Goodbye Maldives, Hello Bangkok

Hoorah we are finally in Bangkok. We left Dhonakhuli island at 4am in a crazy monsoonal storm and on the flashiest speedboat I've ever been on. They had to take the high powered one as the sea was so rough. Sheet lightening and torrential monsoon rain. We were all wondering how on earth we would be able to fly from the tiny north island of Hanimaadhoo down to Male. We ended up sleeping on the boat (in rather luxurious cabins) as the plane that came to picl us up was too small to land in the storm and had to turn back. A slightly larger plane arrived about 2 hours later, dropping us as Male just 40 minutes before our connecting flight. Then back to Negombo for one night before flying out again very early to come here.

Just a note about using travel agents. This is the first (and last) time I have used an agency. We only did it as we anted to let someone else take care of booking the wedding and honeymoon week. Our vote is for independent travel every time. We were overcharged all along the way, especially at the hotel in Negombo, The Beach, which had rooms for $150 while were paying $330 crazy price huh! Meant to be 5*+ as last night of luxury on honeymoon. Hmmm. Hotel management were really helpful and in agreement that we had been ripped off by our agent and so gave us this last night with no bill since we had overpaid previously and they didn't even know we had paid deposits. They told us they were surprised the agent hadn't informed us of the discounted prices. We said we weren't in the slightest. Boutique Sri Lanka is one big rip off. They booked us the worst timed flights and I really wouldn't recommend Sri Lankan airways (their planes are a bit scabby, very uncomfortable and falling to bits). BSL said there were no connections to Nepal yet we could have gone from Male via Doha to Kathmandu using an airline they perhaps didn't make such commissions with.

Ho hum... no worries now as we are free to roam and in my favourite city in the world (with KL running a close second). Just LOVE this place with it's juxtaposition of the great, good, bad and ugly. But all with the biggest smiles and genuine feeling of joy for life.

Staying at the lovely Vieng Tai on Ranbutri rd behind Khao San, and a fabulous little indian cafe has just opened two doors away. Tevo got his favourite panner tikka and when Roisin's makhani dahl was served, she smiled and said, hello old friend it's been too long.

Next stop Kathmandu....