Dana Said

Sawadee! (Hello in Thai)
John and I got back from holiday to Thailand and Hong Kong about a week ago, we had the most amazing time. Bangkok is a very cool city, very hot and humid, but so much life and weird aromas! We visited a couple Wats (temples), they are a Buddihst country, drove around in Tuk Tuks, and went to a Muay Thai Boxing match. Then we were off to Koh Samui which is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, off the east coast, if that makes any sense. We were there during Thai New Year. Part of the tradition is to spray water on each other to create a fresh start for the new year. Lots of supersoakers, we were in a tuk tuk and these lil kids sprayed us! It was very relaxing to get out of the city life of London and Bangkok. Then we went to Phuket which is another island off the west coast in the Andaman Sea. Very beautiful beaches. The Tsunami hit here, but not as bad as some other places in SE Asia. Our hotel was fortunate enough to not suffer any damages or any casualties! We went on a snorkeling excursion and saw lots of colourful fish and some black finned sharks and lots of jelly fish. We also went sea cave canoeing through the limestone caves in Phang Nga Bay. Went through various caves and went to James Bond Island, from Man with the Golden Gun. Some of the caves are so tight with the tide, that you have to lie flat in the canoe and mind your arms, legs, and toes, dont want them to get cut up from the limestone walls. Lots of relaxing and much needed sunbathing! Then we were off to Hong Kong! Most of Hong Kong is very Westernized, under British rule until recently. We enjoyed the fast pace lifestyle, prepared us for life back in London. We went to Stanley Market on the Southeast part of Hong Kong Island and went up the Peak on the famous Tram. Went out at night in Lang Kwai Fong,near Soho on Hong Kong Island and took the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour to Kowloon and visited the Temple Street Night Market. John and I definitely plan on going back to Thailand and Hong Kong for another holiday sometime, but the 12.5 hour flight from Hong Kong and the 10.5 hour flight to Bangkok is definitely something we are not jumping back to do just yet.