Going Local

This weekend has been a weekend of "firsts" The first time I've driven an automatic car on Thai roads. The first time I've seen an elephant not in a zoo with someone riding it. The first time I've been to a lady boy show. The first Thai massage I've had.

After an exciting week on the TEFL course learning many different teaching methods and fun games we welcomed in the weekend with a few drinks and a trip to see a Lady boy show. The lady boys were astonishing, you could not tell they were once men. Jess below with our ladyboy waitress!

Saturday morning arrived and after a failed attempt at riding mopeds Jess, Lindsey, Katie and I hired a car for an adventure round the Island. I think this has to be my favourite day so far in the land of Thai. It was so lovely and relaxed, we took our time wandering around stopping whenever we felt like it. We visited two waterfalls, both of them beautiful. It hasn't rained enough here yet so the pools were a bit murky and dry from the summer months so we avoided jumping in for a swim. There were also elephants wandering around giving people treks through the jungle areas.

As the hunger pains kicked in we stopped at a random outdoor market for some lunch. There were knock off sunglasses stalls next to people selling raw pig faces! The food was incredible, for 60 Baht (£1.10) we filled a bowl with the amazing food pictured below. Although extremely spicy it was delicious.

Once our mouths had recovered from the spicy overload we carried on the adventure to visit a giant Buddha followed by some spectacular temples. We randomly bumped into Rungwit (our Thai teacher) on his moped and he joined us at the temples telling us a few traditional Thai stories and myths too.

With love from Thailand xxx

Koh Samui Craziness

After a 12 hour overnight bus journey VIP style, with a ferry trip included, we arrived at the gorgeous Island of Koh Samui. Our accommodation (which has Air Con!!!!) is lovely with a pool and our classes each day are in the training room here so we don't have to travel far each morning!!

We all chilled by the pool catching some rays of sun (don't worry Mum I had factor 50 sun cream on) on the first day before experiencing our first Thai night out on the Island. We all had a few drinks getting to know each other in the hotel before heading to a few bars to dance the night away! Ark Bar the first bar we went to which was on the beach.......providing a temptation for a dip in the sea which most of us resisted......

On Sunday after sleeping off the hangover, I got to meet up with an old friend who i lived with at Uni, Miss Pipkin, who I had not seen for a year. Ellie had been living in Australia working and was slowly travelling back to the UK via Asia and with some major luck our paths crossed!! It was so lovely to see her after such a long time.

With love from Thailand xxx

Bangkok Madness

So I have arrived in Thailand! After a 24 hour journey with a few girls from the course we made it the crazy city of Bangkok. I can honestly say I have never seen anything like it. There seems to be no rules on the road (the biggest and fastest vehicle on the road wins) therefore making the taxi drive to the hostel interesting!

We only had about 36 hours in Bangkok before we had to get an over night bus (12 hours long) to the tranquil Island of Koh Samui so we packed in as much as possible.

On the Thursday night I had my first experience of Thai food from a street vendor, as Liz (my bubbly American room mate) showed me the Thai ways. It was delicious.....not yet experienced Thai Green Curry but this Pad Thai was amazing and it was only 30 baht (60p)!!!

Friday was a real touristy day. Four girls off my course (Hanisha, Lindsey, Katie and Claire) and I took the sky train to catch a boat up the dirty Bangkok river to the Grand Palace. I have never seen so much contrast between rich and poor along the side of the river. There were falling down shanty huts next to sky high ultra modern hotels like the Hilton.

I'm not sure how to describe the Palace, every tiny square inch was amazingly finished and designed. I think I will just let the photos do the talking at just how beautiful it was.

With love from Thailand xxx

The Packing Nightmare!

Hi everyone, and welcome to my blog. I am going to try and write lots of posts throughout my travels to keep you all updated of where I am in the world and what I am up to. Hope you enjoy stalking me ;) 

Last week I left my job and flat in Manchester after 4 amazing years there. It was sad to leave the streets of Fallowfield but I'm sure I'll be back visiting next year when I return from my travels. Thanks everyone at work for my leaving presents and send off. Some great essentials to take with me.....I'm a little concerned the chocolate may melt, so I may have to eat that before I leave!! 

I have arrived back in the beautiful sunny (for the time being) Devon while I unpack my flat and condense it in to one backpack, nightmare! Thank god Chris and Bexs no longer live at home and I can completely take over their rooms. Chris' room now consists of yes, no and maybe piles of belongings. While Bex's room looks like a child's den with mosquito nets hung up trying to find the one that doesn't have a hole in it.  

The To Do list is slowly getting smaller as I prepare for the big travel. Visa has been sent off. My new Kindle is full of books ready for my 24 hour journey and lazy days on the beach. Just a few last minute things to sort and I'll be off on a jet plane!! 

20 more sleeps to go until I fly!!!!