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?!

Amanta Ratchada

Staying in posh hotels is usually my sister Laura's bag, but as the boyfriend came to visit for two weeks, he treated us to the most amazing suite for our three nights in Bangkok. Honestly, this place was incredible. I could just see the two of us living there so happily. It was probably made better by the fact that I'd been staying in crappy hostels for the previous two months; but two plasma TV's, a walk-in-wardrobe, kitchen and BATH - heaven. The staff were extremely friendly too and the free breakfast was even better. The price was so reasonable as well, nowhere in England would you be able to stay in such luxury for 80 quid a night, I think I've paid more to stay at the Premier Inn in Reading...

Lilac Nails

So I recently met up with my best friend in Singapore who was stopping on her way back from a holiday in Oz. I took full advantage of her being there and pampered myself with perfume, make up and the mini bar in her 5-star hotel. One of the pieces I fell in love with was a lilac shade of nail varnish by Barry M. I've always been a fan of cute feminine shades of polish for summer but this one stands out as being particularly good. The lilac was deep enough to show up from a distance but also light enough to remain summery. I now have to look after my nails with great care to ensure they remain painted for the rest of my travels (6 weeks, pushing it a little I think). But one of the first things I'm gonna buy when I'm back is this beauty!

Pai

After our weeks spent on the beaches down south, we headed up north to Chiang Mai. Whilst in Chiang Mai we went over to a small town called Pai for a day and night. Pai isn't like anywhere else I've been in Thailand. It has a authentic hippie vibe about it, with loads of vegetarian cafes and yoga classes dotted about the town centre. Actually, it kind of reminds me of Brighton at home. That's it! A Thai-version of Brighton. We rented push bikes and cycled to the national park and bathed in the hot springs. This was such an experience. We met a Thai lady there who put mud from the banks on our faces, which we spread all over our bodies, and had the same mud bath you would spend a fortune on in London. The next morning we did a yoga class with Mama, a crazy 60-something Thai lady, who had us doing headstands on our first beginners class. I felt so refreshed coming back from Pai, like going to some sort of retreat!

Koh Phi Phi

Oh my, Phi Phi has got to be one of my favourite places ever! It's an actual paradise I'm sure (or 'para' as we liked to call it. Never before have I seen such crystal clear waters and soft white sand. When I first stepped into the water I really thought "yes, this is it. This is why I've left home for 5 months." Phi Phi is still pretty touristy (no doubt from the fact that its the same set of islands Danny Boyle's 'The Beach' was set), but it doesn't have that same touristy/ brits-abroad feel to it like say Koh Samui or Phangan. There are still a load of bars to enjoy in the main town on Phi Phi Don, and a couple of the beach, which set out huge beanbags on the sand at night to go and chill out on. On the day there's plenty to do too, but all we really did was soak up the sun on the sands of the island. If you are ever lucky enough to visit Phi Phi I would strongly recommend taking a taxi boat over to Long Beach as this is where you will find the best waters. (Having said that, it's possible to stay on Long Beach and therefore no need for a taxi boat). Our best day, however was the snorkling trip we did around Phi Phi Ley including Maya Bay, the famous deserted beach where Boyle's movie was filmed. This is without a doubt somewhere you have got to visit if on the island.