If 7-11 doesn’t sell it, you don’t need it.

So 2018 ended with a bang, quite literally. They set fireworks off in the street like it’s no big deal. It is, it’s terrifying. New year’s eve was spent in Phuket, but first let’s re ee-wind (when the crowd says bo selecta) to the beginning of our Thailand trip.

We finally arrived in Thailand the land of smiles, smooth roads and 7-11’s. Arriving in Chiang Rai which is a town in the north of the country and having eaten nothing but Oreos and Pringles for the past 8 hours we sprinted straight to the nearest 7-11. Now a 7-11 for those not in the know is essentially a really good Co-Op, they are everywhere, I mean you’re probably never more than 150 meters from one and they sell pretty much everything including the most delicious cheese toasties. So between Jack, Brooke, Emily and I, I think we cleared the shop of them. I mean jack did have 8, the boy can eat!

The next day we continued our journey to Chiang Mai staying at Mad Monkey for a few nights. This is where we hung out with elephants for the day (see the separate post about Nelly and her mates), went to a canyon water park where entrance was via water slide, went to a temple to chat with monks to improve their English and learn about Buddism. Chiang mai was also where Jack was propositioned by a lady boy.

After three nights here we took the 762 bend road and white knuckle ride up the mountain to Pai. Pai is a small town that truly encompasses the traveller hippie stereotype. It has the peace and love vibes truly down. We stayed in a hostel called Circus which is up in the mountains surrounded by jungle with incredible views and hot sunny weather, where they offer free classes in circus skills; hoop, poi, tight ropeand staff juggling. Plus they give free fire shows on the evening too.

Evenings here were spent at Walking Street in the town, where the streets are lined with food stalls, serving every kind of cuisine. I may or may not have had 4 dinners that night.

After Pai we headed back to Chiang Mai for a final night before flying down to Bangkok. Bangkok is loud, dirty and hot and full of people pulling you into bars as you walk past. We went to Khao San Road, which is the road at the beginning of the the film The Beach. This is the place for you if you want to eat scorpions, crickets or tarantulas, it’s a no from me thanks.

We descided to change plans last minute and head further south to Koh Pangnan for Christmas arriving on the 23rd. Koh Pangnan is where the famous jungle and full moon parties are held. For Christmas day we headed to the Masons Arms. A full on English pub, complete with a big wooden bar, beer garden and roast dinner. We hired a jeep out and headed to the beach after lunch, except we broke down. Turns out there was truth in the warning not to over load it. In our defence it’s not our fault the island is really hilly, plus Big Red looked powerful enough for 13 people.

The rest of the time on the island was spent exploring (We hired a new jeep and jack drove us around like a boss).

Koh Tao was the next island on the itinary, we stopped here for a quick 2 nights which isn’t nearly enough time for this super chilled, incredibly beautiful place. As soon as we arrived we hit the beach for the afternoon sun and sunset then booked onto a full day snorkling tour for the following day. It was totally tropical. We also went to a lady boy cabaret show, Jack was very popular among them.

Next up was Phuket and after a 11 hour journey split between boat, coach, minibus and a lot of hanging about I swear we’ll never moan about transport or delays again in the UK.

We saw in the near year at Paradise Beach at their full moon party, even though I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a full moon. We booked to stay in a 20 bed dorm as this was the only option left available and we were greeted with the best rooms and beds since we left the UK. Double beds, built into the wall, a nice little shelving unit, lights and plug sockets so you essentially have your own little room. Now we’ve stayed in the presidential suit of dorm rooms I’m not sure how we’ll cope back in bunk beds.

We’ll let you know though as we’re on the way to Phi Phi islands now for more tropical snorkling and activities. Though the weather forecast is predicting tropical storms so it might be Scramble and Cambio for a few days instead, keep your fingers crossed.