A bit of culture

After leaving Koh Samui I caught a boat, 2 buses and then another boat to get to Koh Phi Phi on the west coast of Thailand. On the way I text my friend Trang to see where she was - she was in seedy Phuket and within a matter of minutes had booked a ferry ticket...

and was on her way to meet me! It was great to have a friend once again - we got a double room at a knock-down price (flirting with the manager always helps) and ended up spending a week on the gorgeous Phi Phi.

Even though the main aim was to relax, we did a surprising amount of other stuff too, including in no particular order; a 6am hike to the viewpoint, eating at Papaya, Coxy's favourite restaurant in the whole world (where they have cats sleeping in the fridge!),  got a fish pedicure, went snorkeling and kayaking, went to Maya bay on Koh Phi Phi Ley, where they filmed 'The Beach,' saw Ollie and made loads of new friends and probably lots more that I can't remember right now...

I eventually managed to drag myself away from the beach (now with a nice golden tan that you just can't get from a bottle) and took the ferry over to Phuket. And that's a whole other story...

I had planned to stay in the more sedate capital, Phuket town - but Ollie convinced me that to see Patong would be a once in a lifetime experience - he wasn't wrong! Wandering down 'Bangla Street,' we saw lots of VERY pretty lady-boys. There were also scantily clad girls dancing in the club windows - I was shocked that so many people had brought their children here. Even I was blushing!

We bit the bullet and went to watch a ping pong show (well, it would be rude not to). Well, it was certainly an eye-opener, although not an experience I will be in a rush to repeat! Luckily for you they don't allow cameras inside so you will just have to use your imagination...

In Patong I watched the Royal Wedding - I felt very patriotic and even felt a tear prick my eye as I watched Kate walk down the aisle. I thought of the celebrations back home and wished I could be there to celebrate. It truly was one of those once in a lifetime, 'where were you when..?' moments.

I am now in Chiang Mai, Thailand's second city, in the north. I have spent the last 3 days soaking up some culture, visiting lots of temples and doing a thai cookery course. There was also a great Sunday night market, where Ollie and I ate lots of great street food, and I bought a beautiful dress for about 3 pounds. I've said goodbye to my travel buddy for now, and am going solo once more.

I am just about to catch a bus to Chiang Rai, a smaller town even further north, from where you can trek and visit the Golden Triangle, and then in about a week's time will take the slow boat to Laos.