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| street art sticker Phi Phi |
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| Ha HA |
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| I LOVE this stencil..saw it in BKK and now on PP |
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Yum Yum Thailand
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| Thai Iced coffee BKK |
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| "A Taste of Heaven Available on Earth" |
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| Banana Thai Pancake mmmm |
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| Thai Iced Coffee Phi Phi :) |
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| Yellow Curry mmm |
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Tips For The Backpacking Couple
So, you are both madly in love, you live together in the city..and you want to experience a glorious travel adventure together!!!! here's some tips for ya'll
1. Dealing with the cash flow:
What works for us...
-We know we are staying on Phi Phi for 7 days..so we withdraw 7 days worth of money. Currency exchange is the best place, as they do not charge you for your transaction..bank machine charges $5 per trans.
-Make a golden number per day..put aside $ for shelter..(or better yet..pay for a chunk of days at a time)..and divide the remaining funds between you. That way there are no arguments when she wants to buy a dress and cute bag..and he'd rather buy big Chang's all day. You have your OWN MONEY. This is KEY.
2. Alone time:
This is something we all need..even individuals with tons in common! in the best relationships! Even those of us that live together, we spend at least 40 hours per week apart at work!!! So when leaving those jobs to travel abroad, time spent together goes from about 4-5 hours per day..to 12+ !!!!
What works for us..
I like to blog, write emails, upload pics, read other blogs etc. A good time for me to do this is when Shaun feels like taking a nap, or watching TV. That way we both have our time out..At this particular hotel, you can only get WIFI in the lobby..so currently here I am, and he's back in the room watching the tube. Perfect!
Another option that feels like alone time, is laying on the beach with your ipod..you are technically together, but in your own zone. I find alone time is crucial for me to re-charge, and centre. It is difficult for me to go go go..and maintain a good balance emotionally; taking some time out alone is good for a couple..and reminds you that you are individuals in a couple, and not one person!!!! I think about 2-3 hours a day doing your own thing is perfect!
The challenge is the dead zones..when you are in transit..on a 12 hour train ride, when you are waiting for a ferry for half the day...it's easy to get at eachothers' throats..you are both tired, overheated and irritable; but the journey, and the set backs are part of the fun! and those challenging set back days are what will strengthen your relationship! Also allow yourself to be annoyed, it happens!
3. Agreeing on an itinerary:
In my relationship I am the planner, I enjoy researching and collecting data. Shaun does not, and since we happen to have the same travel goals: beach, eat, meet people, fun excursions..it is pretty easy for me to plan a trip he will have fun doing.
If you are both planners: then balance the places you'd like to visit and the activities you want to do in those places..compromise!! Or one person plans the northern thailand route, and the other plans the south..etc!
4. To party or not to party?
This one is a biggie..if you both have the same intentions: get wasted all day every day, then perfect! Or if you are both non drinkers, perfect! BUT if one person wants to party and the other doesn't..what do you do????
Know yourself. I do not like to drink during the day- especially in 35+ degree heat! it makes me feel tired, and lethargic..Shaun is able to drink during the day, and have fun..so he drinks- and I don't. I like to have my first drink around 5pm or later, and that works for me. Neither of us like to stay out till 5am at the bar, so that works for us..but if there is a night I want to drink and Shaun doesn't he will take one for the team, and visa versa- if I want to go to bed early and he doesn't- he will take one for the team. Balance people!!!
5. Meeting people:
-We both like to meet new people..I have found there are many many couples out here, more then I expected..but that people aren't overly friendly (not so far) I haven't experienced anyone just coming up to me and saying hi, and starting a conversation. One night out on the beach, we walked by a cool looking couple, and decided we should walk up and just sit down with them..and it turned out great! we ended up going out for dinner together! So don't even think twice about approaching people..especially if you aren't staying in a dorm, or a backpacker hostel, it can be difficult to meet people..so you have to reach out!
6. Experiencing the emotional spectrum while travelling:
I had a little emotional breakdown, when we arrived in Phuket, because it wasn't what we expected..it was super busy, and un-island like..I was exhausted from the heat and travelling...and I felt like OMG I ruined the trip!!! But in the end, you just have to stay calm, and accept that you will have places you like more then others, and then you move on. You also have to accept eachothers' moods, and allow each other to freak out a little sometimes!
I hope this post helped..if you have any questions..feel free to post!!!
xxrache
1. Dealing with the cash flow:
What works for us...
-We know we are staying on Phi Phi for 7 days..so we withdraw 7 days worth of money. Currency exchange is the best place, as they do not charge you for your transaction..bank machine charges $5 per trans.
-Make a golden number per day..put aside $ for shelter..(or better yet..pay for a chunk of days at a time)..and divide the remaining funds between you. That way there are no arguments when she wants to buy a dress and cute bag..and he'd rather buy big Chang's all day. You have your OWN MONEY. This is KEY.
2. Alone time:
This is something we all need..even individuals with tons in common! in the best relationships! Even those of us that live together, we spend at least 40 hours per week apart at work!!! So when leaving those jobs to travel abroad, time spent together goes from about 4-5 hours per day..to 12+ !!!!
What works for us..
I like to blog, write emails, upload pics, read other blogs etc. A good time for me to do this is when Shaun feels like taking a nap, or watching TV. That way we both have our time out..At this particular hotel, you can only get WIFI in the lobby..so currently here I am, and he's back in the room watching the tube. Perfect!
Another option that feels like alone time, is laying on the beach with your ipod..you are technically together, but in your own zone. I find alone time is crucial for me to re-charge, and centre. It is difficult for me to go go go..and maintain a good balance emotionally; taking some time out alone is good for a couple..and reminds you that you are individuals in a couple, and not one person!!!! I think about 2-3 hours a day doing your own thing is perfect!
The challenge is the dead zones..when you are in transit..on a 12 hour train ride, when you are waiting for a ferry for half the day...it's easy to get at eachothers' throats..you are both tired, overheated and irritable; but the journey, and the set backs are part of the fun! and those challenging set back days are what will strengthen your relationship! Also allow yourself to be annoyed, it happens!
3. Agreeing on an itinerary:
In my relationship I am the planner, I enjoy researching and collecting data. Shaun does not, and since we happen to have the same travel goals: beach, eat, meet people, fun excursions..it is pretty easy for me to plan a trip he will have fun doing.
If you are both planners: then balance the places you'd like to visit and the activities you want to do in those places..compromise!! Or one person plans the northern thailand route, and the other plans the south..etc!
4. To party or not to party?
This one is a biggie..if you both have the same intentions: get wasted all day every day, then perfect! Or if you are both non drinkers, perfect! BUT if one person wants to party and the other doesn't..what do you do????
Know yourself. I do not like to drink during the day- especially in 35+ degree heat! it makes me feel tired, and lethargic..Shaun is able to drink during the day, and have fun..so he drinks- and I don't. I like to have my first drink around 5pm or later, and that works for me. Neither of us like to stay out till 5am at the bar, so that works for us..but if there is a night I want to drink and Shaun doesn't he will take one for the team, and visa versa- if I want to go to bed early and he doesn't- he will take one for the team. Balance people!!!
5. Meeting people:
-We both like to meet new people..I have found there are many many couples out here, more then I expected..but that people aren't overly friendly (not so far) I haven't experienced anyone just coming up to me and saying hi, and starting a conversation. One night out on the beach, we walked by a cool looking couple, and decided we should walk up and just sit down with them..and it turned out great! we ended up going out for dinner together! So don't even think twice about approaching people..especially if you aren't staying in a dorm, or a backpacker hostel, it can be difficult to meet people..so you have to reach out!
6. Experiencing the emotional spectrum while travelling:
I had a little emotional breakdown, when we arrived in Phuket, because it wasn't what we expected..it was super busy, and un-island like..I was exhausted from the heat and travelling...and I felt like OMG I ruined the trip!!! But in the end, you just have to stay calm, and accept that you will have places you like more then others, and then you move on. You also have to accept eachothers' moods, and allow each other to freak out a little sometimes!
I hope this post helped..if you have any questions..feel free to post!!!
xxrache
Thailand Beaches on a tiny budget
MY Average day of expenses on Ko Phi Phi
Take note:
The first thing to subtract off your daily budget is shelter..
In order to calculate what my daily budget was going to be, I studied personal travel blogs, as well as sites like Lonely Planet, rough guide, hostel bookers etc etc...make sure the sites you are reading are recent..if it's a blog post from 2010- your budgets going to be way off..prices have def. gone up since then!!!!
I planned on 800 CAD per month..including everything! = Baht 23, 256
The estimated costs of transport (tuk tuk, taxi,train,ferry,bus) were GROSSLY underestimated...based on reading old blog posts..also..make sure the currency converter you are using online is UP TO DATE...
Because we have spent wayy more in transport, and shelter in the first week- the budget went from Baht 1550 per day (775 each) to 900 per day and 450 each. after shelter costs ...BIG difference!
The price of shelter can range immensely; It depends on your standards.
The options usually go something like this in the "budget" traveller arena:
-Air con or fan
-Private room vs. dorm style (4-12 beds, mixed or same gender)
-Private or shared bathroom and shower
We have stayed in Air con and fan..and honestly the fan isn't bad at all! I was surprised...so far we have only stayed in private rooms because it is cheaper then both of us paying 200-250 baht each to stay in a dorm..
SHELTER (Private fan room, with shared bathroom and shower (in high season-with WIFI)
5 minute walk to beach, 2 seconds to any shop, 7-11, restaurant, food cart
500 Baht per night (our budget max is 400 but as it was high season when we booked- and more expensive on the islands, we couldn't find cheaper)
FOOD
Thai Iced Coffee:
80 Baht ( I have tried canned 7-11 varieties for 18 Baht..and they just don't cut it)
Water:
10 Baht (local Thai brand..blue bottle)
Breakfast:
-Thai pancake 40 Baht (comes in tons of flavours..banana, mango, nutella etc...it's basically a thin pastry with fruit inside...very tasty...can't eat one everyday though, as they are fried..) OR
-Pad Thai with egg and veggies 50 Baht
Water:
10 Baht
Lunch:
-Green curry with rice (comes separate) 120 Baht (I haven't been able to find this offered by street carts..restaurant only) OR
-Fried Rice with egg and veggie 50 Baht
-Pad Thai with egg and veggie 50 Baht
-Spring roll 20 Baht each
Water:
10 Baht
Dinner:
Same options as above..obviously you can order way more of a variety...but I am a vegetarian, and it is surprisingly difficult to find those options here..in Bangkok we could have tofu, but we haven't been able to get it here on Phi Phi)
Booze:
Cooler (Thai brand) 50 Baht
Chang beer: Big 80 Baht
Optionals:
Clothing from street shops:
-200+ Baht for T shirts/tanks
-250+ Dresses, Thai fisherman pants
Bracelets:
-50-300 Baht
Bamboo tattoo:
-Starts at 1000 Baht for the smallest one..not buy hour, by piece.
Fun excursion:
-like snorkelling or cliff jumping: 400 Baht per person Half day
Restaurant meal:
-120 baht for red, green, yellow curry and rice
-250+ baht for big pizza
Drinking at bar or beach restaurant:
-90+ baht per drink
-Thai Buckets 250+ Baht depending on type of booze..thai whisky, vodka etc..
Average per day (not including shelter, or purchasing any optionals!) 510 baht
I have about 450 baht each day to spend...and I find I am very thrifty, and don't drink much alcohol, and I always have money left over for the next day. If you drink a lot..you will find you burn your money real fast...
*If you'd like me to look into something specific price-wise, please post!!! I will get back to you ASAP!
Take note:
The first thing to subtract off your daily budget is shelter..
In order to calculate what my daily budget was going to be, I studied personal travel blogs, as well as sites like Lonely Planet, rough guide, hostel bookers etc etc...make sure the sites you are reading are recent..if it's a blog post from 2010- your budgets going to be way off..prices have def. gone up since then!!!!
I planned on 800 CAD per month..including everything! = Baht 23, 256
The estimated costs of transport (tuk tuk, taxi,train,ferry,bus) were GROSSLY underestimated...based on reading old blog posts..also..make sure the currency converter you are using online is UP TO DATE...
Because we have spent wayy more in transport, and shelter in the first week- the budget went from Baht 1550 per day (775 each) to 900 per day and 450 each. after shelter costs ...BIG difference!
The price of shelter can range immensely; It depends on your standards.
The options usually go something like this in the "budget" traveller arena:
-Air con or fan
-Private room vs. dorm style (4-12 beds, mixed or same gender)
-Private or shared bathroom and shower
We have stayed in Air con and fan..and honestly the fan isn't bad at all! I was surprised...so far we have only stayed in private rooms because it is cheaper then both of us paying 200-250 baht each to stay in a dorm..
SHELTER (Private fan room, with shared bathroom and shower (in high season-with WIFI)
5 minute walk to beach, 2 seconds to any shop, 7-11, restaurant, food cart
500 Baht per night (our budget max is 400 but as it was high season when we booked- and more expensive on the islands, we couldn't find cheaper)
FOOD
Thai Iced Coffee:
80 Baht ( I have tried canned 7-11 varieties for 18 Baht..and they just don't cut it)
Water:
10 Baht (local Thai brand..blue bottle)
Breakfast:
-Thai pancake 40 Baht (comes in tons of flavours..banana, mango, nutella etc...it's basically a thin pastry with fruit inside...very tasty...can't eat one everyday though, as they are fried..) OR
-Pad Thai with egg and veggies 50 Baht
Water:
10 Baht
Lunch:
-Green curry with rice (comes separate) 120 Baht (I haven't been able to find this offered by street carts..restaurant only) OR
-Fried Rice with egg and veggie 50 Baht
-Pad Thai with egg and veggie 50 Baht
-Spring roll 20 Baht each
Water:
10 Baht
Dinner:
Same options as above..obviously you can order way more of a variety...but I am a vegetarian, and it is surprisingly difficult to find those options here..in Bangkok we could have tofu, but we haven't been able to get it here on Phi Phi)
Booze:
Cooler (Thai brand) 50 Baht
Chang beer: Big 80 Baht
Optionals:
Clothing from street shops:
-200+ Baht for T shirts/tanks
-250+ Dresses, Thai fisherman pants
Bracelets:
-50-300 Baht
Bamboo tattoo:
-Starts at 1000 Baht for the smallest one..not buy hour, by piece.
Fun excursion:
-like snorkelling or cliff jumping: 400 Baht per person Half day
Restaurant meal:
-120 baht for red, green, yellow curry and rice
-250+ baht for big pizza
Drinking at bar or beach restaurant:
-90+ baht per drink
-Thai Buckets 250+ Baht depending on type of booze..thai whisky, vodka etc..
Average per day (not including shelter, or purchasing any optionals!) 510 baht
I have about 450 baht each day to spend...and I find I am very thrifty, and don't drink much alcohol, and I always have money left over for the next day. If you drink a lot..you will find you burn your money real fast...
*If you'd like me to look into something specific price-wise, please post!!! I will get back to you ASAP!
Monday, April 29, 2013
In Thailand !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So it is the 7th day that we have been in Thailand..and I have meant to post a million times before now..but simply haven't had a moment to breathe! here's a brief run down:
day 1 april 23Hot and humid night!!arrive in Bangkok hotel at 1am..go out until 3am..drinking beers on the street, and taking in the MADNESS!
day 2 april 24Hot and Sunny BANGKOK woke up at 3:30am in Bangkok, feeling ready for the day (crazy but we did get up-ate pad thai for breakfast..and I had an iced coffee..watching the drunks stumble around in full party mode! LOL)
Spent the day exploring the Khao San road area..shops, and food carts..and Tuk Tuks everywhere! People trying to get us off the street into tailor shops, to get custom made suits and dresses for cheap! Backpackers everywhere..the smells were intense..wafts of incense..then grilling meats..then garbage..then blossoms..then exhaust..just a literal assault on all senses..so deliriously tired..in bed by 6pm
day 3 april 25Hot and Sunny BANGKOKwoke up at 4:30am..ate green curry with rice for breakfast hahah..delicious..enjoyed the rooftop pool...agreed to a Tuk Tuk tour of the temples in the area..sleeping buddha, lucky buddha etc. beautiful! more pool time because wow it was hot..but overcast..and we still got some colour..dinner and drinks..in bed by 6pm
*at this point we hadn't had a conversation with anybody in english! only broken attempts at asking for directions etc.
Took the water taxi to the train station..(thought we could save money and decided to walk from the pier to the station..and it took 45 minutes in plus 45 degrees with 2 backpacks each on our backs..i think i actually almost died...made it to train..left at 900pm (1.5 hours late) from station to Surat Thani..Train was awesome! sleeper car..comfy beds and green curtains for privacy..
day 4 april 26 Rain/overcast SURAT THANI/PHUKETWoke up at 6am..had a lovely visit with 2 Irish girls (first conversation in english since arriving) arrived in surat thani at 930am...had a short wait for bus...took bus to Phuket..took cab from train station to Patong Beach in Phuket...(starting to realize that with cabs and trains and buses and tuk tuks that the budget could get severely out of control very quickly...) first impression of Phuket: crazy busy, overwhelming stench of exhaust, to the point where I felt my lungs aching..(and wishing I had one of those clever little face masks that I see Asian people wearing...) cab let us out at a hostel i named that i had read about online..street was raging with motorbikes, cars, cabs, tuks, bicycles, walkers..and NO SIDEWALK.. we were like right in there with the motors..hoping that we wouldn't get hit..wondering WTF is the beach??!!!!!
SO we stop at the first hotel we saw..(the one i had read about online "cheap charlies" gave me an unfriendly weird vibe..and wasn't all that cheap after all..b/c apparently the low season doesn't kick in until may 1) We ended up staying at Cello Hotel..a Norwegian owned vintage boutique style place..very lovely..stayed in a beautiful private room with king size bed, balcony and Air Con..which was totally un-necessary but we just were too tired to take another step. At this point Shaun and I were at each others throats..very irritable and overheated..just wishing that Phuket was a place we could have stayed for longer- but knew that we'd have to move on ASAP.
went to bed at 6pm after getting in a weird fight where I had like a mental breakdown because I felt like I failed as a tour guide, b/c it was I that planned this trip, and Phuket was a last minute change of plans (originally planned on Pattaya, then Ko Chang) but I allowed a tourist information centre employee talk me out of it..and was really regretting that..was overtired and worried that we had already spent way too much money..shaun was fed up as well..and we passed out after me bawling my eyes out for half an hour. Shaun actually said "I just want to go home" and my heart literally shattered. I wanted so badly for everything to be perfect...but then realized that this is self guided travel- it's a discovery, it has ups and downs..it is not an all-inclusive..this was hard work! but we can do it!!!
day 5 april 27Pouring Rain/super hot PHUKET/PHI PHIDecided that we were just overtired the night before, and that everything would work out fine b/c it usually does in the end for us..
After we booked 2 open ended ferry tickets..one to Ko Phi Phi and then on to Krabi ...we were walking down the street in the pouring rain, hoping that we made the right decision buying these tickets when we were pulled off the street by a salesman, after we scratched a card and were told we won a prize, if we'd listen to a presentation...so we spent the morning listening to a 90 minute presentation at a posh hotel drinking free coffee...and at the end won 7 days at a resort just for sticking around and listening to the hotels new form of marketing !!!!! which we have a year to redeem, and will use it for Spain..btw :) take ferry to Ko Phi Phi...WOW. it is overcast..but the sun was trying to come out..drank a couple of Chang beers..and chatted with two gentleman from England...arrived on phi phi and found a private room for b500 per night..booked it for 7 days....had an awesome day/night exploring phi phi..and our worries vanished..we had ARRIVED IN PARADISE..met some guys from quebec..drank beers and watched the awesome fire dancers on the beach with blaring dubstep remixes of random songs like Papa Roaches "last resort" we
day 6 april 28 SUPER HOT PHI PHI snorkelling in the amazing Andaman Sea, feeding monkeys, exploring Maya Island- where they filmed the movie the beach ...which I must mention..was what inspired me to want to come to Thailand when I first saw it in high school..and a million times since then :) laying around on the beach.got real crispy even while using a sunblock with SPF 70!!!!! wtf?!!!.discovering what food carts are the cheapest..realizing that if we bought a "big chang" beer from 7-11 it costs 55-60 baht..rather then purchasing one at a restaurant for 80-90 baht!!! also, realizing that the "Pornthip Drinking Water" from thailand is 10 baht as opposed to the recognizable brands..like Evian for 40-60 baht...best food deal so far: Pad Thai with scrambled egg and veggies for b50....WOW...met a cool Canadian couple from Toronto..had drinks and pizza with them..and watched the fire dancers for a bit before retiring to our quartres at 10pm
day 7 april 29 SUPER DUPER HOT PHI PHI finally woke up at a normal time ..8am..had pad thai for breakfast..a canned ice coffee from 7-11 for b18...not worth it..much better to spend the b80 and get a fresh thai iced coffee from a cart..wholly shit! it's my 28th BIRTHDAY... whoahh...I get my hair braided for my b-day present soooo fun! hit up the beach..it's sooo damn hot! I'm feeling really good today..very well rested..i think my jet lag is gone..my brain isn't buzzing like crazy..i feel relaxed and comfortable where i am...i met a nice girl on the beach from france..had lunch together..decided to go back to the room for a rest...shaun fell asleep and I sent emails and wrote this crazy blog post..summarizing my 7 days here so far..but not giving the real emotion and detail that i hope to convey..BUT..now that i am caught up..it will be MUCH easier to go into detail, as everything will be SUPER FRESH in my mind. alright. now it is 6pm and i need to go wake shaun up..:)
love x love x love x
!!!!!!!!
day 1 april 23Hot and humid night!!arrive in Bangkok hotel at 1am..go out until 3am..drinking beers on the street, and taking in the MADNESS!
day 2 april 24Hot and Sunny BANGKOK woke up at 3:30am in Bangkok, feeling ready for the day (crazy but we did get up-ate pad thai for breakfast..and I had an iced coffee..watching the drunks stumble around in full party mode! LOL)
Spent the day exploring the Khao San road area..shops, and food carts..and Tuk Tuks everywhere! People trying to get us off the street into tailor shops, to get custom made suits and dresses for cheap! Backpackers everywhere..the smells were intense..wafts of incense..then grilling meats..then garbage..then blossoms..then exhaust..just a literal assault on all senses..so deliriously tired..in bed by 6pm
day 3 april 25Hot and Sunny BANGKOKwoke up at 4:30am..ate green curry with rice for breakfast hahah..delicious..enjoyed the rooftop pool...agreed to a Tuk Tuk tour of the temples in the area..sleeping buddha, lucky buddha etc. beautiful! more pool time because wow it was hot..but overcast..and we still got some colour..dinner and drinks..in bed by 6pm
*at this point we hadn't had a conversation with anybody in english! only broken attempts at asking for directions etc.
Took the water taxi to the train station..(thought we could save money and decided to walk from the pier to the station..and it took 45 minutes in plus 45 degrees with 2 backpacks each on our backs..i think i actually almost died...made it to train..left at 900pm (1.5 hours late) from station to Surat Thani..Train was awesome! sleeper car..comfy beds and green curtains for privacy..
day 4 april 26 Rain/overcast SURAT THANI/PHUKETWoke up at 6am..had a lovely visit with 2 Irish girls (first conversation in english since arriving) arrived in surat thani at 930am...had a short wait for bus...took bus to Phuket..took cab from train station to Patong Beach in Phuket...(starting to realize that with cabs and trains and buses and tuk tuks that the budget could get severely out of control very quickly...) first impression of Phuket: crazy busy, overwhelming stench of exhaust, to the point where I felt my lungs aching..(and wishing I had one of those clever little face masks that I see Asian people wearing...) cab let us out at a hostel i named that i had read about online..street was raging with motorbikes, cars, cabs, tuks, bicycles, walkers..and NO SIDEWALK.. we were like right in there with the motors..hoping that we wouldn't get hit..wondering WTF is the beach??!!!!!
SO we stop at the first hotel we saw..(the one i had read about online "cheap charlies" gave me an unfriendly weird vibe..and wasn't all that cheap after all..b/c apparently the low season doesn't kick in until may 1) We ended up staying at Cello Hotel..a Norwegian owned vintage boutique style place..very lovely..stayed in a beautiful private room with king size bed, balcony and Air Con..which was totally un-necessary but we just were too tired to take another step. At this point Shaun and I were at each others throats..very irritable and overheated..just wishing that Phuket was a place we could have stayed for longer- but knew that we'd have to move on ASAP.
went to bed at 6pm after getting in a weird fight where I had like a mental breakdown because I felt like I failed as a tour guide, b/c it was I that planned this trip, and Phuket was a last minute change of plans (originally planned on Pattaya, then Ko Chang) but I allowed a tourist information centre employee talk me out of it..and was really regretting that..was overtired and worried that we had already spent way too much money..shaun was fed up as well..and we passed out after me bawling my eyes out for half an hour. Shaun actually said "I just want to go home" and my heart literally shattered. I wanted so badly for everything to be perfect...but then realized that this is self guided travel- it's a discovery, it has ups and downs..it is not an all-inclusive..this was hard work! but we can do it!!!
day 5 april 27Pouring Rain/super hot PHUKET/PHI PHIDecided that we were just overtired the night before, and that everything would work out fine b/c it usually does in the end for us..
After we booked 2 open ended ferry tickets..one to Ko Phi Phi and then on to Krabi ...we were walking down the street in the pouring rain, hoping that we made the right decision buying these tickets when we were pulled off the street by a salesman, after we scratched a card and were told we won a prize, if we'd listen to a presentation...so we spent the morning listening to a 90 minute presentation at a posh hotel drinking free coffee...and at the end won 7 days at a resort just for sticking around and listening to the hotels new form of marketing !!!!! which we have a year to redeem, and will use it for Spain..btw :) take ferry to Ko Phi Phi...WOW. it is overcast..but the sun was trying to come out..drank a couple of Chang beers..and chatted with two gentleman from England...arrived on phi phi and found a private room for b500 per night..booked it for 7 days....had an awesome day/night exploring phi phi..and our worries vanished..we had ARRIVED IN PARADISE..met some guys from quebec..drank beers and watched the awesome fire dancers on the beach with blaring dubstep remixes of random songs like Papa Roaches "last resort" we
day 6 april 28 SUPER HOT PHI PHI snorkelling in the amazing Andaman Sea, feeding monkeys, exploring Maya Island- where they filmed the movie the beach ...which I must mention..was what inspired me to want to come to Thailand when I first saw it in high school..and a million times since then :) laying around on the beach.got real crispy even while using a sunblock with SPF 70!!!!! wtf?!!!.discovering what food carts are the cheapest..realizing that if we bought a "big chang" beer from 7-11 it costs 55-60 baht..rather then purchasing one at a restaurant for 80-90 baht!!! also, realizing that the "Pornthip Drinking Water" from thailand is 10 baht as opposed to the recognizable brands..like Evian for 40-60 baht...best food deal so far: Pad Thai with scrambled egg and veggies for b50....WOW...met a cool Canadian couple from Toronto..had drinks and pizza with them..and watched the fire dancers for a bit before retiring to our quartres at 10pm
day 7 april 29 SUPER DUPER HOT PHI PHI finally woke up at a normal time ..8am..had pad thai for breakfast..a canned ice coffee from 7-11 for b18...not worth it..much better to spend the b80 and get a fresh thai iced coffee from a cart..wholly shit! it's my 28th BIRTHDAY... whoahh...I get my hair braided for my b-day present soooo fun! hit up the beach..it's sooo damn hot! I'm feeling really good today..very well rested..i think my jet lag is gone..my brain isn't buzzing like crazy..i feel relaxed and comfortable where i am...i met a nice girl on the beach from france..had lunch together..decided to go back to the room for a rest...shaun fell asleep and I sent emails and wrote this crazy blog post..summarizing my 7 days here so far..but not giving the real emotion and detail that i hope to convey..BUT..now that i am caught up..it will be MUCH easier to go into detail, as everything will be SUPER FRESH in my mind. alright. now it is 6pm and i need to go wake shaun up..:)
love x love x love x
!!!!!!!!
Sunday, April 7, 2013
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