Last week made for one of the more interesting half term breaks I've experienced.
The Moto GP was a good start. The circuit (Sepang F1 circuit) was pretty cool. In two of the races there were Malaysian riders and the crowd were going absolutely wild every time they went passed. In the first race (Moto 3), the Malaysian rider was only 21 (it was actually his birthday on the race day!) and he had never finished in a podium place before. He was leading through most of the race, and the sound from the crowd was awesome - you could hear where he was on the track even though you couldn't see him, just from the sound of the crowd cheering him around. He lead until the last corner of the last lap, where he was overtaken! It was his best ever finish but it was kind of bittersweet as it could have been a real fairytale race for him.
The main event was called of after 13 laps because, in true monsoon fashion, the heavens opened and the track was flooded within minutes! It also made the journey home a nightmare as the place was heaving with people, all running for taxis and lifts. Everyone was soaked to the bone, including me, who also managed to get caked in mud walking across a grassy area!
Phuket was really relaxing in comparison. We stayed in a small, family-run chalet resort. The people were lovely and drove us to the beach and picked us up whenever we wanted to go. The beach was beautiful and quiet - we had a perfect spot to watch the sunset but again, in true monsoon fashion, it was massively cloudy and we got a tiny slither of pinky-orange through the clouds for about 10 minutes. I'm sure it would have been amazing though!
Koh Phi Phi had to be the highlight though. After a 2 hour ferry, the tiny island was the ultimate in chilled out holiday environments. We chartered a boat and went snorkeling every day, and there were just so many incredible multi-coloured fish! The driver of the long boat threw some bread into the water and swarms of these fish would come over. When you were in the water you could feel them brushing past you! We saw a sea snake as well, long, thin and black and white striped. I wasn't convinced it was entirely friendly so I stayed a comfortable distance away from it! We went to Maya Bay, which is where 'The Beach' was filmed. It was actually a little underwhelming and jam-packed with tourists. Around the island we went to other, simply beautiful secluded beaches which were much nicer to be on, and generally empty.
It was hard to leave after only a couple of days - there was so much more we could have done. A perfect excuse to go back I'd say!
I hope everyone back home is enjoying their half terms - What are you up to?
As always, check out the Flickr page for updated pics!
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeletegood to hear what you've been up to! I have had a look at your photos, which look amazing. You both look very relaxed! Between you and Jen (who is posting very frequent pictures of Australia!) I am very jealous of your idyllic surroundings....But hey, someone has to stay in cold Britain...All is well here, and thank heaven it is now half term after this mammoth eight week half term. Sleeeeeep...... I have finished the high school open evening rounds at last, hurrah! I've been round five of them. I went to Chase with Bethan last week and saw Farhana T, who asked after you, and also Daniel, Kuba and Kiki were there helping out. There were quite a few of our past pupils going back 5 years, which was nice to see. They all said they were enjoying it there.
I'm taking the family up to London tomorrow to the Natural History Museum - they are advertising 'camping out' events including the opportunity to 'dress up as a specimen in a life size display case' - something that sounds so bizarre I think I might have to have a go! Good to read your blog, keep us posted! Kirsty
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ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this Blog, Keep it up!
Phuket Ferry To Phi Phi
Hello! Wow your pics are amazing. Thailand looks lovely, a lot like those Philippine islands. I was drooling over the white sand beaches and so jealous of the snorkeling, i really miss doing that! I saw one of those sea snakes too, very pretty but probably highly dangerous :) The fish i was told to give a wide berth to were those big Trigger fish, apparently you shouldnt swim over them or they will attack you! My favourites were always the parrot fish though, such amazing colours.
ReplyDeleteSounds like things are going well for you. Can you get a decent beer in KL? Half term is nearly over but it will be crimbo before i know it! We miss you loads and its bloody freezing now!
Keep posting the photos and really good to hear about your adventures!
Janine xx
Just had a look through some of your photos, what beautiful sunsets, where was that? Its not quite Westcliff though is it, no twitchers and limpers roaming the streets! :)
ReplyDeleteAlso did you have a snorkel with those sharks?!
Janine
xx
Hey mate! That was Langkawi. We didn't snorkel with the sharks, although you could if you wanted to. We were diving and the sharks stayed in the bay where it was shallower. They weren't afraid of people - I think they got fed by visitors quite often which kept them there.
DeleteYou're right, it isn't Westcliff! Although I miss parts of it, places like this help to keep my mind off it! Saying that, there were a few choice people we kept clear of!
There are plenty of places to get a good beer over here, and it's not too different to England prices - just slightly cheaper. Wine is pretty expensive though, and forget about Whiskey! That's one for the duty free.