Hey all!!
John and I have been relaxing on the beach and recovering from our scooter rides around the island today. We rented one yesterday and scooted around last night and this morning. We've been touring around a little, so fun! I drove of course! We've been all over the island and have done lots of shopping, while John seem to have purchased most of the clothing available in Thailand, he basically has a new wardrobe...and we thought I was bad.
We went to Had Rin this morning, the home of the Full Moon party. That goodness we didn't stay there!!! It was gross. There were people still passed out on the beach from the night before, it wreaked of alcohol and just was all around a different vibe than we want. We didn't end up going to the Full Moon party on Christmas Eve. We're fine with that though. The roads here are really windy, and getting there by taxi with lots of people drinking and maybe driving could have been a bad combination and it would have cost us about $40 just to get there from our hotel. When Pad Thai costs $2 a plate, $40 is WAY too steep!! It seems that the idea behind the Full Moon party has lost its purpose, almost everywhere you look there is a sign for a beach party on any and every beach, and we're not ones to get drunk for the sake of drinking, so we're skipping it.
The weather hasn't been fantasic, unfortunately, it's rained almost everyday for a little while but the sun tries to shine, we're in our bathing suit on the net, looking out at the white sand and the ocean as we speak, so we can't really complain.
Tours to the national marine park, that we are hoping to get to, aren't boating across right now because of waves are making the rides choppy. Most of the locals say they think that there are some storms north of us, in the China seas and that is making the weather here iffy. So we are leaving the island, heading to a rainforest park, we'll go to the other side of thailand, hope for better weather and then we think we'll fly back to the island to get to the park. Itwill end up being more expensive for sure, but even the locals say that we should go and we'll regret it for 10 years if we don't go!! It's suppose to be one of the most beautiful places in Thailand. It's where part of the movie 'the beach' takes place. We're crossing our fingers for better weather. We're flying by the seat of our travelling pants right now. We didn't book too much in advance, which has made the sorting out and organising a little time consuming while actually here, but it's working out in our favour because we're changing our minds like we change our underwear daily.
We're leaving the island tomorrow for a jungle area to do some rainforest sightseeing and then we'll see.
We love you guys lots and lots and lots and we'll write soon when we know what we are doing and we can update further! I really want to put up pictures too, but I don't know how right now, and all the computers have Thai writing all over them so I'm too lazy to do it right now, but I'll get on it!
Love ya! cristen and John :o)
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
We're here!
Hey all,
We're finally here!
We left Toronto on Monday morning at 1:45am, a little delayed, but 2 gravol later and two glasses of wine with dinner at mom's, I was out like a light on the plane ride to Hong Kong. I woke up to eat (of course), and before I knew it, 8 hours had gone by. I watched a few movies on the personal television (very cool) and john and I chatted and slept. It was a great flight! So much for the worry.
We hung around the Hong Kong airport for a few hours and then hit our next flight to Thailand! We arrived in Bangkok and got a bus to our hostel. We checked in and then after a shower, went for our first thai meal! SO SO GOOD.
After, we got a little scammed by a tuk tuk driver. They like to drive tourist to various shops around the city and then they get commission for whatever you buy. Within 2 minutes John and I were onto the little scam, and we didn't get out of the cab and demanded to go back to exactly where we were picked up. The gentlemen was a little disappointed, and insisted that the next stop was the best shopping in town, but we passed. No danger at all, just a little annoying.
After a night there, we slept (sort of - we're still not adjusted to the time), but had to wake at 3:30am to get a taxi to the airport (again!) to fly to the island of Ko Samui. We blinked and were there - it was so quick. The airport was beautiful! With palm trees and flowers, a short run way and a quick open air bus ride eto the open air baggage claim area. Very quaint.
We got a ferry to the island of Ko phangan and a bumpy taxi ride to our little resort. Our $17 bungalow on the beach turned out to be a dive. The washroom was gross so we opted for the more expensive bungalow with a/c and a flush toilet (I have had to throw water down the toilet before to flush it, but I'm done with that phase!!)
We ate a lovely Christmas eve dinner on the beach last night, went for a christmas walk and slept well (finally).
This morning (Christmas morning) we went for a $10, 1 hour, thai massage!! then ate breakfast and relaxed on the beach! We are at the internet cafe now, trying to plan our next few days, and writing to you!
Tomorrow we are off elephant trekking and snorkeling for the day, then we're not sure?? We're trying to find some hostels now....we'll let you know when we know!!
Be well all. Merry Christmas and have a lovely time with family!!
Love and best wishes, cristen and john :o)
We're finally here!
We left Toronto on Monday morning at 1:45am, a little delayed, but 2 gravol later and two glasses of wine with dinner at mom's, I was out like a light on the plane ride to Hong Kong. I woke up to eat (of course), and before I knew it, 8 hours had gone by. I watched a few movies on the personal television (very cool) and john and I chatted and slept. It was a great flight! So much for the worry.
We hung around the Hong Kong airport for a few hours and then hit our next flight to Thailand! We arrived in Bangkok and got a bus to our hostel. We checked in and then after a shower, went for our first thai meal! SO SO GOOD.
After, we got a little scammed by a tuk tuk driver. They like to drive tourist to various shops around the city and then they get commission for whatever you buy. Within 2 minutes John and I were onto the little scam, and we didn't get out of the cab and demanded to go back to exactly where we were picked up. The gentlemen was a little disappointed, and insisted that the next stop was the best shopping in town, but we passed. No danger at all, just a little annoying.
After a night there, we slept (sort of - we're still not adjusted to the time), but had to wake at 3:30am to get a taxi to the airport (again!) to fly to the island of Ko Samui. We blinked and were there - it was so quick. The airport was beautiful! With palm trees and flowers, a short run way and a quick open air bus ride eto the open air baggage claim area. Very quaint.
We got a ferry to the island of Ko phangan and a bumpy taxi ride to our little resort. Our $17 bungalow on the beach turned out to be a dive. The washroom was gross so we opted for the more expensive bungalow with a/c and a flush toilet (I have had to throw water down the toilet before to flush it, but I'm done with that phase!!)
We ate a lovely Christmas eve dinner on the beach last night, went for a christmas walk and slept well (finally).
This morning (Christmas morning) we went for a $10, 1 hour, thai massage!! then ate breakfast and relaxed on the beach! We are at the internet cafe now, trying to plan our next few days, and writing to you!
Tomorrow we are off elephant trekking and snorkeling for the day, then we're not sure?? We're trying to find some hostels now....we'll let you know when we know!!
Be well all. Merry Christmas and have a lovely time with family!!
Love and best wishes, cristen and john :o)
Saturday, December 20, 2008
PACKING!!
Hey all!!
Another already, I know! I'm enjoying this already.
John and I are busy packing away and organising the house currently. We took a few pictures of the disaster at home. Hopefully we will get it all cleaned up before Jennie gets here from Australia.
She will have my cell phone: (705) 321-1234 if anyone would like to contact her and show her around the town.
Love ya!
View the pics
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-lsFb-uLQa107IFWFUOD4A?feat=directlink
Another already, I know! I'm enjoying this already.
John and I are busy packing away and organising the house currently. We took a few pictures of the disaster at home. Hopefully we will get it all cleaned up before Jennie gets here from Australia.
She will have my cell phone: (705) 321-1234 if anyone would like to contact her and show her around the town.
Love ya!
View the pics
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-lsFb-uLQa107IFWFUOD4A?feat=directlink
Multiple Christmases
John and I have had two Christmas events thus far, before leaving for Australia. My mom had John, Stephanie and I for Christmas on December 7th. Hopefully I will get some pictures from my mom and sister to post.
The folloing weekend, Dad and Natalia had us all to the cottage for a Christmas Dinner, and you guessed it, steak with the accompanying music of Lorena McKennent (yes Dad, I think I have spelt her name incorrectly, sorry!) was served. A lovely time was had by all!
We intend on having Christmas with John's family on December 20th, the day before we leave!! After, we drive down to Toronto, have one final family horrah and off we go!
I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and Holiday Season with your families.
love, cristen and john :o)
View the pics
http://picasaweb.google.com/cristencarson11/ChristmasAtTheCottage?feat=directlink
The folloing weekend, Dad and Natalia had us all to the cottage for a Christmas Dinner, and you guessed it, steak with the accompanying music of Lorena McKennent (yes Dad, I think I have spelt her name incorrectly, sorry!) was served. A lovely time was had by all!
We intend on having Christmas with John's family on December 20th, the day before we leave!! After, we drive down to Toronto, have one final family horrah and off we go!
I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and Holiday Season with your families.
love, cristen and john :o)
View the pics
http://picasaweb.google.com/cristencarson11/ChristmasAtTheCottage?feat=directlink
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