27th May
Seeing lots of family and friends - catching up.
Went into college and everyone seemed pleased to see me which was really nice. There was a buzz about the place and this re-inforced my earlier feeling of renewed enthusiasm, I don't start until 13th August but I want to have some say in what I do next year.
There is a bbq in my Dad's barn tonight for my birthday and Sue and I have been practising a song for months, 'Wish You Were Here' - Pink Floyd, tonight's the night for our debut performance. I know I will sweat buckets and my fingers will feel like fat pork sausages, unfortunately not Segovia's!
30th May
Barn bbq called off due to torrential downpour and flooding, it's great to be back home! Finished up in the pub which was good anyway.
Found a great guitar site - nextlevelguitar.com, I think I might join. I can now mutilate American Pie, Hurt (Johnny Cash) , Drive (Incubus), Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol) and an Alice in Chains number. Next public performance opportunity will be round a camp fire at Latitude Festival 13th July. I know I am practicing a lot because I can't feel the ends of my fingers on the left hand and they have permanent grooves in them from the strings - is this normal?
4th June
Yesterday we put our bikes on the train from Lowestoft to Haddiscoe and then cycled home through Somerleyton and Oulton Broad - stopping at two pubs and a duck pond (for sandwiches) on the way. It's lovely in the countryside but there is so much traffic, I was alternating between cycling beside Sue and dropping behind to let cars pass. We parked our bikes next to an Aston Martin DB7 in Somerleyton so that when we came out we could walk towards it and bask in the brief moment when the people sitting outside thought it was ours. Inside the pub there were pictures all over the wall of local people who all have something to do with Lord Somerleyton's (or Lordie as they call him!!) estate. There was one lovely old boy holding a pair of shears as though it was a rifle. Last time we were there it was a bit run down but now there are old leather chairs, real ale and wine for sale as well as a posh restaurant.
Today I am spring cleaning the garage. That means getting everything out and hoovering everywhere, I am a bit obssesive like that. It's great because I can put everything in the middle of the garage and then find new places to store everything. That way only I know where anything is and I can justify my existance. Another reason why I am doing it is because I am going to start making wine again so I have to make a warming cupboard with a heater in it to keep the demi-johns in. Sue has banned me from the airing cupboard, remembering the last time I made wine (20 yeras ago). There was a background noise of soft 'plops' from the air locks and the occasional muffled explosion when I got carried away with the sugar and the air lock got blocked- aahh those were the days.
Another project is to make those fire tables I mentioned when we were in Chiang Dao - so much to do. so little time.....
Sunday, 27 May 2007
Monday, 21 May 2007
21st May 2007 - Back on the treadmill
Well here we are back home. Woolly socks, coal fires and responsibility.
The first morning it was as if we had never cooked breakfast before. We were up before 6 o'clock (jet lag) but were still not organised by 8 and I had forgotten how the microwave worked! Al, who looked after our guest house, did such a good job that we are having to work extra hard to live up to expectations.
"Al gives us our tea after breakfast"
"Al gave us skimmed milk"
"We usually have our milk slightly warmed"
"Hang on a minute while I go and get a piece of paper to write down your varied and unreasonable requests - soused herring?!"
A broken washing machine first day meant I filled one large and 4 small washing machines at the laundrette, I didn't know we owned so many towels.
We are back into the routine again now though and thoughts are turning more and more towards our daughter's wedding on 11th August.
Kate and her partner Dan are going to be coming home pretty well every weekend between now and then. So far we have booked the music - our favourite local band 'The Harvs' and their heavier alter ego 'GR8', 'Del from hell' on the piano and a disco. I think there is going to be time for the ceremony.
I took my son to see Gary Moore (who?) last weekend. My neice's partner Steven won tickets in a competition on 'Planet Rock' (you have to say it with a husky, deep boxing match master of ceremonies type accent - Planet Rrrrock) and then realised he coudn't go, so he thought of me (thanks again Steven). It was at a secret venue in London which turned out to be Bush Hall on Uxbridge Road. Only 100 people and he was great, a virtuoso guitarist - the equivalent of Yehudih Menuhin on violin, you may not like the music but you have to appreciate the skill involved. The concert is being aired on Planet Rock (don't forget the accent) in about 5 weeks time if you are interested.
We had fun getting there. Ben and I were talking so much that we missed the turning to London out of Norwich and only realised when we were 18 miles from Kings Lynn! Luckily we had left plenty of time and we finally arrived in Uxbridge having driven right round the other side of London on the M25. We stopped at a pub,
"Do you know where Bush Hall is?"
"Sorry never heard of it",
"It's on Uxbridge Rd."
"That's a pretty long road have you got the Post Code? ... [looks in A - Z, she was very helpful] That Post Code is for Uxbridge Road, Shepherd's Bush, Central London!!"
We drove back out onto the M25 with a view to getting to the right side of London for driving home and then getting the tube back in. However my neice Karen phoned and pointed out that you can actually still take cars into London and there are parking places so why not drive to the venue? So we did. Drivers are so helpful in London, if you are not sure which lane to be in approaching a roundabout or if you momentarily lose concentration at a set of lights and don't notice that the red light is starting to fade and the green light is getting brighter, they remind you with a little toot on the horn and a friendly gesture to point out the error of your ways, God I've missed this country.
We drove out into the countryside yesterday to a street market in Bungay. We took the back roads and realised again what a beautiful country we live in, fresh green and the smell and promise of spring. Then we walked through Bungay along a street flanked by lovely old terraced houses, a scene that could only be in England - home.
Hang on, what's this? A tent outside a Thai restaurant serving:
Gaeng Kiao Wan (Green Curry),
Gaeng Pet (Red Curry),
Gai Pat Met Ma Muang (Stir Fried Chicken and Cashew Nuts)!!
Ahh those lovely familiar smells and smiley faces,
"Sawasdee Kap",
"Sawasdee Kah" - home!
The first morning it was as if we had never cooked breakfast before. We were up before 6 o'clock (jet lag) but were still not organised by 8 and I had forgotten how the microwave worked! Al, who looked after our guest house, did such a good job that we are having to work extra hard to live up to expectations.
"Al gives us our tea after breakfast"
"Al gave us skimmed milk"
"We usually have our milk slightly warmed"
"Hang on a minute while I go and get a piece of paper to write down your varied and unreasonable requests - soused herring?!"
A broken washing machine first day meant I filled one large and 4 small washing machines at the laundrette, I didn't know we owned so many towels.
We are back into the routine again now though and thoughts are turning more and more towards our daughter's wedding on 11th August.
Kate and her partner Dan are going to be coming home pretty well every weekend between now and then. So far we have booked the music - our favourite local band 'The Harvs' and their heavier alter ego 'GR8', 'Del from hell' on the piano and a disco. I think there is going to be time for the ceremony.
I took my son to see Gary Moore (who?) last weekend. My neice's partner Steven won tickets in a competition on 'Planet Rock' (you have to say it with a husky, deep boxing match master of ceremonies type accent - Planet Rrrrock) and then realised he coudn't go, so he thought of me (thanks again Steven). It was at a secret venue in London which turned out to be Bush Hall on Uxbridge Road. Only 100 people and he was great, a virtuoso guitarist - the equivalent of Yehudih Menuhin on violin, you may not like the music but you have to appreciate the skill involved. The concert is being aired on Planet Rock (don't forget the accent) in about 5 weeks time if you are interested.
We had fun getting there. Ben and I were talking so much that we missed the turning to London out of Norwich and only realised when we were 18 miles from Kings Lynn! Luckily we had left plenty of time and we finally arrived in Uxbridge having driven right round the other side of London on the M25. We stopped at a pub,
"Do you know where Bush Hall is?"
"Sorry never heard of it",
"It's on Uxbridge Rd."
"That's a pretty long road have you got the Post Code? ... [looks in A - Z, she was very helpful] That Post Code is for Uxbridge Road, Shepherd's Bush, Central London!!"
We drove back out onto the M25 with a view to getting to the right side of London for driving home and then getting the tube back in. However my neice Karen phoned and pointed out that you can actually still take cars into London and there are parking places so why not drive to the venue? So we did. Drivers are so helpful in London, if you are not sure which lane to be in approaching a roundabout or if you momentarily lose concentration at a set of lights and don't notice that the red light is starting to fade and the green light is getting brighter, they remind you with a little toot on the horn and a friendly gesture to point out the error of your ways, God I've missed this country.
We drove out into the countryside yesterday to a street market in Bungay. We took the back roads and realised again what a beautiful country we live in, fresh green and the smell and promise of spring. Then we walked through Bungay along a street flanked by lovely old terraced houses, a scene that could only be in England - home.
Hang on, what's this? A tent outside a Thai restaurant serving:
Gaeng Kiao Wan (Green Curry),
Gaeng Pet (Red Curry),
Gai Pat Met Ma Muang (Stir Fried Chicken and Cashew Nuts)!!
Ahh those lovely familiar smells and smiley faces,
"Sawasdee Kap",
"Sawasdee Kah" - home!
Friday, 11 May 2007
11th May 2007 - Final Thoughts
We left England on October 19 2006. Time seemed to stretch before us .... all the time in the world to experience Thailand at a pace we chose, 30 weeks or 210 days.
Thailand seems like home at the moment.
I am used to the sounds -
Cicadas first thing in the morning and in the evening herald the time to get up and go to bed better than any alarm clock.
Geckos reassure us that they are patroling for mosquitoes.
In the cities the sound of tuk-tuks and dogs are ever present and on the beaches there is the sound of the waves and the long-tail boats - "boat - boat?" "Hat Rin - Hat Rin?" the boat owners ask us if we want to go somewhere.
I am used to the language -
Everywhere you are greeted with a big smile and greeting "Sawasdee Kaa (female) or Sawasdee Kap (male)". Even though I only understand a few words, the constant chatter of Thai around us is familiar now. I am picking up the sing-song nature of the language and can imagine what they are saying without having to know the details (I remember talking to Shaun Wilden, one of my tutors from last September. He has lived in Prague for many years. I asked him if he missed England and he said he had no desire to go back. On visits he finds himself swamped with background noise that he can't shut out. What is this noise? Conversation that he can understand and as a result can't stop listening to!! I wonder if I will experience the same thing).
I am used to the weather -
hot and sunny, hot and cloudy, hot and raining or hot and dark about sums it up.
I am used to the TV -
News, soaps, chat shows, slapstick, monks chanting.
The newscasters are celebrities and appear as guests on chat shows doing the same routine on one station after the other (according to an article in the Bangkok Post).
The soaps involve very young Thai girls and boys falling in and out of love and slapping each other across the face a lot. The moment when they fall in love is highlighted by misty camera shots rotating round the young couple and cartoon love hearts and bluebirds round their heads (I kid you not!).
The slapstick shows involve brilliant sound effects such as the 'boing' of a spring to punctuate a trip over a step and the rising and falling tone of a penny whistle when someone says anything silly. So tacky!
Imagine a whole channel devoted to a fixed camera shot of a monk sitting in the lotus position in his saffron robes chanting for (what seems) hour after hour. It is amazing how often we have seen TV's tuned to this station - is this a comment on their devotion or the quality of the other options!
The newscasters, chat show hosts and even the young teen idols often wear the ubiquitous yellow t-shirt (in honour of the king) which means that they look no different from anyone you may meet on the street. I really like that.
Sport - (football, are there any other sports?) is on ESPN and Star Sports with presenters such as Shebby Singh and Jamie Reeves. Jamie is the man Sue and I love to hate, he appears in an advert on TV trying to get investors to buy land in our country. He stands there like a piece of wood, next to 'Big Ben' and says "Buy UK land - I did". Another advert involves an equally wooden Steve McMahon (ex - Liverpool) and Brian Robson (ex - Man Utd).
Steve McMahon (Macka) is sitting next to Brian Robson (Robbo) on a settee watching TV and sipping a cup of tea (how likely is that!).
Macka - [Staring at television off screen] "Did you buy a PP (Profitable Plot), I did?"
Robbo - [Looking at TV and holding tea cup with little finger sticking up] "Aye Macka, I bought two."
Macka - [Turns to stare at Robbo with astonishment] "You bought two! I ony bought one."
Robbo - [Slowly turns to Macka and winks] "That's why I was Captain." (aarrrggghhh!)
Thai people are much more difficult to understand -
They are instinctively respectful and polite to each other and to us. Only Thais subjected to Western excess are sometimes cynical or impatient. They are very loyal to their King and revere the monks.
Thai teenagers hang around together, listen to rock and blues and wear trendy clothes, but you don't get a feeling of 'clannishness' of 'us and them' as you pass by. They will smile and say hello to us and will play with small children they see.
Thai people can seem childlike, in the sense that they appear to be uncomplicated, open and trusting. I remember sitting at a bar when one of the slap-stick TV shows was on, it seemd to be loosely based around the old 'Generation Game' format. An expert Thai Boxer went through a routine to show off his skills and this was followed by two 'stooges' who tried to do the same but kept falling over (boing) or missing their kick (whistle). The Thai men around me were in hysterics.
Which reminds me, we didn't get to see a Thai Boxing match (Muay Thai). Two people we were talking to went and it involved two rival clubs. They said it was definitely real. One bout stood out to them in which they went through the opening ritual of bowing and praying and then within 5 seconds one had kicked the other in the head and the fight was over. They said he was unconcious before he hit the floor, ouch. Every fight was very vicious, apparently pretty well anything goes, the only thing the ref does is to check at the start that they are wearing a 'box'! I don't think we would have enjoyed it.
However, they come from a culture that is a world away from my own. My Western values sometimes seemed far removed from those of people brought up in the East. During my reading I came across the following idea.
In Philosophy in the 'West' things have been divided into objects (external) and subjects (internal - to do with mind). This has led us to separate the external world (engineering, science etc) and the internal world (art, poetry, faith etc.). The idea that we are separate from the external world means that we may feel we can treat it as something to use and manipulate. It is not 'us', it is there for us, so we use and abuse the world around us. Life is a constant battle with nature, trying to mold it into what we want.
In the East this initial philosophical distinction was not made. Consequently, the distinction between an internal and external world is much more blurred. The Buddha taught that we are not separate from the world, we do not exist as a separate entity, there is no such thing as 'me' (This idea that we don't exist as a separate entity, we won't die because we were never born, is at the root of Buddhism). There is a 'right way' to live and that means being in harmony with the world.
I guess 7 months away has shown me that my home is in England with people who have similar memories and life experiences to me. I am going to miss Thailand but it will always be a place to visit populated by a people I will never really know.
Thailand is a beautiful place and at the moment we both feel we want to come back. I recommend it. It has been everything we could have expected:
Lush vegetation, trees, birds and lovely cool evenings in the hills of North Thailand staying at a place called 'The Nest' at Chang Rai between December and February.
Incredible rock formations and amazingly clear sea water in Krabbi Provence. West Railay was a bit 'trendy' for us - beautiful people and expensive but visually stunning. East Railay was more our sort of place, we stayed at Viewpoint, don't forget to say Hi to Lek at the massage place there.
Lovely beaches and peace and quiet at 'Sawasdee Bungalows' on Kho Chang in the Andaman Sea (not The Gulf of Thailand).
Massage courses, music, meditation, tarot, stacks of interesting people and loads going on at Chiang Mai but don't go there between March and October, the heat is punishing and the air is poor.
I have really enjoyed writing this blog and that discovery has been an important part of this experience, I intend to keep going after all there is a wedding coming up and then the trauma of going back to work.
I have appreciated the time to enjoy whatever I happen to be doing at a particular moment without having to worry about anything else, let me say that again - without having to worry about anything else..... luxury indeed and I acknowledge my good fortune.
We are both determined to avoid the temptation to fill each day with a list of goals that don't leave time for enjoyment because we are always rushing to do the next thing.
We were looking at a motorhome this morning, wondering how much it cost. I think we will go traveling again.
Thailand seems like home at the moment.
I am used to the sounds -
Cicadas first thing in the morning and in the evening herald the time to get up and go to bed better than any alarm clock.
Geckos reassure us that they are patroling for mosquitoes.
In the cities the sound of tuk-tuks and dogs are ever present and on the beaches there is the sound of the waves and the long-tail boats - "boat - boat?" "Hat Rin - Hat Rin?" the boat owners ask us if we want to go somewhere.
I am used to the language -
Everywhere you are greeted with a big smile and greeting "Sawasdee Kaa (female) or Sawasdee Kap (male)". Even though I only understand a few words, the constant chatter of Thai around us is familiar now. I am picking up the sing-song nature of the language and can imagine what they are saying without having to know the details (I remember talking to Shaun Wilden, one of my tutors from last September. He has lived in Prague for many years. I asked him if he missed England and he said he had no desire to go back. On visits he finds himself swamped with background noise that he can't shut out. What is this noise? Conversation that he can understand and as a result can't stop listening to!! I wonder if I will experience the same thing).
I am used to the weather -
hot and sunny, hot and cloudy, hot and raining or hot and dark about sums it up.
I am used to the TV -
News, soaps, chat shows, slapstick, monks chanting.
The newscasters are celebrities and appear as guests on chat shows doing the same routine on one station after the other (according to an article in the Bangkok Post).
The soaps involve very young Thai girls and boys falling in and out of love and slapping each other across the face a lot. The moment when they fall in love is highlighted by misty camera shots rotating round the young couple and cartoon love hearts and bluebirds round their heads (I kid you not!).
The slapstick shows involve brilliant sound effects such as the 'boing' of a spring to punctuate a trip over a step and the rising and falling tone of a penny whistle when someone says anything silly. So tacky!
Imagine a whole channel devoted to a fixed camera shot of a monk sitting in the lotus position in his saffron robes chanting for (what seems) hour after hour. It is amazing how often we have seen TV's tuned to this station - is this a comment on their devotion or the quality of the other options!
The newscasters, chat show hosts and even the young teen idols often wear the ubiquitous yellow t-shirt (in honour of the king) which means that they look no different from anyone you may meet on the street. I really like that.
Sport - (football, are there any other sports?) is on ESPN and Star Sports with presenters such as Shebby Singh and Jamie Reeves. Jamie is the man Sue and I love to hate, he appears in an advert on TV trying to get investors to buy land in our country. He stands there like a piece of wood, next to 'Big Ben' and says "Buy UK land - I did". Another advert involves an equally wooden Steve McMahon (ex - Liverpool) and Brian Robson (ex - Man Utd).
Steve McMahon (Macka) is sitting next to Brian Robson (Robbo) on a settee watching TV and sipping a cup of tea (how likely is that!).
Macka - [Staring at television off screen] "Did you buy a PP (Profitable Plot), I did?"
Robbo - [Looking at TV and holding tea cup with little finger sticking up] "Aye Macka, I bought two."
Macka - [Turns to stare at Robbo with astonishment] "You bought two! I ony bought one."
Robbo - [Slowly turns to Macka and winks] "That's why I was Captain." (aarrrggghhh!)
Thai people are much more difficult to understand -
They are instinctively respectful and polite to each other and to us. Only Thais subjected to Western excess are sometimes cynical or impatient. They are very loyal to their King and revere the monks.
Thai teenagers hang around together, listen to rock and blues and wear trendy clothes, but you don't get a feeling of 'clannishness' of 'us and them' as you pass by. They will smile and say hello to us and will play with small children they see.
Thai people can seem childlike, in the sense that they appear to be uncomplicated, open and trusting. I remember sitting at a bar when one of the slap-stick TV shows was on, it seemd to be loosely based around the old 'Generation Game' format. An expert Thai Boxer went through a routine to show off his skills and this was followed by two 'stooges' who tried to do the same but kept falling over (boing) or missing their kick (whistle). The Thai men around me were in hysterics.
Which reminds me, we didn't get to see a Thai Boxing match (Muay Thai). Two people we were talking to went and it involved two rival clubs. They said it was definitely real. One bout stood out to them in which they went through the opening ritual of bowing and praying and then within 5 seconds one had kicked the other in the head and the fight was over. They said he was unconcious before he hit the floor, ouch. Every fight was very vicious, apparently pretty well anything goes, the only thing the ref does is to check at the start that they are wearing a 'box'! I don't think we would have enjoyed it.
However, they come from a culture that is a world away from my own. My Western values sometimes seemed far removed from those of people brought up in the East. During my reading I came across the following idea.
In Philosophy in the 'West' things have been divided into objects (external) and subjects (internal - to do with mind). This has led us to separate the external world (engineering, science etc) and the internal world (art, poetry, faith etc.). The idea that we are separate from the external world means that we may feel we can treat it as something to use and manipulate. It is not 'us', it is there for us, so we use and abuse the world around us. Life is a constant battle with nature, trying to mold it into what we want.
In the East this initial philosophical distinction was not made. Consequently, the distinction between an internal and external world is much more blurred. The Buddha taught that we are not separate from the world, we do not exist as a separate entity, there is no such thing as 'me' (This idea that we don't exist as a separate entity, we won't die because we were never born, is at the root of Buddhism). There is a 'right way' to live and that means being in harmony with the world.
I guess 7 months away has shown me that my home is in England with people who have similar memories and life experiences to me. I am going to miss Thailand but it will always be a place to visit populated by a people I will never really know.
Thailand is a beautiful place and at the moment we both feel we want to come back. I recommend it. It has been everything we could have expected:
Lush vegetation, trees, birds and lovely cool evenings in the hills of North Thailand staying at a place called 'The Nest' at Chang Rai between December and February.
Incredible rock formations and amazingly clear sea water in Krabbi Provence. West Railay was a bit 'trendy' for us - beautiful people and expensive but visually stunning. East Railay was more our sort of place, we stayed at Viewpoint, don't forget to say Hi to Lek at the massage place there.
Lovely beaches and peace and quiet at 'Sawasdee Bungalows' on Kho Chang in the Andaman Sea (not The Gulf of Thailand).
Massage courses, music, meditation, tarot, stacks of interesting people and loads going on at Chiang Mai but don't go there between March and October, the heat is punishing and the air is poor.
I have really enjoyed writing this blog and that discovery has been an important part of this experience, I intend to keep going after all there is a wedding coming up and then the trauma of going back to work.
I have appreciated the time to enjoy whatever I happen to be doing at a particular moment without having to worry about anything else, let me say that again - without having to worry about anything else..... luxury indeed and I acknowledge my good fortune.
We are both determined to avoid the temptation to fill each day with a list of goals that don't leave time for enjoyment because we are always rushing to do the next thing.
We were looking at a motorhome this morning, wondering how much it cost. I think we will go traveling again.
Thursday, 10 May 2007
7th May 2007 - The Journey Home
Back in Bangkok for 2 days at SUK 11 and then home. We found 'Countly Loads', it was very depressing, full of middle aged Western men and very young Thai girls, we didn't stay long as we didn't want this experience to be our abiding image of Thailand. I don't blame the men or the girls, I just find it sad, it's hard to think what they find to talk about.
We also went to Chatachuk market with a shopping list from the family and to a big 'mall' on the last day where we watched a thriller called 'Shooter'. After the film we went back to the hostel, collected our bags and ordered a taxi. Here he is, we're off!
"500 baht to Suvarabumi Airport, you must be joking!"
We got out onto the pavement, unloading our rucksacks and a suitcase full of purchases from Chatachuck Market even though we were due to check in in 40 minutes. Now we wouldn't have done that when we arrived in Thailand 6 months ago. I casually waved down another taxi and beat him down to 300 baht (a saving of nearly £3) and we loaded our stuff into the boot, secured the lid with the bungy cord and climbed into the back seat.
He roared through the traffic and kangarooed his way along the freeway arriving with minutes to spare.
We checked our stuff in, went through passport control and settled down for the short 3 hour wait for the plane to take off. No internet, no ATM's but a bar that served 'Mojitas' cocktails and accepted debit cards. Sue wandered off to Duty Free and spent £50 on make-up, she was obviously in no hurry to get back to her old life!
The plane was Royal Jordanian, lots of leg room, 2 free drinks (Whisky and American Soda) and plenty of food, which was actually pretty good. There was also a 'Moving Map' so you could watch yourself inch your way across the planet and check on the direction of 'Mecca'. You might think that boring but it was better than anything else that was on.
Eight hours to Amman and then an hour and a half in a queue waiting for a guy to fill in a form so we could stay a further few hours in a transit hotel before re-boarding to fly to Heathrow. The bags flew on ahead so we didn't need to worry about little things like toothbrushes and a change of clothes.
"Do we get a call in the morning/ afternoon/ evening?" I asked the guy at reception. "Yes Sir" which turned out to be arabic for "No chance". We had left Bangkok at 11.45 pm (LT) which was 5.45pm (BST) (I suggested Sue set her watch to BST so we get used to it and maybe suffer less from jet lag). Amman is 2 hours ahead of BST and 4 hours behind Bangkok (with me so far?) so it was about 8.00 am in Bangkok, 4.00 am in Amman and 2.00am on Sue's watch. The plane was due to take off again at blah o'clock in Amman which is 'huh?' o'clock in Bangkok and 'haven't a clue' o'clock on Sue's watch, so we needed a call!
We woke up and watched a film for a while (Something and Mr Brown, with Billy Connelly, very good). "Do you think we should check downstairs, it seems rather late?" So, I went down to Reception, everywhere seemed very quiet. "Ah yes Sir, the bus for flight RJ111 left 10 minutes ago." We made it though with a skimpy 2 hours to spare and eventually boarded. Only five and a half hours to go and we'll be home!!!
"Adam. Adam, sit still, Adam don't play with that, Adam be a good boy, Adam. Adam ......" right behind us and the plane hadn't even taken off! We looked at each other, it was going to be a long flight.
After circling Heathrow for 20 minutes we touched down. Grey sky, 15 degrees and windy. "Good grief there are our bags! 7 months in Thailand and nothing major has gone wrong, I could even lose my passport now and it wouldn't matter." We walked through 'Nothing to Declare' and round a corner, lots of people all waiting for someone, somewhere there are two people waitng for us ......... Kate and Dan ........... there they are!
We also went to Chatachuk market with a shopping list from the family and to a big 'mall' on the last day where we watched a thriller called 'Shooter'. After the film we went back to the hostel, collected our bags and ordered a taxi. Here he is, we're off!
"500 baht to Suvarabumi Airport, you must be joking!"
We got out onto the pavement, unloading our rucksacks and a suitcase full of purchases from Chatachuck Market even though we were due to check in in 40 minutes. Now we wouldn't have done that when we arrived in Thailand 6 months ago. I casually waved down another taxi and beat him down to 300 baht (a saving of nearly £3) and we loaded our stuff into the boot, secured the lid with the bungy cord and climbed into the back seat.
He roared through the traffic and kangarooed his way along the freeway arriving with minutes to spare.
We checked our stuff in, went through passport control and settled down for the short 3 hour wait for the plane to take off. No internet, no ATM's but a bar that served 'Mojitas' cocktails and accepted debit cards. Sue wandered off to Duty Free and spent £50 on make-up, she was obviously in no hurry to get back to her old life! The plane was Royal Jordanian, lots of leg room, 2 free drinks (Whisky and American Soda) and plenty of food, which was actually pretty good. There was also a 'Moving Map' so you could watch yourself inch your way across the planet and check on the direction of 'Mecca'. You might think that boring but it was better than anything else that was on.
Eight hours to Amman and then an hour and a half in a queue waiting for a guy to fill in a form so we could stay a further few hours in a transit hotel before re-boarding to fly to Heathrow. The bags flew on ahead so we didn't need to worry about little things like toothbrushes and a change of clothes.
"Do we get a call in the morning/ afternoon/ evening?" I asked the guy at reception. "Yes Sir" which turned out to be arabic for "No chance". We had left Bangkok at 11.45 pm (LT) which was 5.45pm (BST) (I suggested Sue set her watch to BST so we get used to it and maybe suffer less from jet lag). Amman is 2 hours ahead of BST and 4 hours behind Bangkok (with me so far?) so it was about 8.00 am in Bangkok, 4.00 am in Amman and 2.00am on Sue's watch. The plane was due to take off again at blah o'clock in Amman which is 'huh?' o'clock in Bangkok and 'haven't a clue' o'clock on Sue's watch, so we needed a call!We woke up and watched a film for a while (Something and Mr Brown, with Billy Connelly, very good). "Do you think we should check downstairs, it seems rather late?" So, I went down to Reception, everywhere seemed very quiet. "Ah yes Sir, the bus for flight RJ111 left 10 minutes ago." We made it though with a skimpy 2 hours to spare and eventually boarded. Only five and a half hours to go and we'll be home!!!
"Adam. Adam, sit still, Adam don't play with that, Adam be a good boy, Adam. Adam ......" right behind us and the plane hadn't even taken off! We looked at each other, it was going to be a long flight.
After circling Heathrow for 20 minutes we touched down. Grey sky, 15 degrees and windy. "Good grief there are our bags! 7 months in Thailand and nothing major has gone wrong, I could even lose my passport now and it wouldn't matter." We walked through 'Nothing to Declare' and round a corner, lots of people all waiting for someone, somewhere there are two people waitng for us ......... Kate and Dan ........... there they are!
Tuesday, 1 May 2007
2nd May 2007 - Sailing
I forgot to mention our sailing experience on Kho Phangan.
Sue - "If you want me to try sailing now is your chance."
Cookies Bungalows had a laser dinghy for rent. It was a hot day, the sea was warm and shallow and there was hardly any breeze. Perfect conditions to introduce Sue to sailing, she is scared of boats and water, not as bad as she used to be but still nervous.
I went to ask if we could rent it. "Oh, no wind, cannot." "It's OK" I said, "I can sail and I don't really want wind."
His look said "You don't want wind?!" but he reluctantly helped me to push the dinghy down to the waters edge and launch it. I thought I had better familiarise myself first so off I went on my own. I say off, what I really mean is that I drifted gently out to sea with the occasional puff to whet my interest. I tacked a couple of times, which meant I pushed the sail across and swapped sides. As I was wondering how I was going to get back to the shore (apart from wading - it was that shallow) a breeze sprang up which enabled me to sail back to the beach.
"OK Sue, ready?" She clambered in and off we went. The breeze was getting up a bit more now which meant we got a bit of a move on, perfect. The sound of rushing water and an exhilerating sensation of speed. I think she was quite enjoying it and I was having visions of buying a boat when we got home and going sailing together.
Did I mention the water was shallow? The only trouble with shallow water is ........... BANG! The centre board hit a rock. The only trouble with hitting rocks is that the braking distance is zero.
Sue was catapulted forwards and I just managed to hang on to the tiller and sail sheet. "Don't worry Sue, everything is under control, we just hit a rock. No problem I'll just lift the centre board ... there we go we're off again". I managed to say all this in a very calm voice and Sue's look of panic slowly faded as we sailed off. I handled that well I thought, maybe Sue still has confidence in me. "We'll just go out a bit further away from these...." BANG.
Sue, who had just settled down again, was once more catapulted into the front of the dinghy which heeled over at an alarming angle and then turned into the wind, sails flapping. Once more I struggled to lift the centre board which was a bit jammed this time, but I managed and eventually we were off again. "Can we go in now?" Sue's first words since we left dry land. "Yes of course, sorry about this but usually the water is deeper when you go sailing." "Yes, I can see how much fun it is but can we go in now, my leg is a bit bruised." "OK, ready about (sailing term for 'duck or the boom will knock your head off')." I tacked and we headed in. The wind caught the sails and we surged forward......
BANG!!
Sue - "If you want me to try sailing now is your chance."
Cookies Bungalows had a laser dinghy for rent. It was a hot day, the sea was warm and shallow and there was hardly any breeze. Perfect conditions to introduce Sue to sailing, she is scared of boats and water, not as bad as she used to be but still nervous.
I went to ask if we could rent it. "Oh, no wind, cannot." "It's OK" I said, "I can sail and I don't really want wind."
His look said "You don't want wind?!" but he reluctantly helped me to push the dinghy down to the waters edge and launch it. I thought I had better familiarise myself first so off I went on my own. I say off, what I really mean is that I drifted gently out to sea with the occasional puff to whet my interest. I tacked a couple of times, which meant I pushed the sail across and swapped sides. As I was wondering how I was going to get back to the shore (apart from wading - it was that shallow) a breeze sprang up which enabled me to sail back to the beach.
"OK Sue, ready?" She clambered in and off we went. The breeze was getting up a bit more now which meant we got a bit of a move on, perfect. The sound of rushing water and an exhilerating sensation of speed. I think she was quite enjoying it and I was having visions of buying a boat when we got home and going sailing together.
Did I mention the water was shallow? The only trouble with shallow water is ........... BANG! The centre board hit a rock. The only trouble with hitting rocks is that the braking distance is zero.
Sue was catapulted forwards and I just managed to hang on to the tiller and sail sheet. "Don't worry Sue, everything is under control, we just hit a rock. No problem I'll just lift the centre board ... there we go we're off again". I managed to say all this in a very calm voice and Sue's look of panic slowly faded as we sailed off. I handled that well I thought, maybe Sue still has confidence in me. "We'll just go out a bit further away from these...." BANG.
Sue, who had just settled down again, was once more catapulted into the front of the dinghy which heeled over at an alarming angle and then turned into the wind, sails flapping. Once more I struggled to lift the centre board which was a bit jammed this time, but I managed and eventually we were off again. "Can we go in now?" Sue's first words since we left dry land. "Yes of course, sorry about this but usually the water is deeper when you go sailing." "Yes, I can see how much fun it is but can we go in now, my leg is a bit bruised." "OK, ready about (sailing term for 'duck or the boom will knock your head off')." I tacked and we headed in. The wind caught the sails and we surged forward......
BANG!!
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