Waterfalls

Oh its tough out here, we had a shower in a waterfall today, it was cold and refreshing, and like a massage on your back. We are loving Chaing Mai and will stay here a while i think. We are going to ride Mountain bikes down the heighest mountain in Thailand, and go rock climbing this week. (Sorry Sams Dad - I will look after her)
Woohhoooooo.
'hav it !
Chris

Elephants and Bananas

Hello everyone!!!
We went on a trek today and it was great!! All this time I've really been looking forward to elephant trekking and we did it today! We strated our day at 8.30a, when we where picked up by a jeep with another couple and whilst they said it would be air conditionned it didn't matter because we where at the back in the open air. But never mind that because it was actually a perfect day, not humid but warm and lovely.
After a fast ride that resembeled something at Alton Towers we arrived at the elephant farm!! It was sooooo amazing! We felt a bit bad when we had to step on the elephants neck to get on it but then our "driver" actually SAT on its head the whole journey!
But they are very strong, smaller than African elephants, and also unlike african elepahnts, they have two humps on their heads (which the Thais assured us made them more intelligent), and also only the males have tusks. We fed them loads of bananas and sugar cane (there was a MASSIVE spider in the first banana bag that scared me a bit!). We trekked through the jungle and the river.
Then we were lucky enough to meet a one day old elephant!! He was sooo cute, his eyes where hardly open and he was a bit like me when I'm tired, just bumping into things and a bit doppey (see the photo of him).

This has been the best day yet, we visited a hill tribe, "showered" in a beautifull waterfall and then we went bamboo rafting, and it made my day when Chris fell in the river and got left behing on a rock whilst we floated down the river!! (Poor thing had to come a long way to get back on!!).

Love Sam xxx

Weapon Of Mass Destruction...

You can see why bird flu isn't being contained here, chickens run free absolutley everywhere, you get a live turkey eating lunch with you here! We are living life on the edge!

Back from the beach..

After 11 great days at the beach, we are back in Bangkok. Its not so bad this time, i think we have aclimatised. But its great to get some pollution back in the lungs, as soon as we got here we both stopped a tuk tuk so we could have a suck on its exhaust - feels good, there is nothing like a good dose of bad air - not!
As soon as we got here we went to a bar and had 2 pints of Chang for 50p, and shortly afterwards a rabbit joined us, it was quite surreal, but i guess if dogs love Sam then its rabits that like me - I am the hombre conejo (Rabbit man) - it didnt have fleas but quite a small tail, which Sam doesnt reckon would match up to the other rabbits tails on her Rabbit tail scarf (Sorry Cat Del Campo, and Trishas little girls).
We were sat in the Gecko Bar having our Changs in fact, most the bars are called Gecko, that Sam was inspired (much to my dismay) to write the first almost copy written Gecko Training only product - Managing upwards - with a beach twist.
Anyway - we are going to check emails now - so if you are reading this and you havent written to us yet - then feel the guilt. Then maybe we will pop down Kohsan rd for some piercings and tattoos - only joking Marge & Farge - Sam tested the waters and it didnt go down very well.
Laters
Chris and Salmon Packwood.

La Mujer Perro

There are lots of dogs in Koh Samet (the animal sort). They have fleas, ticks, and are generally bald from all the scratching they do. It's to our great enjoyment that atleast twice a day there is a good dog fight on the beach where dogs from neighbouring bays meet in their own cannine version of fight club - everyone on the beach gathers round to watch. However they all have one thing in common ...... they love Sam! No matter where we sit on the beach the dogs will walk for miles just to come and sit next to Sam. I find it hilarious, but Sam being Sam hates it. It reached a climax today when a quite decent looking mongrel strolled up to Sam, who was sat on her sarong shuffling the cards, and took a dump right next to her! Then looked at her lovingly. Sams scream could be heard 12 bays away, and my laughter can still be heard now.
Anyway - apart from that we are still having a great time, we have just had a massive steak, squid, salad, potatoes, and too many beers all for about 6 quid, we are off now for some more.
Leaving Samet tomorrow for one party night in Banghot, then on a sleeper train up to Chaing Mai.
Over and out
Chris.

P.S Mujer Perro means 'dog woman'.

My Tattoo

Well I can't believe it! Of all the other posts that are up there this one gets no less than 7 comments!!!!! Well I think that judging by the comments you'll be glad to know that the tattoo now has a somewhat vintage look to it. Yes the cocktail of insect repellent and factor 8 has fadded it somewhat!
Dad, I was soo worried about you in particular, but your post really made me laugh...maybe I could get it done for real then if you're going to have it on your arm!!!
Ok, end of.

Sam xxx

Look what else is new..

A tough start to the week...

The alarm didn;t go off on Monday morning, so we had to get up at ten o'clock and have our fully cooked breakfast. Then we hit the beach for an hours kayak surfing, then the tide came in so we had to sit on a deckchair with our feet getting wet!
We had a few beers to get over the traumatic Monday we were having. And then we fell asleep for a bit because we were so tired from all the Sun, but then a quick dip in the sea sorted us out for a few drinks at night, in front of a movie in a local bar.
Tuesday was much the same, as was Wednesday, only today we had an hour long massage each.
We've taken to drinking beers whilst stood in the sea, thinking of the weather back home (see attached photo).
Not got much to write as we havent' done much these few days, but to think about what we might do with the next 355 days.
Oh and we've played about 40 games of Uno.


The Packwoods
P.S. Tomorrow we might go on a boat trip, you know, do something different...

Chris' ideal day

Chris had his ideal day yesterday. He got up in the morning, had a run, a big hearty breakfast, and then we went on an exploring adventure. The mission was to walk all the way around Koh Samet Island, but did we take the dirt track or find other routes? Find other routes of course!!!
So what did we actually do yesterday? Well, we climbed some rocks, and then we climbed some rock, more rocks, ROCKS..Jungle, rocks, jungle, rocks..... and so on. It would have been ok but I felt kind of vulnerable in my orange sequenned bikini and my new fake Channel shades!

Eventually we got to a new resort (unfinnished) which we had read about, it's AMAZING! It had luxury bungalows with their own infinity pools, private gardens, jacuzzi's and cost 400 pounds per night to stay there. But once we'd dribbled a bit, it was time to somehow find our way back to our little room, we found the track and we must have looked really knackered because a taxi offered to take us back for free.

Then we went out and had a few too many whiskey and cokes, so many that we played 5 rounds of connect 4 and the looser (me) had to do a dare. So thanks to Jon Helm for the head torch which I had to wear for the rest of the night reggardless of being in well lit bars!!!

Ok, that's it for now.

Sam x

Its a bit cloudy today.. :o)

Motorbike.

Yesterday i learnt how to ride a motorbike. We had decided to move from out current room which we renamed to something i can't write after we spent 1 night there. The toilet would flush but then fill up with more yellow water, which smelt like it looked, I have no idea why this happend, but all the same it was rank.
So yesterday we walked further round the island and found a really nice airconditioned, hot shower, clean toilet bungalow with a tv and fridge for 800B a night (about 10 pounds). Anyway we had to get from one end of the island to the other, and carry our bags in 30 degree heat back along the beach to our new bungalow. I thought it would be easier if I hired a motorbike and went and got the bags while Sam waited. Being a bit cocky, i jumped on the bike expecting it to be just like riding a bike but without having to peddle. I made a bit of a fool out of myself as i pelted off up a bank in front of about 10 thai children (all wetting themselves with laughter), my immediate reaction was to put my feet on the floor, however this is not a good ide when the brake is on the foot rests. With no brakes, and alot more power than expected i hurtled off down the most uneven dirt trak you can imagine. The trip back to the bags wasnt much fun. I eventually got a bit more used to it, but then had to ride the bike with a 75 litre rucksack on my back.
Anyway - i made it, and we spend our first night in our new bungalow last night, and it was great.

Cambodian Lizard Catchers.

Koh Samet has just started its own bi monthly magazine. I read it on the beach yesterday, and it had me in stitches, the types of articles they have on a small island. One of them was 'Police Foil Poachers' It read :
Ko Samet Police in conjunction with the Royal Thai national park gurads have foiled a dastardly polt to catch and illegally export thousands of geckos from the island.
Four Chinese nationals, two cambodian lizard catchers, and a Bosnian national have all be detained or questioning.
It is believed the lizards were destined for expensive dinner tables in Hong Kon, where the current market price for geckos is 30B whole, or 45B filleted :O(
This is the third incident involving Geckos in 2005. In January 6 men, three women, and thirty six minors were captured 'green handed' in the jungle nera Ao Proa (a bay on Samet). In thier posession were 400 geckos, lizard cathing parapheania, a GSM radar, and ...wait for it.... 14 bottles of Thai wiskey!?

I like the sound of the job 'Cambodian Lizard Catcher' and may use that when asked to write my occupation on any official forms.

Ko Samet

We've come home! We've found ourselves the most amazing beach!
After the stinky pollution of Bangkok we've landed in Ko Samet, and thank God!! We thought travelling was going to be pants but this is a really beautiful island with white sand, the sand has a higher content of silicone than normal so it's amazingly white and so clean that it squeaks like snow under your feet.
The austin powers style bus (which broke down for about 2 hours) was well worth it, Ko Samet is idilyc the water is crystal clear and warm and the Chang beer is cold and cheap (40p for a glass). I saw a weird jellyfish that looked like a giant eyelash, but it didn't get me, the stinging on my legs was just the combination of the razor plus 90%DEET insect repellent coming together with the sea salt in a spicy concoction!
Plus, it's my birthday today so we're going on a big one tonight once we've got off the net.

Lots of love,

Sam xxxxxx

Hello, just a quicky from me, as Sam seems to be doing all the typing. Very glad to be here for 11 days, of baking in the Sun, drinking coconut juice and swimming in the sea. Hi to everyone at home still at work !! Hahahahaha, Im just getting into the idea that we still have 362 days left of this....and who says we will come home then ! Sorry mom.

I have put a mosquito bite count on the right, so keep checking the blog. Will check back soon with some photos.
Chris

Don't panic

We are going to Koh Samet tomorrow and they only have satellite phones which means that calling and internet cost a fortune. We are going for 11 days, so...if you don't hear from us...don't panic we're just sunbathing.

Day 2 in Banghot!!

Hi it's Sam here,

Now it's my turn at the keyboard whilst Chris has a manicure-pedicure! Only joking he's off to buy me some secret presents for my birthday tomorrow, though I think I can probably guess what they might be because all the shope sell pretty similar things here (sarongs, thai fishing pants, jewelry and flip-flops!).

We went to the Grand Palace today, it was stunning. Everything is made of gold little tiles and coloured stones, it's very colourful and very lavish. We saw an emerald Buddah which was amazing, and there where lots of elephant statues at the fronts of the buildings (protecting them). The down side about the place was that I had to rent "appropriate" clothing to get in which made me look ridiculous and I was very hot with my little yellow dress from Marbella underneath a shirt and long skirt (melting!!). I also discovered why in films you see Thai girls walking with very little steps...those skirts made me do the same walk, it was hilarious! There's no way you could kick anybody wearing them!

Talking of kicking, we went to a Thai boxing match last night, it was great!! I loved it, apart from when the really small ones fight (100 pounds only! I weigh more than that!), then it was like watching a playground fight.
But it was atmospheric and there was lots of shouting and betting, and one guy got knocked out pretty much straight away (but I missed it, I was in the loo).

I had my first curry today, I asked to have it mild, I am petrified of getting a bad stomach which is why all I've done is eat cheese and ham toasties up til now. Even where we got the toasties we saw a rat run past our table (yuck!!! Dad- you would starve here!).

Today we also fell for the "really cheap tuk-tuk via the thai fashion factory" trick, I mean, can you believe it!!!? We've known all about it and we actually saw it coming but we ended up there somehow anyway, though it was very funny because they wheren't getting anything out of Chris at all. "Do you ever wear trousers sir?" NO "Do you ever wear a shirt?" NO

Ok that's it for now. Lots of love,

Sam x

Banghot Day 1

I wore a 3 piece morning suit in 40 degree heat in Spain when i got married, and was no where near this hot !! We arrived yesterday, after a shocking night on the aeroplane, i stayed sober wanting to know if longhaul felt any better sober. It doesn't. We then spent 2 hours at immigation, then nearly died 3 times in the taxi. We are staying in Shanti Lodge, its pretty cool.
We went to the tourist office this morning to book ourselves onto the nearest beach a.s.a.p. We are going to Ko Samet (small island) on 16th for Sams birthday, and staying there for 11 days before coming back to Bangkok for 1 night to pick up Visas then on the overnight sleeper train to Chaing Mai.
I am in a dodgy intenet cafe on the Khosan road having a beer while Sam is getting a peddicure, manicure, and massage. ณงทาดิดิดเ กักิกมแ% กิกอ. ท่ **** knows what happened there! You can't see the english keys on this keyboard, i've found out 5 years working with computers was useful for something, as it turns out i can touch type.
I did't bring the right clothes. I am wearing Sams flipflops and some long trousers and no pants. Not good. Seriously though i can't get over how hot it is, it stinks alot aswell, I haven`t drank any snakes blood yet, but I'm doing that tonight after i have taken am top some Thai boxing.
Went on two wicked tuk tuk rides.
Going to Grand Palace tomorrow, and i think that will take all my effort so may have to just sit and drink beer afer that.
Anyway, hope you all are enjoying your Monday. Hahaahhahahhh (endless laughter). Hi to Marge & Farge - sorry haven`t rung will this do?
Laters Peeps
Over and out.
I must really smell by now.
Chris

About to take off....

We are waiting outside the Gate in Heathrow about to catch our flight at 9:25. When we booked in BA offered us £810, a night in a hotel with expenses to catch the same flight tomorrow night because they had over booked the flight. Tempted but we've been waiting 6 years to catch this flight - so one day longer was too much. Had a quick drink with VJ who is off to Melbourne (26 HOUR FLIGHT !!!) Nutter. Anyway have to board now.
Laters

Last Day in UK.

My ipod arrived ! Our flight is at 9:25 tonight to Bangkok, we are going for one last English pub lunch then heading to Heathrow, can`t wait to get to Bangkok and drink some snakes blood and eat a spider.

ipod missing in Amsterdam.

2 weeks ago i ordered a 60GB Black Video ipod, I wanted to take it travelling with me. I've spent ages downloading music for it, and converting videos to watch on it. Its just a shame that the frikkin' thing is still in Amsterdam!! Apple have an order tracking service, which is probably worse than not knowing where it is at all! I check the tracking service about 4 times a day, hoping to see that my order has atleast arrived in the UK, but all it says is that it's 'out for delivery' in Amsterdam, and has been since Monday.
If it doesn't arrive before Saturday i think this may of been the biggest waste of money ever.
Gutted.
Chris

I'm soooooooo EXCITED!!!!!!!!

Today was our last day at work!!! Can you believe it? I can't! We're now enjoying the lovely bottle of Veuve the girls at work bought us, whilst we finish some of our a million and one chores.
I'm doing admin whilst Chris is packing away the kitchen, and Trinny and Suzanna are sorting out middle aged men in the background!
I have to say that for the first time today I am actually starting to feel like this is real and we are actually going to do it, after 6 years of talking about it...we're off!!!
I think it'll really hit me on the 11 hour flight so, Ruth if you could tell me the trick to solving Sudoku puzzles I'd be really greatful. I love them but they are giving me a nose bleed!!!

Ok that's it for my first entry, i promise to make the next ones more substantial - all emotion at the moment.

Lots of love,

Sam

P.S. Don't worry Becky, I'll take Chris everywhere and especially down dark allies as you suggested!

Leaving Party

The Dress code was 'something to do with countries we are travelling to'. (From left) Andy as an Australian, Brian as Las Vegas fruit machine, Ian from the States, and Mike didn`t dress up.
Party was ace, drank far too much, and have burn markes on my knees and feet from having a dance-off against Harry. Everyone made and effort and looked great, it was sad to say bye to you all.
Laters