Flashpacking in Asia

Journey End,

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:37:52 +0800

Penang, Malaysia

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:37:52 +0800

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 18:00:00 +0800

Arrived at Subang airport which is less than 3 hours from ko samui. Malaysia is so similar to Thailand I forgot they use a different currency here but a trip to the ATM soon fixed that. My cousin, her husband and their sons have been so welcoming. They took me to eat Indian food off banana leaves before heading to the night Market, petronas towers and klcc. I've learnt a bit about Tibetan Buddhism. It's really interesting and quite spiritual. So far I'm not missing Thailand because it doesn't feel that much different except the broadband is delivered over fibre to the home here and the food is more varied but I think seeing my family is what has really made my trip so far.

Koh Samuie, Thailand

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:01:30 +0700

Ko Phangan, Thailand

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 18:00:00 +0700

Bangkok, Thailand

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:00:00 +0700

Yay! I survivied a 10 hour train journey from Chumphong and and still alive with swollen ankles and stomach still intact despite eating a Thai steamboat in Chumphong. The entire menu was in Thai but still managed to order some decent grub and it was good to be rid of the boy that kicked me in the shins for almost the entire duration of the train journey. Looks like I'm going to miss the full moon party on 14th in Koh Phanghan but I'll make up for it by visiting places in and around Bangkok for the next few days. Really happy about having internet and hot water again. Not yet planned the next part of the trip but I've succumbed and bought a lonely planet to help in case I'm stuck without Internet again. Went to see Jim Thompson's house today and decided to use public transport. I got fed up of being ripped off by taxi drivers or being told that they don't want my monopoly money (Thai baht is about 40 to the pound) cause it means they get stuck in traffic. I bumped into a couple of people that went to the same college as me and was going to visit the temple and palace with them but I wasn't dressed appropriately and had a huge bag so couldn't be bothered to queue so I carried on down the chaophraya river by boat then took the sky train which is an air conditioned train which towers above the city. It was built to combat the congestion in Bangkok but ironically only the tourists and wealthy can afford it. There are 2 lines so it's fairly simple and you have to pay with coins, day pass for 120 baht or a rechargeable card.

Chumphon, Thailand

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:00:00 +0700

Arrived in Chumphon by Catamaran then a very short coach journey. The town has a lot of character through the architecture but it seems that the buildings have been neglected. It's really good to have access to an internet connection again. I'm going to brave the public transport system tomorrow. I'm taking the train back to Bangkok which is free for the locals. No idea what to expect but hopefully I'll get to see some of the countryside from the south.

Koh Tao, Thailand

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:00:00 +0700

Took an overnight VIP bus (basically a coach with rugs and air conditioning and a tv that plays a dvd which kept skipping) and then a slow boat to Koh Tau. The Thai's do things really slowly. We left an hour later than the proposed time and stopped a few times along the way and had to take another bus. Absolutely no sense of urgency but I guess its not a problem when you don't have to get up for work the next day. Stayed in Hin Wong resort which is really secluded and there is a hammock in every bungalow which overlooks the rocky bay. It's great despite there being limited hot water, electricity only from 6 pm to 6 am. I've met some amazing people both the Thai's and fellow backpackers.

Bangkok Metropolis, Thailand

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 11:00:00 +0700

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:00:00 +0400

Manchester

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 20:00:00 +0100