Week 4 & 5

The only think I knew for sure on the day that I left Krabi was that I was heading to Bangkok and a hostel was booked for that morning which I would leave a few hours later to go somewhere else in Bangkok (somewhere nicer... hopefully) Other than that I had a vague idea that I wanted to head to Kanchanaburi as my mate Jemma had been to Elephant World there and had raved about it. 

I would just like to take this opportunity to say that this is an amazing place where people devote their time to working for the rescued elephants and letting them enjoy their lives without doing tricks. If your ever in Thailand please be aware that anywhere that offers rides on the back is not ethical! We went on their backs in the water to keep the pressure off but they cannot comfortably carry two people and a rack. Also NEVER go to a Tiger Temple.... seriously those are Tigers... they cannot be tamed without the use of drugs, end of... rant over...

In Bangkok me and the girls treated ourselves to a night in SkyBar... they will charge you a fortune for a drink (dont get the hangovertini unless you like herby drinks) but what a view:

View of Bangkok from Sky Bar

If you head there its also quite strict on dress: no jeans, no flip flops or sandals.

Me and a couple of the girls (I'm 2nd from the left)

After this we went to a lovely place called Asiatique which reminds me of being home in Cardiff Bay, its just lush there! The next morning I was off! I had decided to get myself to Sai Yok (as a couple of days in Bangkok, is just enough). Me and Sofia met on Khoa San Road and were escorted by a cheeky 72 year old who referred to Sophia as "beautiful" and me as "boobs".... yeah fat aint pretty out here....

Sai Yok was just a bit further up from kanchanaburi and we were informed it was better to stay there as it was nearer everything.... ummmmmm.... It took about 2 hours to get from BKK to SY.... and when we got there, we literally wanted to turn around and get back on the rip off songtaeu we just got off! Luckily he has given us his number should we need his tourist services. 

The woman at the desk didnt speak a jot of English, we had originally booked 3 days but decided to take it one day at a time. We were escorted to our rooms which were huts, built around trees. This was our tub for the shower:

The wet wood smell will forever be with me. Dont get me wrong the setting was stunning, we were right on the river Kwai in a picturesque resort but there was no one there... there was no where to go for food and the only word that the staff knew to say to us was "Singha!". Later that night after a spot of sunbathing and waiting 6 hours for food. Our wooden bathroom was overtaken by red ants!!!!!! Try explaining this in Thai when your Thai is just no good. 

A woman arrived, armed with Glade and a sweeping brush... as this is the way to get rid of the biting menaces. At this time we called Songteau guy and arranged an 8am pick up... we didnt really sleep that night... we didnt wash in the morning.... we were bitten to hell and we got away from Sai Yok. 

We arrived in Kanchanaburi around 9 the next morning and went to a lovely little hostel called Sams House. We cleaned up and went exploring, we went walking and found a great spot for breakfast.... and at this time I thanked all the gods in the world... cause there in little Kanchanaburi... was this....

Yes, Stowford Press, the very same Cider that I had drank about a gallon of in 2013 at Newbury races. I had this with my breakfast of eggs on toast. I knew I would like it here. 

We stayed for 5 days. During that time we went to the "Original JEATH War Museum" dont go here, its not really a museum and you wont learn anything. We ascended and descended the 7 steps of Erawen Falls with Goodtimes Tours. We spent a day with the most incredible animals on the plant and almost got stuck in a lock in at a dodgy bar. We also spent two days and Pong Phen which is another hostel not far from Sams House but it has a pool. Ooooooh and lets not forget the 10 Bhat Bar.... one of my fav things to say tenbhatbar.

Two days before I left Kanchanaburi I had a call from my agency finally announcing my position! I was going to Saraburi (of all places, being called Sara, I felt it fitting) I knew that there were sunflower fields there but beyond that I was clueless. I was going to be there along with a girl from my course Gemma (not in the above pic). I was super excited, hence the celebration at 10 bhat bar. 

I was told that I would need to be in Saraburi for 9am on Thursday, I had already planned a trip to Chiang Mai so headed up there on the overnight bus, spent the day at a cookery school (Asia Scenic, highly recommend this) headed out for a some food and a couple of drinks and got my feet bitten by some fish. The next day we had a good pamper session and I had the best back and shoulder massage of my entire life here at Nuad Thail Massage House. We tried to get a massage at the correctional institution but there was a 2 hour wait. 

Me and Indy, the funniest chef ever at Asia Scenic

Outside the Womens Correctional Institution

After a bite to eat and a manicure myself and Gemma got ready to get our overnight bus back to BKK on the Wednesday night to get the bus to Saraburi for 8ish Thursday morning. Remember at this point we dont know the school, we dont know where we are living, we dont know what ages we will be teaching. All we know is that for 500bhat we have an overnight bus with blankets and TV screens and I'm finally gonna get to watch Les Miserables.... and subsequently cry like a baby through its entirity. Oh and we had a monk. 

 Next.... Saraburi here we are... Or maybe we'll go back to Bangkok... and then maybe we'll cry a bit.

S x