You gain strength,
courage, and
confidence by every experience in which
you really stop to
look fear in the face.


Eleanor Roosevelt

Last week

I've enjoyed eating Mexican food, and good sushi, had bbqs and watched 4th of July fireworks. Been to the beach and shopped, played with the girls who keep everyone very busy! Rode on a Harley and swam in a pool, sunbathed and stayed in the shade...it's been hot!

Mum keeps asking is travelling all you expected, but it's been more, more than I could ever have imagined. My experiences, the laughs, the people I've met and places I've seen and then the hard times, missing people, nearly being killed by Malyasian drivers and being so, so sick! But it's all been worth it...and there's so much more to see!

Forget a mortgage I'm saving up for my next trip!

Life's a beach!

Suzi big adventure in the States

so far have been:
. Not seeing Pammy Anderson as I was looking at my phone (she was driving the opposite way)
. Having lunch in Malibu with a lunch portion size big enough for a small family
. Loving the weather
. Seeing all the Radens clan incl their massive Irish wolfhound Magnus or maybe Scottish, who knows who cares. He's bloody big though (like a small bear or horse) and is smelly, hairy, likes to sniff your crotch a lot!
. Playing chalks on the driveway with little Finks (that's Chelsey's 2 lovely girls)
. Dancing to the sound of music and watching Chitty, Chitty bang bang!
. Buying cheap razors and toothpaste
. Waking up at 12am then 4am then 7am o what fun jet lag is
. Getting a wax for the beach ouch...
. Painting toenails with the little Finks
. Eating good, cheap Mexican food (miss Tim Tams)
. Remembering how much I love California

and writing lists

Bye Oz

The settlers here really didn't try to be original, why go to a new country and call neighbourhoods the same as home?

On the train to the Blue Mountains I saw Stanmore, Lewisham, Petersham, Regents park, Hyde park. Come on!

The mountains were awesome and the nearby town had a Aboriginal name well either that of there's a small town in England called Kootumba? I had a great hike into the mountains and falls but there was no way I was getting on the cable car with a glass bottom. I hate flying as it is...call me a chicken I don't care!

Speaking of flying I'm in Sydney airport writing this, waiting for my 3.5 hour flight to Auckland then 5 hour stopover then 12 hours to LA O bloody joy. The good thing is I'm going back in time so leaving at 1130am and arrive 230pm LA time goody!

I can't believe the time here has gone so quickly and I'm leaving with a sense that there's so much to see here. I miss Caroline like my left leg (I wouldn't miss my right one as the knee always hurts) I'll have to come back and see her fabulous house and pool and maybe next time not some to Oz in winter.

My tan has faded :(

I have loved Sydney though and had a few beautiful days walking around the harbour and the botanical gardens where I saw bats the size of dinosaurs (can't think of the name of the flying one)

Great to see Becky and meet Grant we had lots of fun watching telly and shouting at the crap Aussie ads. 

Ok before I go one for you, why woiuld anyone in their right mind blow up an inflatable travel neck cushion and walk around tha airport with it on!

Better go board

Bye Oz

Meat

I ate pork, chicken, beef, lamb, prawns, mussels, more chicken and chicken hearts!

We went to a Brazilian all you can eat meat buffet for a birthday party! I feel I need to detox for a year! There was also rice, potato salad and beans by why waste valuable space in my tummy with carbohydrates. I did have to stop prematurely as I was SO full!

Now I know this isn't painting a pretty picture of my trip as all I seem to do is eat Tim Tams, drink red wine and have meat feast but I reassure you I don't do it with a clear conscious but my jeans still fit so it's all good!

Whale watching was great, we saw two humpbacks they were awesome to watch the still only broken by this stupid Aussie man who kept talking really loud on his mobile to another boat about the location of the whales even though the other man wasn't that far away and would've been able to see the whales and us. I don't know why this man didn't just shout across the ocean it would've saved him money... and speaking of that I called Alan on my mobile last night. The fog of drink not considering how expensive it will be (worth every penny)

Right I'm fasting and not spending any money again!

I do miss my clothes though on another note. I am wearing very mismatched outfits. Wasn't expecting the chill here in Aus. I don't know why I'm worried Manly isn't exactly Milan, Aussies don't have the best dress sense. Who said shorts, trainers and white ankle socks were acceptable?

I'm going, bit hungry think I'll break my fast for a Thai green curry(vegetables)

today, yesterday and tomorrow

Today I'm going to make an extra special effort to be funny for Becky's benefit, I told her to read my blog as that people have been telling me it's funny.

So how can I make my easy going day in Manly exciting...it involved a trip to the mall, a walk, a coffee, Thai green curry for lunch and a massage. I did have extra chili on my curry which was exciting for my eyeballs.

Seeing Becky's old pad way fairly exciting, we met the old man estate agent cretin who she doesn't like and I'd be surprised if anyone he meets does.

Then we watched the rugby sitting on two sofas with a mixture of her Australian friends drinking beer and eating takeaway...my Australian dream is finally complete. I enjoyed the rugby especially the before the match shots of the changing rooms, no girls I do not lie!

So to finish my exciting times I am off to see the opera house and harbour bridge and all the other tourist shitz over there. May get a flat white on the way yes espresso excitement.

We're whale watching tomorrow...I'm pretty bloody excited about that and then going to an all you can eat meat fest in the evening.

Ok sorry Becky this post wasn't that funny
I'll try better next time

That's where I am now...

Staying in Manly with Becky...called Manly because the Aborigines that once inhabited were 'manly'. Yes is it that obvious, clever English settlers. It's a great neighbourhood, having fun wondering around the beaches and shops, due to a slight hangover (haven't seen Becky for year and a half) I'm taking it easy today will embrace to tourist trail tomorrow.

Bondi=aborigine word for when the wave breaks.
(I've been reading my guide book :)

Sydney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wonders

about some of the people reading her blog

Hello my name is Suzanne and

I'm addicted to Tim Tams

done with hostels...

So the first night was ok with two girls in the lodge type room with the swamp 'lakeside cottage', yeah right! I was warned not to leave any food out because of mice and cockroaches. It rained and rained all night, like monumental, world coming to an end sort of rain! And it didn't stop all day...but I still loved Byron.

Second night wasn't so good there were more ladies in the room, one who was in the upstairs bunk from me and was playing some sort of weird computer game at 1am in the morning I asked her to put in headphones which she didn't like, meanwhile an Irish woman was talking to her boyfriend and going over the same things again and again.

"so is that it then, are we ending it?"
"I don't want to do this shit again"
"ok so this is it"
"well it's up to you"
"I'm sick of this shit"
"My battery is running out"

yes peace finally...then she plugs her phone in

"so is that it then, are we ending it?"
"I don't want to do this shit again"
"ok so this is it"
"well it's up to you"
"I'm sick of this shit"
"My battery is running out"

At this point I wanted to grab the phone fuck off the both of you I'm trying to sleep!

"ok I've plugged it in"
"right then I'll see you tomorrow"

Seriously after all that!

At 3am silence finally...I look up at the dolphins on the mattress above my head and say to myself I'm done with hostels

Adventures have been put on hold...

I have been given shelter by my big sis while I recover from hurting my back.

I will be going to Sydney when I can walk and get one of those old granny trolleys for my bag.

Watch this space...

B B

Made it to Byron bay...sad farewell to my lovely sis and her lovely hubbie.

Bus was quick, but far from the luxury it describes on the web. I have to sleep on the bloody thing on Friday! Got to the hostel and my worse nightmare greeted me in the way of underpants, socks, beer bottles, surf boards all over the floor of the dorm and the distinct odour of men.

Thing is, I liked sharing my room with my brothers (most of the time) and I don't mind a certain man in my room, but not 5 of them and I'm not paying for the privilege!

I walked out of the hostel thinking it's only 23 pounds I'll loose, I'll go somewhere else. Then told the reception. A lovely woman took pity on my plight and has put me in the female only lakeside cottage (sounds nice but the lake is really a swamp)

Byron bay is really nice, hippy, sleepy beach town.
Hit the gym, then the pizza, then the glass of red wine that were all on offer at the budda bar adjacent to the hostel.

So tomorrow will be the gym, a massage and trying not to spend too much money in the cute shops! Well I can only try...

title

It's confirmed I am funny and I'm off on another adventure tomorrow.

It's my last night with Cazza Mazza :(

So hopefully I'll make it to Byron bay and not end up in a suitcase out in the bush, like all those freaky stories you hear about backpackers in Australia! Let's hope the bus doesn't break down in the bush and leave us all to die of thirst. I don't even know if we'll be driving in the bush, it maybe motorway all the way, 1000km I'm going! (but bush sounds better, right?)

Why am I getting on another bus?
Seriously why the f*** am I getting on another bus
and spending the night on it too!

F***!!!!
and another hostel o jesus it better be nice or Hilton here I come, my credit card is my new friend so it won't mind.

a bus and a hostel f**** b****** c****
I'm sure it will be fine

Stay tuned
and if I don't blog tomorrow send out the search party into the bush, not sure where that is but do it!

Suzi in 3rd person

.... hasn't been having that many adventures lately, in fact Suzi has become accustomed to a state of pure relaxation.

Milo the puppy interjects all the time with games of jumping for the hoop, running one way then another, then another and biting feet, socks, shoes, fruit skins, carpets, pillows, fingers and his favourite game of catching Suzi's sexy knickers and running them through the house into the garden with this look of pure mischief! (it took a while that time for her to retrive them) little Cujo!

So Suzi has been having some adventures with 'the dog' (that one's for Caroline :) she is also reading another book and thoroughly enjoying it. Her weekend was fuelled with a lot of wine, who needs dinner? and an exercise video that was so cheesy she almost vommited all of last nights wine on the cream carpet.

Suzi is taking off on an adventure to Sydney on Wednesday, a greyhound bus will be taking her to Byron bay for 2 nights, then Coffs harbour for a day then overnight to Syndey (that bus better be comfy, although she do have some night nurse to put her to sleep)

A moving reunion with Becky in Sydney is the plan and the good news people...

Well, Suzi maybe coming home early
If you read my blog then I'll tell you when!

If you don't then whatever! You've been missing out!

Suzi is very funny, she makes herself laugh out loud while she writes her blog. People have told her she is funny too, but she wonders if perhaps they are just saying that to be nice and really they only read her blog so that when she returns they can pretend they know what she has been doing, then she won't then bore them with long winded stories about her travels. Ha I don't think so, she plans to bore you all silly.

Right now Caroline, Suzi's sister is making a cup of tea and forcing Suzi to eat a Tim Tam...(or two)

Brisbane

Loved it! galleries, coffee, south bank & Lorna Jane

not much

Did a 3 hour workout to get rid of the pie...now have to run tomorrow to get rid of the evil Tim Tams! Spent the day sunbathing (know you all don't want to hear that) But you'll be glad to know Sydney is chilly and I'm heading there next (without a jacket)

I'm loving the down time here relaxing and enjoying the house, my bedroom and having my own bathroom. Soon I'll be in a dorm room in Byron bay trying to figure out how to undress without anyone seeing and finding my toothbrush in the bloody dark!

And in answer to my previous question you should always go for bottom bunk..this gives you more room to access your pack and you don't have to climb some dodgy ladder in the middle of the night!

Off to watch today's Home and Away.

Meat pie

I ate one today and ticked off another thing to do in Oz. It was steak and mushroom flavour and even though it was expensive it tasted damn good! I polished it off with a milkshake :) (gym tomorrow)

We were on mount Tambourine and the views were amazing as Andrew said "if the world wasn't round you could see Perth"

We just sat and watched 5 episodes of Home and away or 'gays' as they fondly refer to it here. Another tick in the to do box. But seriously, has anyone watched Home and Away recently? It's gripping stuff even if the story line does revolve around 17 year olds and very bad storylines I enjoyed it!

Did you know kangaroos are soft?

Well they are, super soft and gentle. Obviously these are the ones I met at the wildlife sanctuary and not the wild ones you find in the bush, but I just didn't expect them to be so soft. The koalas were very cute and pooed on me when I had my picture taken with them. I saw walabies too and a massive croc called big Al (he was very, very big)

We came home and had a roast chook and played singstar which is now my new favourite thing. I don't care what anyone says I have a beautiful voice and singstar knows it!

I look into your eyes and the seas open up to me...

Rain on the gold coast

Yes I'm not lying I thought Australia was hot and I would see Uluroo from my bedroom window in the far off desert. But no such thing apparently there are kangaroos here too but I've only seen a dead one on the road (anyone for a roo burger?) my first bloody kangaroo dead!

So I am sampling the Australia wine which is of great importance. Got a nice glass of red right now.

Apparently going to a Koala zoo tomorrow (that's if they exist)
Got some new pink ugg boots for a belated birthday present and I am wearing them, in Australia may I remind you!

No shrimps on the barbie here it's too bloody cold and a family of mice have moved into it (Andrew's beast of a barbie) Caroline is now driving a beast, tank whatever it's big and black!

Milo is their little jack russell he likes to find my knickers and socks and run around the house with them, he also likes Caroline's fancy pillows. We took him for a walk today and he had his blue rain jacket on (gay) We had flips on and got wet but he was dry and that's the main thing.

Got to go my glass of red is calling

Last day in Asia...

Spent having lots and lots of coffee...a gym workout, some chicken, the Singapore art gallery, walking a lot, another coffee and sponge cake thing, shopping didn't buy much, another coffee then the Singapore flyer (their version of the London eye) At night: very cool. Another Indian dinner with a Kingfisher beer mmmmm internet. Bed...5 hours sleep then flying to Aus doubt I'll sleep much. So very excited!

Mash potato at the cinema

That's what I ate last night!

I had the best day yesterday, went to a mall out of town and did a climbing course so finally I can belay Nicky! Loved the climbing as always anything to do with competition and activity!

I had my hair done for seriously cheap...for the ladies: a cut, blowdry and full head of highlights for under 40 quid! Then as I was coming home late on the bus listening to a bit of Gn'R I thought about watching Terminator and realising it's in cinema's I went and got the LAST ticket!

Yes all my favourite things in one day, I previously have never been to the movies alone especially not on a Saturday night but I loved it!

The only tricky thing was sitting front row, but the mash potato made up for that :)

brushing your teeth

I had to dedicate one blog to this...

Have you ever thought about the time when you are brushing your teeth. It's the point in the day when you stand still and could be anywhere. Your mind can wonder...

Over the last 2 and a half months (can you believe it) I have brushed my teeth is some funky places and not always bathrooms...This was my reflection standing outside our hut looking out onto jungle and listening to the sounds (not just of me brushing my teeth)

Well whetever it made sense at the time and now just sounds odd :)
Laters...

I'm back to civilisation...

Concreate walls have never seemed so welcoming and not being eaten alive by mossies EVERY time you step out is amazing (and sit on the loo). I was starting to look like one of those dot to dot drawings you do as a kid, yes I did put insect repellent on but they seem to track down that one, tiny f***** spot where there isn't any and have a party! I was sitting in a restaurant and felt a sting on my neck, from it came a mossie dead of course and my blood with it...well they say travelling is made up of these experiences...hmmmm

I was glad to leave the jungle my clothes were starting to smell and nothing drys there so no hand washing!

I am glad to have been though. I did an amazing snorkelling trip and swam with sharks, something I never imagained I would. They were reef sharks about a metre to metre and half long. They swam around underneath us, and were frightening but beautiful. We also had a glimpse of stingrays. turtles and many bright, colourful fish. I loved it!

I ate pizza :) yum and watched movies in a bar...there really isn't much else to do on the island.
So my flight to Kuala Lupor was easy bit delayed but so good to be here.

It appears to be a shoppers heaven! My credit card is calling..."suzi, suzi, you want me...use me you know you want to"

Tomorrow I leave for Singapore and my tummy does a flip when I think I'll be off to Aus on Tuesday and seeing Caroline! I am SO excited!

So I'm off to find the indoor climbing wall I read about and a gym and workout all the lack of exercise over the past week yuck! Beach life eh...

It's hot and wet

here in the jungle, we have a hut on the hill and it's raining so the walkway turned into a river!
We are very isolated here but have MASSIVE lizards (I'm talking dinosaurs) and flying squirrels for company. I dread having to use the loo in the night.

The island is beautiful so I'm spending time reading and sunbathing!

fucking minivan driver

sorry I don't usually swear but fuck this man nearly killed me today (and a cow) apparently that is the way you drive in Malaysia he shouted at us as we sat terrified!

I am never getting on a minivan again!

I'm on the Perintian islands, the sea is turquoise and very beautiful. The huts are ok...hard comparing them to Thailand as we were lucky there.

Nice to be by the sea again and even better that there are no mopeds here.

Tea, scones and curry

Yes you heard it right I had tea and scones at a tea plantation today!

No I am not in the Cotswolds...still in Malaysia honest!

The factory was very interesting and all that, so was the walk up there, but the tea and scones were first priority! The tea cafe was a bit like regents park zoo cafe during half term but with lots and lots of Malaysians who seem more aggressive and louder than Thais.

The hotel we are staying at reminds me or somewhere I stayed with Caroline when I was very young in Bath (I think) It does sound quant and could be if it wasn't for the cheap toursit tack everywhere, blow up strawberries, crap keyrings and bits of wood. Not my thing

Although you may all like blow up strawberries so expect them as presents

heat, curries and colonial buildings falling down

My first impression of Penang!

I'm staying at old Penang an impressive building with a grand staircase. Walked to little India and was greeted with the blare of bangra and the need to buy bindis, saris, bangles and cheap bollywood dvds!

We had curry and today plan on exploring the town more...it's a far cry from the chilled islands of Thailand. The moped drivers here would happily have your life.

Did I mention it's hot...and as it's a Muslim country I'm having to cover up.

Tomorrow we leave at 6am to the Cameron highlands an old English colony where we can have high tea, pick strawberries and admire butterfly's.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameron_Highlands

I've managed to find Josie and it's great to have my travel partner again!

On my way...

To Malaysia.

Woke up hungover, breakfast with Tij. Then wedged onto a hot minivan 3 hours to Trang, 2 to Hat Yai got another 4 to Penang. Makes the drive to Wales seem easy. Bored on the bus thinking about Thailand, reflecting.

The chili battles we had and how hot can you make your green curry. One day I swear my eyeballs were sweating!

The mopeds, me riding miss Tijen Daisy and the Thai people having competitions with eachother on how reckless can they be. I've seen people smoking, drinking, eating, chatting on phone and sometimes doing all of these things at the same time. I've seen 4 people on one, dogs in baskets, a monkey, a man carrying a birdcage and the best was last night a woman carrying an ironing board! Then there are the children that sit wedged between people or hanging on for dear life on the back.

The word for foreigner is farrang!
So the people talk in front of you and say ferrang this ferrang that I think they think we don't know what they are saying...errrr HELLO!
The people are great though, friendly, helpful and loud!

I like Thailand but I'm happy to move on, I had a debate about going back to continue muay Thai training but think I should explore and travel as that's what I set out to do.

I am now in a crap town killing an hour and missing home for the first time.

Travelling with Tijen and the iodine incident

Koh Phanghan 6am...SMASH! she dropped her bowl of Frosties while fishing out her comb she dropped down the wooden slats....is she ready, is she? "Is everyone waiting for me?" she says surprised. We head to pier and she forgotten her water...get on ferry she heads to the loo and drops all her hair pins into it. Made me sit in the rain on the top deck of the ferry, discovered her sharp kitchen knife (she bought in Tesco for some reason) sticking out of my bag she's using...opens the bag downstairs and it's tore through her bum bag too. She wraps up the knife and then discovers the iodine leaking into a smaller bag..cleans it and covers her hands, feet, legs in it and looks a shade of yellow (which she thought was hilarious) meanwhile I am relaxing and eating snacks that taste like perfume and disgusted at the way Thai men spit all the time.

We get off and have destination stickers for koh Lanta which is now in Tijen's armpit and she still has the remains of her breakfast yogurt on her chin, she's complaining about a bite on her face and a blister on her toe from new flip flop (the old ones she kicked in the sea at full moon party)

I still love her to quote: like a monkey loves a banana

The battle of the sand, the bird and sweeping

Ok, I'll try and be more entertaining as I have had a complaint.

Every night in my bed Tijen has a battle with sand. It's in our bed so we brush it away then it comes back from this unknown source...she battles on, we put the mosquito net up sealing ourselves in and there's sand, so she brushes again. Opening the net to brush it away, then it returns so she brushes again, puts on the fan and there's more in our bed (I'm asleep by this point) she lies down completely exhausted from all this effort, hot and sweaty "but look, feel Suzi there's more fucking sand!"

It is futile as we have discovered sand gets into:
Your bag, toes, ears, sunscreen, bed, belly button, crevices, food, electrical items, books, bed, whatever you lie on, the floor, bed....etc

So the bird just a quick mention Da, the Thai woman who owns the hut we're staying in has a bird. It chats away to itself all day and whistles, but without a doubt the best thing it does is beeps like a moped horn. I am not kidding all day you think there are mopeds on the hill stuck in traffic.

Sweeping in my new favourite thing, I sweep our hut (sometimes the bed) and our balcony regularly, Tijen sweeps the bathroom water as it collects in one corner. We make a great team!

and that's it for today. It's raining and I don't like whizzing about on the moped in rain and sand!
o and by the way my days consist of lying on the beach working on my tan.

I hope this blog entry is better I aim to please......(you know who you are)

Just chilling...........................................................................................................................................................................................

As i lie here..

Tijen is typing for me. Due to the fact I haven't been able to stand up, walk, or do anything useful today. And this is due to the fact I went to the Full moon party last night and got utterly trashed. This may surprise some of you but I felt the need as I haven't seen Tijen for quite some time now (She of course stayed as sober as a nun ;-).

The day began with a hard day on the beach. Doing all those difficult activities like:
Reading
Sunbathing
snoozing
eating
The next highlight of my day was my skype date with a hot Irishman. The heavens then opened and it rained and it rained. I was told it was a tropical storm as I was unaware of this.

We took a taxi Haad Rin (paaaartieee central) and met Tijen at the pier. Everyone looked on as we jumped, squelled, hugged and clapped hands (like two 16 year olds) Anyone would think I enjoyed the hairy reckless rollercoaster ride that was the taxi's as we had to take one back to our hut and then back to party town again.
We then bought fluorecent paint and met up with two Brits and drank vodka and decorated ourselves with smiley faces, flowers, snakes, dots, hears, spirals, butterflies, lighting, rainbows. The artistic award goes to... Josie! For writing love and hate on her knuckles. Prisoner style. And Tijen very kindly drew me a big heart with A.D in it.

Tijen being clever thought she'd buy a buckeet of Thai vodka and Thai red bull. As she was looking a little worse for wear I did the valient thing of drinking it for her.
It all became a bit hazy from this point. I remember thousands of people on the beach, dancing on a podium, being bundled by Tijen into the sea, oh and loosing my new favourite flip flops.
I think we got a taxi back and on the way Tijen fell in the gutter scraping both knees very badly.

Woke up not feeling very clever or smart and found sand in places I never thought possible. Found my trousers outside the hut. I think I threw them out there as they were soaked and sandy but not 100% sure.

Today was a gentle sort of day. I've been horitizontal for most of it and luckily Alan had put movies on my new pod.

Never drinking again...





OK maybe just not out of buckets.

I can see the sea

From where I sit, it's a shade of turquoise with green. We had lunch up here, recovering from Muay Thai. My knuckles are red and I loved every minute of it!

You know me all for a bit of controlled aggression!
Plan on going back tomorrow if I can walk and getting into some serious training.

Off to the beach, the ocean calls and some snorkeling

The islands

I am here!
Finally got myself a hut on the beach West of Koh Phangan.

To get here I took a plane to Bangkok, a Skytrain to the shopping mall there, then a fast, mental tuk tuk to the bus (12hours) a boat to the islands (2hours) a moped to the beach!

I am in a state of pure relaxation after all the travelling over last 7 weeks!
Although that state was altered by my leg wax this evening!

We eat in the market at night for 30 baht! Love the food.
Full moon party onSaturday and meeting Tijen there cannot wait.

I can see how people get stuck here!

It's paradise...

ok I'm going to stop making lists

I've spent the weekend in the capital Vientiane with a gorgeous girl called Ali in her gorgeous house on the Mekong. So amazing all those things those things you take for granted a sink, nice shower, washing machine (sorry I'm making lists again)

So we've had a great weekend, did a 40minute run in the gym which was very exciting, then today did some weights which was even more exciting (these little things:)

We were out on the town last night visited Full Moon Cafe (Steph's favourite joint) and had a burger (hehe) then mojito at a western/Laos pick up joint. It was hilarious and a bit disturbing...then we visited a club that Ali denies she's a regular but I have doubts, this was a classy place, (note the sarcasm) Don Chan Palace built by Koreans!

We didn't stay long..
Off to Bangkok tomorrow 5:30am start! Flying to get visa, then overnight bus to the islands got another day in Bangkok minus riots, yay, will try and see the Grand Palace. Can't wait to be on a beach, relaxing after all the travel and upset tummy.

Will miss Laos especially the bakeries here. Will just have to come back

The traveller wardrobe

. Wristbands from various bars and clubs mixed with ethnic bracelets
. A vest or Tshirt from different destinations, pref a beer logo
. Bare arms and legs, brown with bites and grazes from swings, rocks and falling over pissed.
. Right leg bandaged from moped burn
. Dirty, grubby hair
. Bikini instead of underwear
. Lonely planet in hand
. Tattoos
. Ethnic hairbands, scarfs, bags and clothes
. Headphones
. Facial hair for men
. Underarm hair on women


to be cont....

btw

That is all there is to do here
1. Tubing
2. Watch Friends, Simpsons or Family Guy
3. Get absolutely off your face

Leaving tomorrow

Tubing

What is this phenomenon?
Well apparently it's the THING to do in Vang Vieng (whatever)

Got an inflatable tube jumped in a tuk tuk and headed to the river

Turned up at what I can only describe as down the tubes (get it)

Now what you have to remember is I am sick, even though all I ate yesterday was a biscuit some nuts and a salad sandwich. The thought of drinking just makes me feel worse and want to throw up my salad sandwich which was delicious by the way (not really)

But that was it, getting in your tube and floating down the Nam song river to the various bars. Beautiful backdrop of the mountains and once we got away from Thai style beach party going on it was serene.

Swallowed some river water, nice!
Off to find some sort of dinner and watch reruns of Friends the other THING to do here. So far today I have some muesli and a snickers...great diet

72 hours

Where do I start?
Bowling was a hit I won! Really I did

Then I came home and spent the entire night vomiting my dinner and Lao Lao shots. Felt awful but managed to drag myself onto a bus to Phonsavan... 7 hours of HELL. The mountain roads are bad at the best of times! But I felt sick and had to visit many squat toilets on the way, not great in my situation!

Then we broke down!

Got on a local bus that was hot and smelly...finally at our destination the arse end of Lao not pretty at all and the hostel hmmm basic would be a nice way of putting it.

Mossies and spiders galore and sheets that were a little minging. Didn't eat all day.
Tuesday: Video about Lao and the secret war, did you know Laos is the most bombed country in the world ever! Took a tour to Mong tribal village where they use shrapnel for buildings, a quiet place with beautiful children. Trekked to waterfalls spent 2 hours trying to avoid leeches, got one attached to my leg! Walked around many bomb crater sites and even saw 2 cluster boms sitting in fields just waiting to be touched (living on the edge) Finally visited the plain of jars:
"The Plain of Jars remains one of the most dangerous archaeological sites in the world. Unexploded bombs, in particular cluster munitions, the results of massive US bombardment during the Secret War, still cause injuries every week. Visitors can safely visit only three sites, designated Jar Sites 1, 2 and 3, and they should follow signs still warning of unexploded bombs. Many ignore them"

Amazing site, frightening too, still felt sick. Back to hostel bed at 8pm
Up 6am this morning for another bus ride 6 hours, local bus but not feeling too sick anymore.

Suzi's adventure diet: crisps, biscuits and bread in packets.
In Vang Vieng nice hostel with amazing river view and a good toilet just in case. Planning on relaxing now...need it.

Missed home for the first time yesterday

What shall I call my post today?

Not feeling very inspired as I'm a bit tired, had 3 very busy days in a very sleepy town. How? I hear you ask...well.

We got up at 8am had coffee in a bakery o yea a bakery yummy..then organised our onward trips and adventures for the next few days. Went back to hostel to change into temple cloths bumped into numerous pals from the boat (it's a great bonding experience) temples around town, night market. Kayaking the next day, all day on the river!

Trekking today another beautiful waterfall!

Have to go now spent too long on the phone to Tijen and mum and ran out of time.

Off to the plane of jars tomorrow hopefully won't be blown up by a landmine :)

Bowling tonight, the thing to do in Laung Prebang!

Boat to Laos

Hell:a boat from Thailand to Laos
2 days of heat, bodies everywhere packed in. Sleeping, eating, playing cards and drinking.

Tested my patience to extremes and when it all couldn't get worse we booked into a crap hostel with no electricity: no fan!

4am woke by Josie a cockraoch had crept across her, had to catch a flying cockroach. Got even hotter!

Day 2 bit better no beer being spilt on me.
Practised the power of visualisation...me in my room smelling sweet, nice glass of wine. I went to all kinds of places in my head.

iPod is a saviour
so are my cards from ireland and the book I finished

In Laos now, got an ok hostel need to eat and have a drink
Most importantly need a shower!!!!

A long weekend Thai style

My long weekend in Pai...a northern small hippy town on the river. We stayed in a hut by the river and had the constant background noise of frogs, dogs, cockerels and many other insects. This is the Thai jungle! and those animals really show no consideration for sleeping people.

So what can you do in a small town for 2 days we thought....
Rent Mopeds!
We all got one and loved it! I especially enjoyed speeding at 85km p/h down the highway. (yes I know very unsafe) We saw elephants and visited waterfalls on both daysand took a dip in each.

Have I mentioned how hot it is here!

So when it came to giving back the bike I was sad it had become my new friend.

So to sum up the tough weekend I just had:
We ate good, really good Thai food, slept, wizzed around on mopeds and lauhged a lot.

Then got on the bus back to Chang Mai and feared for our lives going down the mountains paths with a psycho driver! Staying here another night then off to the border and should be in Laos in a few days. Have 2 days on a slow boat on the Mekong river to look forward to and taking malaria tablets (o fun)

Today is washing, massage, post office and organising.

But mostly just pool and reading for me :)

Did I mention it's hot

1st day as a 30 year old!

Hungover...4 hours sleep!

Danced the night away to reggae and drank Thai whiskey.
Went on Skype drunk at 430am

Got up at 930 to get bus to Pai, a small hippy town north of Chaing Mai. Staying on the river in a hut...it's hot.

I'm going back to find a hammock, buy a book, drink some water and eat peanuts.

love and freedom

"Freedom only exists when love is present...the person who gives him or herself wholly, the person who loves most whole heatedly.

That is the true experience of freedom: having the most important thing in the world without owning it"

Paul Coelho

The Guardian quote:

At Bangkok's airport and train station last night, many tourists were trying to leave. "I've felt worried all day," said Suzanne Hall, 29, from London. "On the way to the airport, we saw smoke billowing from four buildings and a tank on the other side of the road. I was really scared. I suddenly felt very vulnerable."

The last 24 hours!

Where do I start...a text at 4am from the British embassy telling me about the 'state of emergency' in Bangkok! Contact embassy...planned on getting our train north at 7:30pm spent the day worrying what to do. Left the hostel at 4pm cab to subway couldn't get on our bags were too big! Back to hostel, cab to another railway station main one was closed.

On the way: smoke billowing from at least 4 buildings, crossing the flyover a woman is screaming and holding her head at whatever she saw below us, cab driver wanted to stop and thought we were funny telling him to keep driving. 1st time in my lefe I felt real fear.

The cab driver ripped us off and dropped us with our packs at the wrong station some random place on the side of a motorway! Another cab to Bang seu...train expected at 8pm waited until 12:30pm! Ganged together with other travellers in a what I can only describe as a third world train station. The toilets were a flee ridden pit hole in the floor, try squatting over one of those!

Left the station...cab to airport after getting out of another cab who refused to put the meter on! Airport 2am! Interviewed by the Guardian about experinces. Flight to Chaing Mai 6:45am bubked down for 2 hours on a mosaic bench!

Easy going although sunscreen was confiscated and all we had to eat was squashed raisin bread dipped in jam! Yum (not)

Chaing Mai a breath of fresh air, atmosphere calm air clear.
Water fights everywhere for Songram (buddist new year) SOAKED! Got in pool with all the Bangkok grime and sweat from the stress and station.

Staying with Hannah a New York gal and Josie a Brit...Great hostel.

Birthday in 2 days feeling old.
You were right Alan it is a good story!

I'm good though so no worrying I'll stay in touch and have my mobile if anyone wants to contact me...here's to my hour long Thai massage for 3 quid wahay :)

Bangkok

hmmmm...what can I say. It's all I expected and better/worse!

The air is hot and heavy, the traffic rattles around very fast and crossing the road is taking you life in your hands everytime!

Seen a reclining budda today and a standing budda, took a boat to wat Arun, a temple with very precarious stairs and then got absolutely, completely soaked on Khao san road.

It's buddist new year, Songram, a bit water celebration! It's tradition to pour water over people and rather than just a little, people haver pump action machine gun water pistols and squirt you! They also have clay and put it on your face and arms. I looked a picture returning to the hostel and needed a shower to get rid of the clay but also the sweat and dirt that your skin picks up in the city!

I've experienced rats, monks, tuk tuks, phad thai (yum) but have been taken back by the people, who are welcoming and helpful. Not tired of dealing with tourists they chat and smile at every opportunity.

I like it here...

tomorrow the sleeper train to the north

top bunk Tokyo

So I'm on the top bunk in Tokyo...bit of a change. It was all going well until I sat up in the night and banged straight into a wooden beam on the celing! The hostel is ok, getting use to sleeping with people snoring and lights flicking on and off and on and off....

Tokyo is a BIG city and the subway brings new waves of anxiety I never knew exsisted, there are stampeads of people. Don't get in their way! It's terrifiying, really!

I've just taken hours putting my pictures on flickr and facebook..a labour of love so please check them out http://www.flickr.com/photos/suziadventure

"The telephone can't bring you here"

More observations!

1. Japanese people do not smoke, eat or drink on the street there are special places for that sort of behaviour!

2. You get on the bus at the back and then move down slowly and when you're at your stop you pay leaving the bus.

3. They all have the same mobile phones, big clunky flip phones.

Today, being prepared for my overnight bus to Tokyo I went in search of the bus stop. I found the building it was suppose to be in front of and there was nothing, no bus stop. I walked down the street and saw a mad man talking to himself. I came to the conclusion that he has been looking for the bus stop his whole life.

So apparently I have to wait on the street in front of this building and flag down the bus???

Fingers crossed...Tokyo here I come! (or not)

bunkbeds

Do you go for top or bottom?

think about it

answers to me please

wasabi peas

Can you live on them?

Was the question running through my head today wondering around in the mountain forest, happy to be out of the sun and city. Then, can bears live on them, would a bear eat me? Why didn't I buy that bell from the 100yen shop! (apparently scares them off) here comes this huge bloody bear and all I have is a bell. So after a while not spotting any other humans I retreated back to the safety of the temple I had come from. No bear attacks...

Kyoto is truly amazing, beautiful shrines and temples, finally I see the beauty of Japan. Although it's all fenced off and very ordered. Zen gardens are just as you would imagine, just add a few hundred Japanese people!

My observations of Japanese people:

They have this amazing ability to fall asleep anywhere, especially on moving vehicles. You have to see it to believe it, today I saw a man waiting in the boiling hot sun outside a noodle place fast asleep, so much so he was snoring! But as soon as they called his order, awake!

They sing welcome every time you walk into a hop, restaurant anywhere that they can really!

The stare at 'giijin' (foreigners)

They have an amazing ability for cleanliness, no shoes indoors and even (as I discovered after a shop assistant put her head under the curtain) in shop changing rooms

They slurp their noodles: to coll them obviously

Somehow whatever they wear they look cool, funky sometimes a bit weird but generally great.

That's all the time I have now...of to the 7/11 for dinner gourmet style!

small yappy dogs with bunches

Shin is cooking bread, the smell is amazing! They don't want to eat the white stuff that passes for bread here so he bakes instead. The little one has just been doing his emails with me. Collette has got him a mini mouse and he sits on your lap pretending he's emailing by clicking away...I just endured 30 minutes of Fireman Sam online. (was I the only one unaware that Sam's Welsh, it's a bit weird) Tomorrow is my last day here with the family, then I'm off on my own.

I'm feeling a mix of anxiety and excitement. The anxiety is mostly linked to a fear of Bangkok from all the stories I've heard: "hell on earth" all car fumes and people mixed up in boiling temperatures. hmmm fun??

I'm not worried about travelling in Japan, it seems safe and people are very respectful although they do dress their annoying, small, yappy dogs in jump suits and dresses, with bunches in their hair. They carry them around and I even saw a dog in a pushchair today (I kid you not)

The cherry blossom is beautiful though if you can look past the small dogs everywhere in the park and my new camera is a treat for macro pictures. I've already taken 100's of pictures and have over 2000 left so prepare yourself people for some boring photo viewing sessions :)

Heated toilet seat!

Yes they have it all in Japan...it's weird and totally usless (a waste of electricity too) but if you haven't experienced it you know not the pleasure of putting your bum down on a warm toilet seat. Especially when it's a bit nippy outside as it has been here. The seat can also wash your bum and play songs, so that all important first time back at your new beau's house they can only hear the sweet,sweet music and not you doing your business.

Nicola's dream

Suzi sitting on her own at the front of a plane with a big straw hat, a mouse in a cage, a big cake and a huge bouquet of flowers...any ideas what any of this means?

Cakes that taste like grass!

Maybe not grass, maybe peas and brocolli made into a cake.

Japanese food is amazing, Shin is such a good cook and so far I've had gyoza, yaki soba, ramen noodles which were all fantastic. I should also give credit to Col's sandwiches, mashed pots and pasta...but a country without sugar make cakes out of beans! and that's exactly what they taste like with a flavour of grass, brocolli and peas.

So with all the delicious food experince I have also been having fun at the many parks in Kofu with Naoki and brushing up on my football skills.




Shin's yaki soba Naoki in the park























The big apple and mount Fuji!










Naoki looking into the big apple!

Leaving day!

I'm leaving today...eating Alan's porridge to keep me going.

Got a 12 hour flight ahead, excited, anxious but really looking forward to seeing Collette and Noaki!

Dreading goodbye at the airport but I'll be back soon 

I'm going to miss my girls

xxx

ps love you baby

LEAVING PARTY!!

My fantastic friends and family... what a great party!!!

20 Days to go...

I'm packaging my Ebay items, making a small profit sending my crap to other people