as is the case in gay bars across Europe. Alas regulations and social norms also prevail in the ‘alternative scene.’ Being intrigued by the different approach to a night out I decided to talk to some local Singaporeans and ascertained that whilst you may hook up in a bar or nightclub you would go home to engage in kissing or affection. James also learned that 5 years ago the authorities received a complaint about the bar that we were in. The complained was outraged by the displays of public affection between those of the same sex. The authorities investigated and took the necessary enforcement action… instructing the owners to put up signs prohibiting kissing, touch or anything of a sexual nature! Unfortunately we were not aware of this before the night out so when James and I danced alongside Neil and Jason (a British couple we had met) and we probably broke most of the rules. Oh well one never likes to conform!
$150 spent before breakfast. Oh we must be in Singapore.
24/6/11
Its 7am and officious looking border guards are looking for passports. We produce ours and are stamped out of the country and the train continues for a few meters. At Singapore we all disembark, line up, read about the death penalty for drugs traffickers and pass though customs before boarding the train again. Once at the final destination we hop in a cab and head to the Indonesian Embassy in order to get a visa. En route I ask to stop at an ATM. The driver obliges and whilst I am getting cash heads off to the toilet. Upon my return he is nowhere to be seen, James is locked inside the car and the meter is still running. After some time I seek him out James reposts that I was obviously in a bad mood as there was lots of gesticulating… well the meet was running!
Upon arrival at the embassy we fill in the necessary paperwork and hand over a large sum for the visas which will be ready, fingers crossed on Tuesday at 12noon. Our flight is 4pm the same day so we can only hope they are ready as otherwise Mum may be holidaying alone. At the hostel we reflect on how nice it is to be in a country full of order. The taxis don’t beep at you or solicit business, everything is clean, the metro runs on time, there are drop curbs and the traffic is orderly. A few days in ordered bliss sounds good to me!
Later that evening we head off on the super-efficient MRT (underground system) which I always seem to call the HRT… is this a subliminal warning that the male menopause might be on its way. James doubts it he just thinks I am a bit stupid. Arriving at china town we join a walking tour and discover the some of the history of Singapore, its rules and its pragmatism. We learn that there has been huge social change in a very short time. In the last 30-40 years the area around china town has gone from a place with slop out toilets, bare footed children, mass cramped living and poverty into a booming, high-rise living, consuming society. When the Singaporeans decide to do something the obviously don’t mess around. They had a plan and they delivered it.
On the rules front we learn that Singapore is very regulated. Housing is predominantly government built (but don’t be confused with social housing as this it is not), street hawkers have defined patches within which they must work and life appears to be very ordered. There are rules and regulations at every turn. There is no eating, drinking, smoking, no flammable gas or liquids and no Duran fruit on the metro. Breaking these rules result in a fine from $500 to $5000. There is also evidence of much social regulation as whilst the population appears to be young the youngsters appear to conform to societal norms. There is no alternative clothing, no painted black fingernails or green hair. Instead its high end fashion or sensible outfits. The upside is that there is very little crime and of what crime there is there are very sever punishments. Robbery with assault carries 20 years in prison and 12-24 stokes of a huge cane. The same goes for schools. Descent or bad behaviour carries public beatings on the school stage. Its social controls never the less detract from its huge wealth, gleaming streets or efficient and very cheap public transport network.
On the pragmatism front we learned that prostitution was outlawed in Singapore 30 years ago. It was soon found that prostitution just went underground. Being unable to stamp it out the government was pragmatic and legalised prostitution in tightly controlled areas. The prostitutes themselves were also regulated having to have twice monthly sexual health check-ups, carry a yellow eligibility and health card and pay taxes.
Its 7am and officious looking border guards are looking for passports. We produce ours and are stamped out of the country and the train continues for a few meters. At Singapore we all disembark, line up, read about the death penalty for drugs traffickers and pass though customs before boarding the train again. Once at the final destination we hop in a cab and head to the Indonesian Embassy in order to get a visa. En route I ask to stop at an ATM. The driver obliges and whilst I am getting cash heads off to the toilet. Upon my return he is nowhere to be seen, James is locked inside the car and the meter is still running. After some time I seek him out James reposts that I was obviously in a bad mood as there was lots of gesticulating… well the meet was running!
Upon arrival at the embassy we fill in the necessary paperwork and hand over a large sum for the visas which will be ready, fingers crossed on Tuesday at 12noon. Our flight is 4pm the same day so we can only hope they are ready as otherwise Mum may be holidaying alone. At the hostel we reflect on how nice it is to be in a country full of order. The taxis don’t beep at you or solicit business, everything is clean, the metro runs on time, there are drop curbs and the traffic is orderly. A few days in ordered bliss sounds good to me!
Later that evening we head off on the super-efficient MRT (underground system) which I always seem to call the HRT… is this a subliminal warning that the male menopause might be on its way. James doubts it he just thinks I am a bit stupid. Arriving at china town we join a walking tour and discover the some of the history of Singapore, its rules and its pragmatism. We learn that there has been huge social change in a very short time. In the last 30-40 years the area around china town has gone from a place with slop out toilets, bare footed children, mass cramped living and poverty into a booming, high-rise living, consuming society. When the Singaporeans decide to do something the obviously don’t mess around. They had a plan and they delivered it.
On the rules front we learn that Singapore is very regulated. Housing is predominantly government built (but don’t be confused with social housing as this it is not), street hawkers have defined patches within which they must work and life appears to be very ordered. There are rules and regulations at every turn. There is no eating, drinking, smoking, no flammable gas or liquids and no Duran fruit on the metro. Breaking these rules result in a fine from $500 to $5000. There is also evidence of much social regulation as whilst the population appears to be young the youngsters appear to conform to societal norms. There is no alternative clothing, no painted black fingernails or green hair. Instead its high end fashion or sensible outfits. The upside is that there is very little crime and of what crime there is there are very sever punishments. Robbery with assault carries 20 years in prison and 12-24 stokes of a huge cane. The same goes for schools. Descent or bad behaviour carries public beatings on the school stage. Its social controls never the less detract from its huge wealth, gleaming streets or efficient and very cheap public transport network.
On the pragmatism front we learned that prostitution was outlawed in Singapore 30 years ago. It was soon found that prostitution just went underground. Being unable to stamp it out the government was pragmatic and legalised prostitution in tightly controlled areas. The prostitutes themselves were also regulated having to have twice monthly sexual health check-ups, carry a yellow eligibility and health card and pay taxes.
Big bags
23/6/11
Somehow my bag has swelled to about 23kg. It started at 10. Why is this? Well it could be our preponderance for buying things? Each purchase sounds like a good idea and individually it does not weigh too much but combined well it appears that I may need back surgery. My main rucksack is now packed to capacity so I hang another off the back and carry my day sack on my front. James is let off the onerous task due to the perilous condition of his back already. So what have we amassed? Additional guide books, two laptops, two laptop coolers (apparently in Asia these are needed), a bed spread, 2 pillow cases, 4 cushion covers, some new clothes and a bag of souvenirs that will form a collage. We will be glad to off load some of this to my mother… let’s just hope she does not pack too much herself! That said our shopping list of items that she will be bringing out with her may way about the same as what we want to send back so all things considered she should be ok!
So why am I blogging about my bag well it’s time to pack the dam thing again as it’s our last day in Kuala Lumpar. Another night train awaits but not till 11.30 so with time to burn and a dislike of the heat of the city we follow the masses to a shopping mall with both AC and a cinema. The film we plump for is actually very funny. Yes it’s over acted and yes the explosions would kill everyone in a 3 mile radius but the film does not take its self seriously so predictably I begin to hoot with laughter. The Malaysians titter so James embarrassment is more significant than usual. Oh to have a normal husband?
On the return trip we pass through china town market and decide that it’s time we had some more bargains (yes I know the bag is already full). I purchase a pair of jeans in anticipation of being in Oz and James an agree birds tee-shirt as this is the country of devoted any birds players. This month they even had a 24 hour angry bird’s relay competition. If only we had known- James would have been in heaven.
At the allotted hour we board the overnight train, oversized chimpisam occurs as usual and we drift off to sleep whilst traveling to Singapore.
Somehow my bag has swelled to about 23kg. It started at 10. Why is this? Well it could be our preponderance for buying things? Each purchase sounds like a good idea and individually it does not weigh too much but combined well it appears that I may need back surgery. My main rucksack is now packed to capacity so I hang another off the back and carry my day sack on my front. James is let off the onerous task due to the perilous condition of his back already. So what have we amassed? Additional guide books, two laptops, two laptop coolers (apparently in Asia these are needed), a bed spread, 2 pillow cases, 4 cushion covers, some new clothes and a bag of souvenirs that will form a collage. We will be glad to off load some of this to my mother… let’s just hope she does not pack too much herself! That said our shopping list of items that she will be bringing out with her may way about the same as what we want to send back so all things considered she should be ok!
So why am I blogging about my bag well it’s time to pack the dam thing again as it’s our last day in Kuala Lumpar. Another night train awaits but not till 11.30 so with time to burn and a dislike of the heat of the city we follow the masses to a shopping mall with both AC and a cinema. The film we plump for is actually very funny. Yes it’s over acted and yes the explosions would kill everyone in a 3 mile radius but the film does not take its self seriously so predictably I begin to hoot with laughter. The Malaysians titter so James embarrassment is more significant than usual. Oh to have a normal husband?
On the return trip we pass through china town market and decide that it’s time we had some more bargains (yes I know the bag is already full). I purchase a pair of jeans in anticipation of being in Oz and James an agree birds tee-shirt as this is the country of devoted any birds players. This month they even had a 24 hour angry bird’s relay competition. If only we had known- James would have been in heaven.
At the allotted hour we board the overnight train, oversized chimpisam occurs as usual and we drift off to sleep whilst traveling to Singapore.
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Your not English & broken already?
22/6/11
James opted for a snoo day so I left him to catch up on his beauty sleep and headed off to Batu Caves. Felling like an adventure setting out on my own I jumped on a train and after a short journey arrived at the cave complex that contains a Hindu temple. The place its self was full on monkeys roaming around, steeling things from tourists and generally being a nuisance… So in reality it felt like James was with me. There were huge temples to monkey gods and 272 very steep steps taking you up to the temple in the cave. Gruelling work in 30 degree heat with 95% humidity but worth it. (Don’t worry mum it’s much cooler at the seaside even pleasant)You will be ok in Bali.
Upon returning to KL I lunched at the train station self-services café. In the U.K. this would entail eating overpriced crap masquerading as food. In Malaysia it means cheap but excellent quality food served with the ever present iced coffee. The coffee itself is excellent served with condensed milk and lots of added sugar. Asking for it without the sugar always elects the same response of ‘NO sugar none at all?’ To my mine the condensed milk is sweet enough by the Malaysians and in fact the whole of Asia apparently have a sweet tooth.
Post lunch activity was a trip to the hair dressers an event mixed with equal parts relief anticipation and fear. Relief in that less hair means cooler, anticipation of looking less like a tramp and abject fear for what the end result will be. Fortunately I had found a good salon and even opted for some highlights which have neither turned green or luminescent yellow.
Retuning at 3pm I found James ensconced on a sofa, connected to the internet looking rather hungry. I had left money but leaving the hostel for food had proved to be too daunting so instead he had resorted to eating sweets and when they ran out two of my apples- he must have been desperate! I ventured out to purchase a subway for my husband to complete the fantasy that he was on that sofa at home.
Warring the same clothes day in day out means that buttons fall off so with the latest victim of overuse I headed to the local tailors to have a button sewn back on. Whilst I was waiting the seamstress integrated me about the U.K and then declared that I did not sound English. I explained that I was from the north but this did not placate her as she had a nephew at school in Edinburgh and he sounded English. Upon further probing it transpired that h was a public school and the other reference point was Prince William. I never really had a chance.
Back at the hostel I settled in for an evening with my new netbook but within a matter of minutes i was having problems. I had contracted a virus and despite James valiant attempts the computer would not play. James shook his head and told me that I was a menace to computers and that I had better take it back to the shop and get it sorted out. Felling rather pissed off I set off and promptly got lost looking for the metro. After much walking in circles and asking a succession of unhelpful people I found the metro and headed to the shopping centre. Locating the sales assistant and putting on a winning small combined with a look made of equal parts stupidity, neediness and desperation asked if he could help. After some fiddling it was decided that the netbook needed to be formatted and everything re installed. Fortunately my smile had worked and he agreed to do it free of charge. Oh what a lovely boy!
James opted for a snoo day so I left him to catch up on his beauty sleep and headed off to Batu Caves. Felling like an adventure setting out on my own I jumped on a train and after a short journey arrived at the cave complex that contains a Hindu temple. The place its self was full on monkeys roaming around, steeling things from tourists and generally being a nuisance… So in reality it felt like James was with me. There were huge temples to monkey gods and 272 very steep steps taking you up to the temple in the cave. Gruelling work in 30 degree heat with 95% humidity but worth it. (Don’t worry mum it’s much cooler at the seaside even pleasant)You will be ok in Bali.
Upon returning to KL I lunched at the train station self-services café. In the U.K. this would entail eating overpriced crap masquerading as food. In Malaysia it means cheap but excellent quality food served with the ever present iced coffee. The coffee itself is excellent served with condensed milk and lots of added sugar. Asking for it without the sugar always elects the same response of ‘NO sugar none at all?’ To my mine the condensed milk is sweet enough by the Malaysians and in fact the whole of Asia apparently have a sweet tooth.
Post lunch activity was a trip to the hair dressers an event mixed with equal parts relief anticipation and fear. Relief in that less hair means cooler, anticipation of looking less like a tramp and abject fear for what the end result will be. Fortunately I had found a good salon and even opted for some highlights which have neither turned green or luminescent yellow.
Retuning at 3pm I found James ensconced on a sofa, connected to the internet looking rather hungry. I had left money but leaving the hostel for food had proved to be too daunting so instead he had resorted to eating sweets and when they ran out two of my apples- he must have been desperate! I ventured out to purchase a subway for my husband to complete the fantasy that he was on that sofa at home.
Warring the same clothes day in day out means that buttons fall off so with the latest victim of overuse I headed to the local tailors to have a button sewn back on. Whilst I was waiting the seamstress integrated me about the U.K and then declared that I did not sound English. I explained that I was from the north but this did not placate her as she had a nephew at school in Edinburgh and he sounded English. Upon further probing it transpired that h was a public school and the other reference point was Prince William. I never really had a chance.
Back at the hostel I settled in for an evening with my new netbook but within a matter of minutes i was having problems. I had contracted a virus and despite James valiant attempts the computer would not play. James shook his head and told me that I was a menace to computers and that I had better take it back to the shop and get it sorted out. Felling rather pissed off I set off and promptly got lost looking for the metro. After much walking in circles and asking a succession of unhelpful people I found the metro and headed to the shopping centre. Locating the sales assistant and putting on a winning small combined with a look made of equal parts stupidity, neediness and desperation asked if he could help. After some fiddling it was decided that the netbook needed to be formatted and everything re installed. Fortunately my smile had worked and he agreed to do it free of charge. Oh what a lovely boy!
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Diving, oversized chimps, mad taxi drivers and more
18/6/11
We had really rather enjoyed diving and despite blowing the budget opted for one last dive. We assembled our gear and headed off for the 20 minute boat ride to the dive sight with a ship wreck. Not liking to be cold and concerned about the wind (yes I know I sound like Hilary) I took along my coat to keep warm. Everyone laughed but I was happy dry and warm.
We entered the water with a backward roll from the boat and then set off into the deep blue sea. With a small current and medium visibility we descended to 18meteres and began to explore the wreck. It was soooooo cool. You could see lots of old masts, rigging boat bits and pieces and the occasional odd think like a dot matrix printer that had escaped from the wreck over time. There were loads of fish including barracudas, angel fish parrot fish, pipe fish, devil fish (rather poisonous) sting rays and assorted others that are nameless to me. It short it was truly spectacular.
19/6/11
The time had come to leave the dive island. Ceecee said we should stay and when we explained we had train tickets and were meeting my mum in a weeks’ time she came back with the typically Ceecee response of “yeh well that’s great but in comparison to staying hear and diving that’s shit so you better stay.” Despite such a kind offer combined with Ceecees newly adopted squirrel that had fallen out of a tree the night before we decided that we had better leave.
Learning from our previous mistakes regarding seating location on the boat to the main land we opted for a spot at the back next to the boat man. This combined with the fact that the driver knew how do decelerate when it got bumpy meant a much more pleasant journey even enjoyable. Upon returning to the mainland we were approached by the usual hoard of taxi drivers but there pressure tactics pale into insignificance when compared to those within big cites allowing us to breeze past relatively unencumbered. We made our way to the bus stand and worked out that the bus was either in two hours or at 2pm and settled in for a wait. Taxi drivers came by periodically touting for business but once it was clear we would wait for the public bus the price came down to the locals price and a group of four of us climbed aboard a taxi for the trip back to the main bus station.
After a few hours of internet time updating the blog, looking at emails, booking more hostels and surfing we headed to the train station for the overnight train. Before boarding we collected some takeaway dinner. Not being able to read the signs I asked the staff to server my dinner into a box not realising it was self-service. Despite the looks, chattering and shaking of their heads I succeeded in getting provisions for the journey along with some tandoori jelly fish sticks. They tasted nicer that they sound.
The train arrived and James found he almost fit on the sleeper bunk a small miracle in Asia. That said he still could have done with another 60cm or so and as he said “I am officially a giant, it’s a disability you know they should make previsions for me…”
20/6/11
We arrived in Kuala Lumpa about an hour late around 8.45 am. As you know James is not exactly a morning person but he was in relatively good spirits for about 2 minutes until he nearly knocked himself out forgetting that he had to duck to get through the train doors. I suggested that he wear a cap that special needs children have but I am not sure this was quite the right thing to say or particularly sympathetic???
Arriving at the hostel we checked in, filled up on the complimentary breakfast and then headed off to explore. We arrived at the iconic twin towers which once claimed once to be the tallest in the world with the addition of some masts on the top. The US tall buildings commission (yes there is one amazingly) ruled that the masts did not count. That said the buildings are impressive and the view from the top stunning. Unfortunately the viewing platform was closed on a Monday so we will have to buy a post card instead.
We decided that we would indulge in some consumerism so headed off to one of the many huge shopping centres. Even if we did not buy anything more than a coffee at least there would be air conditioning. On the way we stopped at a chocolate shop where the sales assistants engaged in high pressure chocolate selling. We were greeted by an assistant, whizzed round the store given a few samples and then encouraged to buy lots. I asked for a basket but she kindly followed me round so she could carry my purchases and upsell on quantity. Here commission will be somewhat lacking- our purchases… a single bar but top marks for trying.
Upon arriving at the shopping centre proper we entered another church to consumerism. 10 floors of shopping including 3 cinemas and in in house theme park complete with roller coasters. Amazingly it was not too overbearing and was quite pleasant inside. Not like the Trafford centre in any way. Then something strange happened… I was not drunk, under the influence of drugs, hypnotised or mentally impaired in any way but shortly I found myself shopping for not one but two netbooks (very small laptops). We spent an hour comparing prices and specs before negotiation a little and then handing over cash for these sexy sleek lightweight devices one in red and one white. I am not quite sure what happened!
21/6/11
After gobbling down some more free breakfast we headed off for a free walking tour (spending money the day before still ringing in my ears you see). We saw all sorts of interesting old buildings the highlight being a mosque. Upon entering we were handed a jalber or smock . We were used to such garments being handed out to our female friends and relatives but where somewhat taken aback to be told we needed to ware one two. The headscarf was not a requirement for men though. Walking round in already hot conditions we looked a treat in the oversized smock which was supposed to cover our legs and arms. Predictably it was 20cm too short for James so his nicely turned ankle and wrists were on display.
Later we arrived at a Chinese temple where the guide explained how to ask the deities for advice. Following her explanation she asked if anyone wanted to do this. There was a general mummer of interest but none stepped forward. So with a little shove from James I found myself kneeling in front of the deities shaking a big pot of numbered sticks until one fell out whilst saying my name, country, date of birth and asking my question. Not quite having the technique down to a fine art the sticks looked like they would never fall out but eventually number 27 did. The next step was to throw two rocks on the floor and if they fell in a certain way this indicated that the correct stick had fallen out. The stones fell in the appropriate way so we set off to the counter to get the answer to my question which was ‘will I find a good job in New Zealand?’ Next we had to find someone to interpret the inscription. The temple guru explained what it said to a Malaysian man who was on the tour. He then turned to me and said “ you can take this literally or like a movie.” Sensing something odd I agreed that I would not be too distraught by the predication so he told me that I was like a fish out of water and that I needed the rains to come in order to survive. Not the most positive predication but being an optimist I interpreted this as meaning that whilst I was traveling for the next few months I would not find a job but upon arrival in New Zealand all would be ok either that or I would be a kept man as James has a good job lined up!
That afternoon was spent engaging in our usual big city activity- visiting a chiropractor. Armed with an address we set off to find a taxi. Kuala lumpa has no shortage of such vehicles but it only the tenth taxi agreed to turn its meter on and charge us properly. The rest wanted 20-30 ringets for a journey that we had been told should cost 13. Eventually we found a taxi and in response to our asking if he had a meter and would use hit he said ‘of course it’s illegal not to and those who don’t will go to hell.’ Slightly odd yes but as he was going to use the meter we jumped in. For the 15 minute journey he did not stop talking which coming from me says something. We now know he used to have a manufacturing business had retired from that and now drives taxies to keep busy, works with orphaned street children, lives his life in a godly fashion and believes that what goes around comes around.
Once deposited at the chiropractors James was manipulated and cracked to his satisfaction and following a trip to but Newsweek (very exciting- not had an English western magazine for nearly 3 months) and a coffee we hailed another cab and again entered into the third dimension. This driver was Malaysian and his family from Iran. He thought the UK was a wonderful place and wanted to visit but could not get a visa and asked if we could help him if he paid us. He told us that he was a Muslim and this meant getting a visa was hard but we were not to worry as he was a good Muslim and a family man and just wanted to visit the UK. Despite being an entrepeurial sort we decided that this money making scheme was not for us and explained that we could not help as the authorises made such endeavoured very difficult. Oh well.
We had really rather enjoyed diving and despite blowing the budget opted for one last dive. We assembled our gear and headed off for the 20 minute boat ride to the dive sight with a ship wreck. Not liking to be cold and concerned about the wind (yes I know I sound like Hilary) I took along my coat to keep warm. Everyone laughed but I was happy dry and warm.
We entered the water with a backward roll from the boat and then set off into the deep blue sea. With a small current and medium visibility we descended to 18meteres and began to explore the wreck. It was soooooo cool. You could see lots of old masts, rigging boat bits and pieces and the occasional odd think like a dot matrix printer that had escaped from the wreck over time. There were loads of fish including barracudas, angel fish parrot fish, pipe fish, devil fish (rather poisonous) sting rays and assorted others that are nameless to me. It short it was truly spectacular.
19/6/11
The time had come to leave the dive island. Ceecee said we should stay and when we explained we had train tickets and were meeting my mum in a weeks’ time she came back with the typically Ceecee response of “yeh well that’s great but in comparison to staying hear and diving that’s shit so you better stay.” Despite such a kind offer combined with Ceecees newly adopted squirrel that had fallen out of a tree the night before we decided that we had better leave.
Learning from our previous mistakes regarding seating location on the boat to the main land we opted for a spot at the back next to the boat man. This combined with the fact that the driver knew how do decelerate when it got bumpy meant a much more pleasant journey even enjoyable. Upon returning to the mainland we were approached by the usual hoard of taxi drivers but there pressure tactics pale into insignificance when compared to those within big cites allowing us to breeze past relatively unencumbered. We made our way to the bus stand and worked out that the bus was either in two hours or at 2pm and settled in for a wait. Taxi drivers came by periodically touting for business but once it was clear we would wait for the public bus the price came down to the locals price and a group of four of us climbed aboard a taxi for the trip back to the main bus station.
After a few hours of internet time updating the blog, looking at emails, booking more hostels and surfing we headed to the train station for the overnight train. Before boarding we collected some takeaway dinner. Not being able to read the signs I asked the staff to server my dinner into a box not realising it was self-service. Despite the looks, chattering and shaking of their heads I succeeded in getting provisions for the journey along with some tandoori jelly fish sticks. They tasted nicer that they sound.
The train arrived and James found he almost fit on the sleeper bunk a small miracle in Asia. That said he still could have done with another 60cm or so and as he said “I am officially a giant, it’s a disability you know they should make previsions for me…”
20/6/11
We arrived in Kuala Lumpa about an hour late around 8.45 am. As you know James is not exactly a morning person but he was in relatively good spirits for about 2 minutes until he nearly knocked himself out forgetting that he had to duck to get through the train doors. I suggested that he wear a cap that special needs children have but I am not sure this was quite the right thing to say or particularly sympathetic???
Arriving at the hostel we checked in, filled up on the complimentary breakfast and then headed off to explore. We arrived at the iconic twin towers which once claimed once to be the tallest in the world with the addition of some masts on the top. The US tall buildings commission (yes there is one amazingly) ruled that the masts did not count. That said the buildings are impressive and the view from the top stunning. Unfortunately the viewing platform was closed on a Monday so we will have to buy a post card instead.
We decided that we would indulge in some consumerism so headed off to one of the many huge shopping centres. Even if we did not buy anything more than a coffee at least there would be air conditioning. On the way we stopped at a chocolate shop where the sales assistants engaged in high pressure chocolate selling. We were greeted by an assistant, whizzed round the store given a few samples and then encouraged to buy lots. I asked for a basket but she kindly followed me round so she could carry my purchases and upsell on quantity. Here commission will be somewhat lacking- our purchases… a single bar but top marks for trying.
Upon arriving at the shopping centre proper we entered another church to consumerism. 10 floors of shopping including 3 cinemas and in in house theme park complete with roller coasters. Amazingly it was not too overbearing and was quite pleasant inside. Not like the Trafford centre in any way. Then something strange happened… I was not drunk, under the influence of drugs, hypnotised or mentally impaired in any way but shortly I found myself shopping for not one but two netbooks (very small laptops). We spent an hour comparing prices and specs before negotiation a little and then handing over cash for these sexy sleek lightweight devices one in red and one white. I am not quite sure what happened!
21/6/11
After gobbling down some more free breakfast we headed off for a free walking tour (spending money the day before still ringing in my ears you see). We saw all sorts of interesting old buildings the highlight being a mosque. Upon entering we were handed a jalber or smock . We were used to such garments being handed out to our female friends and relatives but where somewhat taken aback to be told we needed to ware one two. The headscarf was not a requirement for men though. Walking round in already hot conditions we looked a treat in the oversized smock which was supposed to cover our legs and arms. Predictably it was 20cm too short for James so his nicely turned ankle and wrists were on display.
Later we arrived at a Chinese temple where the guide explained how to ask the deities for advice. Following her explanation she asked if anyone wanted to do this. There was a general mummer of interest but none stepped forward. So with a little shove from James I found myself kneeling in front of the deities shaking a big pot of numbered sticks until one fell out whilst saying my name, country, date of birth and asking my question. Not quite having the technique down to a fine art the sticks looked like they would never fall out but eventually number 27 did. The next step was to throw two rocks on the floor and if they fell in a certain way this indicated that the correct stick had fallen out. The stones fell in the appropriate way so we set off to the counter to get the answer to my question which was ‘will I find a good job in New Zealand?’ Next we had to find someone to interpret the inscription. The temple guru explained what it said to a Malaysian man who was on the tour. He then turned to me and said “ you can take this literally or like a movie.” Sensing something odd I agreed that I would not be too distraught by the predication so he told me that I was like a fish out of water and that I needed the rains to come in order to survive. Not the most positive predication but being an optimist I interpreted this as meaning that whilst I was traveling for the next few months I would not find a job but upon arrival in New Zealand all would be ok either that or I would be a kept man as James has a good job lined up!
That afternoon was spent engaging in our usual big city activity- visiting a chiropractor. Armed with an address we set off to find a taxi. Kuala lumpa has no shortage of such vehicles but it only the tenth taxi agreed to turn its meter on and charge us properly. The rest wanted 20-30 ringets for a journey that we had been told should cost 13. Eventually we found a taxi and in response to our asking if he had a meter and would use hit he said ‘of course it’s illegal not to and those who don’t will go to hell.’ Slightly odd yes but as he was going to use the meter we jumped in. For the 15 minute journey he did not stop talking which coming from me says something. We now know he used to have a manufacturing business had retired from that and now drives taxies to keep busy, works with orphaned street children, lives his life in a godly fashion and believes that what goes around comes around.
Once deposited at the chiropractors James was manipulated and cracked to his satisfaction and following a trip to but Newsweek (very exciting- not had an English western magazine for nearly 3 months) and a coffee we hailed another cab and again entered into the third dimension. This driver was Malaysian and his family from Iran. He thought the UK was a wonderful place and wanted to visit but could not get a visa and asked if we could help him if he paid us. He told us that he was a Muslim and this meant getting a visa was hard but we were not to worry as he was a good Muslim and a family man and just wanted to visit the UK. Despite being an entrepeurial sort we decided that this money making scheme was not for us and explained that we could not help as the authorises made such endeavoured very difficult. Oh well.
Monday, 20 June 2011
Pirate party...
17/6/11
Sasha and I completed our final dive and James successfully completed his fish identification course during our dive together. James could not have cared less about fish ID but never the less he enjoyed his dive. We are now officially open water divers (me) and advanced open water diver. We even have a card to prove it!
The afternoon was spent preparing for a pirate party that the guys from the dive shop had invited us to. Being short of a project I throw myself into the preparation organising a number of people to draw pictures of guns swords monkeys and parrots onto cardboard which we then cut out and could in. Four hours later we had a pleasingly large pile of props for our night out.
After James ‘night dive we retired to our rooms to begin the transformation into our pirate attire. We sported to eye patches, 2 swords, a parrot and a monkey between us along with a false moustache for me (nearly 30 and not able to grow my own!). Being firmly in travel mode we had a nap as well and joined the party at 1030. This was by no means late as we were out with two Spaniards, a sweed and a random selection of people from the rest of the world. Time keeping it would seem appears to be particular to the British and Germans.
At the fashionably late time of midnight we all sauntered down to the pirate party on the beach. Lubricated with several bottles of monkey juice (a sprit like rum that we bought illegally as alcohol is banned on the island)we danced and chatted the night away. Feeling tired we retied and to our amassment we had partied until 3.30. So unlike us but rather a lot of fun!
Sasha and I completed our final dive and James successfully completed his fish identification course during our dive together. James could not have cared less about fish ID but never the less he enjoyed his dive. We are now officially open water divers (me) and advanced open water diver. We even have a card to prove it!
The afternoon was spent preparing for a pirate party that the guys from the dive shop had invited us to. Being short of a project I throw myself into the preparation organising a number of people to draw pictures of guns swords monkeys and parrots onto cardboard which we then cut out and could in. Four hours later we had a pleasingly large pile of props for our night out.
After James ‘night dive we retired to our rooms to begin the transformation into our pirate attire. We sported to eye patches, 2 swords, a parrot and a monkey between us along with a false moustache for me (nearly 30 and not able to grow my own!). Being firmly in travel mode we had a nap as well and joined the party at 1030. This was by no means late as we were out with two Spaniards, a sweed and a random selection of people from the rest of the world. Time keeping it would seem appears to be particular to the British and Germans.
At the fashionably late time of midnight we all sauntered down to the pirate party on the beach. Lubricated with several bottles of monkey juice (a sprit like rum that we bought illegally as alcohol is banned on the island)we danced and chatted the night away. Feeling tired we retied and to our amassment we had partied until 3.30. So unlike us but rather a lot of fun!
Diving and an exam
16/6/11
Lu is in kids camp again as he has to be at the dive centre for 8.30 am for more skills sessions. At 11.30 James, Sasha and I head off for a dive. The current is quite strong but never the less we have fun albeit with Antonio having to hold on to Sasha and I so we don’t float away as we practice our skills underwater. James on the other hand looks majestical just hovering above us as we complete our tasks. I am not sure why James was worried about losing his skills as the 100 dives he has under his belt certainly show. His buoyancy is second to none… a skill that still alludes me!
The afternoon is spent watching more DVD’s followed by the final exam. After three months of reading nothing more taxing that some low grade fiction it is a shock to the system to have to recall new knowledge to answer 50 questions. It’s actually quite hard and I have to retire to the back room for some quite. Fortunately I had paid enough attention and retained enough facts in order to pass the exam.
Feeling like we had worked hard and in relation to our recent expenditure of mental energy we had we decided to reward ourselves with a nice dinner and a beer. This was pushing the boat out as in my quest to stay on budget or certainly not exceed it too much we had been eating bread and crisps for breakfast and pot noodles for lunch. Cheap yes delicious certainly not, nationally complete… dubious.
Lu is in kids camp again as he has to be at the dive centre for 8.30 am for more skills sessions. At 11.30 James, Sasha and I head off for a dive. The current is quite strong but never the less we have fun albeit with Antonio having to hold on to Sasha and I so we don’t float away as we practice our skills underwater. James on the other hand looks majestical just hovering above us as we complete our tasks. I am not sure why James was worried about losing his skills as the 100 dives he has under his belt certainly show. His buoyancy is second to none… a skill that still alludes me!
The afternoon is spent watching more DVD’s followed by the final exam. After three months of reading nothing more taxing that some low grade fiction it is a shock to the system to have to recall new knowledge to answer 50 questions. It’s actually quite hard and I have to retire to the back room for some quite. Fortunately I had paid enough attention and retained enough facts in order to pass the exam.
Feeling like we had worked hard and in relation to our recent expenditure of mental energy we had we decided to reward ourselves with a nice dinner and a beer. This was pushing the boat out as in my quest to stay on budget or certainly not exceed it too much we had been eating bread and crisps for breakfast and pot noodles for lunch. Cheap yes delicious certainly not, nationally complete… dubious.
Diving day two
15/6/11
James is in heaven…I have someone to entertain me in the morning so he gets a lie in. I have to be at the dive centre for 8.30am and James only needs to be there for an 11.30 dive. “It’s like putting lu in to kids camp…wonderful.” I spend the morning assembling and disassembling dive kit before heading off to my confined water 1 session. Here Sasha and I are expected to preform all manor of tasks including taking our mask off underwater, putting it back on and getting the water out. Its mind over matter if you don’t want to panic of breath though your nose, inhaling lots of water.
With the tasks successfully completed Sasha and I were sent to watch 2 more hours of DVD’s followed by a knowledge review. During this time James goes on a wreck dive which he reports as fun but a little scary as the visibility was very poor and the current very strong.
The evening was spent with Sasha, an Iraqi and two Malaysian lads. Dinner was good and the card game I learnt interesting but after a little while the conversation became very dry and James decided it was time for bed… I was not far behind!
James is in heaven…I have someone to entertain me in the morning so he gets a lie in. I have to be at the dive centre for 8.30am and James only needs to be there for an 11.30 dive. “It’s like putting lu in to kids camp…wonderful.” I spend the morning assembling and disassembling dive kit before heading off to my confined water 1 session. Here Sasha and I are expected to preform all manor of tasks including taking our mask off underwater, putting it back on and getting the water out. Its mind over matter if you don’t want to panic of breath though your nose, inhaling lots of water.
With the tasks successfully completed Sasha and I were sent to watch 2 more hours of DVD’s followed by a knowledge review. During this time James goes on a wreck dive which he reports as fun but a little scary as the visibility was very poor and the current very strong.
The evening was spent with Sasha, an Iraqi and two Malaysian lads. Dinner was good and the card game I learnt interesting but after a little while the conversation became very dry and James decided it was time for bed… I was not far behind!
The diving begins...
14/6/11
Being tight (apparently a feature of mine) I had managed to wangle a free boat pick up from the side of the island that we were staying on saving aprox 2gbp each (well every penny/ringet counts). Of course the boat man was on Asia time so was 40 minutes late but I calmed myself by thinking that he would come as we had not paid the dive school any money yet! Once safely delivered to the dive school I was paired with Sasha and told I would be doing 4 dives, 3 sets of theory in the water and watching 5 hours of instructional DVD. James would be doing 5 dives but had no DVD’s to watch. Little did I know that the DVD’s would be painfully boring but more on that later. I was also unaware that Sasha would be possibly the most boring person on earth. He was not unpleasant but it often felt like there was blood running from my ears when he was talking. Most of his stories started and ended with “when I was in university in KL/ in KL / in Malaysia I did something (incredibly mundane) and then the story would stop. Later he would push James when he was underwater sealing his fate in James eyes as being a” tosspot!”
It may sound as if it’s all moans but it was certainly far from that as Antonio the instructor was just lovely. A Spaniard with a slow and patient approach to dealing with new divers who inspired confidence without being pushy. Within an hour of stating the course Antonio had Sasha and I underwater and James was on his first dive Gus (a lovely Canadian) . The dive was like paddling in bath water as the sae was 30degrees centigrade. The water was postcard blue and the marine life even at the shallow depths was spectacular.
The afternoon was spent watching the PADI DVD’s. Oh my they are of a cheesy production quality and so dry. Surly an organisation that claims to have 70% of the divers registered with it could splash out on a decent DVD? Well anyway we persevered and completed the set questions. Realising that the answers were all in the accompanying book and having no oversight we skipped the next DVD and just answer the questions. Bliss as it allowed me to have a little nap!
Whilst we were watching the DVD James was on his first open water dive for the advanced course. This was a deep water dive the depth of which should not exceed n30 meters. When James emerged he realised he had been down to 35 meters but appeared not to have suffered any ill effects. The dive log will of course reflect the 30 meter depth as not to upset any PADI inspectors!
Being tight (apparently a feature of mine) I had managed to wangle a free boat pick up from the side of the island that we were staying on saving aprox 2gbp each (well every penny/ringet counts). Of course the boat man was on Asia time so was 40 minutes late but I calmed myself by thinking that he would come as we had not paid the dive school any money yet! Once safely delivered to the dive school I was paired with Sasha and told I would be doing 4 dives, 3 sets of theory in the water and watching 5 hours of instructional DVD. James would be doing 5 dives but had no DVD’s to watch. Little did I know that the DVD’s would be painfully boring but more on that later. I was also unaware that Sasha would be possibly the most boring person on earth. He was not unpleasant but it often felt like there was blood running from my ears when he was talking. Most of his stories started and ended with “when I was in university in KL/ in KL / in Malaysia I did something (incredibly mundane) and then the story would stop. Later he would push James when he was underwater sealing his fate in James eyes as being a” tosspot!”
It may sound as if it’s all moans but it was certainly far from that as Antonio the instructor was just lovely. A Spaniard with a slow and patient approach to dealing with new divers who inspired confidence without being pushy. Within an hour of stating the course Antonio had Sasha and I underwater and James was on his first dive Gus (a lovely Canadian) . The dive was like paddling in bath water as the sae was 30degrees centigrade. The water was postcard blue and the marine life even at the shallow depths was spectacular.
The afternoon was spent watching the PADI DVD’s. Oh my they are of a cheesy production quality and so dry. Surly an organisation that claims to have 70% of the divers registered with it could splash out on a decent DVD? Well anyway we persevered and completed the set questions. Realising that the answers were all in the accompanying book and having no oversight we skipped the next DVD and just answer the questions. Bliss as it allowed me to have a little nap!
Whilst we were watching the DVD James was on his first open water dive for the advanced course. This was a deep water dive the depth of which should not exceed n30 meters. When James emerged he realised he had been down to 35 meters but appeared not to have suffered any ill effects. The dive log will of course reflect the 30 meter depth as not to upset any PADI inspectors!
Sunday, 19 June 2011
At the end of the day its fucking cheep...
13/6/11
Rising early I had to the sea for another swim followed by some pilates. Breakfast is sweet bread and crisp brought from the mainland. The bread is sweet not by our choosing but by the fact that it appears to be almost imposable to get any bread in Malaysia where the third ingredient isn’t sugar. The only benefit is that it negates the need for jam which is a nice cost saving!
Once James has roused himself (the early starts did not rally take off) we head along the jungle path to find a more populous beech and to investing the options for diving. Along the way we see a huge monitor lizard about 3meters long. Fortunately they are fairly timid and don’t want to interact with humans. We also see a number of fallen down beech chalets that if the planning was left up to me we would probably be staying in. That said I doubt we would have left the mainland to get to the island if I was in charge! We also encounter a hippy of sorts emerging from one of the dialect chalets who is interested in engaging us in conversation. He looks odd we are sweating lots and really just want to keep going on our way. Being British and polite we answer his questions but keep moving along. As we get to the end of hippy territory he turns and leaves us whilst saying peace man. Once out of earshot James said I didn’t like him to begin with but certainly don’t like anyone who says peace man!
Once at the more populous beech we have some lunch and explore the dive shops. Our second diver shop is Panorama where we are greeted by a friendly crew of 25-30 year olds who run the shop. The packages are very good value and come with discounted accommodation. We were thinking about our options but whilst doing this CeeCee one of the dive leaders walks over and gives us her version of a sales pitch. “listen you get a free tee-shirt, cheep accommodation and popcorn when your watching the diving DVD’s and at the end of the days its fucking cheep so stop talking about it and book on.” Normally we would have been shocked but CeeCee delivered it with such a smile and was so engaging we decided to sign up.
I enrolled on the four day open water dive course and James on the advanced diver course. The only problem being that James had booked accommodation at the other end of the island for the rest of our stay. Upon returning to our rooms James scurred inside and I was dispatched to sort out the accommodation problem… tell them that we were leaving. Never being involved in the planning is a bonus for me but James only keeps me around for dealing with the more difficult situations! Fortunately I noticed that the white board behind the bar only had us staying for two nights as opposed to the week James had thought we had booked. As such there was no problem. Phew!
Rising early I had to the sea for another swim followed by some pilates. Breakfast is sweet bread and crisp brought from the mainland. The bread is sweet not by our choosing but by the fact that it appears to be almost imposable to get any bread in Malaysia where the third ingredient isn’t sugar. The only benefit is that it negates the need for jam which is a nice cost saving!
Once James has roused himself (the early starts did not rally take off) we head along the jungle path to find a more populous beech and to investing the options for diving. Along the way we see a huge monitor lizard about 3meters long. Fortunately they are fairly timid and don’t want to interact with humans. We also see a number of fallen down beech chalets that if the planning was left up to me we would probably be staying in. That said I doubt we would have left the mainland to get to the island if I was in charge! We also encounter a hippy of sorts emerging from one of the dialect chalets who is interested in engaging us in conversation. He looks odd we are sweating lots and really just want to keep going on our way. Being British and polite we answer his questions but keep moving along. As we get to the end of hippy territory he turns and leaves us whilst saying peace man. Once out of earshot James said I didn’t like him to begin with but certainly don’t like anyone who says peace man!
Once at the more populous beech we have some lunch and explore the dive shops. Our second diver shop is Panorama where we are greeted by a friendly crew of 25-30 year olds who run the shop. The packages are very good value and come with discounted accommodation. We were thinking about our options but whilst doing this CeeCee one of the dive leaders walks over and gives us her version of a sales pitch. “listen you get a free tee-shirt, cheep accommodation and popcorn when your watching the diving DVD’s and at the end of the days its fucking cheep so stop talking about it and book on.” Normally we would have been shocked but CeeCee delivered it with such a smile and was so engaging we decided to sign up.
I enrolled on the four day open water dive course and James on the advanced diver course. The only problem being that James had booked accommodation at the other end of the island for the rest of our stay. Upon returning to our rooms James scurred inside and I was dispatched to sort out the accommodation problem… tell them that we were leaving. Never being involved in the planning is a bonus for me but James only keeps me around for dealing with the more difficult situations! Fortunately I noticed that the white board behind the bar only had us staying for two nights as opposed to the week James had thought we had booked. As such there was no problem. Phew!
Compression fractures on the way to paradise
12/6/11
Knowing we are off to an Island and expecting it to be expensive as we are captive there I was dispatched to the shops to stock up on supplies. With enough orange squash, food, booze and sweets to double my bags weight we waddle down to the bus station and board the local bus to the port. So far so smooth. Next we arrive at the port with our pre bought tickets for a transfer to the island. Again so far so smooth. Then we get on the boat for the transfer… First of all I almost crush James’ hand by leaning on it to get onto the boat then the driver decided to drive as fast as he could for the 30 minute journey. By no way a smooth adventure. Sitting at the front of this little speed boat crashing over waves we feel like we are getting compression fractures of every imaginable bone along with the distinct possibility that our head may be severed by the force of the next wave. The only mildly comforting factor is that we have life jackets on.
After 30 minutes we arrive at what can only be described as paradise. James has excelled himself on the beauty and location. Yes it’s a little isolated but it certainly is a little slice of paradise. 15 beech huts on a secluded beech. A few hammocks and a boat or two and that’s about it. As soon as we checked in we were reclining on the beech. Not one for sitting still and admiring the view for very long I hoped into the water for a swim. The water was clear the sea life in abundance and there was even corral in the shallow water. WOW this is what postcards are made of!
Knowing we are off to an Island and expecting it to be expensive as we are captive there I was dispatched to the shops to stock up on supplies. With enough orange squash, food, booze and sweets to double my bags weight we waddle down to the bus station and board the local bus to the port. So far so smooth. Next we arrive at the port with our pre bought tickets for a transfer to the island. Again so far so smooth. Then we get on the boat for the transfer… First of all I almost crush James’ hand by leaning on it to get onto the boat then the driver decided to drive as fast as he could for the 30 minute journey. By no way a smooth adventure. Sitting at the front of this little speed boat crashing over waves we feel like we are getting compression fractures of every imaginable bone along with the distinct possibility that our head may be severed by the force of the next wave. The only mildly comforting factor is that we have life jackets on.
After 30 minutes we arrive at what can only be described as paradise. James has excelled himself on the beauty and location. Yes it’s a little isolated but it certainly is a little slice of paradise. 15 beech huts on a secluded beech. A few hammocks and a boat or two and that’s about it. As soon as we checked in we were reclining on the beech. Not one for sitting still and admiring the view for very long I hoped into the water for a swim. The water was clear the sea life in abundance and there was even corral in the shallow water. WOW this is what postcards are made of!
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Traveling is fun but the actual traveling bit not so much!
10/6/11
After a lovely 10 days in Koh Samui its time to leave and embark on what we know will be a mammoth 3 days of traveling . The plan is to get a mini bus to the port… get on a boat… then another bus to the train station… hang round for 8 hours… then get on an overnight train… wake up get on a motorbike taxi to the boarder… walk across the board through two sets of immigration… get a taxi to a hotel… rest for the night in a Malaysian transit town… get an early mini bus to another port.. take a ferry to an island.. get another minibus and then arrive at the beech hut and have a beer!
This best laid plans never usually work but we are pleased to tell you that everything did work. There were a few annoyances like 8 hour wait at the train station that turned into a 10 hour wait meaning we did not board to overnight train until 2am. The absolutely shocking train station hotel that whist cheep and us at a loose end for 8 hours ever we did not want to check into. Cast your mind back to our first Trip and you may recall our Ostrava blog where we stayed in a doss house for a night. Whilst the clientele at this hotel may have been slightly better the hotel had gone past faded glory and was heady towards compulsory demolition. As such we though the better option was a few hours on the internet, some dinner and post care writing and5 hours on the stain station floor. To make matters worse we had almost run out of cash so going to a comfortable bar was also out of the question. That said there local area had a severer deficit of such establishments or should I say none.
11/6/11
12.27am The train should be here by now but alas it’s running late
01.30 The board shows another delay
02.00 Hurrah our train is hear. Oh shit we are carriage 15 and we are outside carriage one. Quick run. Pheww we made it. Time for the oversized chip to curl up in a ball and go to sleep.
10.45 We should be there now
12.00 still not there
13.00 we are here yepeee.
Having no Malaysian money and having run out of BHAt and there not being an ATM in sight lunch is out of the question. That said we did have a sticky bun in the bag for breakfast. If we did not James may be minus an arm by now.
14.00 We have arrived at the hotel
15.00 Breakfast time. Luke nearly chewing the table leg off now. Even drinking a sugar drink. Breakfast/lunch is taken in a small café where the menu is all in Malaysian. Pointing at the menu words (no idea wheat we are ordering) and making hand singles is getting us nowhere. The old lady regards us as if we are learning disabled whilst I eye up her left calf thinking it would go nice with chilly paste. Fortunately a local helps us and we manage to order some very yummy but incredibly spicy food washed down with a nice Iced coffee. Bliss!!!
After a lovely 10 days in Koh Samui its time to leave and embark on what we know will be a mammoth 3 days of traveling . The plan is to get a mini bus to the port… get on a boat… then another bus to the train station… hang round for 8 hours… then get on an overnight train… wake up get on a motorbike taxi to the boarder… walk across the board through two sets of immigration… get a taxi to a hotel… rest for the night in a Malaysian transit town… get an early mini bus to another port.. take a ferry to an island.. get another minibus and then arrive at the beech hut and have a beer!
This best laid plans never usually work but we are pleased to tell you that everything did work. There were a few annoyances like 8 hour wait at the train station that turned into a 10 hour wait meaning we did not board to overnight train until 2am. The absolutely shocking train station hotel that whist cheep and us at a loose end for 8 hours ever we did not want to check into. Cast your mind back to our first Trip and you may recall our Ostrava blog where we stayed in a doss house for a night. Whilst the clientele at this hotel may have been slightly better the hotel had gone past faded glory and was heady towards compulsory demolition. As such we though the better option was a few hours on the internet, some dinner and post care writing and5 hours on the stain station floor. To make matters worse we had almost run out of cash so going to a comfortable bar was also out of the question. That said there local area had a severer deficit of such establishments or should I say none.
11/6/11
12.27am The train should be here by now but alas it’s running late
01.30 The board shows another delay
02.00 Hurrah our train is hear. Oh shit we are carriage 15 and we are outside carriage one. Quick run. Pheww we made it. Time for the oversized chip to curl up in a ball and go to sleep.
10.45 We should be there now
12.00 still not there
13.00 we are here yepeee.
Having no Malaysian money and having run out of BHAt and there not being an ATM in sight lunch is out of the question. That said we did have a sticky bun in the bag for breakfast. If we did not James may be minus an arm by now.
14.00 We have arrived at the hotel
15.00 Breakfast time. Luke nearly chewing the table leg off now. Even drinking a sugar drink. Breakfast/lunch is taken in a small café where the menu is all in Malaysian. Pointing at the menu words (no idea wheat we are ordering) and making hand singles is getting us nowhere. The old lady regards us as if we are learning disabled whilst I eye up her left calf thinking it would go nice with chilly paste. Fortunately a local helps us and we manage to order some very yummy but incredibly spicy food washed down with a nice Iced coffee. Bliss!!!
Friday, 10 June 2011
Anyone for a threesome?
9/6/11
We were collected by Adam and Frank and shuttle off on a catamaran to a beautify dive site. The water was so clear and the scenery the stuff of postcards. I dove with Adam the Diver master and Ouver another novice. James dove with Adam who is a dive leader and can take experienced divers. Well we were certainly rewarded as being underwater was like taking part in an episode of the deep. The sea was teaming with vividly colored fish, corral, and all sorts of weird looking things. The water visibility and temperature was perfect and the two 45 minute dives we did passed so quickly-WOW. I even had a free fish skin purification session as a number of little fish nibbled on a scab on my leg… not pleasant at all.
The evening was spend having dinner with our new friends and then heading off to another party with Frank, Long, Egor, Ouver, adam and about 10 other local people. Adam offered us a life back in his car and those who lived near Chwang greatfullyy accepted. Egor was desperate to swim in the sea and being partal to this we agreed that we would go to the beech near our hotel.
We arrived at the beech said goofbuy to adam collected some towels and then headed down too the sea. 10 miniutes later, paul, one of the teenagers who had been at the party arrived on the beech and sat with us before swimming with us. After swimming we returned to our balcony to dryy before saying good buy to Egor and Paul. Just as we were about to do this Paul sugestes that he may have intruded in oour p;lanss for a threesome. Egor goes predicably red and we reassure Paul he has intruded on nothing. Paul does not appear to bbeliver us and asks why not you are all on holiday. Eventually we come to an understanding that a threesome is not on the cards and Paul and Egor leave. Three minutes later Paul is back knocking on our door saying that Egor wants to come to bed with us…. Egor may be 50 paces away and be in the dark but we can see the embarrassed red glow of his face from a mile off. Whilst Egor may consider taking part Paul is certainly leading this charge. After turfing Paul off our porch and saying goodnight to Egor once more we retire to bed thinking well it’s nice to be found attractive…
We were collected by Adam and Frank and shuttle off on a catamaran to a beautify dive site. The water was so clear and the scenery the stuff of postcards. I dove with Adam the Diver master and Ouver another novice. James dove with Adam who is a dive leader and can take experienced divers. Well we were certainly rewarded as being underwater was like taking part in an episode of the deep. The sea was teaming with vividly colored fish, corral, and all sorts of weird looking things. The water visibility and temperature was perfect and the two 45 minute dives we did passed so quickly-WOW. I even had a free fish skin purification session as a number of little fish nibbled on a scab on my leg… not pleasant at all.
The evening was spend having dinner with our new friends and then heading off to another party with Frank, Long, Egor, Ouver, adam and about 10 other local people. Adam offered us a life back in his car and those who lived near Chwang greatfullyy accepted. Egor was desperate to swim in the sea and being partal to this we agreed that we would go to the beech near our hotel.
We arrived at the beech said goofbuy to adam collected some towels and then headed down too the sea. 10 miniutes later, paul, one of the teenagers who had been at the party arrived on the beech and sat with us before swimming with us. After swimming we returned to our balcony to dryy before saying good buy to Egor and Paul. Just as we were about to do this Paul sugestes that he may have intruded in oour p;lanss for a threesome. Egor goes predicably red and we reassure Paul he has intruded on nothing. Paul does not appear to bbeliver us and asks why not you are all on holiday. Eventually we come to an understanding that a threesome is not on the cards and Paul and Egor leave. Three minutes later Paul is back knocking on our door saying that Egor wants to come to bed with us…. Egor may be 50 paces away and be in the dark but we can see the embarrassed red glow of his face from a mile off. Whilst Egor may consider taking part Paul is certainly leading this charge. After turfing Paul off our porch and saying goodnight to Egor once more we retire to bed thinking well it’s nice to be found attractive…
Vollyball- challenging perceptions
8/6/11
After waking up we headed back home for some more sleep before returning to Frank and Longs for a massage lesion. James had the pleasure of Long massaging him and showing me what to do. It was like a BO worship session as once I got the knack there were four hands massaging him. As you can imagine James rather enjoyed this.
After this we headed to the gay beech to watch some volleyball. As they were short of players I ended up playing for 30 minutes. Upon first appearance I thought I would be in for an easy time as the opposition and in fact those on my team were the campest gayest men I had ever set eyes on. One was even well on the way to becoming a lady boy. Every point won or lost would elicit a set of squeals clapping and bum wiggling. That said the boys certainly challenged the perception that camp gay men can’t be good at sport. These boys took no prisoners and played amazing volleyball. As the games went we were left with the best players who put on an amazing match drawing a large crowd of falang and local alike.
After waking up we headed back home for some more sleep before returning to Frank and Longs for a massage lesion. James had the pleasure of Long massaging him and showing me what to do. It was like a BO worship session as once I got the knack there were four hands massaging him. As you can imagine James rather enjoyed this.
After this we headed to the gay beech to watch some volleyball. As they were short of players I ended up playing for 30 minutes. Upon first appearance I thought I would be in for an easy time as the opposition and in fact those on my team were the campest gayest men I had ever set eyes on. One was even well on the way to becoming a lady boy. Every point won or lost would elicit a set of squeals clapping and bum wiggling. That said the boys certainly challenged the perception that camp gay men can’t be good at sport. These boys took no prisoners and played amazing volleyball. As the games went we were left with the best players who put on an amazing match drawing a large crowd of falang and local alike.
Gay fishing and party
7/6/11
We returned to the massage shop at 9am prompt and met up with Frank, Long and Egor for a day of fishing. Fortunately it was cloudy so our day on the boat was superbly cool and pleasant. Not expecting to be kept occupied by fishing and expecting to catch one or two fish all day we were all pleasantly surprised to be catching fish and a huge rate of notes. Admittedly they were are similar but buy the end of the day we had 10kg of fish plus a barracuda that we bought from the fishermen- although it would pretend all the way to frank and Longs on the back of the moped that I had caught this huge fish!
Long cooked us al and about 10 of his friends a lovely meal with the fish that he had caught along with a number of other local Thai dishes. Joining us at the party were a whole host of other local or Expats and we had a right royal time chatting. We discovered that Thailand appears to be unlike many other Asian countries as sexuality and sex is fine. There appear to be few social taboos about being gay or transgender. Local newspapers happily advertise gay nights out and the Bangkok post even carries adverts for sex changes. There are no ex British colony hangovers here because Thailand was never a colony. As long as you respect the king and turn a blind eye towards politics life appears quite good. There is lots of employment with a living wage and the food, lifestyle and culture is quite pleasant.
This is the polar opposite of Russia as Egor who is 22 and lives in Moscow told us. Russia sounds like a truly horrid place to be gay or different in anyway. Homosexuality is a taboo, gay prides are savagely attached whilst the police do nothing and whilst there are gay clubs these are underground. In short it sounds like the UK in the 1950 but possibly with more brutality. As my mum said to me a number of years ago I am glad that I am gay now and in the UK . That said Egor has had a boyfriend and is the sweetest lad we have met on our travels and he blushes so easily. Not quite the typical Russian.
After many discussions the night began to ware on and the drink flowed more freely. People started to leave and in time it was just frank, long James and I left. Our hosts had agreed to let us stay in the spare bedroom but as any sensible group of guys do when living 1 minute from a warm sea... we went for a midnight dip.
We returned to the massage shop at 9am prompt and met up with Frank, Long and Egor for a day of fishing. Fortunately it was cloudy so our day on the boat was superbly cool and pleasant. Not expecting to be kept occupied by fishing and expecting to catch one or two fish all day we were all pleasantly surprised to be catching fish and a huge rate of notes. Admittedly they were are similar but buy the end of the day we had 10kg of fish plus a barracuda that we bought from the fishermen- although it would pretend all the way to frank and Longs on the back of the moped that I had caught this huge fish!
Long cooked us al and about 10 of his friends a lovely meal with the fish that he had caught along with a number of other local Thai dishes. Joining us at the party were a whole host of other local or Expats and we had a right royal time chatting. We discovered that Thailand appears to be unlike many other Asian countries as sexuality and sex is fine. There appear to be few social taboos about being gay or transgender. Local newspapers happily advertise gay nights out and the Bangkok post even carries adverts for sex changes. There are no ex British colony hangovers here because Thailand was never a colony. As long as you respect the king and turn a blind eye towards politics life appears quite good. There is lots of employment with a living wage and the food, lifestyle and culture is quite pleasant.
This is the polar opposite of Russia as Egor who is 22 and lives in Moscow told us. Russia sounds like a truly horrid place to be gay or different in anyway. Homosexuality is a taboo, gay prides are savagely attached whilst the police do nothing and whilst there are gay clubs these are underground. In short it sounds like the UK in the 1950 but possibly with more brutality. As my mum said to me a number of years ago I am glad that I am gay now and in the UK . That said Egor has had a boyfriend and is the sweetest lad we have met on our travels and he blushes so easily. Not quite the typical Russian.
After many discussions the night began to ware on and the drink flowed more freely. People started to leave and in time it was just frank, long James and I left. Our hosts had agreed to let us stay in the spare bedroom but as any sensible group of guys do when living 1 minute from a warm sea... we went for a midnight dip.
Speed and Zip lines
6/6/11
James is a speed daemon- well he drives the moped that we share faster than I do. If he were a cyclist he would be exhausted as he always wants to overtake the next vehicle. One always assumes it is me that is the fun lover but when it comes to mopeds its James. He would however point out that it is I who have had two (no fault) crashes and two speeding tickets. Well anyway on the moped we set off in search of the Zip line company. After getting lost we found ourselves being strapped into a harness and sent hurtling along the tree line on a zip wire. Totally exhilarating!
After a quick nap we popped into Chwang to pick up a suit jacket that I was having made. It is so so nice but its going to be a pain in the arse to carry around. Well one has to suffer for ones fashion or in my case penny pinching… did you know a tailor made jacket out here costs me that same as an off the peg one at home?
We called in at Longs massage shop on the way back to confirm the plans for gay fishing the next day. Fishing with a gay company as opposed to hoping to land, kill and eat a gay. With the plans sorted out we agreed to accompany frank, long and some other friends for some dinner and we were rewarded with some of the nicest freshest fish we have ever eaten and a ridiculously cheep price. Mixing with Expats and locals is not only fun but much cheaper!
James is a speed daemon- well he drives the moped that we share faster than I do. If he were a cyclist he would be exhausted as he always wants to overtake the next vehicle. One always assumes it is me that is the fun lover but when it comes to mopeds its James. He would however point out that it is I who have had two (no fault) crashes and two speeding tickets. Well anyway on the moped we set off in search of the Zip line company. After getting lost we found ourselves being strapped into a harness and sent hurtling along the tree line on a zip wire. Totally exhilarating!
After a quick nap we popped into Chwang to pick up a suit jacket that I was having made. It is so so nice but its going to be a pain in the arse to carry around. Well one has to suffer for ones fashion or in my case penny pinching… did you know a tailor made jacket out here costs me that same as an off the peg one at home?
We called in at Longs massage shop on the way back to confirm the plans for gay fishing the next day. Fishing with a gay company as opposed to hoping to land, kill and eat a gay. With the plans sorted out we agreed to accompany frank, long and some other friends for some dinner and we were rewarded with some of the nicest freshest fish we have ever eaten and a ridiculously cheep price. Mixing with Expats and locals is not only fun but much cheaper!
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
One is not accustomed too..
4/6/11
One is not accustomed too..
A) Being asked to leave a venue.
We recognize that we are not exactly what one would call premium guests but being asked to leave a venue and being physically escorted to the gates is a bit much. As flashpackers- we have illusions to grandeur but a limited budget. We a desire never to sleep in a dormitory or take an overnight bus preferring private rooms and sleep trains. That said the budget is not exactly 5 star which is where we found ourselves.
We had set off from our hotel walking along the headland hoping to find a beech. After about an hour with more than a few incidents, near concussion for James as usual caused by his being tall, and innumerate bumps and scrape and a few jumps into the unknown we spied a beech- our salvation. Normally we would opt for a deserted beech but there were in short supply so we though a public beech would suffice.
We emerged from the water looking hot, disheveled and somewhat dirty. We soon realized we had selected an up market beech but we were determined to at least have a drink so we made our way to the bar. After recovering from a mild coronary we both ordered extravagantly expensive drinks. Two soft drinks cost what we would normally spend on lunch! After sipping these and drying off we may our way over to the sun beds and after a minute or so a smiling Thai in a lovely pressed uniform came over an told us we had to leave as the sun beds were for guests only and would we mind paying our bill and getting on a golf cart so they could take us to the gates. Somewhat taken aback we agreed but then horror struck. We were 20bhat short as we had only a little money in our dry bag. Sensing we were living up to there expectations we apologized and shuffled over to the golf cart.
After being left at that gates we decided that we would not have fitted in any way particularly at $ 1000 US dollars a night and with that we turned on our heal and tottered off to our own less expensive and pretentious hotel. How very dare they!
B) Thai drinking habits
The British and certainly me are not know to be shay when drinking. In fact we drink quite a lot. We are generous and will buy a round but what we don’t do is share every drink that arrives at the table like the Thais do. Whilst this is a lovely habit of the Thais it does mean that you have no real concept of what and how much you ar drinking as beer, buckets of whiskey and red bull and other alcohol just keeps arriving and you share it around.
It was this set up that saw us get rater drunk with our new friends Frank and Long. We had met frank when we enquired about diving and which we will do in the coming days. Frank is a lovely German living and working in Koh Samui with this Thai husband. As such we were delighted to be invited to a BBQ which subsequently did not happen but the drinking, partying and general raucousness did. Suffice to say I was so drunk that I literal fell down and James was equally inebriated being unable to undress himself when we got back. I tried to ‘help’ but in the process tour off the shirt sleeve of his new shirt. One was certainly not impressed!
5/6/11
The next day was predictably somewhat of a wash out with monster hangovers. We did enjoy skypeing our mums but that’s pretty much all that happened!
One is not accustomed too..
A) Being asked to leave a venue.
We recognize that we are not exactly what one would call premium guests but being asked to leave a venue and being physically escorted to the gates is a bit much. As flashpackers- we have illusions to grandeur but a limited budget. We a desire never to sleep in a dormitory or take an overnight bus preferring private rooms and sleep trains. That said the budget is not exactly 5 star which is where we found ourselves.
We had set off from our hotel walking along the headland hoping to find a beech. After about an hour with more than a few incidents, near concussion for James as usual caused by his being tall, and innumerate bumps and scrape and a few jumps into the unknown we spied a beech- our salvation. Normally we would opt for a deserted beech but there were in short supply so we though a public beech would suffice.
We emerged from the water looking hot, disheveled and somewhat dirty. We soon realized we had selected an up market beech but we were determined to at least have a drink so we made our way to the bar. After recovering from a mild coronary we both ordered extravagantly expensive drinks. Two soft drinks cost what we would normally spend on lunch! After sipping these and drying off we may our way over to the sun beds and after a minute or so a smiling Thai in a lovely pressed uniform came over an told us we had to leave as the sun beds were for guests only and would we mind paying our bill and getting on a golf cart so they could take us to the gates. Somewhat taken aback we agreed but then horror struck. We were 20bhat short as we had only a little money in our dry bag. Sensing we were living up to there expectations we apologized and shuffled over to the golf cart.
After being left at that gates we decided that we would not have fitted in any way particularly at $ 1000 US dollars a night and with that we turned on our heal and tottered off to our own less expensive and pretentious hotel. How very dare they!
B) Thai drinking habits
The British and certainly me are not know to be shay when drinking. In fact we drink quite a lot. We are generous and will buy a round but what we don’t do is share every drink that arrives at the table like the Thais do. Whilst this is a lovely habit of the Thais it does mean that you have no real concept of what and how much you ar drinking as beer, buckets of whiskey and red bull and other alcohol just keeps arriving and you share it around.
It was this set up that saw us get rater drunk with our new friends Frank and Long. We had met frank when we enquired about diving and which we will do in the coming days. Frank is a lovely German living and working in Koh Samui with this Thai husband. As such we were delighted to be invited to a BBQ which subsequently did not happen but the drinking, partying and general raucousness did. Suffice to say I was so drunk that I literal fell down and James was equally inebriated being unable to undress himself when we got back. I tried to ‘help’ but in the process tour off the shirt sleeve of his new shirt. One was certainly not impressed!
5/6/11
The next day was predictably somewhat of a wash out with monster hangovers. We did enjoy skypeing our mums but that’s pretty much all that happened!
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Hot Hot Hot
3/6/11
Well it’s another hot day but it’s not the heat that’s the problem it’s the humidity. Just sitting still we get sweaty. Walking turns us into wet tee shirt competitors and god forbid we ever break out into a run for we may just drop down dead. With this in mind the Lu plan of getting up early is still in force even though lots of complaining emanates from the mass under the sheets next to me. After a coffee and some food the moaning one moans less and once we are on the mopeds and heading to the beach with the wind in our hair he is even looking like he may smile.
Arriving at the beech James is installed on a sun longer and I set off for a long walk in search of a Kayak to rent. I do find some but at 3 times the price of having a moped I decline politely and return t James. After another taxing day of playing cards, reading books and sweating we head back to the hotel for our mid day session of cooling in an air conditioned room. Once the heat has gone we swim before heading down the hill to the Irish bar for a pint (yes a real pint glass- its funny what you get nostalgic about) and some good Irish food. The TV was tuned to the French open so we watched Andy Murray win something although we now know his luck would not hold out as the following day he would loose and turn back to the Scottish looser as opposed being British when he wins.
Well it’s another hot day but it’s not the heat that’s the problem it’s the humidity. Just sitting still we get sweaty. Walking turns us into wet tee shirt competitors and god forbid we ever break out into a run for we may just drop down dead. With this in mind the Lu plan of getting up early is still in force even though lots of complaining emanates from the mass under the sheets next to me. After a coffee and some food the moaning one moans less and once we are on the mopeds and heading to the beach with the wind in our hair he is even looking like he may smile.
Arriving at the beech James is installed on a sun longer and I set off for a long walk in search of a Kayak to rent. I do find some but at 3 times the price of having a moped I decline politely and return t James. After another taxing day of playing cards, reading books and sweating we head back to the hotel for our mid day session of cooling in an air conditioned room. Once the heat has gone we swim before heading down the hill to the Irish bar for a pint (yes a real pint glass- its funny what you get nostalgic about) and some good Irish food. The TV was tuned to the French open so we watched Andy Murray win something although we now know his luck would not hold out as the following day he would loose and turn back to the Scottish looser as opposed being British when he wins.
Friday, 3 June 2011
The inevitable hangover
02/6/11
Unsurprisingly we were not up early, did not feel too good and did very little all day. If we had not left the bike in Chwang I suspect we would have reclined at the hotel all day but we thought we had better collect the bike. We successfully rode in on the bike that we had left at the hotel, and retired the bike. Never liking a wasted journey we did call in at a suit shop and commission a nice jacket for me. Felling buoyed by some consumerism and still somewhat hung over we found a restaurant offering a large platter of BBQ meat for a reasonable price. Feeling mush better following an intake of protein and fat we headed back to the hotel for an early night.
Unsurprisingly we were not up early, did not feel too good and did very little all day. If we had not left the bike in Chwang I suspect we would have reclined at the hotel all day but we thought we had better collect the bike. We successfully rode in on the bike that we had left at the hotel, and retired the bike. Never liking a wasted journey we did call in at a suit shop and commission a nice jacket for me. Felling buoyed by some consumerism and still somewhat hung over we found a restaurant offering a large platter of BBQ meat for a reasonable price. Feeling mush better following an intake of protein and fat we headed back to the hotel for an early night.
Birthday maddness
01/06/11
We set off nice and early on our mopeds to find a zip line center. To get there we had a map of dubious quality and our first attempts to get into the hills were thwarted and we returned to the main road. After some time we picked up signs and a side road up that mountain that would lead us to the zip line center. As the road was empty and the views spectacular I eased up the speed of the bike enjoying the cooling winds. After some time James took the lead on his moped and a soon as he turned the first corner and was out of my sight my bike died… I had run out of fuel and as the fuel gauge did not work there had been no warning. I tried beeping my horn to get James attention but he did not hear me. Coasting downhill I found somewhere to stop and wait as surly James would notices that I was not behind him.
Well after 5 minutes James was nearly at the zip line and he look behind him to make sure I would be taking the same turn as him. Unfortunately I was not there. Being unsure if UI had overtaken him he continued to the Zip line center but it was both closed and there was no Luke. Turning back he headed down the hill thinking the worse had happened and as I was not in sight he became more and more concerned. Eventually he found me and gave me a huge hug and then told me off for losing him. Now one may speculate that I had run out of fuel and not James as I was riding more erratically and faster…. Or I could have had less fuel to start with …Well we will never know!
Being in the middle of nowhere we were not too sure how easy it would be to fine fuel but most corner shops sold it by the whisky bottle so there was hope. James set off and successfully retuned some time later with his small water bottle full of fuel and the rest of it in his tank as they were not willing to give over the whiskey bottle. 500mls of fuel was better than nothing and my bike croaked back into life and we headed down the hill.
At the first shop we stopped and had a coke and thought about what we were going to do as the zip line center was closed. We had passed a quad bike center on the way up so we decided that splashing along a mud track would be an appropriate birthday activity for me. We were soon installed on quad bikes and haring around the track splashing though great plies of muddy warm water and in no time I was soaked to the skin and James was rather dirty. Having had the required adrenalin kick returned to the hotel for an afternoon nap.
Later that day we set off on the moped to Chwang for a night out. We ate at a lovely and deliciously expensive restaurant enjoying some of the finest food we have had in Asia. Oh to splash out with gay abandon if only we could do it every day! After dinner we ventured over to a bar before heading down to a lady boy cabaret show. The lip-synching acts were actually very funny and rather entertaining. The evening got better when they declared they needed some audience participation. James slunk low into his chair and of course happy met the eye of the passing act who was searching for a victim. James must have victim written on him as for some reason they chose him but after a quick elbow in the ribs… not that I needed encouragement I found myself on the stage. After some chatting and banter from the hostess where I did my best to give as good as I got I was taken backstage.
In the dressing rooms an umperlumper type person asked me to take my top off and then proceeded to kiss my chest with bright red lipstick. As I did not struggle… hoping they may dress me in some fabulous hot pants warn but the fabulously sexy dancers the umperlumper began to unbutton my shorts and then quick as a flash had her hands down my pants. No not easily embarrassed and not at all concerned about nudity even I found this a bit much and we moved on quickly.
Within a minute or so I was standing behind the stage curtains and the hostess’s glamorous assistant pass my shirt onto the stage which brought about a raucous response from the audience. Next I was one stage and the fabulous hostess was counting the kisses on my sucked in stomach. I of course was loving every moment of the attention and thinking thank goodness I had on decent underpants and not the ones with holes in the waist band… To a loud round of applause and a free drink (coke as opposed to rum and coke) I was back next to James who was exhilarated for me and relived that the attention was never fully directed to him.
After the show we caught the second act of another show before heading to a club where we danced the night away. Now one normally gets hot when dancing but in an open sided none AC club it felt like we were having some form of work out in the dark with flashing lights. Both of us became completely drenched in sweat in a matter of minutes as did all the other Farang. The locals of course did not ever have a bead of sweat on them. Thank god we did not have to try and attract the attention of suitors as I am not sure we would have succeeded!
At a suitably late hour of 2am we decided we had better leave. Knowing that the taxis run a price cartel we were not expecting the trip home to be cheap. Salvation/ insanity was calling as we found to moped taxis who were willing to take us back for a reasonable price. Now this was both salvation and insanity in equal parts. Cheep yes, exhilarating partially, safe certainly not as we both clung onto the driver/ each other during the 15 minute ride back to the hotel. We survived and agreed not to take a moped taxi again until time had dulled the memory and alcohol lubricated the senses.
We set off nice and early on our mopeds to find a zip line center. To get there we had a map of dubious quality and our first attempts to get into the hills were thwarted and we returned to the main road. After some time we picked up signs and a side road up that mountain that would lead us to the zip line center. As the road was empty and the views spectacular I eased up the speed of the bike enjoying the cooling winds. After some time James took the lead on his moped and a soon as he turned the first corner and was out of my sight my bike died… I had run out of fuel and as the fuel gauge did not work there had been no warning. I tried beeping my horn to get James attention but he did not hear me. Coasting downhill I found somewhere to stop and wait as surly James would notices that I was not behind him.
Well after 5 minutes James was nearly at the zip line and he look behind him to make sure I would be taking the same turn as him. Unfortunately I was not there. Being unsure if UI had overtaken him he continued to the Zip line center but it was both closed and there was no Luke. Turning back he headed down the hill thinking the worse had happened and as I was not in sight he became more and more concerned. Eventually he found me and gave me a huge hug and then told me off for losing him. Now one may speculate that I had run out of fuel and not James as I was riding more erratically and faster…. Or I could have had less fuel to start with …Well we will never know!
Being in the middle of nowhere we were not too sure how easy it would be to fine fuel but most corner shops sold it by the whisky bottle so there was hope. James set off and successfully retuned some time later with his small water bottle full of fuel and the rest of it in his tank as they were not willing to give over the whiskey bottle. 500mls of fuel was better than nothing and my bike croaked back into life and we headed down the hill.
At the first shop we stopped and had a coke and thought about what we were going to do as the zip line center was closed. We had passed a quad bike center on the way up so we decided that splashing along a mud track would be an appropriate birthday activity for me. We were soon installed on quad bikes and haring around the track splashing though great plies of muddy warm water and in no time I was soaked to the skin and James was rather dirty. Having had the required adrenalin kick returned to the hotel for an afternoon nap.
Later that day we set off on the moped to Chwang for a night out. We ate at a lovely and deliciously expensive restaurant enjoying some of the finest food we have had in Asia. Oh to splash out with gay abandon if only we could do it every day! After dinner we ventured over to a bar before heading down to a lady boy cabaret show. The lip-synching acts were actually very funny and rather entertaining. The evening got better when they declared they needed some audience participation. James slunk low into his chair and of course happy met the eye of the passing act who was searching for a victim. James must have victim written on him as for some reason they chose him but after a quick elbow in the ribs… not that I needed encouragement I found myself on the stage. After some chatting and banter from the hostess where I did my best to give as good as I got I was taken backstage.
In the dressing rooms an umperlumper type person asked me to take my top off and then proceeded to kiss my chest with bright red lipstick. As I did not struggle… hoping they may dress me in some fabulous hot pants warn but the fabulously sexy dancers the umperlumper began to unbutton my shorts and then quick as a flash had her hands down my pants. No not easily embarrassed and not at all concerned about nudity even I found this a bit much and we moved on quickly.
Within a minute or so I was standing behind the stage curtains and the hostess’s glamorous assistant pass my shirt onto the stage which brought about a raucous response from the audience. Next I was one stage and the fabulous hostess was counting the kisses on my sucked in stomach. I of course was loving every moment of the attention and thinking thank goodness I had on decent underpants and not the ones with holes in the waist band… To a loud round of applause and a free drink (coke as opposed to rum and coke) I was back next to James who was exhilarated for me and relived that the attention was never fully directed to him.
After the show we caught the second act of another show before heading to a club where we danced the night away. Now one normally gets hot when dancing but in an open sided none AC club it felt like we were having some form of work out in the dark with flashing lights. Both of us became completely drenched in sweat in a matter of minutes as did all the other Farang. The locals of course did not ever have a bead of sweat on them. Thank god we did not have to try and attract the attention of suitors as I am not sure we would have succeeded!
At a suitably late hour of 2am we decided we had better leave. Knowing that the taxis run a price cartel we were not expecting the trip home to be cheap. Salvation/ insanity was calling as we found to moped taxis who were willing to take us back for a reasonable price. Now this was both salvation and insanity in equal parts. Cheep yes, exhilarating partially, safe certainly not as we both clung onto the driver/ each other during the 15 minute ride back to the hotel. We survived and agreed not to take a moped taxi again until time had dulled the memory and alcohol lubricated the senses.
More boxing
31/5/11
Day two of the Lu lu plan and James is wavering... he needed an extra hour in bed but was still up by 8.45. During the time he was sleeping I organized mopeds (this time not handing over my passport!) and we set off in the direction of the beech. Sometime later we arrived at a beech but realized that we had overshot our intended destinations by some way and were at the next beech. After retracing our steps and numerous map checking (annoying James) and a liberal number of times forgetting to turn off my bike indicator (also annoying James but understandably so) we arrived at Chwang beach.
We walked along the beach and James managed to select a rater expensive and well reviewed restaurant for a snack. Admittedly his food was good but when the bill came his snack had cost more than a normal lunch for us both. Well who ever said Lady James was cheep? That said it did entitle us to sit on the wonderfully padded and comfortable sun loungers for a bit of sunbathing in the shade. Amazingly James has become a sun avoider as living in the heat its ‘just to dm hot to sunbath all of the time’ music to my ears as we can now find a nice shady spot to recline in without complaint!
After afternoon at the hotel we then headed out on the mopeds to another Thai boxing match. We soon discovered that the first match was tame and obviously a training ground for younger fighters as the fighters we saw were bigger, older and more brutal. Less homoerotic but far more exciting. The highlight off the night came when a fighter from England stepped into the ring. As his build was compactly different from the Thai boxers he looked large lumbering and verging on fat… Without much hope both James and I were rooting for the English fighter and we were rewarded with a really good fight that the Englishman convincingly won. Well one supposes that if a flang comes all the way to Thailand to fight he must but good and somewhat mad….
Day two of the Lu lu plan and James is wavering... he needed an extra hour in bed but was still up by 8.45. During the time he was sleeping I organized mopeds (this time not handing over my passport!) and we set off in the direction of the beech. Sometime later we arrived at a beech but realized that we had overshot our intended destinations by some way and were at the next beech. After retracing our steps and numerous map checking (annoying James) and a liberal number of times forgetting to turn off my bike indicator (also annoying James but understandably so) we arrived at Chwang beach.
We walked along the beach and James managed to select a rater expensive and well reviewed restaurant for a snack. Admittedly his food was good but when the bill came his snack had cost more than a normal lunch for us both. Well who ever said Lady James was cheep? That said it did entitle us to sit on the wonderfully padded and comfortable sun loungers for a bit of sunbathing in the shade. Amazingly James has become a sun avoider as living in the heat its ‘just to dm hot to sunbath all of the time’ music to my ears as we can now find a nice shady spot to recline in without complaint!
After afternoon at the hotel we then headed out on the mopeds to another Thai boxing match. We soon discovered that the first match was tame and obviously a training ground for younger fighters as the fighters we saw were bigger, older and more brutal. Less homoerotic but far more exciting. The highlight off the night came when a fighter from England stepped into the ring. As his build was compactly different from the Thai boxers he looked large lumbering and verging on fat… Without much hope both James and I were rooting for the English fighter and we were rewarded with a really good fight that the Englishman convincingly won. Well one supposes that if a flang comes all the way to Thailand to fight he must but good and somewhat mad….
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)