Australia

It’s been a few months since I updated everyone on my travels so far, thought it was time to share how amazing the last 3 & half months have been. 

On 26th December we left Singapore for Australia. I couldn’t believe I was actually going to be there in a few hours, it was somewhere I had dreamed of visiting for many years and visualised myself as being a bit of surfer girl…watch this space! 

First stop Sydney.  All set to deal with the questions at immigration but with the electronic passport system in place, we were on our way pretty swiftly, the only downfall of that is no actual stamp in your passport. 

After collecting our bags and having the pink backpack safely back in my arms we were on our way to the hotel. A little early for check-in but made to feel welcome with free coffee while we waited, this was a little different to the Devere Hotel where we spent the next 5 nights, to say it was a little dated was being kind. 

Sydney was fabulous; walking up the harbour bridge, Botanic gardens Harbour Hoopla for New Year seeing not 1 but 2 sets of fireworks which were amazing,  boat cruise around the bays from Darling Harbour, free walking tour around the city, catching up with an old friend, Olena, who I met 20 years ago in Boston when we were aupairs, she kindly took us for a tour around from manly and up to Palm Beach where we enjoyed a very filling picnic and managed to snap a shot of Alf’s tackle shop and see the infamous lighthouse. Bondi beach day it was a little cloudy but before heading back to the city we walked the coastal walk from bondi to coogee. 

It was time to start the 2 week road trip up the East coast, so once we collected the car from the very busy rental company (I think everyone visiting Sydney for NYE was leaving on 2nd Jan) we made our way to the Blue Mountains to tour round scenic world and take a few snaps, big thanks to Jacko & Landon for the passes and then we were on our way to Belmont for the night. 

Back on the road and heading for Tuncurry via Elands falls (extremely wet day but that didn’t stop us). 

Port Macquarie was cute with all the rocks along the bay painted as memories for different things and then we continued up to Coffs Harbour.

 The rain continued in the morning but settled in the afternoon and so we went paddle boarding. 

We also popped to Emerald Beach and enjoyed hanging with the Roos in their natural environment before the coastal walk along moonee beach.

 We booked in for a skydive at sunrise on the Saturday so extended another night and keeping our fingers crossed it wasn’t cancelled due to the weather. Well feeling very nervous on the morning and if I hadn’t paid a deposit not sure I’d have shown up but OMG this had to be one of the highlights of my trip to date. 

I LOVED IT, 12,000 ft, 51 second freefall through the cloud and boom I was floating with a pink parachute attached to me as we twisted and turned before soaring down and landing on the beach…best feeling ever! 

Buzzing from excitement we were on our way to Tweeds Head via Grafton and a stop at MacLean which was a wee Scottish town and stopped in Yamba at the beach for a few hours. 

As we were here for a couple of nights we went back to Byron Bay the next day for a visit and walked up to the lighthouse, most easterly point in Australia. 

Next stop mermaid beach just south of Surfers Paradise, we stayed here a couple of nights and enjoyed some sun soaking on the very hot beach. 

On our way to Sunshine Coast we stopped at the Glass Mountains, Baroon Lake for the secret cafe which was in a lovely setting but a little pricey, so we went to the lookout and walked down the many steps on search of the waterfall. Before we made it to Noosa we managed to find the big pineapple, unfortunately it was closing for the day but still managed a picture. 

Noosa Heads was lovely and we stayed in the Dolphin hostel which was painted pink! We spotted a koala in Noosa national park and also seen some dolphins at dolphin point. Stopped in Maryborough (known for the statue of Mary Poppins, although didn’t find it), not a lot else happening there and then headed up to Hervey Bay. 

Early start to catch the bus for our trip to Fraser Island. Little ferry crossing before we arrived on the worlds largest sand island for the next 2 days. All aboard the 4wd coach starting with a walk through the pine valley rainforest, crossing wanggoolba creek, swimming and sunbathing in lake mackenzie, driving along seventy five mile beach (highway), cooling down in eli creek, wandering around maheno shipwreck, admiring the pinnacles coloured sands, climbing up Indian head avoiding the snakes, having a dip in the champagne pools, enjoyed scenic flight over the island, trek across hamerstone sandblow to lake wabby where I dipped my toes as had to start the trek back. 

We stayed back at the same hostel in Hervey Bay on our return to mainland before making our way to Brisbane the next day. 

First stop on route Lone Sanctuary to cuddle a koala and feed some kangaroos.

 It was the start of the AO tennis and Murray was first on, we found a sports bar to watch the match before making our way to the airport to drop the car. 

Next few days we took in the sights of Brisbane; river cruise, big wheel, modern art exhibition, science museum (quick stop as not as expected), walking tour which felt like we went around the block and also caught some of the tennis getting us warmed up for Melbourne. 

A short flight from Brisbane to Melbourne, we were staying near Richmond and handy for the tennis. Joined the free walking tour at the library and it was fab seeing the sights of the ‘most liveable city’ from street art, parks, water fountains, federation square where they showed live tennis on the big screen, great for people watching, south bank and much much more.  

We had ground passes for the AO tennis and what a fab couple of days it was. The atmosphere was amazing and got to watch some great matches in the arena’s and outside courts, even got to see some of the players practising. Not such a happy face when Murray lost his match though, to say I was gutted was an understatement. However,  all in all a great time was had. 

I was on the move to another hostel across town near southbank while I decided what was next for me in Oz. We went to Happy Travels where Louise managed to book up some trips for her remaining time in Oz and I booked my stray bus pass for New Zealand. We also booked the Yarra Valley wine tour for later in the week as our last trip together before we went our separate ways.  

However, before that we enjoyed happy hour in south bank and then headed  up the Euerka tower, tallest building in Melbourne to enjoy the city at night. 

The Yarra Valley wine tour was good fun and we got to sample many different wines from around the area. Afterwards we went to Victoria market for a wander before making our way back to our hostels. 

I spent the next few days taking in the sights of the city, watching the tennis on big screens, getting my hair chopped (not the best decision – I can hear mum & dad saying we told you not too), catching up with friends old and new. 

Fabulous lunch & spritz cocktails with Sophie & Stacey (who I met in chiang mai in December) at Arbory Bar and later that week a great evening with Scott & Jodie (hadn’t seen Scott since we were teenagers, well apart from a random meeting in Malia where they were working about 15 years ago) shared some good spots from the mountain goat brewery to Naked for Satan which had a great view of the city but no spaces for dinner. We enjoyed a fab meal in little restaurant nearby before making our way home a little tipsy.  

Thanks to mum & dad for my Red Balloon voucher for Christmas I booked myself on a 2 day tour of the Great Ocean Road and Philips Island and it was fabulous. It was a small group of about 10 of us and that’s where I met wee Hetty G, we just clicked and had the best couple of days and taking random pictures of each other just for fun…do a sexy pose!! 

Seeing the 12 apostles, abandoned beaches, lighthouse from ’round the twist’, pier walks – “what you catching?” we asked the guy fishing “a cold” was his reply, haha very wity we thought, we kept walking to the end and then the rain started and we had to make a run for it… oh oh we got very very wet. 

We went to an animal park to see koalas, kangaroos and more. Pizza in the park before heading to see the penguins at night. They were so so cute and definitely worth a trip. 

Well Melbourne was fabulous but I wanted some beach time and booked a flight to the Gold Coast staying in Surfers Paradise. Stayed in ‘Couple o nights’ hostel for 2 nights and when I arrived the bed below me had 2 swords on it (plastic once I had a proper look) but really where was I!! Guy turned out to be auditioning for a new movie being filmed there. 

Anyway Hetty was in Gold Coast too and so we got to spend more time together starting with a local football match. She was there with a friend Izzy who I also met, they were in Bunk hostel which was fab so I moved there however they moved to another to work for a bit and save on accommodation. I chilled at the beach & pool while they worked and then we caught up when they were off duty. 

We had so much fun that week from our own pub crawl which might have involved tequila, walk around the botanic gardens, musical bingo, barefoot bowls and sunsets on the beach where we also got to watch the moon rise! 

After a fab week there it was time to move on and I got the bus to Byron Bay. Staying at Holiday Village backpackers where majority of the dorms are 4 bed and part of a 2 room apartment with own living room and kitchen, it was ace. Only there a day and had booked my surfing lesson (ah eventually am going to be that surfer chick I visualised) and a day trip to Nimbin. After chilling on the beach, I bumped into Emily (we’d met in surfers) and we were staying at the same hostel. 

We met so many people at the hostel and few of us went surfing with Stoked the next day. So maybe my vision of being a surfer girl wasn’t the same in reality but still a lot of fun. We partied at night with others from the hostel. Hetty G was on route too for a few days. We all had an amazing time to chilling at the beach, more surf lessons, Nimbin trip with tarot card reading, beer pong at cheeky monkeys, bar hopping, card games and yip never have I ever game…great way to get to know your new friends!  

After a fab week in Byron I was back on the bus and heading to Emerald Beach to stay with Barbara & Gordon. I met them back in 1996 when I arrived in Boston, MA as an aupair, she looked after me then and still looking after me now. It was fabulous seeing them both and spending time in their beautiful home, where you could listen to the ocean all day and night. 

Amazing views of the sea on one side and the other the gorgeous mountains. Also spoiled being able to watch the kangaroos hop around freely in their own environment. 

They showed me around the sights nearby from Coffs Harbour market, woolgooga, red rock reserve, nana glen and two tails winery tasting, enjoyed lunch at Kafe Kookaburra and across to Bellingen. We shared amazing dinners and a few cheeky bottles of wine while we caught up over the week. 

I can’t believe it’s been almost 2 months and I was on the early morning train heading back to Sydney where it all began. 

I’d managed to get a 1st class ticket for $50 a lot cheaper than flying or the bus and travelling in comfort for the next 9 hours. 

Arriving at central station I was staying at Wake Up hostel across the street. I continued my sightseeing going to the powerhouse museum, enjoyed a Greek festival at darling harbour and a little shopping to renew some of the clothes and get prepared for New Zealand. 

Before I left I managed to catch up with Jemma & Julia in Hornsby for dinner. We met in September last year in San Sebastián and was time for a mini reunion, definitely a lot tamer than San Seb but fabulous to see these two beauties again.  

Well Australia you didn’t disappoint, I’ve had an amazing 2 months, met some fabulous friends along the way and although I’ve realised am not the surfer chick I visualised  it was so much fun learning and it was time to hop on the plane for New Zealand! 

Singapore Dec 2016! 🎒🎁🎄

The pink backpack and I were all packed and ready to go to our next destination, Singapore here we come. 🎒✈

I got the metro back to the airport and when checking in for the flight I discovered that all baggage could not weigh more than 15kg and yip that landed me one hefty fine before I could board the plane. The pink backpack was 18kg and my rucksack (carry-on bag) was a further 7kg. You should always always read the small print when booking a flight! 

Anyway nothing I could do and paid the fine to get me on my way. I learned my lesson on that one. 

I slept most of the flight and arrived safely at Singapore airport and once I found the pink backpack, we passed through security who asked “Do you have a personal alarm or pepper spray?” I answered “no” and was told to walk through, no checking of the bags or me just took my word on it. Anyways, I made my way to catch a taxi to the Betel box backpacker hostel where I had stayed once before; the night before I went to Bali. 

It was late when I checked into the 8 bed dorm and lucky to find there was only 1 other girl in there. I had originally thought about heading to Kuala Lumpur for a couple of days to break up the time I was going to be in Singapore but as I was still sick with this bug I decided best to lay low for a few days and try to shift it once and for all! 

Once up and ready, I ventured into the city on the local bus and thought I’d go for a wander but I didn’t last long and ended up back at the hostel sleeping lots. The hostel owner told me to stay away from fried foods to ease the cough and so I thought I’d take his advice and see what happens. 

Feeling a little better the next day I made my way into town again and went for the hop on hop off bus tour starting at Suncorp centre which was a large shopping mall with everything your heart could desire including an imax, cinema & more food courts than possible. It also had a really cool water fountain outside which you could see from the lower level of the mall. However the weather was not on my side and it rained and rained and rained! 

I
The bus tour went round the main sights of the city from the gardens by the bay, marina bay, big wheel, f1 track, finance district, raffles, Chinatown, little india, orchard street (the main shopping street – yes one whole straight with even more shops and malls), botanic gardens and for me this was an easy way of getting around and working out where I was. So yes every building pretty much linked to a shopping mall of some sort and this city never closes. I was amazed at how clean the city was and although many people walked around and lots of cars it was never noisy or dirty. 

Day 2 of my bus tour and I got off to visit Orchard street and see the amazing Christmas lights, I had no plans on shopping and decided on a wee trip to the cinema where I laughed a lot at the ‘Office Christmas Party’ movie with Jason Bateman and Jennifer Anniston. When I ventured back outside it was dusk and the Christmas lights were on and looked fabulous, street entertainment was in full swing and more people than you could imagine walking around.  

It was Christmas Eve and time to check out of the hostel and make my way to City Park hotel where I would meet up with Louise for our next months adventure to begin, she was flying in from the UK and due to land mid afternoon. 

Once arrived, checked in and settled we headed over to the Gardens by the Bay for the winter wonderland and I’d booked us ice skating tickets. The weather wasn’t great and the rain was heavy but we didn’t let that stop us. Many crowds of people were also at the gardens. Louise wasn’t too keen on the skating and so I hired my skates, nice red ones and made my way to the rink. I loved it and felt like a big kid again. Afterwards we wandered over to see the light show and listened to the Christmas music as the lights danced to the music. We got the tube back and enjoyed a little Christmas Eve drink by Clarke Quay to bring in Christmas Day.

 

Christmas Day was actually here and I think this has to be the first year I wasn’t up at 5am like a big kid, what’s happened? It was a strange feeling but a nice one. We got ourselves ready for the day ahead and tried to decide what was best to do. Weather was very changeable and went from sunny to heavy rain without much warning, so it was always best to take your waterproof as you just don’t know. We walked along the river front and headed for the marina bay for breakfast and then to the big wheel. 

Afterward we headed for Raffles for Singapore slings which were fabulous, the floor was covered in peanut shells, felt weird eating your peanuts and throwing the shells on the floor. 

We had a couple in there and we decided it’d be best to go somewhere that wouldn’t burst the bank. It was too good to think the sun would stay out all day and the rain started as we made our way to Orchard street.  We found a nice outside bar under cover and enjoyed the busker playing outside. After a while we made our way back to Clarke Quay for some live music. 

It was time to check out the room, we could store our bags for the day at the hotel as we didn’t fly until later that night. We headed on a little river cruise and then back to the gardens by the bay to do the skywalk which was closed on Christmas Eve due to the rain. The views were great.

Once we felt we had seen everything we wanted to we went back to the hotel and chilled at the poolside until it was time for us to go to the airport. 

Taxi booked and we were on our way to the airport for our flight to Australia. I was so excited as I had dreamed of going there for many many years and couldn’t believe I was actually happening.  

Shanghai

So arriving early in Bangkok meant a 6 hour wait for my midnight flight to Shanghai. There was nothing else for it, pink backpack on a trolley, feet up and sleep time for me! 

Finally checked in with all paperwork checked and double checked. The pink backpack was on its way to the plane and me well I was too, just slower. 

Richard had sent me very detailed instructions to help me find my way to his apartment without any hassle. They were fabulous. I arrived at the airport and made my way to the security desks at the far left side as instructed with only 2 other people in front of me. After handing over my paperwork and a couple of quick questions I was on my way through. 

I found the pink backpack and we made our way to the metro for our ride to the apartment. Thanks to Richard I knew exactly what stop to change at and where to go including the fast rush between trains to get a seat. I wasn’t fast enough and therefore had to stand the second part of the journey. 

Arriving safely at the apartment with keycard in hand I made my way in and found the best instructions, thanks Richard. How to put on the heating, Shanghai was cold, and work the tv woohoo. The apartment was fabulous and the views are amazing. As I wasn’t feeling great I headed straight to bed where I slept all day until Richard got home from work. 

Was great to see him after 2 and a bit weeks haha! So I told him about immigration and I have to register at the police because staying with him and not at a hotel, fab we can do that Saturday. Looking forward to seeing the sights, we headed out for dinner. There is a first time for everything I couldn’t finish my wrap and struggled with my drink…I must be sick! 

Friday I slept all day and wanted to shift this bug that was flooring me! Richard came home from work and asked “did the police come to the door today?” “eh no!” “Ok so they are looking for you as we haven’t registered you as arriving in the country!!” OMG…nerves are shattered…tomorrow morning we will sort it if not deported before then. We had takeout for dinner and decided best to stay in and try shift this bug. 

So slightly better today and it’s the day of the ‘Last Christmas’ party at Matts! First thing first…quick stop at the police station to register me being in the country for 144hours. Then it was off to the market for some sightseeing and secret santa gift for tonight. Oh and yeah an outfit 80’s style! 

Few photo stops along the way and we dropped into the Waldorf for the Christmas Day tickets! 

So back to the apartment and operation get ready for the party began with shaping the wigs, making big hair and sorting the outfits! 

Party was fabulous, catering amazing. Everyone made so much effort to dress up  and made it a fabulous night. I didn’t realise when buying the jumper that you could rub it the opposite way and it changed from red with HoHoHo to white with NoNoNo, let’s just say there was a lot of touching of the jumper throughout the night. Well done Matt and thank you for inviting me. We played pass the parcel, twister and secret santa with a difference, when you open your gift the next person can actually take it from you! 

Sunday we had little delicate heads so the best way to cure it is to head out for Sunday brunch. Afterwards a wander back through town and hey it would have been rude not to take pictures with the many Christmas trees around. Awkward when you are eyeing up the guy next to you at the lights and he is eyeing up your mate ;-). Next stop was for a foot massage to top off a fab weekend.

Monday was a chilled day, laundry then lunch with Brendan before getting the pink backpack sorted for the flight the next day. Then it was time to head out to dinner for the final supper in Shanghai with the guys and of course one last picture!  

Thanks again Richard for having me, sorry I was sick but I had the best time and so happy I managed to get to come to Shanghai even if it was only for 144 hours! 

Thailand – Nov-Dec 2016

After a fabulous month in Bali it was time to board the plane and I was heading to Thailand, first stop Bangkok.

I was so excited to be seeing everyone this weekend, Sarah & Pam were flying in from UK and Richard & Matt coming from Shanghai. I arrived the day before and in true Lynnie style booked myself into a hostel for 1 night before moving to the hotel to join the others the next day. 

A7 Hidden hostel was quiet but a good way to chill and get ready for the weekend ahead. The streets outside however were crazy with people trying to get you in for massages, taxi & tuk tuk rides and traffic just seemed to stand still! 

Excited when the texts started flowing on the Friday morning as they all arrived at the airport. I got the pink backpack on and we made our way to the hotel to meet the others. Unable to find Starbucks, I found the next best thing Mulligans Irish Bar (which was joined to the hotel funnily enough) and waited for everyone to arrive. 

The boys arrived first and it was Bloody Mary’s all round while we waited for the ladies, they arrived about an hour later and pretty sure their taxi driver took them on a detour. 

It was fabulous to be altogether and the fun began, starting with a few light refreshments while we all caught up. 

The rest of the weekend was fabulous. We enjoyed some pool time at the rooftop pool. First night we didn’t venture far and went to a few bars along Soi 11 which included a funky bar up a lane called Cheap Charlie’s and finished up dancing the night away. 

Next day we headed to Chatuchak market where we picked Richard up on route ;-), lunch at the indoor market and I had rice in a pineapple it was amazing and well maybe a beer or two. Obviously after wandering around the large market and many toilet stops for Matt, it was time for all 5 of us to partake in a foot massage where we giggled a lot and I made many awkward faces as maybe I still found it slightly painful. 

There was an Old German Bar on Soi 11 where we managed to pass at happy hour and it would have been rude not to go in. We pretty much spent the night there and Jarrod joined us (although am sure he would never have found his way if Matt hadn’t sent the 100+ texts to him with instructions). A couple of others joined us that evening (thank you tinder). We eventually made our way to Condoms & Cabbages but were too late for food so just some pictures and then on our way to source dinner. 

Sunday we ventured on a river cruise and unable to visit the Grand Palace due to dress code so we headed for the Buddha temple and I’ve never seen so many  including one very large gold one. Many selfies and pictures being taken and Pam & I even got to dress up. 

Of course we ended up back at the Old German Bar for happy hour on our way to the hotel and again forgot to leave as we were enjoying the many changs and laughs. Sarah seemed to love her new dog. 

Monday, the ladies left early for their plane back to the UK, Matt & Jarrod’s car arrived first time to take them on their trip and then Richard & I got picked up to head to our week of more fun in Hua Hin. 

After about 4 hours we arrived at the apartment with many swimming pools and no activity. We headed for the beach so we thought and nearly got blown in the sea with the high winds so opted for a bite to eat at the nearby restaurant. 

After enjoying some pool time and gin, thank you Sarah, we got a taxi into town to try find some life and other people to talk too. This seemed to be where it was all going on or was it? We ventured up the Hilton to the Skybar for the night views of the town lit up and then to a couple of bars before the tuk tuk ride home. 

The next couple of days we stayed by the pool to top up the tan. We went for a massage and pedicure. Richard laughed when he heard the lady telling me to turn around as I lay on the bed the wrong way, he visualised I had my feet in the hole however it was the back of my head and should have been my face..oops! I loved the pedicure but not sure it will be something Richard will rush to do again but you never know.  

We also decided to do laundry and dropped it off at the shop across the road which was an experience. The girls seemed to be more concerned about their pool game and cigarette than our laundry. We went back for it later only to be told your a day early and come back tomorrow. So 24 hours later we did just that and when handed our bags we noticed some of our clothes were still on the rail. However, after a few huffs and puffs of her cigarette she finally gave us all our clothes and Richard managed to get a discount as they didn’t iron his. I kindly took out the other persons underwear from my bag and left it with them. 

We found out there was a bus or just a big tuk tuk that passed our apartment and dropped us into town. One trip into town was a little awkward for Richard, hehe! 

On Thursday we decided to head to the Vana Nava water park and what a great day we had. The place was pretty empty and so no need to line up for the different rides. We managed to get on them all from the boomerang to the lazy river. The wave pool wasn’t great so little disappointed there. One of the rides I chickened out at the top and Richard went down! Basically you stand in the tube, door closed, wait for the 3,2,1 countdown and then the floor pulls back before you then shoot down the slide feet first. So after a little while and deciding what’s the worse that could happen (Richard saying “you could get stuck and I could chat to you through the latch”), anyway I went for it and let’s just say I won’t be repeating it but glad I did it. We then enjoyed a gin at the infinity pool. A great fun day was had and then a walk back to the apartment across the dual carriage way, through the hole in the fence and over the railway line where we finally recognised the road and made our way back via the bar for a drink as the walk was longer than we thought. 

Our last night in Hua Hin and we finished off the bottle of gin from Sarah, thanks again and decided to head into town. We wandered around a few of the bars we liked, played some pool and laughed a lot. Something that happened a lot on this holiday. 

A great week was had and after many discussions I decided to head back to Bangkok with Richard the next day for a last weekend of fun before parting ways. 

The car picked us up in the morning and we made our way back to Bangkok. Richard was staying in the same hotel and I booked into the Fun Wan hostel round the corner. We spent the afternoon by the pool waiting on Matt & Jarrod arriving back before getting ready and heading across town to meet Brendan. 

A great fun night was had, lots of drinks, plenty of laughs and more people watching than you could imagine. Didn’t make it to the ping pong show but managed to catch the drag show from outside. Matt got a new tattoo! 

On the Saturday we chilled a bit by the pool, little lunch and a final foot massage with no talking! Obviously we had to go into the Old German bar for a couple of beers on happy hour and then back to Mulligans for the last beers and dinner before the guys headed for their flight. 

After a fabulous week I was back to being solo and I stayed one more night in Bangkok before heading for my flight to Chiang Mai the next day. The pink backpack was all ready to go and we made our way for the train and skybus to the airport. 

Arriving in Chiang Mai airport and once I’d after collected the pink backpack from the carrousel we headed outside for a taxi to Deejai Backpackers Hostel. 

After checking in and dropping my stuff in the room, I went for a wander to the Sunday night market which was huge. Just as well I wasn’t in a hurry as I was lucky if I managed to put one foot in front of the other, the place was so busy you didn’t go anywhere fast. 

Up nice and early for my day trip to the Elephant Sanctuary. I meet a couple of people at breakfast but they were on a different trip. This was the BEST day of my trip to date. I felt like a big kid again, getting to feed, play and swim with the elephants was amazing. We then went for a drive to the waterfall for a swim before heading back to the hostel.

I met my new room mate and we decided to head for some beers. We met a few others and may have got involved inthe question  game, if you are caught asking a question you have to take a shot of rum! Those who know me know I ask a lot of questions…that’ll teach me. What a night that turned out to be! Big smiles all round. I met so many fabulous people who will remain friends for life. 

The next couple of weeks, yes I stayed for over 2 weeks and loved every day! I chilled by the pool, went to Grand Canyon water park which was like total wipeout , made it up for the scooter ride to watch the sunrise up the mountain & then to the temples, fishing with friends, night markets for shopping, food, drinks and live music. Went dancing like I hadn’t danced in over a year and it felt amazing thank you Nikki and Jordan! I learned how to ride a scooter and loved it.
 

We spent many days and nights talking about everything & nothing over beers, vodka and rum and most of them involved lots of dancing. 

I woke up with no voice and am sure for some that was a blessing, a few of the gang were leaving for Chiang Rai, a couple due to losing at ‘What are the Odds’a game which can get you into trouble. I booked the night bus to head back to Bangkok that night and actually checked out the room but later that day I was talked into staying another 2 days, so I cancelled the bus, re-checked into the same room and bed (Rob & Phil knew i wasn’t leaving) and booked my flight for Wednesday instead. That was the best decision as Emily returned from Pai and I had my old roomie back…one last party night! 

Next day we decided it was time for some culture before I left and we named it ‘Temples & Tattoos’! The 3 of us wandered around the temples in town and it was so so hot! Back to the pool for a cool down and before booking in the tattoo. My first bamboo tattoo and I love it! 

On Wednesday I finally checked out the room and put the pink backpack into storage for a few hours. Still with no voice  and feeling a little under the weather I decided to chill by the pool for the morning before saying my goodbyes and heading to the airport for a long travel day ahead.

If I didn’t have plans booked I would never have left, I fell in love with this place. Thailand until next time! 💗😎