THAILAND

PHUKET
Well, another adventure to hold in my memory box. On May 29th I headed to Phuket. I arrived at the airport and looked around..going in and out looking for Paul. Lindsey's boyfriend who was picking me up on his motorbike. Finally I caught eyes with the Farang (foreigner...non thai person) and he was holding a sign that read "Lindsey's friend Shebilicious":-) I could not WAIT to get to see linds. I got to their apt late in the evening and we were just jumping and hugging and couldn't believe I was there. We all hung out for a bit and I gave them 2 boxes of Tim Tams (which were gone in a day). Then, late at night we headed to Patong beach. It was my first look into Thai nightlife and the culture of old Farang men with young thai women (some were their prostitutes, others their wives...very interesting). All of the bars were trying to get you in and had girls on the bar top trying to sell themselves. For me, it was VERY late in Sydney so we headed back for the night.
Linds and I headed out the next morning on her motorbike. We went to Nar hin beach where we caught up on life and enjoyed a coconut. We headed to the Big Buddha which overlooked all of Phuket and was beautiful. We went to a Wat and then headed back for Paul. We all went out for lunch which was great because they introduced me to SO many dishes and the culture of real thai cuisine (SO delicious). We watched sunset and then linds and I went out that evening. Please refer to the afro pics on facebook;-)
The following day we went to Old Phuket town. Lindsey had never really been so it was an adventure for the both of us. We saw the Portuguese town village and then found our way to Rang Hill where we encountered a number of Asain tourists that we had a photo shoot with haha. That night we went to a hookah lounge and talked alot about life and what we are doing. I expressed my fears about going home and stepping back into a life where no one really understands what you had been through. It was SO nice to talk to two people who understood where I was coming from.
My last day in Phuket Lindsey had school. Paul and I roamed around and I got a 2 hour massage on the beach (for less than $15) We had an easy night in of making guacamole and hanging out. I said bye to lindsey the next morning and headed to the airport. It was sad to say goodbye but I feel SO lucky that I got to see her and catch up. They both were so good to me!

KO SAMUI
I flew into ko samui and walked around for over an hour to check out all of the guesthouses. Finally I found a place with AC, on the beach and a reasonable price. I hung out all day and laid out. Come 5pm the entire beach and the restaurants transform into this gala evening affair of lights, air blown trees and heaps of color. I walked up and down the beach and started talking to a girl from Melbourne. We hung out for a bit and chatted about our travels.
The next day I took a tour that my friend from UMD (that was studying abroad in OZ) recommended to me. As I was waiting, I picked up Twilight...lets just say I finished that in 4 days!! haha ANYWAYS, this tour was GREAT. They took us ALL over! We saw the grandmother and grandfather rocks (very phallic rocks...). Then we headed to a monkey area where they demonstrated how they got the coconuts down. I then went on an elephant ride and saw an elephant show, monkey show, and croc show where men were sticking their hands and heads into the croc. Then they took us to see the mummified monk, secret garden (which was funny cause on our way, I was like "this is some thing they set up for tourists") well It was SO cool. All of these concrete, cement sculptures in the middles of the wilderness. Very neat! We ate lunch over looking the Island and I met some really cool people throughout the journey. After lunch, we went to a rubber forest where they carve the trees and they ooze rubber to make condoms haha. And finally, they took us to the Big Buddha over looking Ko Samui. All in all, it was a GREAT fun filled day that allowed me to see alot of the Island. I hung out with the people from my tour and the girl from Melbourne the remainder of the nights. The rest of the time on the Island, I read, hung out, and got a massage:-) I really enjoyed Ko Samui for its serene beach and relaxation but the fact that they DID have a night life was great too.

KO PHAN GNAN
In the morning I headed out of Ko Samui to Ko Phan Gnan. I wandered here again looking for accommodation. I went to the Pier to see if Josh and his mates were getting off the boat. They didnt, which is when I met Sam, Lindsay and Nick. Two American girls and a Welsh guy (that came for one of the girls). We decided to look for a place together and ended up all staying together. We headed to Leela beach which is at a resort and got some drinks and hung out for the sunset. That night we went to the pre fullmoon festivities. When Lindsey said "I cant really describe it", NOW I know what she means. Its like preakness times 100. Insane and Amazing!!
The next day Josh and his friends came and we moved into another place together (after much drama at one place haha). We all went to cocohuts (leela beach) again and hung out before another pre night. THEN, FINALLY the day of the full moon. We hung out all day and napped. Got headbands and body paint and got ready for the festivities. It was similar to the nights before except HEAPS more people. Those staying on Ko samui took boats over so it was PACKED. We always hung out near one bar that played great music so it was a ton of fun.
I knew I would want to GET OUT of Ko Phan Gan so we all booked a ticket for Ko Tao the following morning for an 8am ferry.

KO TAO
Known for its diving, we checked into Big Blue. A place where if you dive, that night you stay for free. We hung out and got acquainted with the town. I got a massage at exactly sunset and it was the most amazing thing. Just laying there, seeing the colors, and getting massaged (my favorite!), it was just amazing.
The next day we woke up for our Scuba diving. I have been before but one thing that stands out in my mind was the hundreds and thousands of fish that were swimming together. They were the kind with the eyes on the sides of their faces so anytime one would move, they all would. I just kept swimming up in them, being like "remember this moment"... That night we all got massages and hung out around town.
In the morning we said our goodbyes as the group headed to Ko Samui, I was about to embark in a 36 hour journey to Chang Mai.

CHANG MAI
I took a taxi, a ferry, a bus to Bangkok and then hopped right on an overnight train to Chang Mai. Here, the North, is know for more of the cultural experiences so I was looking forward to engaging myself. I checked in to a room at this place that was planning a trek. But after looking around, they were WAY overpriced and I was not really into it. I walked to John's Gallery. An artist that Lindsey had alot of her stuff from and I fell in love with one of her things. I went and checked him out and it was GREAT. He said he used to sell in Sydney and now in Japan. Met some people and hung out that evening and got insight on things.
The next days was a full on day. Beginning with a thai cooking class. We went to the market and learned about the herbs and spices. When we arrived, it was at someone's home but was all prepared with stoves, and even things cut up and ready for us. I made four delicious dishes and got the recipe for them too. Then I went up to Doi Sutep. A temple over looking Chang Mai that houses a monastery. My driver said he would wait for me and to be back in an hour. I was thinking "I probably wont need an hour" haha BUT I DID!!! it was beautiful and so surreal. No matter how long I am in a place, I still remind myself how amazing of an experience it is. After that, I went to a Wat where I thought they were having a monk chat (a way for them to practice english). There was not anything set up but I took it upon myself to have one. I met two from Cambodia and one from Laos. They came as a way to study. We chatted for a half an hour with all of asking asking each other questions. It was very fascinating and I am so happy I did that. That night I went to a Thai Boxing match with people I had met. Some of these boys are so young and small but the "real" fight happened to be with an Irish guy that trained in Canada against a Thai. He won. I had booked a trek so I knew I has to be in early that night.
My trek was great and I got SO lucky! There were 10 of us with a crazy fun tour guy "Johnny"(because he drinks too much Johnny Walker). The first day we went for an elephant trek in the jungle, and walked alot!! We took a break at a waterfall where the guys jumped in and then we continued for another hour. Finally, we arrived to our destination. It was a small hill tribe village and we were staying in a bamboo hut overlooking the land. We hung out and had a "home cooked" meal. When night fell, I looked up at the stars and realized I had probably never seen to many. THOUSANDS of stars and so many that made up clusters... I could have starred for hours! We began playing card games and then a guy from the tribe came in with a guitar. We were jamming out and having a grand time. I got really lucky for being on my own but having such an amazing group.
The next morning we woke up and had breakie before having a 2 hour hike to a waterfall. We hung out there for a bit and then the others went White Water Rafting (after having 2 near death experiences in the past years, and vowing never to do it again, I opted not to go) however, I did meet them for the bamboo ride (which is basically in the water). We had lunch and then made our way back to Chang Mai. I met so many cool people that I ended up staying at the same place as a couple from Canada. Ron and Christy were so fun! We went to the night bazar that evening and walked and ate and drank and ate. Haha The next morning I woke up and had my first bagel in about a year haha Then I hopped on a bus and headed to Pai.

PAI
Pai is a small hippie town just north of Chang Mai. No tuk tuks, no taxi's, just motor bikes and reggae bars. I met a guy on the bus who was traveling solo so we walked around looking for accommodation. I then ran into two guys from my trek and they were with this girl Lisa. So, the 5 of us wandered around and Lisa and I decided to stay together. I hung out that afternoon in a hammock and around town. We went to a "bar" that night (families owning places...small town style) and the guy was giving me a massage as guitars were getting passed around and we were rocking out. BEST bar ever... you know me and massages.... haha
The next morning, lisa and I woke up and took a Yoga class. I was in need of that! I hung out the rest of the morning and then got Acupuncture. Very interesting... a different experience and something that was worth trying out in Thailand (so cheap) Something I definitely want to enquire about when I get home. Went back to the same bar and just took it easy. Was exhausted that night so called it an early one.
The following day, I woke up and did some pilates and then lisa and I boarded a bus back to Chang Mai to head to Bangkok.

BANGKOK
WOW, what a city!!! We got in at 530am and I went one direction and lisa another. It was sad that we didnt exchange details or anything but it was WAY too early. Again, I wandered around looking for a place for a while. I used someone's phone and called my friend Ravi that I met in Sydney and was now living in Bangkok. I needed a familiar voice and some guidance. I booked myself into a place and walked around the streets. A tuk tuk driver offered to take me around for 5THB (thats like not even .15 cents). I went to see the Lucky Buddha, Golden Mount, some Wats and of course, some Tailor shops for free petrol haha. Went into town and met two canadian guys, we were chatting about our travels when suddenly, I saw Lisa! I was SO happy!! That evening, Andrew, Larry and I headed to an area where I met up with Ravi and another girl from Sydney he had met here. It was SO great to see a familiar face and hear what he was up to! We also headed to a bar called Australia which was fun hehe
The next day Andrew and I went to The Grand Palace (lisa had been and larry was waiting for his girlfriend to come). On our way, all of these people were saying it was closed. But I convinced Andrew to go and we would at least take some pictures. Well low and behold, it WAS open and those people just wanted to take us around for our money. Andrew didnt have on the proper attired so I said I would go in the gates and take photos, then we were like "screw it!". He bought pants and we paid to actually GO IN. It was WELL WORTH IT!!! Everything was made from these small little tiles of gold or red or blue and just captured me in. I could have just looked all day. Some things mosaic, others, painted murals, it really was "grand". From there, we picked up the others and headed to Cabbages and Condoms. A restaurant trying to express the importance of safe sex and preventing pregnancy. Eveything was decorated with condoms (flower condoms, santa clause made of condoms, even "we dont have mints, take a condom") Very interesting place for a good cause. I then headed to a market where I saw a shirt that reminded me of something ive seen in syd for $50 so for not even $12, I got it:-) That night, lisa and I went to a Ping Pong show... basically a "strip club" but the girls are doing things with their "things". EVERYONE goes like alot of Farangs and I heard its just a sight to see. I wont get into too much detail on here but if youre interested, let me know.
The next day, Lisa and I got a bus to the JJ markets. A MASSIVE market with hundreds of stalls. SO many cool and amazing, cheap things. We spent the day there and then headed back cause Lisa was leaving that night.
Walked around on my last day, did my last minute shopping and got my last Thai massage. It was a GREAT trip but I was definitely ready to come back home...to sydney. I was tired of the "tuk tuk? taxi". Everyone says Thai's are so nice...but they have probably never been to Australia. I LOVE it here!!

I came back and have been staying with a family that I used to babysit for. The mom is away for the week and the dad needed some extra hands to get them ready in the morning and be here when they got home from school. Its GREAT! I wake them up and send them off. I have been going to the gym and then coming home for them. Its the first time in a Year I have had a full kitchen so the gym thing isnt doing much haha. I am already weirded out about me coming home, but we shall see when I get there. I am heading to Brisbane next week to visit Helen and then I will be back for my last weekend... CRAZY

Hope all is well CHEERS