KL

This post shows a few shots from Kuala Lumpur- the next stop on our trip. So by this point Phoebe had joined me again for our remaining 8 weeks. I really loved KL, was a cool city with loads of malls full of designer shops, but was still pretty easy to find a cheap hostel and street food. We spent our time doing the usual touristy things including the Menara Tower, Chinatown, art galleries and sunbathing in a huge park which also had a deer park and orchid garden. Was a pretty fun four days. 

Emerald Cave

On our last day in Koh Lanta Josh and I went on a four-island boat trip, where we snorkelled in the clearest waters and had a delicious buffet lunch on a paradise beach. We had a few of the most beautiful photos of us taken on this beach (well I think so anyway, see what you think...). We did the coolest part of the trip at the end when we visited Emerald Cave. If I'm honest I was pretty scared the whole time, but was still loving it- an adrenaline kind of feeling I suppose. We swam through the pitch black cave listening to the waves crash against the rocks. We had to go through in a long line each holding on to the person in front. Josh was in front of me so I got to wrap my arms and legs around him and him take me through (don't worry, we were both wearing life jackets). To leave the cave we had to wait for a wave to pass so the sea level was lower, and quickly swam underneath the rocks. What we were faced with the other side was incredible. A secluded tiny beach with white sands and clear waters, surrounded by other caves. 

Koh Lanta

After we left the north of Thailand we headed down to the island known as Koh Lanta. Lanta was pretty quiet when we arrived (I think we were out of peak season), but this made it more beautiful and untouched. We stayed in a lovely resort but it was almost completely empty, this was good for us though as it meant we had the pool to ourselves. Result. There are about seven different main beaches on the island so we spent each day at a different one. Khlong Nin was by far the nicest. Right now I am sat in my bedroom looking out onto what should be a lovely summer's day but is just grey and cloudy. I would actually give anything to be back on Khlong Nin beach with Josh. 

 

Elephant Rescue Camp

My favourite day in all of my travelling is without a doubt this one below. Josh and I spent a day at a camp for rescue elephants. During the day we learnt how to talk to elephants, sounds crazy I know but they are really intelligent animals so pretty receptive to humans. This helped them understand when they were being fed or bathed. We only rode them for about 15 minutes as we walked to the water we washed them in. The washing was the best part, the elephants looked so happy especially when we washed behind their ears. The trainers found it hilarious to start a massive water fight, so began throwing buckets of lake water over each of us. Everyone then joined in and it was only after a little while that we all realised the water was full of elephant poo, so essentially we were covering one-and-other in shit. Oh well, you just had to fully embrace it- it was all part of the fun. 

 

 

 

 

 

Tiger Kingdom

As I am currently jobless I have no excuse in not getting these delayed posts up so here goes...

After Bangkok (yes I am aware of just how behind I am considering Josh and I left Bangkok at the end of March), our next stop was Chiang Mai. I spent a few days up in Chiang Mai with Paula and Josh spent a lot of time there during his three months in Thailand last year, so we both knew the place pretty well. It was amazing to go into restaurants and bars and see people recognise and remember Josh from his previous visit. He caught up with a lot of friends from there and we even stayed at the same guest house as he did previously, which i know made the owner very happy. During our stay in Chiang Mai, we visited Tiger Kingdom where incredibly, we sat and interacted with tigers, both big and small. It sounds unbelievable and seemed unbelievable, but it was most definitely true at the time. I had reservations about doing it in the beginning and was worried that the tigers would be under some sort of heavy drug, else why would they be so calm? But they really didn't seem to be, or maybe that is just me being naiive. They were however very active and up and moving about quickly and very responsive to the handlers. The babies were adorable and so playful The bigger ones, still no older than two-years-old, were a little scarier- we had to be calm but firm, so no tickling their tummies. Anyway, please look at the photos below to understand exactly how amazing this was. 

 

Home Sweet Home

Hello again! So I've been back for almost a week now CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! I really can't. It's all been so lovely since I arrived in Heathrow. My parents met me in arrivals and when I got home I found 'Welcome Home' banners all over the house. So sweet. I finally managed to get some sleep a few hours later and then Josh woke me up with roses and champagne. Even better. Saturday my friends all surprised me at the pub and that just felt like I'd never left. Then my mum treated me to a dress for my cousin's wedding this weekend and I finally got my hair chopped after 5 months without. Today I finished washing all my travel clothes and everything is now back in it's rightful place and my room is once again tidy! On Friday I am off to Tuscany for a long weekend for my cousin's wedding. It's a hard life...

Birthday Celebrations in Brisbane

It was Phoebe's birthday yesterday so we celebrated it by buying a huge chocolate cake and devouring it between the two of us. We also explored Brisbane's Southbank and visited the Art Gallery and Museum which was good fun. Shame the weather is turning colder now though. I swear Australia isn't allowed to be cold?!