Hereandthereclaire.com

03.09.23 – 05.09.23

After a reasonable nights sleep and only a slight Hangover ☺️ I’m up at 8.30.

Have a my very English Breakfast of Tea and Toast on the terrace and make my plan for the day. 

I really want to go to the big flower market , there are a few but this one is close to China Town which I’d also like to visit. Google Maps says it’s a 30 min walk, but it looks a a tad complicated and I don’t have any data left to follow directions so I’m going to opt for a taxi. I’m lucky to find a taxi right outside the hotel and he says he’ll do it for 150 bht. I’m happy with that. Surprisingly it takes us more than 20 mins to get there and the traffic isn’t that bad, so not sure I could have walked it in 30!! 

The whole area is dedicated to flowers, flower shops, flower stalls, the flower market itself and they even have flowered patterns on the pavement!! 😍 

As you can imagine it smells great! So many colours and it’s really busy. I have a mooch along the street before heading into the big warehouse/market. 

It’s amazing. So many flowers, and also just blooms. There are lots of the bright orange chrysanthemums used in the garlands in Buddishm, these beautiful blooms signal Life & rebirth. Also,lots of jasmine buds and blooms which signify, pure love, purity & compassion. Orchids which signify, Grace, purity & innocence.

Lots of the stalls are busy making garlands and very elaborate displays. It’s so pretty and looks very fiddly. 

It’s such a great place to walk around, it has a very calm, happy vibe. 

After a bit I exit the warehouse/market and realise I’m right next to the river. I come out in a roadway and spot some metal gates opposite which lead to the water, I check and they’re not locked so I go through and find myself in a totally empty boat terminal type place. There are no boats docked, no people about at all it is completely deserted 😳😬 I’m not really sure I should be in here but carry on walking, viewing the river. After a few minutes more I start to feel a bit uncomfortable just as I come upon a guy/guard who,spots me and starts waving and shooing me off!! I get the idea I need to leave, which I do, quick smart! 😂

From here I just amble around watching life going on, people loading unloading doing their thing. I see a group of 3 very old ladies sat on the floor, sorting and de-stalking chillies. I really want to get a picture of them but I feel it’s rude to just photograph people without asking, so I ask if I can take a picture of the chillies, they nod, I take a pic then one of the ladies holds up a handful of red chillies and indicates I can take a picture of her! They were so gracious and smiley as I left. 

Just after this I come across a Ferry Pier. I go across to check it out and apparently I can get a ferry/riverboat back to the  Khoasan Road area for 16bht, yes, you heard me 16bht!! Well China Town goes out of the window, I’m going on a river cruise!! 😀 

I begin to doubt the wisdom of this choice as I sit there contemplating what the embarking/disembarking procedure is going to be like! But all is good. I get on the boat and enjoy my 30 minute trip. The river is very busy, lots of Longtail boats, huge barges, ferries, speedboats. I guess it is the main artery through Bangkok. 

When I get off at stop 13. I’m not sure which direction to head into, so decide to find a river front cafe, have some lunch and orientate myself. I’m directed to a beautiful Cafe on the river. On the way I pass a lovely looking building which is a free art gallery. There is some really beautiful pieces of work. There is a whole section done by school children about Earth. 

When I go upstairs, I walk into a room and am immediately drawn to one particular piece. It’s stunning, detailed and black & white. When I get right up close I see that the title is “The girl who wants more Books” which is so wonderful. It reminds me of my Georgia and also makes me think of ‘Songbirds’ the book I’ve just read and the importance of books and storytelling, it makes me a little emotional. ❤️

I’m so glad I stopped here. 

I find the Cafe and it’s lovely. It offers amazing views of the river and the big suspension Bridge that looks like an Angel and is actually, called Rama 8.

It’s also right next to a gorgeous park area around Phra Sumer Fort. 

I’m once again thrilled to find these little calm oasis’s in busy Bangkok. 

Apparently the walk back to my hotel from here is only 15 mins, easy! 

Yes, it was a relatively easy walk, but boy was it hot!! I’m really sweaty and thirsty.  I spot a cafe just by the hotel and someone drinking what looks like fresh orange juice! OMG that’s exactly what I need. I grab one, after trying to confirm it’s ‘fresh’ with little luck,  luckily I watch him squeeze the oranges! 🧡 it’s is so, so delicious and totally hits the spot. 

I get back to the hotel and get straight into the pool! Bliss. 

My ankle is a little swollen, so I just have a short walk to the  Khoasan Road area, grab a pad thai then home to bed.

I’ve just nodded off when I’m jolted awake by the most enormous clap,of thunder! There is a huge storm and it sounds like it’s right above me! Lots of very loud thunder, torrential rain. This keeps me awake for a while. Then I nod off again to be woken by the people in the room above me, who sound like they are amusing themselves by moving all of the bloody furniture around! 😠 this goes on for a while. Eventually I nod off. Then at 3.30am I’m woken by a strange rustling noise. I have a couple of crinkly carrier bags on my floor, with laundry and shoes in and they are moving!! WTAF! 😳 I put the light in just in time to see a fucking humongous cockroach crawl from under one of the bags. Eehh! No! 😩It’s bloody huge and it’s got wings!! So, could fly at my face at any moment. 

I’m not really sure what to do with it, they are pretty indestructible, so wacking it with my shoe might not work and will just piss it off! After standing at a distance looking at it for a bit. It makes its way to the door, I decide if I open the door it’ll go out. This isn’t as easy as it sounds because I have the chain lock across and it’s really tricky to get off, especially as this entails being very close to the hideous bloody creature. Eventually I unlock the door, open it, the cockroach goes to to the top of the door and over, Yes! Success, I quickly shut the door. I’m feeling very pleased with my cunning, humane plan. Then I spot some flickering antennae at the top of the door! No!! 🫣 Fuck! Then it flys down onto the floor and scuttles under the bloody dresser! Next plan, throw the towel over it! This I do, but the bastard thing simply crawls back out! I pick up the towel and when it next appears I cover it again, this time jumping up and down all over the towel, bollocks to being humane, this thing has got to go! After a lot of jumping, I use my foot to scooch the towel towards the door, open the door and kick the whole lot outside! Finally it’s gone. It’s nearly 4am. I try to sleep but am imagining there are more Bugs and horrible things in my room. I think I eventually drift off to sleep and dream about being trapped in a room with a snake! 😳 my alarm goes off at 7am!  As I’m going on a trip today. Yeah! Not! I’m very tired. 😴

Once I’m dressed I look outside and find the dead cockroach in the towel. It doesn’t look very damaged, considering it had me jump all over it! 

The driver picks me up at 8am. The trip is to the floating markets and also the train market. The lady I booked with said they were local markets. 

So, the driver is another mad man who,clearly thinks he’s in a scene from “The Fast & the Furious” 🫣 After picking up all the other guests, we are making our way somewhere, when suddenly the driver starts muttering, he pulls over and starts doing something to the engine with a screwdriver! He revs the engine loads, tinkers some more, more revving, then we set off again. 

Local, clearly means something different in Thailand, because we drive for over 2 to get to our first spot. This is the train market.

The market stalls are all set up along the tracks and have to move whenever the train comes through, which is 4 times a day.  

I have a quick look around the market, but don’t really need to buy anything, so I find a cafe on the tracks, grab a smoothie and secure a good spot to watch the train! Another cunning plan. Mmm, yes until the train is due to arrive and the high bench I’m sitting on I’m told I now have to stand on! I oblige. It is pretty amazing watching the market pack up and then the train approaches and it is literally inches away from me. Everyone is laughing and taking pics, us of the people on the train, them of us 😂 then the train is gone, the market is back to normal in a flash! Fun. 

Our next stop is the floating market, we board a boat, similar to a Longtail, 😳😬 and travel along all the canals, where stalls are set up alongside. Nobody wants to buy anything. It’s quite pleasant. Then at the other end there is a smaller market selling food from no motorised boats, mainly being paddled by older women. 

Whilst this was not a bad trip it isn’t quite what I had in mind. I’m a little done with Thai Markets and the journey to it was not ideal. The driver managed to take a wrong turn in the way back leading to a big detour and his driving was scary.

I did get to meet the lovely Eric, who kept me company. He’s a lovely German guy. I got back to the hotel at around 3.30pm having spent 4 1/2 hours in a bloody minivan!  Hey Ho. Not the best possible last day, probably not helped by being so tired. 

I walk to the Khoasan Road area for my last evening meal and opt for Chicken Fried Rice, sad to say it was very disappointing, pretty tasteless and bland, I asked the waiter for some soy sauce, he brings o er a condiment tray, with chilli sauce etc and salt, so I chuck on a liberal amount of salt, it makes no discernible difference, strange. Then I check, and the bloody salt is bloody sugar, what in the name of Christ is that shit!! 😳 Who puts fucking sugar on a condiment tray!! 

I give up, finish my drink, grab a roti from the street stall next door and go back to the hotel. 😢

I pack all my stuff and manage to get a pretty good nights sleep.

All in all not the best day I’ve had in Thailand a shame to end on it, but it won’t overshadow the amazing time I’ve had. 

I’m going to spend my last morning at the hotel, chilling and writing this blog. 

Bangkok has been so much better than last year and despite yesterday’s disappointment overall I’ve loved it. 

I’m definitely excited to be going home, can’t wait to see my Babies, my friends and everyone at Coffee on the Corner. I’ve missed you all so much. 

A bit of an epic journey ahead, leaving today but not arriving in Newquay till Thursday morning 😬😳 

I will see you all on the other side! 

Happy Tuesday.

Thank you so much for reading my blog and sharing my adventure with me. It’s been epic. 

Books read still 26! I’ll try and make 27 or 28 before I get home. 

Love & hugs. 

❤️💚🧡🩷🩵💖

01.09.23 – 02.09.23

I left Ao Nang & Krabi in the manner I’d become accustomed to, wet and raining!! 😂

It was an early start up at 5.30 for pick up at 6.45 The taxi was bang in time and I was the first pick up, so bagged a seat at the front. This turned out to be a a bloody good thing! 

We quickly picked up the remaining 6 people, one of whom was a single guy who after loading his bag in the back opted to seat at the back as well. I’m so pleased he did because for the next hour all he did was coughing his lungs up and sniffing constantly and loudly. As I only have 5 more days here I don’t want whatever he has, thank you very much! 😬 

The drive was interesting/horrifying! The roads are very wet with lots of large deep areas of standing water, there are road works and detours, it’s busy morning traffic and our driver is constantly talking on and switching between 2 mobile phones!! WTAF! 😱 (Another stealthy way of getting rid of tourists!) 

By the grace of some god or another i arrived in one piece and on time at Krabi airport! 🙏

I breezed through check in and security. Grabbed a cup of tea and a pastry before take off then the plane left on time, even though there was no actual plane at the gate until 20 mins before we were due to depart. 😂

I sat next to an interesting American lady, who looked a little like Mandy! She was heading to Bangkok with her fiancé before traveling on to Varanasi in India alone! She has done a lot of solo travel and has been to India a few times. I asked her how that was, as I’d love to go but feel nervous as a single female. From what she said I think I’ll sadly be giving India a miss. ☹️

We landed on time and despite a short wait for the the malfunctioning disembarking tunnel thing to be fixed I was soon out and heading to the taxi rank. 

I’m pretty sure I got overcharged for my ride into Bangkok by my tiny 400 year old, tobacco chewing driver!! The cabs are on meters but he gave me a price, I haggled and we settled on 550 thai baht. He spent a while conferring with another driver about the location of my hotel, so I didn’t have high hopes of arriving at the correct place in a reasonable time! I was wrong! ☺️ 

It was a pretty straightforward drive, traffic was light and I arrived within 25 mins! Result! 

My hotel is lovely, quite small but friendly and right in amongst things, which I love. The pool is also lush, small but cool and refreshing. 

I have to say I do enjoy being back in a bustling city! I’m staying near to Khoasan Road. 

I unpacked a few things and then went for a wander. The area is lively and with not too many high rise buildings, which is nice. I stopped at a tourist office and got a map and then walked towards the Khaosan Road. 

There is a road running next to it called, ‘Ram Buttri’, this has lots of nice restaurants and cafes, a perfect spot to have a beer cool off! 

The Khaosan Road is smaller than I imagined and during the day is not particularly busy. I’m a little underwhelmed to be honest. 

After my wander and orientating myself I walk back to the hotel for a welcome refreshing dip in the pool. 

I’m going to head back to Khaosan area later for something to eat but as I was up early I think it’ll be a quick bite then bed. 

I had a quick bite and a beer and decide that as I’ve walked a lot today and my ankle is a little sore I’ll grab a Tuk Tuk back. I ask one and show him the address, it will literally take him 4mins to get there, he says 400bht!! I wish I knew how to,say ‘Fuck Off’ in Thai such a rip off. It pissed me off so much I angry walked home!! 😂

After a good nights sleep and with my ankle feeling OK (I’m slathering it with Tiger balm!) I get some toast and tea for breakfast, not included but as I provided my own tea bag they don’t charge, they do however put it in a lovely little teapot 😍

I spotted on the map that there is a Library nearby, Bangkok City Library, so I’m going to walk there then find a tourist place to book some trips. 

I find the Library easily enough. Inside is an oasis of peace and tranquility. It’s a beautiful building, it looks a little art deco, I did ask if they had a leaflet about its history, they do but only in Thai sadly.

I have a wander round, sit and read The Bangkok Post, which has an article about the Library! and just enjoy the quiet.

What’s really interesting is that this beautiful quiet Library is 50 meters away from the Khoasan Road! Such a contrast. 

I found a great place to book a trip, the lady, Palmy, is so helpful. I’ve booked a 1/2 day trip to go to the Train Market and the Floating Market (more bloody boats! 😬😂) Palmy also suggested I go to Chatuchak Weekend Market and said that next door is a beautiful big park, one of the big in Bangkok. As I don’t have any set plans this is what I’ll do. She advised me about how much it should cost to get there by Taxi, which is a great help. The first Taxi wants to charge my triple the amount, the 2nd taxi is the same. I finally find a Taxi driver who starts at a more reasonable price and I haggle down to what is approximately the correct amount. As they are all metered, I don’t know how they get away with it. 

To be fair it takes around 30 minutes to get there, traffic is busy and it’s further away than I thought. 

The Market is absolutely bloody enormous 😳 lots of little alleys going in all directions. As Thai Markets go this is one of the biggest it’s also one of best smelling ones 😀 It seems to smell of lemongrass and limes 😂 possibly down to all the scent burners on sale. 

The market sells everything, it’s great because there are lots of artisan stalls not just tourist tat. I have a good look around buy a couple of little last minute gifts then grab a delicious mango smoothie. 

I work my way back to where I came in and ask someone where the park is, they point down the road and say it’s a 6 minute walk (very precise) Mmm, yes, 6 minutes if your a bloody giant with huge legs! 15 minutes and lots of sweat later I find the park, but the entrance is a little trickier. At this point I’m hot, sweaty, my feet ache and I’m contemplating just grabbing a Taxi and going home 🥵😩 but, this park is on my list of things to do, so I’m determined to actually go in the park and not just stare at it through a fence! 😂 

Finally I find the small little gate, tucked beside a market stall. Hallelujah!! 

The park is gorgeous and very big. I have a little mooch around but to be honest, I’m a tad concerned that if I move too far away from the gate I’ll be trapped in here forever 😂

I have a very welcome rest on a park bench, drink an ice cold fresh orange juice and relax. 

I get a Taxi back with a very pleasant driver who I’ve now booked to take me to the airport on Tuesday. 👍

The pool is empty when I get here and so delightful to get into and cool off. Heaven.

Tonight I am going to go to a Rooftop Bar I found on Google, called Press Sky Bar.

It’s in a hotel and although it’s not that high it is stunning.

I managed to time it perfectly and arrived on the rooftop just as the sun was at the point of hitting the Palace and Temples casting them in the most gorgeous golden light. Honestly, it was absolutely glorious. My pictures don’t do it justice.  I’m so so happy I made it in time to see this.

Then as if that wasn’t enough as it got darker the huge river bridge lights up and looks like an Angel! 😍 Then there was lightning flashing through the clouds for ages! I was in heaven. 💛

After this beautiful experience and a few Margaritas I walk to the  Khoasan Road, it’s about 8.30. 

Wow!! What a difference. The place is heaving, there is music coming from everywhere, so many people trying to get you into their bars, massage parlour, club! It’s loud and very lively 😂 I’m sure it gets busier the later it gets. 

I spot a sign, that makes me smile and decide to give that bar a go! But sadly they are charging nearly 300 baht for one cocktail! That’s ridiculous, I left and am them “persuaded” to go to a bar, it’s playing rap music!! 👍😍 with a Thai guy MCing who was excellent.

I have a Long Island iced Tea and just enjoy the music and it’s great people watching. The guy sitting next to me with his girlfriend inhaled around 8 laughing gas balloons very rapidly 😬😳 I’m sure this isn’t safe! Plus he didn’t even smile! 😂😂 I’m then joined by a couple of young American guys who are very chatty and fun, I end up talking to Mikes mum on a video call! 😂😂 A really fun evening. I could have stayed out for ages but my sensible side won out and I head back to the hotel. 

All in all a bloody brilliant day!! 😍😍😍

Sorry this was such a long post! 

Books read 26

Songbirds by Chrissy Lefteri such a beautifully written sad and tragic story. I would highly recommend. (The Author wrote The Bee Keeper of Aleppo, another must read.) 

Have a fantastic Sunday. 

The title sounds like a Star Trek episode! 😂

I feel I need to do this small one off post.

I went down to Reeve Beach Club earlier today. As predicted it’s been cloudy and very rainy.

I got a Tuk Tuk there and had a lovely couple of hours watching the storms roll in and enjoying my first glass of ice cold Sauvignon Blanc! 

Thanks to Nikki and our conversation earlier 😍

When I left I wanted to get another Tuk Tuk but unfortunately there were none around so I started walking.

As I got towards my hotel I walked past another hotel that’s being Refurbished. As I strolled past I heard someone shout something, that sounded a bit like “Claire” but I ignored it and carried on walking then there was a louder shout of “Claire” I looked towards the shout and it seemed to be coming from inside the building, it was dark and all I can see is what looks to be a couple of Thai women, one of whom is waving. I’m thinking, no, she can’t be waving at me, I don’t know anyone in Thailand. As this thought is running through my head she steps out of the building into the daylight and it’s none other than Beautiful Bee, from my hotel in Koh Lanta!! I’m absolutely bowled over! 😍🥰

She looks amazing, she’s had a gorgeous new haircut! Honestly I was so thrilled to see her, and she was thrilled to see me.  There were lots of hugs and a tear or 2! ☺️

Bee works in Koh Lanta but her family live in Krabi Town, and hour away. Bee had literally popped to this location to say hi to a friend, 5 minutes later and she would have been gone! 

How is that for serendipity! 

It has made my day and cheered me up so much. 

This random meeting with Bee has made me feel less alone and extremely happy. 😍❤️❤️

Life is certainly full of surprises.

❤️🩵💙🩷🤍💚💛🧡🤎💖

29.08.23 – 31.08.23

I’m still trying to rest my ankle, which has improved but is still not quite right. 

So another relaxing day by the pool. 🥰💙🩵

The pool tends to be really quiet during the day when people are off out on trips or sheltering in their rooms, this is a thing. Alot of guests spend a good part of the day in their rooms, then come out around 4/5pm. They tend to be the Indian and Malaysian families, they then are up later, normally heading out to eat when I’m going to my room at 8.30/9pm! This makes sense for people who live in very hot countries. I’m just a loony British person who’s out in the hottest part of the day! 🥵😂

I decided to go back and visit the lovely people at Kodam Kitchen for dinner, so of course to add to the authenticity it had to rain ☔️. I managed to get there and back in between downpours! 

I arrived and I was greeted like a long lost family member, everyone came rushing over to say hello and greet me. They were so pleased to see me, but confused as to why I was alone. I explained that Chris, Rebecca and Anita had all gone home they were then concerned for me being on my own 🥰 The fabulous waitress and the young manager were particularly pleased to see me. (I’m gutted that I don’t have their names) I asked if I was able to get a Tuk Tuk from the restaurant back to my hotel but as they are off the main road, none were around, so the young manager said he would take me home on his motorcycle! He also asked if he could call me mum? Then he asked so politely if he could hug me ☺️😍 He gave me such a gentle, respectful hug it was beautiful. I declined the motorcycle lift and walked home full of joy and delicious food. ❤️ 

I’ve had a lovely swim this morning in the deserted pool and then I’m off to find a laundry place. The hotel has a laundry room with washing machines, but no drying area and it’s 100bht to use the machine, which is a lot. I found a little place just near the hotel for 60bht. It also happened to be near a few massage places so I got a much needed pedicure. I might go back tomorrow for a foot massage, if my ankle feels up to it, bearing in mind the level of pressure they use. 😬

I’ve had a wonderful email from the lovely English family I chatted to earlier in the week, they followed my recommendation and visited Kodam Kitchen, liking it so much they went back again. They are now heading to my Koh Lanta recommendation, Longbeach Chalets! I should come and work here as a tour guide, rep!! Lori also read my blog, thank you. 🙏

I’m going to head back to the beach shack this evening for a quick cocktail before dinner.  

So I’m sitting back at the shack, Bob Marley is playing, I’m enjoying the view, earwigging on the table next to me who are talking about worms in the sand that get into you somehow Wtf! Then the music changed to UB40, Higher Ground. Clint & I loved UB40 and this album especially! 

I just get  overwhelmed with emotions thinking of how wonderful it would be to be Sitting here with Clint, drinking Rum watching the sunset, chatting,  laughing. He would love it. 

I think this emotional episode is a result of being back on my own, not knowing when I’ll see Rebecca and Chris again and really missing my beautiful twins, and all my friends at home. 

And you know what? Its OK for me to feel emotional, to feel Sad, to miss those I love, to have moments of introspection that’s all part of being human. 

I’m so privileged to have loved and been loved so intensely that 21 years later it can still stop me in my tracks. The love is worth the pain. 

Travelling solo is really rewarding but, there are times when you really want to share a moment, a sunset, a breath stopping view, an incredible experience with someone else, someone who would understand and share your Joy, excitement and awe. Those times can tricksy. 

I don’t stay at the bar, I leave after the 1 cocktail as I’m not sure more alcohol would be a good idea! 

I walk to the Indian restaurant I’d found good reviews for online. The food is good, chicken Biriyani and raita. It’s not very busy, so I eat and leave. 

I’m still feeling emotional so I walk back to the hotel and read for a while, sadly missing a call from the lovely Anne, who always calls when I need a pick me up. Gutted I missed her. 

I’ve had a good nights sleep and it’s a new day, I’m feeling OK, still missing everyone but not as emotionally fragile as I was yesterday. 

Today is my last day in Ao Nang and typically the weather is not looking great, very cloudy and I suspect we’ll have heavy rain. 

I’m going to go and have a massage then pop to Reeve Beach Club for one of their delicious Mango, Banana, Coconut Milk smoothies and start to pack. 

Tomorrow is an early start for my flight to Bangkok. 

I’ll post again once I’ve arrived and got over the shock of Bangkok and the Khoa San Road!

Books read 25.

No One Saw it Coming. Susan Lewis. A thriller, set in Bristol. Good. 

Miss you all. ❤️

PS. Not many pictures. 😬

27.08.23 – 28.08.23

I now been back in Ao Nang for a couple of days on my own and it’s not been too bad an adjustment.

I think I arrived on a very busy weekend. The music and food festival I mentioned seems to have attracted a few more people and I think the weekends are just busier in general. The hotel was also quite busy. 

It would seem that my RICE technique with my ankle is working and it feels much better the ice is especially helpful. The barman at the pool bar is now familiar with my little plastic ziplock bag, which he fills with ice every day! 😀

I met a lovely family on holiday here from Kettering, they have been travelling around and we’re looking to move off somewhere else so I’ve recommended Koh Lanta as they would like some peace and quiet. I haven’t seen them today so I’m assuming they’ve left. I hope they enjoy it! 

I am kind of second guessing myself now about coming back to Ao Nang 🙄😬 In an ideal world if I hadn’t got a flight booked from here to Bangkok I think I would have gone to Phuket or possibly another Island. It’s always hard to know. I would have also liked to stay at Railay Beach but honestly trying to get on a Longtail Boat with a backpack and a big Case I’m pretty sure would have have killed me!! 😂 I did look at a hotel at Railay that had its own Speedboat, it’s called Rayavadee and it’s gorgeous but it’s also about £400 a night!! 😬😳😀

I think I need to allow myself a few days to chill, especially while my ankle is healing, so that’s what I’m going to do! 

On Saturday night I walked down to the beach and sat at a little bar/shack near the hotel. It’s was so lovely, they were playing Bob Marley (the actual Bob Marley, I’ll come back to this point later!) the sunset was beautiful, I had a couple of Long Islands and simply enjoyed being in the moment. Once the sun has gone down you can see all these green lights on the horizon, which look a little eerie but are in fact Squid fisherman 🦑! 

So, the music here!. Most of the hotels and bars play music and it’s all a very similar playlist but not by the original artists! 😢 It’s usually in a much higher pitch and I swear to god if I never hear Mileys “Flowers” or Bebe Rexha “I’m good” again I’ll be happy, which is a shame as I bloody love these!! 😫

I’ve also developed a liking for the Thai ice creams that they make on a flat frozen surface and chop everything up with a bit of milk! My favourite is Strawberry & Mango! So yummy! 

At least the weather in Ao Nang this time is a bit less Wet! 

The Thai people are incredibly friendly and welcoming, but I’m starting to wonder if there’s actually a subtle attempt to lower the number of tourists by stealth? They are doing this with a combination of: 

Slippery Floors, on every floor, in every single hotel! 

Pools and pool steps in the same colour making the steps invisible to the naked eye! 👀👁️

Steps everywhere, all weird heights and depths that just appear in random places. 

Slippery pavements, the Thais tend to use motorcycles so they aren’t using the pavements as much, sneaky. 

Longtail Boats, enough said! ⛔️

Then there is the general health & safety or lack thereof!! 😂😂😂

Seriously it’s been a mission to survive this far with only limited injuries! 😍😂

PS. I made a surprise appearance in the Daily Mail yesterday! An article about Jamie Oliver’s 15 Restaurant Graduates. One of them, lovely Ben Arthur is a friend who’s done Pop Ups at Coffee on The Corner and they obviously used a photo from one of those nights! I was most surprised to be reading then suddenly see my own face! 😍❤️😂

I think that’s it for now people. 

Happy Bank Holiday Monday in the UK, I guess this means it’s raining or snowing today!! 😂😂

Books read 24

Verity by Colleen Hoover. Excellent I enjoyed this. Thanks Laura (?) 

24.08.23 – 26.08.23

After a busy day yesterday at Phi Phi, Anita and I are going to have a few chilled days.

After a lovely breakfast, which is cooked by the delightful ‘Lek’ who we have now convinced that we don’t need feeding up! The first morning Anita and I asked for just scrambled eggs, which she bought, along with Sausage, ham, toast and salad! 😀 I guess as there are only 4 guests staying she likes to feed us to keep busy! 

We have asked Bee to get us a Tuk Tuk to go and visit another place down at Longbeach, called ‘Longbeach Chalets’ 

Megan and Georgia recommended it. I’m so glad we didn’t visit here earlier in the week because I think we would have moved to stay here and missed out on our perfect little Oasis at Lanta Pura. 

It’s is a lovely resort right in the beach, it has a fabulous little Cafe serving great coffee. We have a mooch on the beach then sit in the shade with our coffees having a chat. 

We stay for lunch and bump into a family we met on our last trip to Railay Beach. They live in Cornwall. Small world. Unfortunately their father has been poorly he contracted Typhoid whilst in Ao Nang! Apparently from some seafood…..😬😬

As we are leaving the resort I spot a massive Lizard, not quite as large as the last one I spotted, but didn’t photograph, but big! I love these little nature sightings. It makes me happy. 🥰

Our last day is spent just relaxing at the hotel, we swim in the pool and also go for a nice bob about in the sea. The sea is so warm, but so deceptive. The ripples are going across the water from right to left, but there is a current that runs left to right! Once you get in the current it moves quite quickly. Luckily the water is not deep so if you want to escape the current you can just stand up!! 😂😂 But I’m sure further out in deeper water it would be tricky. 

So, I feel I need to talk a little about a related issue we had when Rebecca, Chris were here. Apparently Rebecca, Chris & Anita can’t just ‘Bob’ about in the pool or Ocean, they have to actively work to stay afloat. Unlike myself who is amazingly buoyant! We all questioned why that is? Well, it appears that being blessed with a slightly larger than average Booty and Boobs has the added bonus of providing me with my own floatation device!! result. 😍😂😂😂

We have met a lovely couple staying at the hotel. Kim & Tony, who are from Tasmania. They have made the radical decision to sell their home, buy a motor home to live in then they plan to travel the world for the next 10 years. What a fantastic idea!  They have given me some food for thought, and I shall be following their adventures with alot of interest. It’s so inspiring to meet people who are grabbing life and doing what they love. If you’re reading this guys, you are inspirational and we most certainly will meet again. 😘❤️

Anita and I have loved our time at Koh Lanta, the wonderful staff at the hotel have been unbelievably good to us. Bee & Lek are so kind, funny and just fabulous. It’s going to sad to leave them, but leave we must. 

Anita is heading home and I’m heading back to Ao Nang.

What an absolute pleasure it’s been to spend time with Anita. We haven’t seen each other since our children’s wedding 10 years ago, we were virtually strangers, but we have got in so well. Anita is great company, easy going, funny, clever and great to talk to. Thanks for your great company, see you in Newquay soon! 😘😘❤️

I arrived back in Ao Nang at around 5.30. The hotel seems OK. There is a big music & Food festival going on this weekend near the hotel I wandered down and had a great Falafel and watched some dancing and listened to some music 🎶 it was great.

Unfortunately I seem to have damaged my right ankle somehow, not sure how or when but it’s sore, swollen and making walking a little painful. I’ve been and got a bandage and some painkillers so I’ll do RICE (as you know I love Rice!!😁) Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate. 

Im sure it’ll be ok in a day or 2. 

It’s going to be interesting being a solo traveler again after 2 weeks of company! 😳😬

That’s it for now guys.

Have a great Bank Holiday Weekend! Sunshine & BBQs! 🌞☀️🍔🍾

Books Read 23. Just started a new one. 

🩷💙💚💜❤️

PS. The little sign Bee & Lek are doing is a “Mini Heart” ❤️❤️😍

22.08.23 – 23.08.23

I am absolutely loving Koh Lanta, and also really enjoying the peace and quiet.

After our initial wobble Anita & I are loving the slow pace here. 

It’s so relaxing and chilled. 

We have found a wonderful restaurant/cafe/bar called: “Sea, Sand Soul” which is a 5 minute walk away and sits on the water. It’s so pretty and the owner, Me, is super accommodating and helpful. Anita and I have enjoyed lunches, dinners and the best freshly squeezed orange juice 🍊🍊

Unfortunately for us he is shutting up shop today (Wednesday) for a week to visit family in Bangkok! 🥺 

So last night was out last opportunity to eat there and I decided to go mad and have some fish, Snapper, which Me had caught earlier in the day. OMG! It was so, so good!  I was a little concerned that if I didn’t like it I wouldn’t be able to hide it in my handbag……this is because early in the week we had been to a cafe and I ordered a tuna baguette, the baguette was nice, the salad was nice but something tasted weird, so I just couldn’t eat it and rather than leave the whole thing, which I feel is a bit rude , I had to hide the bloody thing to dispose of later!! Seriously, it’s bonkers! not to mention the fact that although I checked around to see if anyone was looking I didn’t spot the young girl behind the counter who probably watched the whole ridiculous performance of me wrapping it in several layers of tissue, before squirrelling it away in my handbag! 😂😂

There is lots of lovely wildlife here, we can just sit in peace by the pool, looking at the sea watching the Sea Eagles soaring overhead, lots of other pretty birds, fish, crabs, butterflies, lots of cats and I spotted the tail of an enormous lizard, sadly it got away before I got a snap, apparently they live around the hotel, I have seen another very large Lizard and a massive spider! 

Yesterday we had our trip to Koh Phi Phi. I am very pleased to report that I am at the time of writing injury free 👍

The boarding of the speedboat was not without its issues, the tide was a little low so the gap between the pier and the boat was bigger than I would have liked! 😬 but I made it!

It takes 45 mins to get to Koh Phi Phi fro Koh Lanta, so a nice easy journey. We arrived at the main Pier and, wow! So many people! It was mad. You get to the end of the Pier and are greeted with a Big Burger King, then a few more steps up the street a big  MacDonalds. It’s a little sad. The main part of the island is narrow so the streets are also narrow and it was early but still busy and this is low season 😬😳 Anita and I walked across to the other side and a beautiful lagoon, which was quieter and the colours of the water were stunning. We then did a little mooching, Anita bought a couple of souvenirs then we found a lovely place for lunch. Even being away from the main Pier and streets it’s still feels busy and noisy because there are so many boats, Longtail boats, speedboats, cruisers, Ferry’s coming in and out. I was here this time last year and it was nothing like as busy, which I guess is great for tourists but not for the Local businesses and the Thai economy. 

We made our way back to the Pier and had a bit of banter with the speedboat guys who stuck a work table in front of us! 😂 

I’m really pleased we visited but so happy to be coming back to our tranquil paradise. 

I still think I’ve made the right choice to not stay here on my own, especially now “Sea, Sand, Soul” is closed. However I would strongly recommend Koh Lanta during the low or just before high season as a beautiful, peaceful, laid back place to come. 

Books Read 23

The Starfish Sisters. Barbara O’Neal. Pretty good, I’ve read another one of hers last year. 

Happy Wednesday people. I’m missing everyone lots.

😘❤️😘❤️

16.08.23 – 21.08.23

I can’t believe it’s been over 6 days since my last blog!!  😳

To be fair I have been trying to spend every possible minute with Rebecca & Chris.

I think I said in my last post that the weather wasn’t being particularly kind, well that kind of continued for a few more days, with some days really wet and windy! But we managed to get a couple of days of sunshine before Rebecca & Chris left.

It’s been such a pleasure to just chill and relax with everyone. I think initially we were all a little conscious that this was everyone’s holiday and that we ought to be “doing things” but eventually we all realised that what we wanted to do was be together and relax, so the weather then stopped being as much of an issue and we had fun whatever we did!

We have laughed a lot!!  We have had shirts and Jackets tailored with lovey Rabi at Andy’s Tailors, we have played UNO, seen beautiful sunsets and eaten lots of delicious food. ❤️😍

On one of the dry days we decided to go to Railay Beach. As I mentioned in a previous blog I’d been, and the experience of getting in and out of the Longtail boat wasn’t ideal! 😬However it’s a gorgeous place and I was sure that this time things would be fine. Especially as I had Chris and Rebecca to help.

We walked down to the Longtail Boat pier and as before we had to clamber across the bumpy concrete wall, which I managed, Chris then helped me step up and onto the boat and all was great! I was feeling smug and happy seconds before stepping down into the boat straight onto a pile of coiled rope, which slid and I went with it! Landing on my arse in the bottom of the boat with my right arm wrenched back. 😳😬 Honest to god I was more annoyed that I almost made it than the sore shoulder and bruised arm!  I am a bloody liability! 😂😂 

We made to it Railay and disembarked without further incident.

It is such a stunning beach, and Rebecca, Chris & Anita loved it. We walked through the little shopping area past loads of Monkeys to the West of the island and sat by the lagoon with cold drinks just chilling and looking at the wildlife, butterflies, birds, fish etc. 

then we walked to under the stunning cliffs to a sheltered lagoon where we had a fabulous sea dip, whilst watching people rock climbing. 

We then had a yummy lunch on the beach 🏝️ before heading back to Ao Nang, I’m pleased to say the return journey was incident free as well! 😍

We have found a fabulous little restaurant near the hotel, called “Kodam  Kitchen” and have returned there a few times. The staff are amazingly friendly and seem to have taken a shine to us! The food is excellent and the cocktails are strong! We have had such fun evenings there, ending with free drinks and a stumbley walk home (Not Anita, who is a little more sensible than us!) 

We have visited the night market and developed a liking for the ice cream rolls and peanut butter & Nutella Rotis! Yum! 

Sadly our time together came to an end on Saturday morning, when Rebecca & Chris flew back to Australia where they both start new jobs on Monday! So incredibly proud of them both. 

It was very emotional when they left, not helped by the fact that the previous night at “Kodam Kitchen” was a bit Boozy. This also didn’t help me as I had a 3hr bus ride to get to Koh Lanata! 🙄

The minibus arrived at 10am 30 minutes early, so our goodbyes to Rebecca and Chris were a bit rushed.

The minibus then travelled all over Ao Nang picking up other people before depositing us all in a little office somewhere in Krabi, where Anita and had to sit and wait for 90 minutes before our minibus arrived, this then also,stopped everywhere picking up more passengers before finally heading to Koh Lanata at around 1.15! 

You come across to Koh Lanta on a Car Ferry then across a road bridge, which was lovely and scenic. 

We were dropped off first and the hotel looked good, the views are stunning. 

Unfortunately as it’s Low Season things are quiet, and when I say quiet, I mean totally empty, ghost town quiet!! 😳👻 This is Low Season, but it’s been Low Season everywhere in Thailand but Koh Lanta is ridiculously quiet. Kerry you’d love it, there are more cats than people! 😻

Our Hotel has approx 50 rooms and there are 4 guests!! This also means that the Hotel restaurant and pool bar are closed, the Walking Street that’s supposed to be by the hotel is closed, there are very few Ferries or Boats to other islands, 90% of the shops, cafes etc are closed!! It’s a bit bonkers. The first night Anita and I went out to find somewhere to eat, it was empty we half expected to see tumbleweed rolling through the streets! 

The big problem with this is a that I’m supposed to be staying here for 5 more days after Anita leaves. I really wouldn’t want to be here alone. So we looked at changing our hotel and went to see another one further down the Island, which online looked great but in reality wasn’t! The upshot is we are staying put at Lanta Pura and I’ll leave with Anita and head back to Ao Nang later in the week. 

The wonderful receptionist/manager, Bee has been so incredibly kind and helpful to us both and we’ve found a couple of places to eat and it is incredibly relaxing and peaceful, so after our initial reticence we are embracing the chilled Island vibe! 😎😎🏝️🤟

The other 2 guests are a lovely young British couple, Megan & Georgia, sadly they left this morning to continue their Thailand adventure, so I guess it’ll be just Anita & I! 

We managed to find an Irish Bar to watch our fabulous Lionesses. A great evening and proud of the team, but well done to Spain. 

Koh Lanta is stunning, the sunsets are insane. I’ve seen some beautiful birds and lots of Fish Eagles.

We have a little trip planned to the Phi Phi Islands tomorrow, it’s on a Speedboat so hopefully it’ll be accident free…..🙄

I have added a couple of pics of the cute Dusky Leaf Monkeys.

I will try to be better at posting.

Missing everyone.

Books read 22

The scent of rain & lightning. Nancy Picard. I enjoyed this book. Thank you Laura. ❤️

12.08.23 – 15.08.23

Hi!

I’ve been a bit lax in my blog writing the last few days!

This is because I’ve been spending quality time with my beautiful Rebecca, Chris & Anita. 😍😍

We have been having an amazing time catching up and just enjoying being together.

We are staying in different hotel in Ao Nang, which is fabulous.

It’s really lush and green so lots of wildlife, butterflies, lizards, birds, bugs and really cute Dusky Leaf Monkeys!  

Unfortunately the weather has not been ideal, very rainy, sometimes really heavy, we manage to console ourselves with the odd Cocktail 😂🍹

We all went on an Island trip yesterday by Speedboat. We visited a couple of beautiful lagoons and small islands then finally to Hong Island. 

The trip was fantastic but very, very wet! Rebecca and I made the mistake of sitting at the back of the speedboat, and all of the spray and rain flew directly into our faces!! 

We managed to dodge the worst of the rain until we arrived at Hong Island and then it just chucked it down the minute we got off the boat. To be honest it made very little difference to me because I was already soaked. 

We all went in to the sea, which was lovely and warm, significantly warmer than being on the beach. We sadly didn’t have snorkelling equipment, which had been left on the boat. But we still saw lots of lovely fish. 

Most of the others from our boat spent their time on the island sheltering in the restaurant, but Rebecca had found a smaller little place further down the beach that was serving coffee and was empty so we chilled in there after getting out of the sea. We had been told to be back at the boat by 2.50 and at 2.45 as we were walking back the guide came along to find us. 

I think what had happened was that due to the rain they got people back on the boat early but we were nowhere to be found! So, when we eventually got to the boat, dripping wet, we were greeted by a sea of grumpy, plastic rain Mac wearing people. I said a cheery “Hi” as I clambered aboard, which was met with silence! 😬

They had taken all the seats undercover and again left us all to sit at the back. Well, we couldn’t possibly get any wetter so I wasn’t bothered and the whole situation struck me as hysterical 😂😂😂 

The return journey on the boat was even wetter than I could possibly imagine, so we all arrived back at the hotel looking like drowned rats!! But despite the weather it was a brilliant, fun day! But I feel that we were the only people on the boat who really enjoyed ourselves. 😍😍❤️

Rebecca and Chris are currently off getting Thai massages, which they are a bit partial too, especially as they are such good value. 

Anita and I are relaxing by the pool, whilst dodging the rain showers. 

That’s all for now folks!

I might be a bit quiet for the next few days.

Books Read still 21!

I’m currently reading “The Scent of Rain and Lightning” Nancy Pickart. Which I’m enjoying.

Have a great week everyone. 😘❤️

09.08.23 – 11.08.23

The weather has been a little changeable the last couple of days!

But I’d made a decision to go to Railay Beach and in the morning after breakfast the sky’s were looking promising 🤞

I walked down to the ticket office, bought my ticket then sat and waited for the required number of people to assemble before we could go to the boat. It seems that there has to be a minimum of 6 – 8 people for each boat. 

Whilst we waited, the weather changed and a big Squall came in. After 15min the guys loaded us into the minivan to take us to the boat pier (I use the term Pier, very loosely 😳) 

When we arrived at the ‘Pier’ it was still raining quite heavily so more waiting. 

Eventually the guys indicated that we were good to go. At which point I was a tad confused as it was still raining, it looked very overcast out at sea and the boats seemed to be quite far out in the water!! 😬 I figured they do this all the time so must know what they are doing, right? 

As I thought the boat was a fair way out, the sea was a little choppy and to get on board you climb up a not very stable set of stirs flung over the side! 

By the time I reached the boat I was completely soaked up to my waist and the boat and stairs were moving about a lot! Somehow I managed to haul myself over the side of the boat bashing my leg in the process. It was a little scary, very wet and extremely undignified. 😂 

Unbelievably within 5 minutes of being in the boat and on our way the weather completely changed to blue skies and sunshine. Amazing.

The ride takes around 10 mins and was great, I wasn’t looking forward to disembarking, but we were able to pull right up into shallow water, the stairs weren’t moving and were placed next to the roof, so we had something to hold onto. 

I disembarked quite elegantly I thought 😍😍

Railay Beach is absolutely stunning, a large sandy beach, huge cliffs, vegetation. It’s gorgeous. 

I had off the beach and decide to go for a wander. I follow signs for East Railay, and find myself on another beach, this one is quite different. It has mangroves and is more mud than sand but equally as beautiful.

It also has a large ‘Pier’ a proper ‘Pier’ which I assume is where all the supplies are bought in and people departing for other islands. 

While I’m standing looking I spot a stunning, large Kingfisher the blue flash of its wings as it dived caught my eye. It’s sitting on a tree branch looking into the lagoon for food. It’s so gorgeous. I stay and watch it for a while. 💙

I also spot a heron! 

I wander about a bit and see a sign for Diamond Cave, sounds interesting so I head that way. 

It’s a large Cave, which you can go into. I figure, why not? 

To be honest it freaked me out a little bit, not sure why. Possibly because there was no one else in there, the walkway was wobbly and quite broken and I didn’t want to use the handrails as they were covered in a mix of bird poo and guano! But I carried on, it was interesting, you could hear the bats and just about see them up on the ceiling, well, you could see a dark moving cluster! 🦇 

I saw lots of beautiful butterflies on my walk back to the beach. 

I sat at the beach and had a coke and put tiger balm on the 3 mosquito bites I’d managed to acquire. It really is a lovely place. I think Rebecca, Chris & Anita will love it. 

Taking the boat back requires more waiting, it took 30 minutes to reach 8 people! 

Getting in the boat was a breeze, I’m feeling good about getting off at the other end.  Haha, oh dear oh dear! 

So, the tide is now in so the boat can pull up the little channel near to the steps, which it does but, not close enough to the steps instead we are going to have to get off a rocking boat onto a steep concrete breakwater thing, with wonky, moving stairs!  A young guy and his girlfriend go first, she stumbles, he trips, I’m next! I say to the guy, ‘I can’t claim up that and he’s like, “Yes, Yes,” and I’m like “No, No!” At which point I figure I have to at least try! Or opt to live forever on a Longtail boat in Ao Nang? (Tempting 😳) 

Somehow I got over the side of the boat, the guy then grabs my arm and pretty much drags me across the concrete breakwater to the steps!! 😂😂😂 Seriously, it was ridiculous. Health & Safety would have a bloody field day! 

It’s very amusing in hindsight, but a tad disconcerting at the time! 

I’m now sporting a couple of nice large bruises on my leg! 

After this trauma I head back to the hotel and the safety of the pool and swim up bar! 🍹🍹😎

Today is going to be a chilled day.

I have a beautiful massage with the same therapist and she works on my shoulders again, painful but helpful I feel.

Then some reading, swimming and cocktails! 

Anita is arriving today. So I’m going to head over to the hotel later to meet her when she arrives.

For some reason today is the day I decide to have 2 lots of Happy Hour Cocktails 🍹🤣 I did get a bit distracted by a Thor Lookalike by the pool 😍

The Cocktails are yummy and before I know it it’s time to head over to meet Anita.

The hotel I’m going to is where we will all be staying from tomorrow, and it’s lovely. 

In the toilet they have folded the little hand towels to look like clothes! It’s very cute. 

I sit and have another cocktail while I wait for Anita. 🍹🥰

When she arrives I tap her on the shoulder and she is so pleased to see me and I’m so happy to see her, it’s lovely. I’m so glad I decided to come over. 

We have yet another Cocktail (😜) a quick catch up then Anita goes to get some much needed sleep and I head home for the same. 

My last night at Sea Keeper. It’s a nice hotel, a little bit too modern and built up for me but the staff are all fabulous.

Tomorrow is the day my Best Big Girl arrives!! I’m so blooming excited. 😍😍😂😂😂😂

Books Read 21

Criminal. Karen Slaughter. Good, it’s part of a series that I’ve read.

Happy Weekend people! 🍹❤️🍹❤️