Apparently, because the movie does not agree with Islamic faith it is said it will be banned here. How it is connected to any faith is beyond me. Anyway, seen it, enjoyed the special effects, liked the sheer drama of it all and was bored with the underlying theme of reuniting families and to be caring and sharing. It filled some time on the weekend and it was spent with Yovita and so that was great. Sadly / Luckily New Moon has yet to appear here so I can watch that in the near future. Can Wait for that!
So another week rolled by in Jakarta and really what fun. Lots of things happening in the city and the weather is definately on the turn and it is windy and rainy and stormy and cooler and in the evening rather cold.
The weather on Monday was bad. I had to get to work as there was a meeting I needed to attend (that never happened but these things do go on) and when I left the apartment it was torrential. Riding in torrential rain on a motorbike with flip flops and waterproofs and a open face helmet keeps you about 80%b but how it hurts. The rain hitting the face and mouth at 50kph is painful. Slowing down of course is not an option.
I have more private classes that I am trying to give to the other teachers to make life a little more easy and I can concentrate on the teachers rather than teaching. I have another private IELTS and also a CEO of a land selling business who is a very busy man and a kind and polite man so I am enjoying teaching that class. I do enjoy all my classes as they are all great and different. The crazy class of 6 year olds are great fun although I do have a hoarse voice at the end of the class for the shouting and screaming that i have to do to keep the kids under control. Lots of games and running around to keep them happy and keep the lessons going.
I managed to extend my life here for another year. After a lot of worry and deliberation and thinking I have accepted the contract to stay as DoS at Puri for another year. Yes it means I aint coming back to the UK any time soon but it does mean I can continue the life and the fun and the good times here and that I have an opportunity to continue travelling here and spend time living my life here. I have lots of things I want to do next year.
The contract is fair enough with targets and bonuses and also it allows me to develop academically. I am not really in it for the money so it does not drive me that much but the lifestlye, friends and my gf are the things I enjoy the most here and thats just as important as the job. The work next year will be just as hard and challenging and I am looking forward to that and what challenges it brings me.
So thats the broadcasted news to the world. So far only 5 people know of my plans for 2010 but thats because I have not told anyone. Mind no-one has asked so there is that. Actually I never walked out from the meeting singing and clicking my heels in a Fred Astaire dance routine rather strolled out of there thinking well thats that and lets hope for a good 2010 to counter the ups and downs. I am not complacent about it more ok and lets see what I can do to become more successful and more competent at my role.
Lunch with the owner was interesting, no not the pep talk and chat about what needs to happen next but the food. Cows skin, Jack fruit and Fried chicken. Not KFC style but just a whole fried chicken, head, feet an all. It was ok, I have been to better places with him. It was truly Javanese food and the chicken was good although I stayed away from the head.
My immediate manager has Dengue and I hope she will be ok, it leaves a huge gap at school and it shows and that as normal increases the frustration by about 100%.
Top EF news this week. What happens if we die. Asia cremates in 24 hours and if my family cant be reached I am toast. I am not sure what I want to happen in that case, however i do know I dont want to be forgotten and just a memory. Maybe I should make a will or something or give someone access to my email etc so it can be opened when I am a shadow.
Anyway, I told the teachers that one. That caused general mirth and shock. I hope I will recieve training on how to tell someone their child has died. Dont see that bit in the Job description but better i do it that anyone else (indonesian) as they can be a little tactless.
So everyone is completing emergency contact forms. Useful, especially as with the latest ferry disaster and the weather at the moment and also we will all disperse over christmas.
Speaking of which, great times are coming. Lombok is where I shall be on Christmas Day. Sun, Coconut Trees, Gin and maybe turkey but the sun, sand, gf and a few gins will help celebrate it greatly.
Our plan is fly over to bali late, stay in Kuta for 2 nights at the new Air Asia Tune Hotels (cheap and cheerful) get drunk and sunburnt, then take a ferry to Lombok on Christmas Eve, stay at Senggigi for a few days, then back to Bali and then fly back to Jakarta.
For New Year, going to check into a hotel and then hit a bar all night, which will mean me getting wasted and probably stripping again in the bar and Yovita carrying me home and then hopefully she will enjoy that bit too!!!
I know I will.
So Christmas is sorted. I am happy with that
Superman is on HBO the original. Fantastic. Twilight was on but that was rubbish.
That was my week. I had a great Italian food on Saturday before the movie and also had the chance to ride around the city but I do need to get the bike serviced..
Lets see what this week brings. Need to get back to the gym, went once again this week. I know I know but I will overcome....
I am sure that more happened this week but I cant really remember all of it. Oh yes the apartment has new doors etc to the elevators and no one is allowed in after the murders. I will report more about that later on in the week and about the traffic. Time to go and watch Christopher Reeve do his stuff.
Sunday, 22 November 2009
Sunday, 15 November 2009
How?
Since Tuesday work went crazy. There is now Overtime, students on Saturday and everything kinda fell into place all at once. Sure there are the ongoing battles of arrival times and quality of lessons but actually it felt pretty good. It did fall apart on Friday though what with heavy rain, No power and a then the school testing the power to make sure it works after the power was restored. This involved turning the power on and off. A pain in the ass.
I never made it to the gym this week as well I am suffering from a few ailments at the moment. The first is working 9am to 8pm which makes me very tired and with the weather chucking rain at me and the lack of power making me sweaty and hot gave me no interest in going running on a treadmill for 40 minutes and then through some weights about for another 20. The second was really tied up in the answer above. Tiredness. And finally, lazy disease. I am the worst person to get motivated to go to the gym. I so need to go to the gym.
So in order to combat the laziness I will be going tomorrow morning. Before school.
The weather has been exceptional in all ways. Bright sunny days, melting temperatures and then rain so hard makes the face hurt riding a motorbike. The rainy season is coming or maybe it has arrived. The storms are terrific and traffic stopping. I left on Friday at around 7pm, fed up with the heat, power and just being at work and ventured into the rain. Now my normal way home and to work is pretty much a straight line. It follows the toll way. However the toll way is slightly higher than the road and so all the rain water runs onto the road which is annoying. Knowing this and seeing the traffic I took the other way to home. Now this was probably a good move even though it took me 50 minutes to get home. The reason for that was the fact that the rain was so heavy that it was about 20cm deep in places and rising and the houses and shops were already starting to flood. The traffic was slowed down by flooded roads, The rain, sheer volume of traffic and the mini vans that stop on bends and prevent traffic for getting by. Then by the rivers there are huge excavators which are clearing the mud etc from them so the road is now only one way. Needless to say I was soaked through, My shoes have dried and shrunk and turned white with all the salt inside them. But I got home and that was the main thing. Lesson learnt, bring more shoes. Something to consider for the rest of the rainy season.
My bike also now has started not to start without being kick started which is a pain so I better get that fixed.
Not upset but frustrated as everything always seems to happen at once.
My free internet is a pain in the ass and I am lucky it is free as I cant really complain too much when it does not connect which is pretty much 50% of the time. I tried to use MSN live messenger but I have to download everything again and as I tried to do that it disconnected. 3 hours later it reconnected. Rubbish.
Anyway, I had a bill from the free internet company. Now I admit I do owe a months outstanding useage before it went to free but I did not expect a bill for something just short of a million or 4 x as much. I am in the process of sorting that out. It sounds about right for this country, as nothing is simple or made to be simple.
I will keep you informed.
Saturday was spent at work and that was ok. I managed to catch up with all that was outstanding and the class that was scheduled went well and so that was a relief for me. The CC team dont seem to be too busy but I know there is enough for me to be doing.
I then went to see Yovita at hers and the afternoon was spent sorting out her CV and a few other things. I like the area where she lives as it is so full of life, noise, people and activity.I am sure that it would drive me nuts to live there but its nice to visit.
Managed to book tickets to Bali for Christmas at a steal for 2 people. 2.7 million or £170 return with Lion Air which was about £60 cheaper than Air Asia. Now the decision is now do we hire a bike and take the ferry across to Lombok or just take a fast boat or do we just explore Bali, go to the east coast and the north east of the island to the volcanoes and lakes. I will see.
The next thing is for New Years eve and what to do. I will get a hotel room so that we are in the city and then find a bar to hold up to 2am. Then stagger out and collapse in the hotel.
I spent all day cleaning the apartment and it is nice and shiney again. It has been a really cool day here and the beer was nice and cold. I am watching 88 minutes and well its crap. Thats for sure. I need to get to the movies and watch 2012 but I am more interested in watching Paranormal Activity and not sleeping for 4 or 5 nights so that sounds fun.
A busy old week and only 4 weeks to the Christmas break. I cant wait.
I never made it to the gym this week as well I am suffering from a few ailments at the moment. The first is working 9am to 8pm which makes me very tired and with the weather chucking rain at me and the lack of power making me sweaty and hot gave me no interest in going running on a treadmill for 40 minutes and then through some weights about for another 20. The second was really tied up in the answer above. Tiredness. And finally, lazy disease. I am the worst person to get motivated to go to the gym. I so need to go to the gym.
So in order to combat the laziness I will be going tomorrow morning. Before school.
The weather has been exceptional in all ways. Bright sunny days, melting temperatures and then rain so hard makes the face hurt riding a motorbike. The rainy season is coming or maybe it has arrived. The storms are terrific and traffic stopping. I left on Friday at around 7pm, fed up with the heat, power and just being at work and ventured into the rain. Now my normal way home and to work is pretty much a straight line. It follows the toll way. However the toll way is slightly higher than the road and so all the rain water runs onto the road which is annoying. Knowing this and seeing the traffic I took the other way to home. Now this was probably a good move even though it took me 50 minutes to get home. The reason for that was the fact that the rain was so heavy that it was about 20cm deep in places and rising and the houses and shops were already starting to flood. The traffic was slowed down by flooded roads, The rain, sheer volume of traffic and the mini vans that stop on bends and prevent traffic for getting by. Then by the rivers there are huge excavators which are clearing the mud etc from them so the road is now only one way. Needless to say I was soaked through, My shoes have dried and shrunk and turned white with all the salt inside them. But I got home and that was the main thing. Lesson learnt, bring more shoes. Something to consider for the rest of the rainy season.
My bike also now has started not to start without being kick started which is a pain so I better get that fixed.
Not upset but frustrated as everything always seems to happen at once.
My free internet is a pain in the ass and I am lucky it is free as I cant really complain too much when it does not connect which is pretty much 50% of the time. I tried to use MSN live messenger but I have to download everything again and as I tried to do that it disconnected. 3 hours later it reconnected. Rubbish.
Anyway, I had a bill from the free internet company. Now I admit I do owe a months outstanding useage before it went to free but I did not expect a bill for something just short of a million or 4 x as much. I am in the process of sorting that out. It sounds about right for this country, as nothing is simple or made to be simple.
I will keep you informed.
Saturday was spent at work and that was ok. I managed to catch up with all that was outstanding and the class that was scheduled went well and so that was a relief for me. The CC team dont seem to be too busy but I know there is enough for me to be doing.
I then went to see Yovita at hers and the afternoon was spent sorting out her CV and a few other things. I like the area where she lives as it is so full of life, noise, people and activity.I am sure that it would drive me nuts to live there but its nice to visit.
Managed to book tickets to Bali for Christmas at a steal for 2 people. 2.7 million or £170 return with Lion Air which was about £60 cheaper than Air Asia. Now the decision is now do we hire a bike and take the ferry across to Lombok or just take a fast boat or do we just explore Bali, go to the east coast and the north east of the island to the volcanoes and lakes. I will see.
The next thing is for New Years eve and what to do. I will get a hotel room so that we are in the city and then find a bar to hold up to 2am. Then stagger out and collapse in the hotel.
I spent all day cleaning the apartment and it is nice and shiney again. It has been a really cool day here and the beer was nice and cold. I am watching 88 minutes and well its crap. Thats for sure. I need to get to the movies and watch 2012 but I am more interested in watching Paranormal Activity and not sleeping for 4 or 5 nights so that sounds fun.
A busy old week and only 4 weeks to the Christmas break. I cant wait.
Thursday, 12 November 2009
And its such a nice place to live.....
Dont have nightmares but it appears my little home is in murder central!!! News about killing etc is not often reported or I never look for it, but this is making bigger news than normal as there have been 3 murders here in the past year that I can find out about on the internet. But then there is 20 million people in the city and greater Jakarta, or 1/3 of the total population of the UK, so it sounds worse than it is.
Mediterania Apartments is a large complex of towers full of life. There are many things happening here. I am in Tower complex 2 and they are all new. From what I am told Tower 1 is full of students and young people whilst 2 seems to be more adult and young couples.
The stories about drugs etc have been told to me now I live here, no wonder the Africans are given such a wide berth.
I always lock the door.
Police optimistic in hunt for third Mediterania killer
Indah Setiawati , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Thu, 11/12/2009 9:24 PM | Jakarta
The police are getting closer to finding a suspect in the murder of Setianti Retno Dewi, 24, who was found dead in her bathroom in Mediterania Garden 2 Apartment building in Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta.
“We have obtained information from witnesses, which we believe will lead us to the perpetrator,” Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Boy Rafli Amar said Thursday.
He said the police had gathered information from seven witnesses, including the victim's boyfriend, identified only by initial S., a female domestic worker who was the first to find the body, and the apartment building’s security officers.
“We cannot reveal their information. We promise to reveal the case once the murderer is nabbed.”
He said the murder was likely the work of one perpetrator because the victim, who had only moved to the apartment nine days earlier, was a female who lived alone.
Boy said the police found out that the victim's three mobile phones and a handbag were missing from the apartment. He said theft could be a possible motive behind the murder, but refused to speculate further.
Setianti, a student from the Institute of Finance (STAN) and a freelance model, was only wearing underwear when she was found dead with wounds to her head, near a toilet bowl Wednesday afternoon.
“We have obtained information from witnesses, which we believe will lead us to the perpetrator,” Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Boy Rafli Amar said Thursday.
He said the police had gathered information from seven witnesses, including the victim's boyfriend, identified only by initial S., a female domestic worker who was the first to find the body, and the apartment building’s security officers.
“We cannot reveal their information. We promise to reveal the case once the murderer is nabbed.”
He said the murder was likely the work of one perpetrator because the victim, who had only moved to the apartment nine days earlier, was a female who lived alone.
Boy said the police found out that the victim's three mobile phones and a handbag were missing from the apartment. He said theft could be a possible motive behind the murder, but refused to speculate further.
Setianti, a student from the Institute of Finance (STAN) and a freelance model, was only wearing underwear when she was found dead with wounds to her head, near a toilet bowl Wednesday afternoon.
Woman killed in Mediterania Apartments
Wed, 06/10/2009 1:01 PM | City
JAKARTA: A 30-year-old woman identified as Jovita Sagita was found dead in her 18th-floor Mediterania Apartment in Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta, Tuesday afternoon.
The police is still investigating the crime scene and has not declared the cause of death, although they suspect she was murdered after finding a 20-centimeter-long knife covered in blood in the apartment.
"We are currently questioning security guards and checking the CCTVs for any further clues," said Tanjung Duren Police chief Comr. Jhony Iskandar, Tuesday evening.
Jhony said Jovita's neighbors found her lying face down in a pool of her own blood. - JP
JAKARTA: The Jakarta Police on Saturday arrested a man and a woman on charges of killing a man in an apartment in West Jakarta.
According to a police statement released last weekend, M. Hamson Elvatri Entazero, 47, and Irma Widya Astuti, 24, were arrested in Surabaya, East Java, after police conducted a two-month investigation into the murder of Petrus Indra Tjuatja, 47.
The murder took place in late May.
The two allegedly killed Petrus by stabbing him when he was asleep in his unit on the 8th floor of the Mediterania Tower Apartments, on Jl. Gajah Mada.
The murder took place during the day, the statement said.
One of the suspects, Irma, was Petrus' girlfriend in 2005.
The police confiscated four mobile phones and Rp 210,000 (about US$23) in cash from the suspects. -- JP
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
I cant be astronaut it would never work out
No its not another of my random titles this has a more deep meaning surprisingly. The idea that I could be astronaut I don't think is all that far fetched, although the likelihood is. However, lets all pretend we could go to space for a weekend and float about and see the most stunning view and scenery in the world. Earth. Could you honestly say that you could return to normal life, cook dinner and wash the dishes straight away and settle into routine life again?
I would hope the answer is no. This is the same thing I have found returning from Thailand. I have yet got back to a normal routines at work. My desk is a mess, the files are not up together and my mind is elsewhere, mainly next year, christmas and teaching. I am currently teaching 25 hours a week which is a lot of hours out of my 45 hour week and even more fun is that 11 of those hours are overtime for me so I am earning while they are learning. However this is severely preventing me from doing what ever it is I do at work. Also the fact the electricity company keep turning off the power ( more on that later ) and I am having to be at school from 9 to 7 every day and teach 3 hour classes is draining me for now. It will change and then off we go again.
So getting back from Thailand was good. Work was surprisingly still there and not a single feather ruffled and nothing but praise for the teachers which was a relief for me. Friday was back to the wonderful world of oh I dont need this and so I why did I return. It has since died down and life is back to normal. Teachers stressing me out and doing dumb things and the school busy and getting better all the time. It was kinda good to be back.
I have to think about my future and what I plan to do in 2010. I am not the quietest person when it comes to my plans next year. Ideally I will stay with EF as I enjoy it and it is overall a good place to work. I do have my doubts and they are not for printing but speaking and when I have my meeting to discuss next year I will discuss them. The other thing is that I will need to consider moving out of the apartment and looking for somewhere else to live in March so I will have to start thinking about that.
Nothing else has happend at school, I did placement interviews for a telephone communications company and that was for 35 prospective students. That took all day but hopefully it will generate some business and some teaching needs and fun for my teachers. I have also been teaching IELTS which is a exam that non western people must take to work and study in Western countries and it is damm hard and I feel sorry for those that have to take it. I am currently teaching 3 hours every morning IELTS writing only and that is a reqarding but useful challenge as I am learning and the student is improving. Also I have been teaching a another student all areas to help her get to Singapore to keep studying. It has been hard work and I spend almost as long planning as I do teaching.
I am trying to get back to the gym but I am too tired come 7.30pm and so by the time I leave I just go home eat and then watch some tv before sleeping. Once I am not teaching in the morning I will be back on it. Man boobs and big belly need to shrink.
The weather is changing, it is getting hotter and then the rain falls, the thunder roars and the wind howls and then it goes back to normal. It is predicted to get worse so that is something to look forward too. I cant wait. I think the rain at night is worse than in the day as I am prepared for it in the day. Getting on the bike knowing you will be drowned by the time you get home is not the best thought. Not only the rain, but the traffic slows and they are putting a gas main into the road out side the apartment causing no end of more traffic and mess, the strange thing is that they have just resurfaced the road. This must be a global thing about resurfacing and then digging it up. Still they will have that done in a fortnight I hope so it will be all ok again.
The other issue is the power supply. With the local electric plants being serviced and a couple more breaking down West Jakarta is suffering huge power outs through the week and days. Last week it was every 2 days. Saturday was 13 hours and today was 1am to 11am.
To describe it. Hot and Sweaty and miserable. It is predicted to go on until December which is about 23 days away so only another 11 power cuts all lasting at least 7 hours long. Fantastic.
Now todays finished at 11. The power came on and the AC cut in and everyone smiled. The maintenance man turned up and switched all the power off to test the system to make sure it was ok. This went on for an hour right up to 3pm when I finally decided that I had had enough and got it all switched back on.
Thats it really for Jakarta at the moment. The crazy clerics of Bandah Aceh have now banned women from wearing trousers and jeans but I dont think that they can be stoned to death for that. There is big noise about corruption people being framed as they are doing a good job. Thats the key news here.
The internet has become decidedly worse over the past few weeks with it cutting out and disconnecting more often than connecting, like now.
So its not been the most exciting time since getting back but I am happy to be back home and at work. Always plenty of work and lots of things to do and see.
So best get to it
I would hope the answer is no. This is the same thing I have found returning from Thailand. I have yet got back to a normal routines at work. My desk is a mess, the files are not up together and my mind is elsewhere, mainly next year, christmas and teaching. I am currently teaching 25 hours a week which is a lot of hours out of my 45 hour week and even more fun is that 11 of those hours are overtime for me so I am earning while they are learning. However this is severely preventing me from doing what ever it is I do at work. Also the fact the electricity company keep turning off the power ( more on that later ) and I am having to be at school from 9 to 7 every day and teach 3 hour classes is draining me for now. It will change and then off we go again.
So getting back from Thailand was good. Work was surprisingly still there and not a single feather ruffled and nothing but praise for the teachers which was a relief for me. Friday was back to the wonderful world of oh I dont need this and so I why did I return. It has since died down and life is back to normal. Teachers stressing me out and doing dumb things and the school busy and getting better all the time. It was kinda good to be back.
I have to think about my future and what I plan to do in 2010. I am not the quietest person when it comes to my plans next year. Ideally I will stay with EF as I enjoy it and it is overall a good place to work. I do have my doubts and they are not for printing but speaking and when I have my meeting to discuss next year I will discuss them. The other thing is that I will need to consider moving out of the apartment and looking for somewhere else to live in March so I will have to start thinking about that.
Nothing else has happend at school, I did placement interviews for a telephone communications company and that was for 35 prospective students. That took all day but hopefully it will generate some business and some teaching needs and fun for my teachers. I have also been teaching IELTS which is a exam that non western people must take to work and study in Western countries and it is damm hard and I feel sorry for those that have to take it. I am currently teaching 3 hours every morning IELTS writing only and that is a reqarding but useful challenge as I am learning and the student is improving. Also I have been teaching a another student all areas to help her get to Singapore to keep studying. It has been hard work and I spend almost as long planning as I do teaching.
I am trying to get back to the gym but I am too tired come 7.30pm and so by the time I leave I just go home eat and then watch some tv before sleeping. Once I am not teaching in the morning I will be back on it. Man boobs and big belly need to shrink.
The weather is changing, it is getting hotter and then the rain falls, the thunder roars and the wind howls and then it goes back to normal. It is predicted to get worse so that is something to look forward too. I cant wait. I think the rain at night is worse than in the day as I am prepared for it in the day. Getting on the bike knowing you will be drowned by the time you get home is not the best thought. Not only the rain, but the traffic slows and they are putting a gas main into the road out side the apartment causing no end of more traffic and mess, the strange thing is that they have just resurfaced the road. This must be a global thing about resurfacing and then digging it up. Still they will have that done in a fortnight I hope so it will be all ok again.
The other issue is the power supply. With the local electric plants being serviced and a couple more breaking down West Jakarta is suffering huge power outs through the week and days. Last week it was every 2 days. Saturday was 13 hours and today was 1am to 11am.
To describe it. Hot and Sweaty and miserable. It is predicted to go on until December which is about 23 days away so only another 11 power cuts all lasting at least 7 hours long. Fantastic.
Now todays finished at 11. The power came on and the AC cut in and everyone smiled. The maintenance man turned up and switched all the power off to test the system to make sure it was ok. This went on for an hour right up to 3pm when I finally decided that I had had enough and got it all switched back on.
Thats it really for Jakarta at the moment. The crazy clerics of Bandah Aceh have now banned women from wearing trousers and jeans but I dont think that they can be stoned to death for that. There is big noise about corruption people being framed as they are doing a good job. Thats the key news here.
The internet has become decidedly worse over the past few weeks with it cutting out and disconnecting more often than connecting, like now.
So its not been the most exciting time since getting back but I am happy to be back home and at work. Always plenty of work and lots of things to do and see.
So best get to it
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Paradise Thail Style part 2
Ao Nang is a lovely or beautiful part of the world and simply stunning. The beach resort is overlooking huge rock formations that stick out of the sea and with the sea being very salty and calm a great place to float and do nothing.
That is exactly what we did for most of the day. Yovita went for a massage and I spent about 2 hours in the sea before going off for a walk down to the ends of the beach to look at well whatever. One end was boats the other end was monkeys and a brook. The weather, well hot and sunny. The sea temp relaxing. The beer was cold.
After lunch we took a walk over the side of the hill to a private beach resort which had a private quay and so after some kind words to the security guard I walked along this. It was like walking on polystyrene tied together with string. Lots of fish though and breath taking views as I was about 100m out to sea but walking about.
The rest of the afternoon was spent really drinking tea and swimming. The nights adventures involved drinking a bottle and a bit of Samsung Thai whiskey rum and then eating hot and spicy Thai noodles.
IT was a good night.
The next day was the boat trip. I like boat trips. It was a trip around 4 islands, no idea what they were called. Before this we had to book ferry tickets to Phi Phi island and at this point it turned out that the ferry got back after my flight but also my flight may be later than I had scheduled and so it left me in a bit of a quandry. At 10pm at night no one seemed to be able.
Before breakfast Yovita and I wandered through the early morning rain looking for an internet cafe and an open travel agent. On checking I had no email from Air Asia but the travel agent confirmed my flight had change. So we went along with the trip to Phi Phi.
The boat trip was great. Snorkelling off the boat, off an island, sunburn so strong it just hurt all day and great food from a seaborne bbq.
The beaches we white sand and the fish were hungry and seemed to like all foods including chicken, corn on the cob and bananas.
Yovita did her first snorkelling and whilst I dont think she will do it again she did try it and it was a good attempt.
The fish off the beach were limited but off the boat in the sea were plenty and it was great just jumping in and snorkelling for 30 mins.
The trip on the boat lasted most of the day. Sadly Yovita was ill after the 2nd island and fell asleep. Heat, fear of Tony tipping the boat and some travel sickness did not help but she survived the trip and a hot bath later she was ready to hit the town. Another night on the sauce and this time we found a hippie bar with strange drunk people and good music. Yovita danced all night, I drank a lot of alcohol and danced and then spicy noodles at 3am before sleep.
Breakfast was not appreciated at 10am thats for sure.
Starbucks beckoned andso coffee and some good thai food followed by far too much icecream left us wondering what to do. We took a tuk tuk to a traditional open market and went for a wander. Amongst the flies could be found great sea foods, meat cheap clothes and all sorts of other things. So every one was happy.
The meal that night was just the 4 of us Tony, Lotus, Yovita and I as Cathy etc had there own plans. We found all you could eat BBQ for 250 bht and happy hour buy one get one free drinks and settled down for the night. Around midnight, feeling far too full and merry we went back to the beach and let some thai lanterns off. This involved lighting a big burning lump of something, letting the lantern fill with gas and then letting it go. That was good fun.
Next day bright and breezy we got a mini bus to the port of Krabi, boarded the ferry sat down and watched the sea and flying fish go by until Phi Phi.
Phi Phi is as the post cards show. Stunning.
You arrive by ferry and are met naturally by 200 people asking if you need hotels, diving food etc. There are no vehicles in Phi Phi. The only people with motor bikes are the police. The roads are far too narrow for cars. But there are many bikes and handcarts rushing about.
A steady march to the villas and we were home for the rest of the stay.
The villas are lovely. Facing the pool, 1 minute from the bar which is directly on the sand. So great. The rooms are large and AC. However the lights in the shower room is small and makes that dark but no worries. It is a wonderful place.
Dumping our bags we went straight out to look around and find things and our where abouts. The village is a mass of streets and shops and bars and hotels and actually easy to get lost but also retrace your steps at the same time.
After about an hour ( I remember we were in search of Coffee) we found a bar with italian coffee and pasta for 120bht. So we tucked and chilled out. After back to the beach for a swim and then the bar for beer.
The evening was spent drinking and having fun and mainly getting very drunk.
We missed breakfast the next day. So we went and found some. The massage that followed was great, a few clicks for me and a chance to snore in public. The weather was still blue skies and sun and so the tan was coming on nicely.
The party that night was in the rain. Liverpool v Man U first with beer and then after a while we staggered to another bar got back on the buckets and 4 buckets later, Tony and I were roaring drunk and dancing and generally having far too much fun.
So it was time for 2am swimming in the sea. Always fun, especially when the cameras stayed at home. Swimming when drunk by a bar in Thailand with alcohol at your reach is the best.
Dont know when I got back.
No breakfast.
The rest of the stay in Phi Phi was pretty much the same really. Massage, good food and lots of beer.
The last night was great, I had too many chilis and then finished off a litre of bacardi with tony and also had 1/4 wheel of danish blue and at 2am possibly not the best thing.
Going home day always the least fun. Leaving Thailand, Phi Phi and most importantly my good friends is always hard but such is life.
Our flight was at 2pm. The ferry is to get to Krabi at 12.30. The flight from KL to JK is at 7pm. Easy
Yeah right!
Feeling like its going to be runny shit all day after, chili, cheese and bacardi, I had water and melon for breakfast. The ferry had to be late so it was. It took 2 hours instead of an1.5 hours and so I was getting unsurprisingly a little sweaty. But its ok.
We got to the pier and the taxi was waiting. A fast car took us to the airport. We checked in by 1pm so I was happy again. The toilet made me even happier. So after washing my hands and drying them, it was hugs all round and I said goodbye to Tony and Lotus (Cathy and family flew later) and we went through to international departures. Which was a bunch of chairs and a coffee kiosk. Sprite helped the belly so I was smiling again.
The flight (the only flight) from Krabi to KL is it only could be late. It was an hour late. I am not sure how to write my feelings of 'for fucks sake' but that is what I felt.
Knowing how tight the check in times were for KL I was not best pleased. I think Yovita felt some of this and I am sorry about that.
The flight eventually took off and we landed at KL at the furthest part of the airport to immigration possible. Luckily we were sat near the front so I made Yovita run while I walked very fast across half the airport to... yes you guessed it. A full immigration lounge moving slower than a fat cat in the sun.
Queuing behind a 8 indians all with visa paperwork the clocked ticked slowly by. We needed to clear immigration, get the bags, check in and get back through immigration in about 45 mins. At 5.40pm we got through Immigration. Then rushed to the baggage got that then found the check in desk, checked in at 6.10pm. We fly at 6.50. So just made it.
Back through Immigration, quick pee and then shopping in Duty free for everything we never bothered to buy anywhere else, a bad sandwich and ice tea and our flight was called. Totally worn out from rushing about, we got on the plane and headed home.
I have completed 6 departure and arrival cards and so I am not able to write on planes with turbulence and the storm between KL and JK was a strong so nice and bumpy.
Finally we landed at JK on time and back on home turf. Strolling to immigration as there is no hurry I joined the queues. Told Yovita to stand in the Indonesian queue and I was through in 5 minutes, with even a smile and welcome from Immigration!!!
I went and got the bags and fought people off to get them. Bags sorted, Yovita arrived. Cleared immigration. Then the madness of outside at arrivals. I do arrivals when collecting new teachers and it is nothing like getting them It was total chaos. Go away is a phrase used more than once as I did not want a taxi, watch, hotel or bus ride. Just a blue bird taxi to get home
And by 9,30pm. We were home, unpacked, showered and worn out.
I can safely say that I had never needed a break from life so much as Thailand gave me and it was great to chill out with best friends in a great place and just unwind. I do enjoy Thailand and what it offers. I find time on a Thai island is so chilled, more so than an Indonesian one. Everything was and is always good.
My next adventure outside the country is a long way off I fear. It should be the UK, and home for lunch at mothers. We will see.
I do need to get a passport pdq as I am down to the last page and so that will cost and frustrate the plans for christmas. But I do need one and so that is my next random Indonesian adventure.
I am back now at work and have been for 3 days. It is full on and so there is much to write about. Its Tuesday morning. I will write soon. Maybe Friday.
Zohan has just finished. The area in blackout and I writing this thanks to the apartments backup powersupply. Love it and hate it at the same time.
Oh and its so hot tonight as well. That dont help. See you
That is exactly what we did for most of the day. Yovita went for a massage and I spent about 2 hours in the sea before going off for a walk down to the ends of the beach to look at well whatever. One end was boats the other end was monkeys and a brook. The weather, well hot and sunny. The sea temp relaxing. The beer was cold.
After lunch we took a walk over the side of the hill to a private beach resort which had a private quay and so after some kind words to the security guard I walked along this. It was like walking on polystyrene tied together with string. Lots of fish though and breath taking views as I was about 100m out to sea but walking about.
The rest of the afternoon was spent really drinking tea and swimming. The nights adventures involved drinking a bottle and a bit of Samsung Thai whiskey rum and then eating hot and spicy Thai noodles.
IT was a good night.
The next day was the boat trip. I like boat trips. It was a trip around 4 islands, no idea what they were called. Before this we had to book ferry tickets to Phi Phi island and at this point it turned out that the ferry got back after my flight but also my flight may be later than I had scheduled and so it left me in a bit of a quandry. At 10pm at night no one seemed to be able.
Before breakfast Yovita and I wandered through the early morning rain looking for an internet cafe and an open travel agent. On checking I had no email from Air Asia but the travel agent confirmed my flight had change. So we went along with the trip to Phi Phi.
The boat trip was great. Snorkelling off the boat, off an island, sunburn so strong it just hurt all day and great food from a seaborne bbq.
The beaches we white sand and the fish were hungry and seemed to like all foods including chicken, corn on the cob and bananas.
Yovita did her first snorkelling and whilst I dont think she will do it again she did try it and it was a good attempt.
The fish off the beach were limited but off the boat in the sea were plenty and it was great just jumping in and snorkelling for 30 mins.
The trip on the boat lasted most of the day. Sadly Yovita was ill after the 2nd island and fell asleep. Heat, fear of Tony tipping the boat and some travel sickness did not help but she survived the trip and a hot bath later she was ready to hit the town. Another night on the sauce and this time we found a hippie bar with strange drunk people and good music. Yovita danced all night, I drank a lot of alcohol and danced and then spicy noodles at 3am before sleep.
Breakfast was not appreciated at 10am thats for sure.
Starbucks beckoned andso coffee and some good thai food followed by far too much icecream left us wondering what to do. We took a tuk tuk to a traditional open market and went for a wander. Amongst the flies could be found great sea foods, meat cheap clothes and all sorts of other things. So every one was happy.
The meal that night was just the 4 of us Tony, Lotus, Yovita and I as Cathy etc had there own plans. We found all you could eat BBQ for 250 bht and happy hour buy one get one free drinks and settled down for the night. Around midnight, feeling far too full and merry we went back to the beach and let some thai lanterns off. This involved lighting a big burning lump of something, letting the lantern fill with gas and then letting it go. That was good fun.
Next day bright and breezy we got a mini bus to the port of Krabi, boarded the ferry sat down and watched the sea and flying fish go by until Phi Phi.
Phi Phi is as the post cards show. Stunning.
You arrive by ferry and are met naturally by 200 people asking if you need hotels, diving food etc. There are no vehicles in Phi Phi. The only people with motor bikes are the police. The roads are far too narrow for cars. But there are many bikes and handcarts rushing about.
A steady march to the villas and we were home for the rest of the stay.
The villas are lovely. Facing the pool, 1 minute from the bar which is directly on the sand. So great. The rooms are large and AC. However the lights in the shower room is small and makes that dark but no worries. It is a wonderful place.
Dumping our bags we went straight out to look around and find things and our where abouts. The village is a mass of streets and shops and bars and hotels and actually easy to get lost but also retrace your steps at the same time.
After about an hour ( I remember we were in search of Coffee) we found a bar with italian coffee and pasta for 120bht. So we tucked and chilled out. After back to the beach for a swim and then the bar for beer.
The evening was spent drinking and having fun and mainly getting very drunk.
We missed breakfast the next day. So we went and found some. The massage that followed was great, a few clicks for me and a chance to snore in public. The weather was still blue skies and sun and so the tan was coming on nicely.
The party that night was in the rain. Liverpool v Man U first with beer and then after a while we staggered to another bar got back on the buckets and 4 buckets later, Tony and I were roaring drunk and dancing and generally having far too much fun.
So it was time for 2am swimming in the sea. Always fun, especially when the cameras stayed at home. Swimming when drunk by a bar in Thailand with alcohol at your reach is the best.
Dont know when I got back.
No breakfast.
The rest of the stay in Phi Phi was pretty much the same really. Massage, good food and lots of beer.
The last night was great, I had too many chilis and then finished off a litre of bacardi with tony and also had 1/4 wheel of danish blue and at 2am possibly not the best thing.
Going home day always the least fun. Leaving Thailand, Phi Phi and most importantly my good friends is always hard but such is life.
Our flight was at 2pm. The ferry is to get to Krabi at 12.30. The flight from KL to JK is at 7pm. Easy
Yeah right!
Feeling like its going to be runny shit all day after, chili, cheese and bacardi, I had water and melon for breakfast. The ferry had to be late so it was. It took 2 hours instead of an1.5 hours and so I was getting unsurprisingly a little sweaty. But its ok.
We got to the pier and the taxi was waiting. A fast car took us to the airport. We checked in by 1pm so I was happy again. The toilet made me even happier. So after washing my hands and drying them, it was hugs all round and I said goodbye to Tony and Lotus (Cathy and family flew later) and we went through to international departures. Which was a bunch of chairs and a coffee kiosk. Sprite helped the belly so I was smiling again.
The flight (the only flight) from Krabi to KL is it only could be late. It was an hour late. I am not sure how to write my feelings of 'for fucks sake' but that is what I felt.
Knowing how tight the check in times were for KL I was not best pleased. I think Yovita felt some of this and I am sorry about that.
The flight eventually took off and we landed at KL at the furthest part of the airport to immigration possible. Luckily we were sat near the front so I made Yovita run while I walked very fast across half the airport to... yes you guessed it. A full immigration lounge moving slower than a fat cat in the sun.
Queuing behind a 8 indians all with visa paperwork the clocked ticked slowly by. We needed to clear immigration, get the bags, check in and get back through immigration in about 45 mins. At 5.40pm we got through Immigration. Then rushed to the baggage got that then found the check in desk, checked in at 6.10pm. We fly at 6.50. So just made it.
Back through Immigration, quick pee and then shopping in Duty free for everything we never bothered to buy anywhere else, a bad sandwich and ice tea and our flight was called. Totally worn out from rushing about, we got on the plane and headed home.
I have completed 6 departure and arrival cards and so I am not able to write on planes with turbulence and the storm between KL and JK was a strong so nice and bumpy.
Finally we landed at JK on time and back on home turf. Strolling to immigration as there is no hurry I joined the queues. Told Yovita to stand in the Indonesian queue and I was through in 5 minutes, with even a smile and welcome from Immigration!!!
I went and got the bags and fought people off to get them. Bags sorted, Yovita arrived. Cleared immigration. Then the madness of outside at arrivals. I do arrivals when collecting new teachers and it is nothing like getting them It was total chaos. Go away is a phrase used more than once as I did not want a taxi, watch, hotel or bus ride. Just a blue bird taxi to get home
And by 9,30pm. We were home, unpacked, showered and worn out.
I can safely say that I had never needed a break from life so much as Thailand gave me and it was great to chill out with best friends in a great place and just unwind. I do enjoy Thailand and what it offers. I find time on a Thai island is so chilled, more so than an Indonesian one. Everything was and is always good.
My next adventure outside the country is a long way off I fear. It should be the UK, and home for lunch at mothers. We will see.
I do need to get a passport pdq as I am down to the last page and so that will cost and frustrate the plans for christmas. But I do need one and so that is my next random Indonesian adventure.
I am back now at work and have been for 3 days. It is full on and so there is much to write about. Its Tuesday morning. I will write soon. Maybe Friday.
Zohan has just finished. The area in blackout and I writing this thanks to the apartments backup powersupply. Love it and hate it at the same time.
Oh and its so hot tonight as well. That dont help. See you
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Paradise Thail Style part 1
Well its been a while since I have wrote up my news and so I should write this into segments as I know some of you dont like reading long stuff still...you should.
I have been away to Thailand a favourite country of mine, that makes the fifth time I have been there I think. This time I went south to the Andaman sea to the coastal resort of Krabi and then to the paradise island of Phi Phi. I met one of the best friends a man could have, Tony Nye and his lovely Thai wife Lotus and some great people I used to work with and also really kind and nice friends Cathy and Dean and their sons; Zac and Kye.
Monday was a day at work that went on a bit too long but I was home and dry by 8pm and so could make sure that all was packed and could relax until I had to leave. I had decided to stay home on Tuesday to rest before the holiday and so thats was spent doing not much. I met Yovita at the mall and then after some coffee and some supper we repacked as she brought pretty much everything she could with her ( I am I think partly to blame as I told her to bring stuff, then again I really did not have much idea of what was going to happen )
It was damm hot here on Tuesday night and I think with holiday nerves and hopes I failed quite miserably to sleep at all and instead spend the night watching crap tv until the magic hour of getting up to shower and leave. I managed to eat noodles at 3 and then at the most ungodly time of 4am the alarm went off and into the shower I stumbled.
The taxi arrived around 4.20 so that rushed us more but as it was all packed and there was nothing else to do but turn everything bar the fridge off we locked the door and left.
At 4.30am the toll way is pretty pretty empty. 30 Minutes later we are at the airport. Sweet.
Air Asia is open, straight in, checked in and got the boarding passes. How easy is this ? Ah Fiscal. The taxation of those that dont really have a legal tax position in the country or just me. I went to the fiscal desk and got told to go the BCA desk which is the all the way down to the other end of the airport to pay my tax to a very bored and unhappy man who I guess sits there all morning and counts the money and gives out receipts. Yovita does however have a tax number and so she goes to another counter to have her card swiped and get another receipt. Then we walked all the way back to the fiscal desk to have the man nod his head and then go to immigration to be stamped out.
The immigration man more than happily stamped out Yovita. Then he saw my passport and stamps and my visa and then decided not to let me leave but to walk about with my documents and demand I have all the correct ones to leave. I am so lucky I have an Indonesian gf!!! A few words possibly unkind ones and he reluctantly stamped me out and I was a free man leaving on a jet plane. Free until Starbucks where we made a quick stop for hot coffee and then wandered down to the departure gate.
The flight to Kuala Lumpur was a very easy flight and no worries. Nice and smooth and nothing much happening. Asia's favourite airline was on time and good.
We landed at KL at 9.30 am and it was a nice day. KL airport is big. Very big. So big it has 2 airports. The first is for all airlines, KLM, BA, Thai, Malaysian Air etc and that is a monster place and the second is for Air Asia which is again huge and when we landed there was at least 8 other Air Asia planes there and they land and take off like traffic at a busy bus station. Air Asia also paint there aircraft in many colours. We saw the Oakland Raiders one, The F1 one, The truly Asia one and the standard red and white planes.
Its a big airport and always busy. Immigration is however a slow unhurried place which is frustrating and annoying at the same time. It took 50 mins to get through immigration, christ. That was annoying and then get to the baggage carousel and ours are the only pieces still going round. Then out the arrivals door, turn left into the departures door, found the check in desk and then got the boarding pass and waved the luggage off and then went to find some food and coffee.
The terminal has more facilities than when I first went there, lots of shops, restaurants and the shady overused Macdonalds is now la carte ( I dont know how that is possible but it is ) and the amount of check in desks is now over 50.
Going swiftly through immigration (you get stamped into and out of KL as Air Asia dont do Transit) the departure lounge is great for international. There is a bar now which serves over priced beer but its cold and its great and so I had one and it was better than I expected.
Our flight was late taking off as expected!!! Thats why I had scheduled in the long gaps between flights but never the less it was late.
The other thing about KL is that is 1 hour ahead of Jakarta and Thailand but it is virtually due north though I dont really know why it is like that.
The flight to Krabi is an hour and it is again totally uneventful. Just a nice flight over some lovely islands and light blue seas and into Krabi.
Thai immigration is just as bad and KL immigration just long queues. But it was worth enduring and stamped in we were.
Sawadeeka is the cry from the girls selling taxis (600bht) but my friend Tony suggested take the bus to the resort for 150 bht and so thats what we did.
The trip the resort took about an hour and it was for me nice as there was so much green to see and I had forgot how much green there is in the world especially as in Jakarta there is some but not that much. It was amazing to see the colours of the trees and grasses etc.
Thailand is pretty much the same all over although here in Krabi there is more mosques and muslim Thais so almost home from home!
The bus finally dropped us off outside the resort and so we wandered down and got met by the receptionist who asked what did I want and I said to stay. I guess I did not look like the kind of people that would stay in a 5 star resort and then I said that I am staying with him and pointed at Tony and the smiles began.
Its 4.30pm.
After hugs and smiles and being told we were given a free upgrade (something to do with getting married which was clearly not true) we had a big room overlooking the swimming pool from the 3rd floor and the sea and it was a lovely place.
Big room, TV, Bed and shower and ice cold air con. Lovely.
Opposite the sea, and sunsets and a bar. The bar was just by the sea and so we walked down and met some more friends from England; Cathy and Dean. I used to work with Cathy when in Safeway and they now run a very successful restaurant in Westbury. Dont know what it is called, mind I never asked.
Chang Beer. Lovely.
Sunsets. Lovely
Chang Beer. Sunsets. Lovely
And so as the sun went down so did the Chang and the nights drinking and celebrations began....
I have been away to Thailand a favourite country of mine, that makes the fifth time I have been there I think. This time I went south to the Andaman sea to the coastal resort of Krabi and then to the paradise island of Phi Phi. I met one of the best friends a man could have, Tony Nye and his lovely Thai wife Lotus and some great people I used to work with and also really kind and nice friends Cathy and Dean and their sons; Zac and Kye.
Monday was a day at work that went on a bit too long but I was home and dry by 8pm and so could make sure that all was packed and could relax until I had to leave. I had decided to stay home on Tuesday to rest before the holiday and so thats was spent doing not much. I met Yovita at the mall and then after some coffee and some supper we repacked as she brought pretty much everything she could with her ( I am I think partly to blame as I told her to bring stuff, then again I really did not have much idea of what was going to happen )
It was damm hot here on Tuesday night and I think with holiday nerves and hopes I failed quite miserably to sleep at all and instead spend the night watching crap tv until the magic hour of getting up to shower and leave. I managed to eat noodles at 3 and then at the most ungodly time of 4am the alarm went off and into the shower I stumbled.
The taxi arrived around 4.20 so that rushed us more but as it was all packed and there was nothing else to do but turn everything bar the fridge off we locked the door and left.
At 4.30am the toll way is pretty pretty empty. 30 Minutes later we are at the airport. Sweet.
Air Asia is open, straight in, checked in and got the boarding passes. How easy is this ? Ah Fiscal. The taxation of those that dont really have a legal tax position in the country or just me. I went to the fiscal desk and got told to go the BCA desk which is the all the way down to the other end of the airport to pay my tax to a very bored and unhappy man who I guess sits there all morning and counts the money and gives out receipts. Yovita does however have a tax number and so she goes to another counter to have her card swiped and get another receipt. Then we walked all the way back to the fiscal desk to have the man nod his head and then go to immigration to be stamped out.
The immigration man more than happily stamped out Yovita. Then he saw my passport and stamps and my visa and then decided not to let me leave but to walk about with my documents and demand I have all the correct ones to leave. I am so lucky I have an Indonesian gf!!! A few words possibly unkind ones and he reluctantly stamped me out and I was a free man leaving on a jet plane. Free until Starbucks where we made a quick stop for hot coffee and then wandered down to the departure gate.
The flight to Kuala Lumpur was a very easy flight and no worries. Nice and smooth and nothing much happening. Asia's favourite airline was on time and good.
We landed at KL at 9.30 am and it was a nice day. KL airport is big. Very big. So big it has 2 airports. The first is for all airlines, KLM, BA, Thai, Malaysian Air etc and that is a monster place and the second is for Air Asia which is again huge and when we landed there was at least 8 other Air Asia planes there and they land and take off like traffic at a busy bus station. Air Asia also paint there aircraft in many colours. We saw the Oakland Raiders one, The F1 one, The truly Asia one and the standard red and white planes.
Its a big airport and always busy. Immigration is however a slow unhurried place which is frustrating and annoying at the same time. It took 50 mins to get through immigration, christ. That was annoying and then get to the baggage carousel and ours are the only pieces still going round. Then out the arrivals door, turn left into the departures door, found the check in desk and then got the boarding pass and waved the luggage off and then went to find some food and coffee.
The terminal has more facilities than when I first went there, lots of shops, restaurants and the shady overused Macdonalds is now la carte ( I dont know how that is possible but it is ) and the amount of check in desks is now over 50.
Going swiftly through immigration (you get stamped into and out of KL as Air Asia dont do Transit) the departure lounge is great for international. There is a bar now which serves over priced beer but its cold and its great and so I had one and it was better than I expected.
Our flight was late taking off as expected!!! Thats why I had scheduled in the long gaps between flights but never the less it was late.
The other thing about KL is that is 1 hour ahead of Jakarta and Thailand but it is virtually due north though I dont really know why it is like that.
The flight to Krabi is an hour and it is again totally uneventful. Just a nice flight over some lovely islands and light blue seas and into Krabi.
Thai immigration is just as bad and KL immigration just long queues. But it was worth enduring and stamped in we were.
Sawadeeka is the cry from the girls selling taxis (600bht) but my friend Tony suggested take the bus to the resort for 150 bht and so thats what we did.
The trip the resort took about an hour and it was for me nice as there was so much green to see and I had forgot how much green there is in the world especially as in Jakarta there is some but not that much. It was amazing to see the colours of the trees and grasses etc.
Thailand is pretty much the same all over although here in Krabi there is more mosques and muslim Thais so almost home from home!
The bus finally dropped us off outside the resort and so we wandered down and got met by the receptionist who asked what did I want and I said to stay. I guess I did not look like the kind of people that would stay in a 5 star resort and then I said that I am staying with him and pointed at Tony and the smiles began.
Its 4.30pm.
After hugs and smiles and being told we were given a free upgrade (something to do with getting married which was clearly not true) we had a big room overlooking the swimming pool from the 3rd floor and the sea and it was a lovely place.
Big room, TV, Bed and shower and ice cold air con. Lovely.
Opposite the sea, and sunsets and a bar. The bar was just by the sea and so we walked down and met some more friends from England; Cathy and Dean. I used to work with Cathy when in Safeway and they now run a very successful restaurant in Westbury. Dont know what it is called, mind I never asked.
Chang Beer. Lovely.
Sunsets. Lovely
Chang Beer. Sunsets. Lovely
And so as the sun went down so did the Chang and the nights drinking and celebrations began....
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