Day 17 – Sunday 6th November 2005

First full day back in da country - must recover from Jetlag!!! Sole objective!

Watched the highlights of the SPL, then Falkirk v Celtic, then Man U v Chelsea, then X-Factor, then the Results, then Biggest Selling Artists of the 21st Century.

Phew - made it to 11.30pm ish, only falling asleep once, wen Burnsie had popped out for a while! ;)

Anyway, bags turned up at 7pm - took them almost a day longer to arrive! Idiots.

Until next year, this is the blogger signing off.............

Day 16 – Saturday 5th November 2005

Well, it's 'fly-home' day today, so were up at brekkie for 9.30 and taxi at 10.30 to take us to Terminal 2. Last year we went to the wrong Terminal, this year it was Hym0rs and Curtis' turn!

Anyway, flight was alledgedly 13 hours long, but it turned out it was only 11.30, but a delay in landing took it up to 12hrs. I watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (bad!), Red Eye (bad!), Bad News Bears (baad!!), Must Love Dogs (baaad!), so it was an entertaining flight!! Burnsie's TV screen froze for an hour which wasn't the best :(

Got into Heatrow and only had 55 mins to get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3, check-in and get to the gate. Same as last year, but it's better than staying overnight in Heathrow! Anyway, we made it, just, and as usual, the flight was the most uncomfortable ever, as it's so close to home.

We were greeted when we landed by our lifts, but NO BAGS!! Although we did make the flight to Edinburgh, they didn't, they were still in Heathrow, so we had to leave detais and arrange for their delivery on Sunday! Disaster!

Got in about 11pm on Saturday night, but that was about 6am on sunday morning Thailand time, so we had been on the go for 23hrs or so......tired! so cold in this country too!

Anyway, holiday was ace! Would do it again in an instant! Thanks to all involved.

Day 15 – Friday 4th November 2005

Well, its now our last full day in Bangkok before we fly home tomorrow and fortunately both Burnsie and myself have slept well, though I’m still feeling the effects of that Chinese on the first night in Bangkok.

Shaz and I have decided that it will be a good idea to go visit the IT mall (okay it’s my idea) so we arrange to meet with Curtis and Hym0rs at 12.30pm at Central, Chit Lom as we were there last year. Brekkie on the 39^th floor, damned pastries are better than the Marriott in Hua-hin!! Got a pic from the Restaurant window, pretty high up:

Look kids, there's big ben!

Back to the room to pick up our stuff after Brekkie and then to head out……shut door……aaaaaaarrrrrgghhhh – key card is still inside. Locked out. WHY DO I HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM IN THIS HOTEL??!?!?! Solution – maids trolley is right outside the door, we’ll wait for the maid to come along and ask her to let us in. Hmm, will this work, should we go down to reception and tell them? Hmm, will they understand, exactly the same dilemma as last year!! Haha! Anyway, genius takes over – lets have a snoop about the maids trolley for her master key card and let ourselves in, to snaffle the card and then make a run for it! Lo! There’s the ring of key cards there! Bingo, got lucky on the fourth attempt! Throw the cards back down and leg it along the corridor – nodding towards the surveillance cameras as we go! Phew.

Anyway, got a fast black (red and blue actually) to the IT mall, but it took 30 mins, so it ate into our perusal time a bit! The mall was huge, I mean massive and you could get anything there apart from the elusive PSP that I’m after (the Ceramic White one). They were even selling CRT monitors?!?! Why? Anyway, we left there and tried in vein to get a tuk-tuk to take us to Chit-Lom, but the bloke told us we would be better getting the sky-train o we walked looking for a station, but it was knackering so we turned back and headed for a taxi rank, we were quoted 200 baht to take us up the road, so we said no and eventually got a tuk-tuk to take us for 50baht (80p).

We met up with Hym0rs and Curtis, but this place was not what we were after really, it wasn’t the place we thought it was, it was the place that Hym0rs bought his camera last year not the place that he was back and forward to the toilet in, on day 2 last year. So another taxi ride, the longest (in distance) of our trip so far, a good way down Sukhumvit Road to The Emporium, a deluxe mall with many designer shops.

Massive place!

Problem is, this isn’t what Burn is looking for from shops, she needs bargains!! So we split up again and we hot-footed it to somewhere more appropriate for cheap cheapness. Now, we didn’t have a map, but we thought it would be a good idea to avoid the rush-hour traffic and head back close to Silom Road (where the hotel is) even though it was only about 2.30pm. We decided that we’d get the Sky-train. Despite a small issue where I directed us to get off at the wrong station, delaying us for 15mins, WHY HAVE WE NOT USED THIS BEFORE NOW?!?!? It’s brilliant. Cheap. Fast. Air-conditioned. Ideal.

This is the way to go, lets get the Sky-train!!
25baht (32p) for 5 stops.


Big golf course/stadium/race course in the middle of Bangkok!

Originally we were headed to a place called Silom Village, but we ended up getting off at Sala Daeng which is a bit further down Silom Road and walked straight off the Sky-train into Silom Central Shopping Complex, Burn’s smile returned:

50% off Bargains! The Smile is back!

Grabbed a quick bite to eat and it was off back to the Hotel to get ready for the Cruise Dinner that we had booked on the Internet before we left. Burn stopped off to get a Manicure and a Pedicure, turned out that she was jealous of the person next to her who was getting a foot massage – wrong choice in a day of wrong choices that was. Still, she took about an hour, I was starting to get a little worried before she found her way back to the room!

Its so god damned busy!!

Taxi came to pick us up at 7.30 to take us to the cruise boat, Burnsie had to phone to confirm this in the morning, was a funny conversation, Burn talking in pigeon English is always fun!

The people carrier dropped us off at the harbour place and we waited on the boat appearing, it was a surreal setting, in the middle of Bangkok but kinda not subject to the hussle and bussle that we were used to.

Me and Shaz. It's like i've been on a diferent holiday!

Percussion.....

Dance......

....and plenty of laughter!!! (ahem!)

One of the other boats going down the river.

The meal was superb, the best i've had all holiday, the others agreed. I was stuffed at the end of it! It really was a great experience, well worth the cash and i'd recommend it to anyone.

It was off back to the hotel after that, where Burnsie unbelievabley packed her case (at 1 in the morning), i watched Rambo III! Awfull!

Off home tomorrow :(

Day 14 – Thursday 3rd November 2005

Our first full day in Bangkok and we’re going shopping, shopping, shopping! But wait, there is something wrong with the whole Breakfast situation – Mr Hym0rs has missed it altogether, claiming he is just tired, although I suspect that the Changs have had an effect once again, either that, or he is off for another massage on the sly.

We get a taxi to the MBK mall, as it was one that we all remembered from last year. Trouble is, at the moment, we have no map, so we are relying on our fantastic (!) local knowledge to get around. Hym0rs appeared for the taxi journey and after the driver tried to get us to a jeweller, we arrived at MBK and got into shopping mode (Burnsie and Curtis), toilet visiting mode (Hym0rs) and bag-carrying mode (me). Surprisingly it was Hym0rs with the first purchase. Burn bought loads, I got a polo shirt for about 7 quid, big spender me. Also purchased some stuff for my mum, on request, so that’s all that done.

Left the MBK and eventually found a place in the next mall that sold maps, so we were rocking. Siam Square holds the ace Siam Discovery Centre and we passed through this designer place whilst heading for Central World Plaza, beside the World Trade Centre. More bags for me to carry and more bargains for Burnsie.

Busy, busy, busy!

That’s Burn’s kinda price! 199Baht = £2.78.

We had the longest and most boring taxi ride back in rush hour. We were in the taxi for 31 minutes and it cost us about £1.50 but most of the time it was spent moving around 2 mph then stopping for 5 mins until the lights changed or a lane we needed to be in became free. Frustrating.

I was knacked, so I slept for more than an hour when we got back to the heaven that is the Sofitel. I wasn’t feeling the best, I’m not sure if it is the Chang or that really bad Chinese that I had last night!

Anyway, off out to PatPong market to see what we could see, at 8pm. Campbell has spotted on the map that Soi 4 (Lane 4) off of Silom Road (just passed PatPong) was a place that ‘the trnedies met up’ so we went down there. Just as we thought it might rain we made a dive for a place called The Balcony. Sat down, ordered drinks, then food, although it was a struggle (turned out that my Spag Ball wasn’t good at all), then we realised after a careful surveillance that we were actually in a Gay Bar. All the clientele, all the waiters, everyone, cept us. Hym0rs wasn’t feeling comfortable, although I’m not sure that putting his arm around me for a photo was the right thing to do. Cheapest meal and drinks ever though - £2.75 each!

Kev: “Hym0rs, this is a Gay Bar, so do you want to take your hand back mate?”

Mike: “Yer huvin’ a laff? Nice night to wear ma pink T-Shirt then!”

We left there and headed back to Silom Road, down PatPong 2 and up PatPong 1, Hym0rs was getting into trouble for videoing the go-go girls and there weren’t many photo opportunities to be honest.

PatPong Market.


Didn't go in here!

No purchases either, so it was off to find somewhere to have a drink – 222 Silom Road, a nice Bar/Restaurant/Hotel that we have been in before, so we went there, just passed the Hotel. A water for me though. Was tempted to get some food, but left that to the Hym0rs and his Ice Cream Sundae.

And there it is!

Back to the hotel, where Burn decided that it was a good idea to try and plan how to get all of the new purchases into the cases. It’s going to be a struggle!

Day 13 – Wednesday 2nd November 2005

Off to Bangkok today, so we were out at Brekkie very early so that the sun worshippers could get their last fix.


And there they are!

Me? I read the paper, did the Sudoku (30 mins, ugh!) and typed a bit of the blog to the laptop before finalising the packing.

Took some last minute random photos before we left as well:

The pool. Luvly indeed .


Bit of trekking action.


Bit of chatt0r action.

The taxi journey down was okay, Hym0rs and Fi read the blog up to this point here, so all is well there too. Arrived at the Sofitel – AAAAAAAHHHH!!! Luxury! Superb place. Loving it. Just the best hotel ever.


A view from the 19th floor during the day.


A view from the 19th floor at night!

The plan is, to go out to the Chinese that we went to twice last year, and then get a taxi to Suan Loom Night Bazaar to get some bargains. After a shower/change we arranged to meet Hym0rs and Fi in the lobby, Hym0rs has a story for us on our arrival.

We had a couple of hours to kill, so Curtis tells Hym0rs to go get the massage that he’s been after for the whole holiday (sore back) as there is time to spare. Hym0rs goes to the place right next to the hotel and asks for the Thai Massage. He’s asked to put on a robe and the flip flops but he can’t figure out how to get the flip-flops on, so he has to abandon that plan! He’s led upstairs and the girl starts to work on his lower legs, digging in a little, so Hym0rs ain’t really that relaxed, next she's working her way up his legs, giving the old Glen Johnson a pet on the way past - Hym0rs ignores this thinking that she was just manually adjusting the position.....until she asks him if he 'likes it?'.....'er, no' Hym0rs says........and on she carries.....until ......burrrrtttt.....there it is again, rub adub, dub.........this time Hym0rs opens his eyes and give's it the old 'no!' again, whilst the woman is mouthing the words '500 baht' and nodding........he couldn't get out of there quick enuff. That's the blog shortened version, i'm sure you get the idea!

It’s time to hit Silom Road in Bangkok, we walked down about as far as Pat Pong, the infamous lanes where the American Squaddies used to frequent when stationed in Bangkok during the Vietnam War. The go-go bars are still there, lining the streets along with a fairly extensive marketplace.

Before all that, we ate. We ordered too much and we didn’t get rice with the meat dishes, apart from that, it seemed alright and we were on our way to the Night Bazaar.

Just as before, the place was teeming with people and Burn and Curtis (and Hym0rs) to a lesser extent got involved in bargain purchasing.

One of the 6 million rows of shops in the Night Bazaar.

It didn’t take long before the guys sought out the food court, handed over some baht for some coupons, planked themselves down near the front of the stage and ordered up a 3 litre tower of the mighty Chang Beer. Nice!!!

The ‘enterainment’. Hmmm.


The view from behind us on the food-court.

On the 8^th day God created Chang. On the 9^th day we all suffered!!

Hym0rs needs an umbrella in his beerif he’s gonna pose like that, no?


On a brief shopping break,
the not so angry verucas return to base!

We finished our 3 litres and the girls weren’t going to be back any time soon. What did we do? Bah! Lets get another. 400 baht handed over again (about £5.50) and we have another tower. God bless the Chang Waitresses!

Chang Waitress #1.


Chang Waitress #2.


Chang Waitress #3.


Is it a stain or a shadow?

The girls returned after a while and it was time to leave this place again, no doubt in time to suffer tomorrow at the hands of the dreaded Chang hangover!! Bargains were had a plenty, although this was never in doubt. Rumble in the stomach from that Chinese though…..or is it the beers?

Okay, so all timer photos don’t go that well!

Day 12 – Tuesday 1st November 2005

I can’t believe it’s a) November and b) it’s day 12 of the holiday already! Anyway, last full day in Hua-Hin, it was off to Brekkie at 8.30am to allow Burn to get as many rays as possible today. I bet she will be there to the bitter end. We leave at 12pm tomorrow for Bangkok.

I write this having just returned from a beach soccer session with the locals and I’ve now got blisters on both feet and staved my left foot when I misconnected with a volley from a Hym0rs cross. Never mind eh! It’s not as if I’ve got loads of walking to do or anything over the coming days! (for that, read that we will be walking till we drop in Bangkok!).

He shoots, he misses? Yup.


Look kids, there’s a malteaser in the pool!
(same one as last year)


3,2,1, dive man, dive.

Impact shot!! Only took 2 takes to get it right!

2 hours later - Disaster strikes, this staved foot is actually a twisted ankle. After taking an hour and a half to update the blog my ankle totally seized up in the Internet Café, as I went to get up I fell over in pain and two of the staff had to help me to my feet. Grrr. I ain’t going back there. Anyway, now I can hardly walk, total disaster with the Bangkok section coming up. Popped a few pain killers and we’ll see what happens. Even had to get a tuk-tuk back cause of the pain. Felt like a right idiot.

Me and burnsie reviewed the blog as we were both packed and ready to go out about 30 mins too early. It’s not as if we could have gone for a wander as my ankle ain’t gonna let that happen.

Last night in Hua-Hin

Limp to tuk-tuk, that’s what we need! Ate at Jasmin’s where I’d hecked Satay and a Pizza with Fries one night, and yes I got the same again, marvellous, though Hym0rs was not happy with his Pizza, he had to leave half! W000t. Burn got a chicken dish, more on that in a moment.

Quick trip to a local shop for a pressie for Jinty and off to the Octopussy for the finale of the Pool competition with Campbell leading 16-10 in the first to 21 Tiger Beer Competition. Obviously there will be no more Table Tennis due to dodgy ankle situation.

“Eeet’s a pig? No, it’s an ‘ippo”

All to play for in the Tiger Championship final session.

Campbell looks to build on his early season form.

Hym0rs is playing it cool. For once.

An interested spectator.

Another interested spectator.

Well, much to my dismay, he comes back and wins 21-20, what a chopper. Nae need for the celebration though :

The winner-schnitzel, Mr Hym0rs, man amongst men.

Well, after the demise of the Campbell in the Tiger Championship, it was time for the one frame winner takes all Spy Classic.

Don’t let the calm exterior fool you, it was a tense affair.

Burnsie established an early lead on spots, but Curtis came roaring back with some adept potting to clear the remaining 2 stripes and the black in one visit. I smell a ringer!

Off back to the Hotel for some sleep, or so we thought has Burnsie proceeded to puke up her meal at 1am. Weird, but she slept ok and all was well. Couldn’t be doing with any food poisoning disasters.