Thailand

I had not been to Thailand in 27 years and Margaret had never been, so everyday there was something new to enjoy. From discovering mangosteins to the playing of the National Anthem on metro stations! Beautiful warm weather, calm friendly people, sandy beaches and palm trees and buddhas.

But rather than show you endless pictures of these (of which we have loads) I thought let’s intersperse them with a selection of anecdotes... I did initially call these ‘GOOGLES & TIPS’, but felt on reflection the play on words ‘NOODLES & CHIPS’ didn’t quite work.  

Our introduction to the Hotel iResidence was after a 12 hour flight from London followed by a confusing taxi ride through the Friday evening 'rush-hour' Bangkok traffic. We were tired and perhaps in another world.

We were shown our room and planned to eat before we fell asleep. We'd asked about the hotel restaurant and were told we could eat there, which was as far as we wanted to venture. On leaving our room the lights went out. Odd! We mentioned this at reception and went to the top floor restaurant, which was deserted and clearly not open for business. Back at reception we were told the electrics in our room were fixed. After eating just round the corner we got back to the room and the lights were still out. A few moments later a man appeared, juggled something at the fuse box and on came the electrics. Fine! However there was one light we simply couldn't turn off and had to sleep with this on regardless.

The next morning before going to breakfast the lights cut out again. Now frustrated we told reception they must fix this properly or give us another room. "You can move if you want sir", we were told. However after breakfast we met a hotel worker at our room and he showed us (for the first time) that by putting your room key into a small housing you operated the electrics for the room. Removing the key as you leave cuts them off and saves energy. Just wish someone had shown us this before. We then saw (also for the first time) the instruction to do this written (in English) on the key fob, we were just too tired and out of it to have noticed. I present this tale for others unfamiliar with these new-fangle modern hotel keys. 

This was our stay at the iResidence, Bangkok. 

Rocking-back and forth at the guest house.

From Bangkok we took the train south to Lang Suan, not on everyones' map, but the home of Colin, a friend of mine since junior schooldays. He and his wife have a house, inches from the beach which is fantastic and rather than simply not do it justice here, I've decided to add a separate (and larger) entry on our 'tales' blog page. (For those other 'old' school friends who may be interested).

Colinland he called it, is in a part of Thailand far removed from tourism. A disappearing Thailand someone had written in his visitors book. And he welcomes guests all the time. We stayed in the guest house, while another couple, Americans Leila and Bryan, stayed in the extra bedroom in the house.

After we'd slowed down, taken part in the dog-walking, relaxed and enjoyed 'happy-hour' on the upstairs terrace of the main house, we rocked-back and dropped out for a few days. It was just great. 

Pictures of Colin and Kyoko and ALL the dogs will appear on our other blog page, see www.mandbtales1.blogspot.co.uk/ 

For further details see:  http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2014/feb/03/durian-worlds-smelliest-fruit-sale-britain

After leaving Lang Suan we headed further south towards Phuket, only we went via Khao Lak and loved it so much we stayed six nights. A popular honeymoon destination this was not your fashion conscious lycra set, more your let it all hang out brigade. But paradise is fragile, as it was here that the 2004 tsunami caused a lot of damage but Khao Lak has made a remarkable recovery.

At a museum there were rooms showing videos, some of which were quite harrowing and frightening. It appeared those who took some of the videos from hotel balconies and roofs had some warning, but it left you wondering as your strolled along the beach afterwards how at any moment this could happen and how powerless you’d be in the circumstances. Signs pointing towards tsunami evacuation routes (seen in many places in Khao Lak) would only alert you to the danger and the direction of higher ground. No guarantees that it would save you.

The 'Up to You Bar' on the beach in Khao Lak was the perfect place to spend the afternoon. Swimming or just watching the warm waters of the Andaman Sea and drinking pina coladas at 100 baht a go. (less than £2). Same again, please.

In Bangkok as we left the Chao Phraya river pier for the Grand Palace we made our way through market stalls and then a jumble of people holding placards touting for your business. One told us some story that the Palace was closed, due to a ceremony, until early afternoon but they could take us (for a ride) to some other attractions and get us back again for its opening later on.

Suspicious, we side stepped this trip-trick and walked on regardless. At the main entrance to the Palace there was an official sign (in English) warning you to look out for and avoid 'wily strangers'. Naturally we were amused by this sign having already encountered Mr Wily, grateful for the helpful intention of the tip off and glad we were alive to the deception. 

We couldn't really end without at least one buddha, alright then two.