Ko Lanata

Well we decided to spend 4 nights on Ko Lanta as we feel like we have being going none stop since we landed (Time for a bit of R&R).

First couple of days we chilled relaxing on the beach. Again just drinking fruit smoothes listening to the waves. The really good thing about Lanta is that you don't get hassled by Thai people trying to sell you stuff.

Coming to the 3rd day we thought we had better do sight seeing so we hired a motorbike to tour the Island. We jump on at about 9am and went down to the next beach (Khlong Beach) for breakfast. We went to this place that was recommeded to us by this Thai guy in Sarat Thani called New Beach Long Beach Bungalows. Well the bungalows were nice but the food and beach was a bit on the shitty side. So we are glad we did not stay there. Next onto the view pinot. This is basically a restaurant on the top of the island. Quite cool up there looking out over the east side of the island. There were heaps of butterflies all around and we sat in this kinda really cool tree fort. Enough of the butterflies cos we were off to the Sea Gypsy Village. It took us about 20 mins to get there and not all it's cracked up to be...it's just a village....why do people put things like this on tourist maps????

After our tour of the island we just chilled out. Splashed out on dinner 430 Baht and had Snapper, Prawns and baked potatoes. Early night as we are heading back to Bangkok.

We have decided that we what to go to Laos after Hong Kong rather than spending another 3 weeks in Thailand. The country is cool and all but would like to do something different before Kristy and Boom get over here.

Ao Nag - Ko Lanta

Well we left the 250 Baht per night Bungalow for the Isalnd of Ko Lanta. We had heard good things about Ko Lanta from Vicki (Pommy Girl we meet last time in Thailand) but the Lonley Planet South Est Asia guide has nothing on the island (Except where it is on the map). So it was a bit of a stab in the dark on if we would like it or not. Leaving Ao Nag at 9am for the ferry terminal. The ferry did not leave until 10.30. At about 10am we had to Long Boat it out the ferry being that is was low tide and the bigger boats could not get in. Very funny watching the westerners transfer from one boat to another about 2 km's from shore. The Thai People can fit anything on these Long Boats.The ferry ride was very pleasant and only took a couple of hours....starting to get use to Thai time.

Landing in Ko Lanta we caught a Tuk Tuk to Long Beach, we had been told that long beach is the best beach and the rest have rocks etc scattered around. We found a very nice Bungalow at a place called Lanta Palm Beach Resort. 600 Baht per night and we had a fanned room with western toilet big king bed and hot water shower. The Bungalow was right on the beach front and we had 3-4 restaurants around us with about 5 different bars.

First night on Ko Lanta Carly and thought we would have a couple of drinks after dinner (Pizza as getting sick of Thai food). Well Carly went to bed about 11.30ish....I should have done the same!!!! Ended up meeting these pommy guys and they were teaching me some drinking games......along rolls 2.30am and Blair's staggering home thinking he should have left with Carly. Needless to say yes I did throw up that night but made the whole lot in the toilet.....a small feat that I am proud of :-)

Samui to Ao Nag

We were wanting to move on from Samui being that it was very crowded and prices are through the roof compared to 14 months ago when we were last here. A friend that meet up with on our last trip to Thailand recomended that we should try Ko Lanta. So again we booked through a local travel agent, this time breaking the trip into 2 days. So rising at 6am for our 9am ferry to Sarat Thani. Onto a big bus which takes us into Sarat Thani and drops us at a local travel agent for something to eat. There we thought it would be wise to book accommodation ahead (don't want another episode like in Samui). 250 Baht a night at the Andaman Resort.....very cheap warning bells should have gone off. Well we got onto a smaller bus with these 4 Israeli girls and the air con was just sustaining the 6 of us. 20 mins up the road we pull into another ferry terminal and on pile another 30 people.......bugger!!!! Well at least this trip is only 2 1/2 hours which would have been cool if I didn't have the ancient dude farting the most awful smell you can imagine. This guy was on par with our old dog Chance (and she could ruin taste buds!!!!). Well we get to Krabi and have to catch a long boat across to our resort on Ao Nag. The bungalow was very basic but the beach was worth it (We decided we were still only going to spend one night). Very quiet night watching Mad Max on TV as the sun was setting in the most premo way.

Samui Night Out

Well we found a different place to stay because things were hitting the roof all night....plus the place smelt bad!!!!!

We ended up meeting these 2 English travelers (Jewade and Nadia). Jewade was on the same trip down from Bangkok as us so was keen for having a few beers the 2nd night on Samui. Nadia we run into off the ferry over to Samui.

Non of us had booked accommodation so the 4 of us were walking up and down looking for any place to accommodate us.

Anyway getting back to the point.......we all went out on the 2 night in Samui. Started rather nice having a meal on the beach.....and a couple of lazy beers :-) We were highly entertained by the bar next door (Arch Bar) or rather the absolutely boozed guys there. These boys must have been there since early in the afternoon. I mean when you decide to get up and dance by yourselves (which these guys certainly did) in the middle of the bar with your eyes half closed it's taxi time!!!!

Since those guys were having a great time we thought it would be rude not to go next door and down a few as well. Nadia had never had a bucket before (small sand bucket filled with Thai Whiskey, Red Bull, Coke, Ice and lots of straws) so the first order was for one of those. One was enough!!!!! A couple more beers after that and we were off to the night clubs :-) First club we went to had girls in bikini's dancing on poles.....Whoops wrong club. Down a little further were about 5 clubs (normal) but were so packed that people were spilling out onto the road dancing....this was more like us.

It's kinda had to describe the night but I'm sure we all had fun!! Carly and I left around 1.30-2ish. Nadia left not long after us but Jewade (you dirty old boy) never got home until 6am.

21/05/06- Ko Samui

Finally we landed in Ko Samui.....

It was a bit of a mission in getting here which we did not anticipate!!!

After getting our passports back from our guesthouse in Bangkok we headed for the train station for our 7.15pm departure. All went well in this area (I even meet a nice American that offered me his home made whiskey..the dude was ancient but nice to chat to). It was not until 3.30am that we realised that something was wrong, we were meant to stop in Chumphon to let of a bunch of fellow travelers that were going to a different island. I had no watch so had no idea what the time was......ended up stopping to let them off at 6.30am......train is running 3 hours late!!!! We pull into our stop of Sarat Thani (meant to be 6.40am) at 9.15am meaning we have just spent 14 hours on this train. The bus, as promised, was waiting for us at the station. We all got on the bus and had a 30 min drive to the ferry terminal. On getting to the ferry terminal we discover that our boat had already sailed and the next one will not leave until 2.30pm........another bloody 4 hours to wait in the stinking heat. Our boat arrives at 2.30pm.....now this is the express crossing 1hr30min-1hr40min.........bullsh!t more like 3 and a half hours!!!! The time when we finally landed on Ko Samui and found a guesthouse was 8.30pm, a full 25 hours since we left Bangkok.....36 hours since I had a shower. Could go on but I won't....

We have now found a nice bungalow on the beach and plan to chill for the next few days...........

19/01/06 Thailand-Ko Samui

Yesterday we walked over to the National Museum. We both must be the fastest readers ever as we were in and out of there in no time!!!!!! Didn't help that most of the museum had no aircon and the temp hitting close to 35. I guess it's not the heat that kills you but the humidity. You only have to be outside for 5mins and a drenched in your own sweat.

19/01/06
Today we are heading for the island of Ko Samui. It should be an interesting day as we are waiting for our passports to come back from the Vietnam embassy. The guest house we are staying at said they should be here no later than 6pm.....our train for Ko Samui leaves at 7.15pm....fingers crossed.
It's an overnight train (Saves money) and should pull into Suratthani around 7.30am. We then catch a boat over to the Ko Samui (probably after chasing our bags which would have gone in all directions-if last time was anything to go by).
keep you posted.

16/01/2006 Thailand

Well today we went out to the MBK Centre (Shopping Mall) to watch a movie....sad I know but we have withdrawal from no TV. I forgot that they had a whole level dedicated to mobile phones.....very cool!!! We purchased a prepaid SIM card so if you want our number email me and I'll send it over.

Later we meet up with Tom (Friend of Carly's Mum) and his partner Lud for dinner. We all then popped next door to a make shift Cocktail Bar. Now after a couple of drinks Carly pointed out that the Bar is set up on the forecourt of a petrol station. Only in Bangkok could 100 odd people be sitting, drinking, smoking with candles everywhere with petrol pumps only 2m away!!!! Needless to say we drank until closing time and are the worse for wear today!!!!

14/01/06 Landed In Thailand

Well after 12 hours on the plane with about 10 mins sleep (If you can call it that) we have landed in Bangkok.

Pissed at Thai Air Ways as the TV's on our seats didn't work!!!! It's a long trip without movies to watch!!!!!

We have been ripped off twice since landing.

First by the taxi driver from the Airport -Charging way to much....about $5NZD :-)

Next by the guest house we HAD to stay at-Again another $5NZD :-) This place looked like a prison and smelt worse than a long drop!!! We were both in no mood to argue as we just wanted sleep.

Have moved into a new guest house called "The Wild Orchid". Now this place is like a 5 Star Hotel compared to the prison.

Going to spend the next couple of days getting our bodies adjusted to this time zone and sort out our visas for Vietnam so will post photos soon.

Dad's Wedding

Only 4 days until we leave.

We traveled up to Dad's wedding in Gisbourne on Friday 6th. As you can see by the photo the 3 Adams boys had a lot of fun catching up together.

The wedding went well and have increased the family by the ratio 3:1. It was good catching up with Dads side before we left, I don't think I have seen them all together since Nana's 80th.

Grant, Carly and I traveled back down to Wellington on the 8th stopping in Taupo (To see off Gracie) and in Wanganui to see Nana Cook.
We got back into Wellington around 7.30pm meaning I had driven for 10 hours. Grant crashed the night before heading to work the next morning.

Well this is just a start to the blog and will get better at using as time progresses.

I will keep this all updated on where we go and what we get up to.