Back in Bangkok

We stayed much too long in rainy Koh Chnag and started to go a little stir crazy, since the beach was uninhabitable during the rain (which rarely lifted) and the prospect of leech infested forest walking didn't appeal. No snorkelling to be had either. Boo hoo! We attempted to seek out another beach on a sunnier afternoon and I managed to run out of petrol on my scooter on a steep hill. Only a 2km walk in the steamy swelter to find some petrol.

A saving grace was certainly meeting Papa at Little India restaurant. A wonderful Sikh man who runs a great little cafe with top nosh - we ate so much one lunch time we didn't need to eat again that day. Also managed to book our return flights with Etihad through a local agent for just over a 1000 pounds for 4 seats. That leaves us just about broke now and worrying slightly about our return to expensive Blighty. Gis' a job then ;-)

Now in Bangkok (songthaew, boat, another songthaew then very leaky smelly bus for nearly 7 hours - there are some things we won't miss it has to be said). Arriving on a Saturday night - alot of guesthouses were full - all our favourites - Bella Bella, Mango Lagoon, Viengtai. We finally found a place at the end of Rambutri Soi - Four Sons Hotel. 500 Baht for air con, TV, en suite clean rooms and a bigger bonus is we're just behind Khao San for shopping mayhem but enough away for it not be too hectic.

So this is our last 'asia entry' blog as we leave tomorrow. We'll try and post some more stuff when we get home - top ten places/experiences perhaps and a best beaches/islands run down (we ran a family survey and there are 3 places vying for the top spots).

So a final farewell from the Land of Smiles....

ps. I am off to get a tattoo now - a permanent reminder of our trip and my travel experiences - the eternal knot - one of the 8 auspicious Buddhist symbols. A symbol of the connectedness of all phenomena - a link with our fates and our karmic destiny - a reminder that future positive effects have their roots in the causes of the present. The knot has no beginning or end and also symbolises the infinite wisdom of the Buddha.