Cake>Pai

We – Anna, Luke, Mat & I – spent some time while in Pai doing a spot of sightseeing.  We visited a bridge the Japanese used as a supply route in World War II:

As well as Pai canyon, a waterfall and a working rice paddy:

It was also Luke’s birthday during our time in Pai. We as usual ate at Na’s, however Anna arranged for a cake and candles to be brought out. Very impressive cake and Luke was I’m sure very surprised by it all, especially when half the restaurant joined in with Happy Birthday, before helping polish off his cake.

The rest of our time in Pai passed very quickly in a haze of Jungle Trekking (Post to come shortly), drinks and sunbathing. In the final few days we met another couple of people from “the group”: Clare & Shaheen, and many drinks where had over the days we were in Pai together.

However, eventually the slow pace of life in Pai gets to you and Anna moved onto Laos, a few days after Luke & Mat did the same and I moved back to Chiang Mai to sort a new battery for my netbook – it gives 2 hours max these days. The bus ride back was great fun, sitting chatting with a couple of Monks at the back of the bus, which had stacks of leg room, only place that did.

So I am back in Chiang Mai for a short while, before heading to Laos myself.

Last Day in Blighty

For a few months anyway!

Im all packed and ready to go. I just cannot wait until tomorrow!  Being organised on Mary Poppins levels of organised is really bad at times like this!

I have my netbook all ready and sorted to try and get me some free/cheap wifi at Manchester Airport.  A joke I know as I do live a country where nothing is free, least of all its citizens!  However, thats not my problem as for the next few months, I find myself free of any of the shackles that have held me to my life in England for the past few years.  Roll on endless days sitting on beaches or chilling in a coffee shop somewhere watching other people life their lives.

Cannot wait until I land in Bangkok late on Tuesday.  Hopefully meet up with some people off of Facebook and share advice and a few beers. Either way, GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!

My last week in the United Kingdom

It’s going to be a boring week that will no doubt by the time its over, feel like it lasted an eternity.

I really have nothing left to do with regards to the trip, and as for life here, theres nothing going on as I move into “tightwad westerner” mode.

I do however keep finding new reasons to play this alot:

Cheesy as hell, but awesome regardless. Even better when you find out they didnt let Cowell and his pet X-Factor winner use it for a potential Xmas Number 1!!

3 weeks till I leave…

So a tad over 3 weeks to go now. I really dont know if I have missed anything in all my preparations of late.

I have pulled out the old faithful backpack and am repeatedly deciding what to take / not to take. First few nights accomodation are all taken care in a few early destinations, I am doing that to slowly ease myself out of the comfort zone I have been in for the past couple of years. I’ve made my lists of important numbers and sent them to the four corners of the world in case of emergencies.

I really am stuck for wondering what else there is to do bar eat and sleep for the next 3 weeks! I hate this part of pre-trip preparations for that reason, and I hate the organised part of me more!

I was recently recommended a movie called “A Map For Saturday“, about a documentary maker/producer who jacked in his cushy NYC life and travelled the world backpacker style for nearly a year, its amazing how true to the majority of travellers it is, the comments made within it are what we concern ourselves with everyday while we are away from our own cushy lives.

Merry Xmas

TUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh the memories!!! Brilliant tune, really bouncy, used to hit my nights during my “up” times and just blew the roof off!

Michael Jackson Dies…

… The never beaten King of Pop, a guy whose influence stretched beyond his own borders and affected so many current musicians died yesterday at the age of 50. Regardless of the stories surrounding his private life, the man truly deserves the the respect of all us for his musical ability.

I am this old school…

… Love it or hate it, you are old school if you heard this way back when:

A bloody HUGE tune back in my younger days, and even now it evokes such powerful, yet GOOD memories in my that I smile for hours after hearing it.

Orbital: Beached

Orbital’s great track that was used in the movie The Beach, while at times annoying due to the overlay of Leonardo’s voice, really really helps me get over any worries I have about undertaking this trip in the current economic climate and more importantly when I will have just reached 30 and be expected to be all settled and stuff!

For those who havent ever heard it, here it is!

10 months…

… And my next adventure begins.

I’ll be posting more often from now on.