Flashback Thailand

PLANET EARTH (Bangkok Unit) _ Ok. Look, We are hopelessly behind on this blog because _ frankly _ Eva seems hung up on the idea that this trip should be 'fun' and 'relaxing.' Sorry about that. We'll try to better ourselves..

So even though we have been in Australia long enough to have started calling everyone ''Mate'' and say ''G'day'' and 'No worries'' absolutely all the time, here is the 10 cent tour of our wonderful weeks in Thailand,

We landed in Bangkok, exhausted after an absurd route (Joburg-Qatar-Bangkok) and arrived at what turned out to be the World's Best Hotel (for us) the Chatrium Suites on the river in Bangkok. Now Mr and Mrs M have travelled a lot but this five star hotel (at a bargain 'Net price) beats everything.

We arrive at about 8 am after an overnight flight. The bellman seized our baggage and they found us a room (top floor overlooking the pool and the river) immediately. They also immediately gave us a late checkout time. Did I say room? Silly me. Suite. Kitchen. Bathtub. Balcony.

Bustling Bangkok was a bit of a shock after rural Africa. But we explored a bit. By taxi and by boat. There were golden Buddhas and temples, and market, and crowds.

Doug, as usual, suffered an immediate shopping overdose. But he rallied when the shopping came around to finding a cheap guitar for the rest of the trip. It seemed hopeless until Eva thought to ask a local band that was playing at a local shopping center. They knew and pointed D&E to a shop a block away where Doug bought what was probably a cheap imitation of a cheap guitar. But it has six strings and makes noise.

After a few days, D&E took the night train (second class) to Trang. It seems like it would be difficult for a train to crash into itself repeatedly. But this one did. All through the night, To paraphrase John Denver ''We didn't get much sleep but we had a lot of fun.''

At the end of the trek, Mr. Jack – a Thai Rasta with the dreadlocks and hat and all – was waiting to drive us to the coast, and the longtail boat taking us to our now-beloved paradise of Co-Co Cottage in the island of Koh Ngai.

It was paradise. Our own little bamboo shack on the beach. The world's (maybe just the island's) best restaurant, and a staff that became more like our family after 10 days (Thank you. Mr. Moo. Thank you Pran. Thank you, especially, Paew).

D&E sunbathed (Never seen Mrs, M browner). They snorkeled along the reefs (astonishing like swimming in a fish tank). They swam and dined and drank drinks with little umbrella's in them. And they met South Africans. (More on what seems to be the theme of this later.) They had Thai massages, a sort of cross between physiotherapy and Sumo wrestling.

On arrival the staff of this tiny resort noticed the new guitar. Doug was not going to be let off the hook. At the end of the first meal, Mr. Moo (we're not making up the name) handed Doug the bar guitar. Mr. M took up the challenge, and sang ''Never been to Spain'' and about a dozen more songs without anyone threatening him with violence or throwing things.

So. Mr M became part of the regular evening entertainment together with Trong on guitar and Pawn on bongos and kazoo (the local stars).

We wanted to stay longer but, on Dec. 24, as Christmas stories say of Bethlehem 2009 years earlier, there was no room at the Inn. We headed for Kuala Lumpur by boat, car, plane and taxi.

You have seen our Christmas eve...

Thank You Thailand!!

D&E