AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS........or so

For my last night the plan was to chill out in the hostel and watch a film, was'nt really up going out on Saturday past. The taughts on getting a long haul flight with a hangover did not really appeal to much. So a I decided, finish off my book, maybe a wee beer in the hostel and then off to bed early. That was the plan. Did it work out that way???......No!

Saturday afternoon I got a text from BK Mel, who was on her way down from Cambodia and was stopping off in Bangkok for the night before heading down to Koh Phangan for the full Moon Party (Lucky git!). So naturally we had to catch up for a bit of grub and a view beers while we were both in the same city.

I have to say it really made my night and a great way to leave a complete sh*ith*le of a city. Koshan Rd was the location for Saturday nights drinks, the famous Backpacker strip is full of unusal bars and clubs but it was a good laugh. I met up with Mel and Claire (Mel's travelling buddy and happens to be a Dundalk Lassy also) in Silk Bar for a bite to eat. Then a bit of a wee pub crawl evolved after that and typically ending up in Burger King at 4 that morning stuffing our faces - good night all round!

Above is myself, Claire and Mel. Fairly getting stuck into a tower of Heiniken (they are really great value)

I swear, I am not drunk in this photo and that cup I'm holding does not have a Singapore Slinger in it....Swear! Thats ....ahh...Declan, I think.....yeah Declan in photo also, he's from up the road in Newry ( A nephew of Betty in the Phoenix)

My first time driving a motor propelled vehicle, a quad bike. We hired it out for the day and travelled over the hole of the Island, have to say it was great fun......on a straight road. As you get deaper into the island you have to replace the word 'road' with 'mudtrack', as you get even further in you have to replace 'mudtrack' with a 'heap of rocks - try and get over these without without doing damage to yourself' anyway apart from that it was class.....really got to learn to drive when I get back. Anyone up for teaching????

Hay everyone.

Left Bangkok yesterday morning. Took a 3 1/2 bus ride over to BaPhan, from here we got to ferry over to the island of Koh Samet. The weather is unreal, at the moment, its at 35 degrees, perfect for the beach......how's the rain back home????

Anyway this island was declared a national park and a place of outstanding beauty in 1981, however due to the locals building illegal resorts along the beach it was stripped of its title. I actually think it adds to the character of the Island. We booked ourselves into one of the resorts looking right out onto the beach. Amazing.

Myself, Niall and two English girls we met chilled out with cocktails on the beach last night. Talk about complete and utter relaxation. I tried authentic Thai food here last night for the first time ( I was to weary of it in Bangkok) and boy is it gorgeous.....and bloody hot!!

I've been hearing alot about a Full Moon party on the 29th in Koh Phangan, south of Bangkok, this happens to be the day I fly out to Sydney......should I stay or go???? Going to look into getting the flight tickets changed. Hopefully they'll be able to do something.

Just to make you all jealous at home the plan for today is to chill out on the beach and catch some Sun......being a typical Paddy I'll end up as a red as hell.

Here are a view photo's of Thailand. ( I found a way to go over my limit with uploading!)

Neil (from Ballbriggan) & Ruth (Manchester) on the Ferry to Koh Samet

In the gardens of the Emerald Palace

On the back of a TUK TUK

Emerald Palace again!

Right thats all for now.....beach time. Feel free to leave a coment (just click on the comment button underneath)

Ciao

Colin

Hay All

Well my impressions of Bangkok have not changed greatly since I posted last. I really think the best way to describe this city is a dirty, sewer smelling, clamy city that only wants to rip you off at every chance they get. There is really nothing to do in this city. It reminds me of Brussells. Feck all to see but plenty of bars. Apart from Siam Square, the various markets and the Emerald palace, bangkok has really nothing left to offer.

As I said earlier there is really not a whole lot happening here apart from a visit to the Buddha Temple and the Kings Palaces. Its really the only tourist attraction they have and its a very good one at that. Some of the art work and the monuments in the 'Emerald Palace' are amazing and seemed to be looked after very well. The gold spires of the temples and the colourfull artwork along the various walls around the temple gardens would make Michelangelo's work look amertureish.

The Markets now are unreal. You can buy cloths, shoes, runners, DVD's - anything.....you name and you'll find here in one of the many Bangkok markets and the best part of it al is that everything is dirt cheap....even if you don't haggle with then. I have'nt been to the night Market yet, Iheard some good things about it so I'll savwe that for my last night - which is tomorrow (Monday).

Tuesday I plan to leave Bangkok and head into the heart of Thailand. Have not decided were yet. I met a guy from Ballbrigan in Bullys Bar the other night. He's heading home on Friday but he wanted to see a bit of Thailand before he went, so we made plans to travel around the place with each other. It beats heading into the 'wilderness' on your own!

Wll thats all from me at the moment. I will upload photo's and videos as soon as I am allowed! ( I've reached the limit for this month on photo's so I haver to wait till August. What I will do is upload them to myspace or bebo and put the link here.

anyway thats it for now

Take care

Colin

Hay Everyone,

I arrived last night in Thailand after a very long and exhausting flight from London. Got a taxi in from the airport straight to the hostel ( it cost around 300bht + toll 70bht which works out at e8.90). I had lost track of time so I decided to head straight to bed. I got up early this morning at 2a.m., thinking of course it was much later. Could'nt get back to sleep so I took a wee wonder around the block. To my amazement the place was as busy as It would be during the day. Unreal. They don't really seem to care what they do for money....just wants they get it.

When back to the hostel at around 3.30am and that was mew out for the count till about 12 noon today. Last night my walk around the block in sandles did not do much for my feet as there was cuts and bite marks all over. I went to put the sandles back on and they seem to make things worse. So on with the runners and down to the market to buy something more comfortable. A pair of slip on runners/sandle style, a irish rugby top and a pair of 3/4 length trousers - all for 1220bht which works out at 30e not bad but I could of getting them cheaper if I really tried. I just needed something quick for my feet!

Right so its off to explore Bangkok today and tomorrow. After that I plan to head up along the coast of Thailand if I can get a good trip at a decent price.

Thats all for now

la-gon

Colin

oh yeah I heard this morning Joe has resigned as manager of Armagh. Damn I betcha all the experienced players will follow suit.