Thai new year - me after taking a short walk in the city

So i've checked into a 'hotel', it's pretty clean and i have my own bathroom which is nice! It did cost about a tenner though so will be getting a cheaper place tomorrow, after a good nights sleep ha. Plan so far is to get moving down south as quick as poss to the islands. Bangkok is certainly an experience but you don't need long to appreciate it, it's so packed and dfficult to move in the streets. And it smells a bit.

Well i best go, my internet timer is saying 2 mins, i don't like the time pressure! Probably will go to get a bit of a midnight snack then go to bed (it's 12.30am here at the mo)

More news sooooon!xxx

written by  Ayglesia on April 14, 2007 from Bangkok, Thailand
from the travel blog: Alex's round the world adventure
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Found a nice little bar late last night with live music, had a beer and met a funny german dude. Certainly felt the 2hrs sleep though when i got up at 4.30am to catch the bus this morning! Bus ride took 6hrs (and we thought CORNWALL was bad, think james bond style driving but in a huge coach of about 50 people...!). So that was terrifying, quite an eye opener though seeing all the huts by the roadside so many thais live in. Then a 3hr boat trip to koh tao (a tiny island down south). I'm at a wicked resort, quite commercial but looking forward to meeting people tonight.

Beach at sunset

Time's about to run out so back soon!xxx

written by  Ayglesia on April 16, 2007 from Chumphon, Thailand
from the travel blog: Alex's round the world adventure
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Urgh, I've just realised this keyboard is also home to quite a large family of evil ants...my fingers are getting redder by the second!!

Anyway, I finished my openwater dive course yesterday, ending with an 18m dive at a site called Red Rock. The whole thing lasted 3 days, each day starting with a lesson held on the beach front while we sipped coconut shakes, luxury eh. Then in the afternoon we would go for a couple of dives, gradually getting deeper. We'd take a big boat out to where the reef was best, it was awesome jumping off the boat roof too. Saw all sorts of stuff, but the highlight has to be being attacked by a big triggerfish, as we'd apparently intruded on his territory (they have big teeth). Lots of chaos followed, and our group of 5 got separated for a while until the instructor found us again. All this at 12 metres, how exciting!Ohh and i managed to blow bubble rings, they weren't that brilliant but i was pleased!

It's very easy to meet people here, almost any bar you end up chatting to someone. Met a couple of cool english guys the other night and ended up having a great night at a beach front bar. Stayed up till 3am and got quite pissed! These types of nights are the best, meet all sorts of people, some of them absolutely barmy.

Motorbike seems to be the way to go around here, but I think i'm going to avoid it - the number of peope i've met with bones broken and half their skin missing! The day I arrived my taxi man burst out laughing at 'silly english man' who was riding at 40 with his stand still poking out from his bike...can't imagine what happened on his next corner!Even if you're not riding one you need to be careful, I think it's up to the pedestrian to get out the way, judging by things so far.

Water taxi sign - charter your own boat for a few quid!

The plan is to stay here a bit longer, probably move to a different beach, then maybe Ko Samui before I head back to Bangkok. Think I will take it easy tonight, they have bars that show movies so that sounds like a good option - had a few too many late nights, need to recover a bit.

That's all for now, I'm going to try upload pics so hopefully you can see them!xxx
...GRRR, I tried to upload pics but it says they're too large as I had my camera on a high setting. Oh well I will make sure future pics are smaller, you'll have to wait a while longer i'm afraid!!

written by  Ayglesia on April 20, 2007 from Chumphon, Thailand
from the travel blog: Alex's round the world adventure
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Me at Nangyuan, this was bloody hard to get up here so ENJOY the picture!

I'm going to work backwards on this update, it's hard to remember things without my journal to hand!

There's a bar on the beach called Lotus, really popular and can be a real party if the night's right. I was in there the other night just for a few beers and met Victor, a 50 year old Austrian guy I will never forget meeting. We got chatting about why we were both in Thailand, and he told me his story, I was in awe! He was on a beach near Phuket, called Khao Lak, when the tsunami hit in Dec 2004. He and his wife were sat on their balcony when they saw the silver line appear in the distance, and they took pictures as it looked so beautiful. As it got closer they realised, but couldn't do anything - they were already high up ground so it wasn't worth moving. Anyway, the wave hit and their cottage was amongst just 3 to be left standing, with one palm tree, on the whole beach. Victor's wife was washed away by the current, but rescued later. The water came into their cottage and pushed Victor to the ceiling where he escaped through a roof window, and then sat in the 40C sun for hours before being rescued. Pretty scary eh! Now he comes back a couple of times each year, and visits the same place to help as he says it has hardly recovered. Incredible story I had to share, I haven't met anyone quite like that before, he practically devotes his life to those Thai people that suffered. I don't normally take my camera out in the evening but that night I had it so there is one of him here.

Victor!

I spent a couple of nights down the south of the island, very quiet there but still stunning beaches with coral reef everywhere. The first night I stayed in a grim bungalow on a cliff, it did have a great sea view and looked nice from the outside

The scummiest cottage!! - looks nice from the outside though.

Met an english guy called Jon and buddied up the next night - accomodation is much cheaper if there's two of you. Had brilliant food down there too - chicken and cashewnuts is the BEST I have now decided! Still, wanted to get back to Sairee beach, it's more lively and a much better party.

Anyway I'm back here now, there's a full moon party on Koh Pha Ngan 1st May so I will go for that before heading back to Bangkok and catching my flight to see the aussies!!

Hmm I'm not happy with that blog update, I will go fetch my journal for next time and update this I think - I'm sure there's more stories I want to tell you!

Over 'n out xxx

written by  Ayglesia on April 25, 2007 from Chumphon, Thailand
from the travel blog: Alex's round the world adventure
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Firstly, thanks to those of you who said you enjoyed reading about my meeting with Victor, the Austrian guy who was hit by the Tsunami. I wanted to add that he no longer gives money to charities for this cause. He said that in many cases the money doesn't go where it's needed, for example they'll build a school in the middle of Bangkok instead of where the wave hit. Obviously a RUBBISH idea! Instead, he sends money directly to people's addresses, then visits them when he next comes to Thailand. Sooo...just to let you know in case any of you have been donating!

Righty ho, back to my big adventure. Sitting comfortably?!

Since the last write up, I spent a couple more days in Koh Tao, mostly chilling and going out in the evenings. The Lotus bar that I mentioned before was a great place to hang out, the party would go on quite late and they have a bit of a dancefloor, all be it shaky rotting wood, but it's something! It was raised up with open sides to the beach, quite convenient as the drunk people tended to fall off and pass out on the beach.

Sunset on Sairee beach

I hopped on a ferry on the 28th for Ko Phangan (another small island), a couple hours trip. Got chatting to Natalie, a teacher from Durham and it turned out we were heading for the same resort. After a particularly dodgy journey to the main beach (you know, going up a steep hill with the van gradually getting slower, luckily we reached the top with all the momentum of a snail), we trekked for about 25mins to the resort. I say trekked, it was a brief time but we were pretty soaked from the workout. However it was worth it, my room was nice and big and CLEAN, made a welcome change from the insect zoos I had been getting used to. And the blood on the sheets, and the broken fans...!

By now the monsoon season was well on it's way, it rained everyday almost all day from then until I left Thailand. I wasn't best pleased, especially since I was relying on those days to get a tan before the full moon party! Because of this, I'm ashamed to say I didn't get much done while I was on Ko Phangan, so i'm sorry for the lack of stories and pictures! Mostly ended up staying at resorts and chatting to people, watching the occasional movie, and playing with the resident puppy at my resort (very cute, but well trained - he stole your money belt at any opportunity!). I also met someone from KPMG Manchester (the company I worked for in England), small world! Made me remember all the good times I had before I left.

You may have heard about the legendary full moon parties of Ko Phangan, but if you haven't it's basically a huge beach party (approx. 8000 people) that starts at 7pm, with most DJ's packing up at 11am the following morning. A real rave! Sorry that sounded very old man... Well it was a mental night, I went out at midnight and partied until 5am. There is drink and drugs everywhere. Most people drink Sangsom buckets, which is a Thai whiskey mixed with red bull (extremely strong stuff here, it's just a caffeine loaded syrup) and pepsi. I hardly drank anything, and noticed a lot more because of it. During my walk along the beach at 5am, I saw a guy getting rushed away on a stretcher being carried by 15 others. Then there were girls my age passed out face down in the sand on their own, and people who could hardly walk were swimming in the sea. I spoke to some guys who had seen a drowned man get pulled out earlier on that night. Not meaning to put you off, but if anyone else wants to go then just be careful!! And avoid the drugs, apparently if you buy some there's a high chance you'll get searched by police a few minutes later - they 'somehow' know exactly who and when to check. The going rate for bribery is currently around £20,000 according to most people, otherwise you go to a Thai prison for quite a while!

Left for Bangkok in a rush the next day as I overslept. The mammoth 15hr journey back went surprisingly quickly, arriving in the city at 4am, awoken by the shrieks of our excited bus driver - probably ecstatic he had managed to get us there in one piece despite drinking Sangsom all the way. I found a room and dumped my pack, then went for a beer with someone from the bus ride. Beer never tasted so good, and it was 5am!

Had a few hours sleep then went out, had ALL my clothes washed and ironed for me. Guess how much? Just under a quid!! Mind you, I went to pick it up from the little street hut, and watched 2 rats jump out the washing machine door, lovely. Then went shopping, Bangkok was much more different to when I had been there during Songkram (Thai new year), not as crowded and there were lots more market stalls. Haggling for stuff was fun - the Thais always smile and stay pleasant, it becomes a bit of a game. Bought my nephew a pressie from a guy on the street, he makes mini tuk-tuks (a Thai motorcycle taxi) out of beer cans and coat hangers. Very common to live on the streets like this guy, he sort of snarled at me when I asked to take the picture, so I was quite quick to get going!

Miniature tuk-tuk maker, lived on the street

In the evening I met Vicky, another person from the KPMG gap programme - such a coincidence! Was good to catch up, we went out with her friends that night to a bar on the Khao San Road. A couple of ladyboys spent most of the night waving and blowing kisses at me from the bar, urgh! On my way back to the hostel I got drenched by the rain. A good time to be leaving Thailand, I thought! My flight to Perth was at 2.30pm the next day.

written by  Ayglesia on May 7, 2007 from Ko Phangan, Thailand
from the travel blog: Alex's round the world adventure
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Well I arrived in Perth at 12.45am on May 5th, very happy to be met by my sis, Simon (her husband), my niece Abbie and nephew Joel.

My sis, niece and nephew

My niece Ab, loves cameras...

Went on a deep sea fishing trip with Simon the other day. Quite a shock getting up at 5am to make it to the harbour in time, the boat was crowded and it motored for 1hr45 until we stopped to fish. The sea was rough, I got seasick!!

Deep sea fishing, I swear the sea was rougher than that earlier on!!

I spent a day wondering around the city looking for some piano playing work, it became quite an art walking into each hotel and trying to sell myself! It's a shame as i'm only here for a short time it's difficult to get employed. Went to a trendy oyster bar the other night on the Swan river to meet an agent/pianist I had met in Perth, had a bit of a play and it went well - I'll have to keep pestering him in case he can find me a gig - watch this space!

I had better mention an injury I had from Thailand. Walking in the sea one day I stepped on a piece of coral and it put a hole in my foot around the heel. It never quite healed up and was still hurting when I arrived in Perth a couple of weeks later. On consulting my sis about this one evening, she suggested we try dig the foreign object out. Cue Simon, who entered carrying (seriously) a TOOLBOX. Obviously distressed at the situation, I tried to protest, and they just laughed at me. Turned out the toolbox held their medical kit - what a way to scare their patients! Anyway it must have come out eventually, it's fine now. Just had to tell you about it, it was a hilarious night, think they quite enjoyed making me scared about the prospect of home surgery with DIY tools! I'm feeling kind so I'll spare you the picture of the injury...

written by  Ayglesia on May 11, 2007 from Perth, Australia
from the travel blog: Alex's round the world adventure
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I spent some time with both Aunties, starting with Margy for a few days. Managed to earn a bit of cash helping her with some paperwork - the piggybank needed topping up! We went kayaking one afternoon down a very scenic river. Had paddled for about an hour when auntie spotted a bike in the water, and decided it'd be a good thing to take home! So...after hoisting it onto the end of my kayak we had to paddle all the way back, I was quite shattered when we got back in the dark, bloomin' mozzies everywhere. I'm convinced the bike's nackered, either that or auntie will get arrested for riding a stolen bike when she tries it!

Rescued bike, that's the mist off the water

Me (clutching scary Czech firewater), Auntie Margy & Gerry, Sharon

Was great to see my Auntie Jean, we went to Freo (Fremantle) and had a gigantic fish n chips. Did some shopping, being a backpacker most of it was the window variety! Although I did get a new surf wallet, from the same shop as the one last time 5 years ago! Also managed to find my way to a barber, as I was looking like a bit of girl. Auntie is currently driving a boy racer car passed on from my cousin Alan, other cars keep revving up for a race from the lights, haha!

Just before catching the man- eater...(not quite a man eater)

Hope everybody is doing amazingly back home, more interesting tales of adventure soon!xxx

written by  Ayglesia on May 23, 2007 from Perth, Australia
from the travel blog: Alex's round the world adventure
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Jazz Cellar, cool old fogies, me in the background!

Greens Pool

It is stunning down there, probably the best place I've seen so far. What makes it so nice is that it's still quite under the tourist radar, so it's tranquil and clean, unlike a lot of Thailand.

Elephant Rocks

Bunny attack!! My cuz Miranda.

Out fishing - water just like glass!

Dinnertime!! These are bay snapper

The next couple of days were a bit rainy but I kept busy doing some painting on the house to earn a bit of much needed cash. Back in Perth now, going out in a min so going to finish quickly!

I have a trip up north on Monday for a week, so will have lots to tell when I get back!

xxx

written by  Ayglesia on June 8, 2007 from Denmark, Australia
from the travel blog: Alex's round the world adventure
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Tropicacapricorn...

AHH ONLY 1 DAY LEFT WITH HOME COMFORTS!! After that it's the backpack again, don't know how i'll cope without home meals! I'm off to the East coast of Oz on Tues, but truthfully can't wait to get exploring again. I had to put a nappy on my nephew Joel the other day, an experience so traumatic (for both of us), it made me realise I had reached my limit as a child carer!

In the meantime I have LOADS to tell you. Probably best to start with the introduction of this bloke...

TREVOR! The amazing tour guide.

Trevor was the tour guide on my 1300Km journey up north to Exmouth. Born and raised in 'The Bush' with lots of aboriginal influence, he never went to school but learnt more from his surroundings anyway. I couldn't think of anyone better to show us the real Aussie outback.

The tour itself lasted 8 days, the minibus stopping at various points along the West coast until we reached Exmouth on Day 5. The return journey was mostly driving as we made it back to Perth in 2 days.

Sleepy tour group, haha!

The "straightest road in WA". 'Nuff said really, I saw lots of this!

Oh yeah watch this baby go.....face planted about a second later.

Baby python, apparently the grownups can eat pigs, mmm.

Horizontal tree, grows like that due to the wind!

In the middle of nowhere - Bowling with watermelons in the outback, random?!

This rock reminded me of the Lion King, so here I strike my best pose! Imagine the big roar...

Shell Beach, guess what it's made of.

Saw some dolphins at Monkey Mia on day 4...

Dolphins at Monkey Mia

Dolphins at Monkey Mia

All around the campfire, beer flowing freely!

Sleeping under the stars at a sheep station

Dinner at the sheep station, in the outback. A python lived in our kitchen...!

In the evening we made it to Exmouth, and on Saturday went to a beach to do snorkelling. Lovely beach, except the bloomin' flies are everywhere - about 50 on you at any one time, AH! There was an area of patchy reef to explore, saw sharks, rays, octopus and another turtle! That was amazing as it was a lucky find, and it was only me and Laura following it around for about 30mins, it just didn't care we were there!

Shells on Shell Beach

OK, I'm going to be completely honest here. Right now it's 1:10am in Perth. I'm up at 6 because I'm flying to Cairns in the morning, and although I thought I'd be able to finish this tonight my head keeps dropping forward and I keep jumping when I wake up again (you know the feeling don't you?!). Soooo, I promise to finish the news about the rest of my stay in Perth soon! There are more pictures on here if you click to view all of them.

Kalbarri coast

Hope everyone's doing brilliantly, more news asap!
A.xxx

written by  Ayglesia on June 24, 2007 from Exmouth, Australia
from the travel blog: Alex's round the world adventure
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