Cape Town, SA

Flew into Cape Town last Friday. When we landed it felt like we were back in the UK - cold! A bit different from the humidity of Asia. The weather was good for us though, sunny and bright. Kim's friend Mo came through from Jo'berg to spend the weekend with us. It was great seeing him again, it's been 3 years since we met up in Goa when he was travelling around India. Went for drinks at a Scottish Ale House on Friday night. On Saturday we took the cable car to the top of Table Mountain (some people walk it up... crazy) It's sooo high! The floor of the cable car rotates as you rise so you get 360 degree views, like something out of a James Bond movie! Fab views from the top. We went out for seafood on Saturday night and I tried the Mozambique lobster, it was lovely. The guys kept singing 'Under the Sea' from the Little Mermaid... not good! On Sunday we tried to go to Robben Island but tickets for the ferry across were sold out so had a look round the exhibition instead then went to the Craft Market. Afterwards we went to Clifton beach for ice cream and Camps Bay for drinks. Said goodbye to Mo Mo on Sunday and chilled out for the evening - literally our hostel rooms are freezing! On Monday we went on Safari to Fairy Glen Reserve. It was fab seeing all the animals, saw four out of the 'Big Five' - Lions, Rhino, Elephants, Buffalo... no Cheetahs that day!

Singapore

We spent 4 fun-filled days & nights in Singapore. My brother's friends Paul & Pamela put us up (or put up with us?) in their lovely home - a welcome break from skanky hostels! We had a lovely time, and packed lots into our time there (thanks guys!). We went to see the Meer Lion, Clarke Quay, ate in a Hawker market, tasted Deep Fried Marsbar, shopped for cameras & electronics in Sim Lin Square, went on a cycle ride through East Coast Park, took shelter from a tropical storm, sunbathed on Sentosa Island, rode the cable car and luge, drank cocktails at Raffles, had drinks at the New Asia Bar, danced at Chimes and got soaked by Ethan & Josh! Had a brilliant time and were well looked after... cheers guys! When can we visit again?

Costa del Thailand

We're in Patong, Phuket for 2 nights before we jet off to Singapore. It's fun here, like Benidorm.. though I've never been but imagine it to be like this. Lots of aging Western men with Thai girlfriends.... eurgh! Ting Tong! We're staying in a nice hotel and filling our days sunbathing, browsing the market stalls and watching people being dragged up by speedboat parachute. Saw the Simon Cabaret Show last night, it was excellent. Got to meet one of the stars before the performance, she/he? fleeced me for 100 Thai Baht to take her picture... you gotta love their cheek! Was a fabulous show, with a Tina Turner lookalike and a giant Sphinx!

Ko Phi Phi

We arrived on Ko Phi Phi on Sunday. It's fab here, found nice rooms over a restaurant and we have our own terrace and view of the Irish bar opposite! Lively town with lots of shops, glad we're staying 6 nights. So much to see and do, we rented a longtail boat for the day and visited the other island. Swam in the lagoon, sunbathed on the beach where 'The Beach' was filmed... it was beautiful. Don't want to leave here!

Ko Lanta

Ko Lanta was lovely and chilled out. We stayed at Diamond Sands right next to the beach. Spent 5 nights here, sunbathing, having dinner, playing cards & relaxing... bliss! Also got to play with some cute kittens & puppies, can we take them home please?! Kim has a name picked out for her pup already!

Krabi

We stayed in Krabi town for 2 nights. Not much doing here so moved on to Ko Lanta. Did visit the night market for dinner which was fun, and cheap too - we like!

Ko Samui

We spent 5 nights on Ko Samui. It's a lot bigger and busier than Ko Tao. Our accommodation was just outside Lamai next to a lovely quiet beach. Spent most days sunbathing, reading and chilling out. We went to Chawen for entertainment! Had a few nights there, it's popular resort and the nightlife centres around the Green Mango - lots of bars together in one area. Crazy.

Koh Tao

Our first island stop is Koh Tao. We got here by overnight bus then catamaran. We arrived the day before Songkran, the Thai New Year. It's a water festival so we got soaked by water fights! The heavens opened too, they must have been praying for rain! Koh Tao is lovely, staying at the Buddha View Diver Resort. Kim & Laura are doing their PADI diving certificate while Helen and I soak up the sun and play bat & ball in the sea. We went to Sairee Beach yesterday and today caught the boat to Nangyuna which is 3 islands joined together by beaches. It was perfect there! Spent the day swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling. Saw some cool fish in the sea, all different colours.

Bridge over the River Kwai & Tiger Temple

We took a day trip to a floating market in the morning, it was fab, went round browsing the stalls by longboat. Resisted buying anything as we still have a bit of travelling to do in Thailand. After the market we went to the Bridge over the River Kwai. Went round the war museum which tells you the history of the bridge then walked over it. Was pretty warm that day and we were all feeling the heat! We were looking forward to the air conditioned comfort of the bus when we were told the bus needed repairs and we had to go to the next stop by tuk tuk! This was an experience! All 11 of us piled in the back of this 4x4 and sped off to the Tiger Temple.

We loved getting close to the big cats at the Tiger Temple. Laura and I had to buy T-shirt to cover up our bright tops, the tigers don't like warm bright colours! They were lovely and we got to pat them. Vegetarian tigers too, or that's what they told us...

(notice how all the staff have bright yellow t-shirts on!)

Bangkok

We arrived in Bangkok on Saturday, on Sunday visited the Chatuchak weekend market. Loads of bargains to be had, as you can imagine I enjoyed! It's so humid here but we're getting used to it now. Had a brill time in the city, rode in a tuk tuk, saw the Reclining Buddha. Celebrated Helen's birthday in style by going to Bed Supperclub. Cool place with great music.

Bye Bye Oz

Yesterday we went to the Pylon Lookout on the Harbour Bridge. Great views and good exercise with the stairs! Last night Kim, Laura & I went to see the Sydney Symphonic Choir perform at the Opera House. They were fantastic! Helen had other things on her mind, she was on the phone home to her family after finding out she had become an aunty! Congratulations Joy & John on the birth of your beautiful baby boy, and congratulations Aunty Helen and the new grandparents Val & Norman! Sending our love to you all.

We have 1 last day in Oz before we head off to pastures new. Had an absolute ball here, looking forward to the next part of our trip in Asia.

Last 2 weeks in Oz

It's been great having Clare out for a holiday. We've did loads over the last few weeks, saw a Bob Marley Tribute band at the Van Guard in Newtown, sunbathed, ate, had drinks at Darling Harbour, ate some more, had drinks at the Opera House bar, played Pokies, ate.. generally had fun and acted like we were on holiday too! We miss you Clare! When are you joining us again?