"Leaving On A Jet Plane...Don't Know When I'll Be Back Again"

I sing that every day...I wonder what that tells you!

So at 11:07am my mood has shifted slightly since I wrote that last blog. The thing that gets me out of a funk is planning a trip. So I’m planning a long term Australia/New Zealand/Far East/Asia trip, don't know for when exactly but sometime in 2010.

When you fly to Oz you may as well take advantage of the close proximity and travel all around. So whether it takes me 6, 8 or 12 weeks the following are on my list of places to go to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, New Zealand, Laos, Cambodia, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Borneo, Bali, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam. I don’t think I’m ready for India yet to be honest. One day, I will go just to say I’ve gone, but it’s not one of the places I have to visit just yet. Great now, I’m craving some Indian food!

A return to Australia costs about £499 return from London and all of the internal flights zipping from here there and everywhere won’t be that much. Trust me after the morning I’ve had, planning ‘a getaway’ seems VERY fitting to say the least.

Some Washington D.C. Photos on Facebook

It's 3am...thank God I'm on the late shift tomorrow. About to MT my hair...only the hair gifted will know what that's about start 30 mins into a black movie that I got in Target and will call it a night/morning.

There are tons more to add, but when I'm less tired. **wink wink**

Getting photographically arty in Washington D.C.

Getting photographically arty in Washington D.C. Part 2

January 14th - January 22nd MD/DC

Yes these were taken by me...don't be so surprised. I have a good eye ya know.

Being Cold Is Good For Something

I'm sitting here in a scarf [Prada of course darlings] in this cold a$$ office. I'm a black woman that's not going to suffer in silence I've made the call to get it all tropical up in here.

But I am now inspired due to the cold to want to be somewhere much hotter right about now…I've had my Christmas rant [see below] for the day and it's time to pick another hot spot for 09.

With this destination I can do a five-in-one. Visit Mexico, where I can cross off an item off my bucket list which is swimming with dolphins [#2] and maybe #22 if I book a night or two at the Four Seasons Try my hand at whitewater rafting [bucket list #13 - shit how unlucky is that number?] Then hop across the border and get a Texas fix in before heading home [groan] to London.

That's my little lunchtime project to figure out the cost of all of this. The longer I can stay out of London in 09 the better. Plus it's always nice to have something to look forward to.

ESTA: New Travel Regulations for 2009 To The USA

ESTA - Electronic System for Travel Authorisation

Visitors may be aware that the USA is changing its entry procedures for travellers to the USA under the Visa Waiver Program and has introduced ESTA. This programme is voluntary until Jan 12th 2009 at which point, online completion will become mandatory for all Visa Waiver Programme travellers to the USA.

Click Here to fill out your form which replaces the green immigration cards on flights as of next year.

*****

Thank goodness. Being a member of the Blackberry/Computer era I don't need to carry a pen and always have to borrow one from the person next to me who I've managed to avoid talking to for the past 10 hours.

Can't Wait, Won't Wait

This is more addictive than buying shoes. I did say I was going to wait a couple of weeks, but the credit card bill came in this morning which has my January flight booked which will get paid in full tonight, sooooooo rather than wait, went ahead and booked the Lisbon flight for £136 over the Easter Weekend. I booked the hostel last week so that's it...not even 2009 yet and already have 3 vacations to look forward to within the first six months. I've even been on the phone with Mrs H planning our June 19th 30th birthday celebrations in Las Vegas. Her birthday is May 20th, mine is July 18th so June 19th is month and date slap bang in the middle of our birthdays. Plus it's the cheapest date in June to fly to Vegas.

Why I wasn't doing this sooner I don't know....oh yes I do, I spent the last 3 years visiting some fool in Houston. Shame on me being the bigger fool. Ah well you live and you learn. It's now time for living!!

Live It Up In Lisbon

Here I go again, another spur of the moment holiday break in mind. My boss got the new 09 calendars in today and I had a nose to see which days the UK Bank Holidays fell on for next year. I made a vow to do as much long and short haul travelling as possible. Just rack up as many destinations as I can and experience new places whether for a few days or few weeks.

*January - Baltimore, MD, USA for the Presidential Inauguration
*February - Stockholm Sweden…just because
*June - Las Vegas for the 30th Birthday Celebrations
*August - Berlin, Germany to cheer on Jamaica and Team GB in the World Championships

It will not stop there after August there are still 4 months to go and air miles to rack up.

The Easter period looks best for a long weekend away, and being located right in the middle of the world where 8 hours in either direction can have you located in the USA or Asia we have a great benefit being situated where we are when it comes to holidaying. 10th April to 13th April look best, wherever I am working next year I won't have to worry about sacrificing precious holiday time or losing any money taking the odd day off, so thought about European destinations. I could do a quickie weekender in NYC but I've been three times already and it's time for first time destinations for a little while.

Monte Carlo, Seville, Nice, Rome, Naples, Valencia...
all came to mind. Then I remember reading about the top 10 European hostels and Lisbon came to mind as Lisbon Lounge Hostel was rated #1. Portugal should be warm that time of year plus it's a city in a country I've never ventured to. So I did the flight searches KNOWING it was going to be high at Easter and they are around £145. Not too bad as a 3 night stay will set me back under £50 in total.

The hostel is called Lisbon Lounge Hostel and they have a sister hostel that opened up in July 08 called Living Lounge Hostel [that's the one I want to stay at] and for £16 a night looks real decent. The ratings by people that have stayed there are 96% and that coupled with the boutique clean look to it is right up my street.

I did vow for a while to get out of the hotel stays especially if I want to travel a lot more [Plus Fashogi's comment influenced me too…cheers TJ] and this is a good way to meet new people and keep the costs down. So I will be laying a 10% deposit down of £4.86 on the hostel today at just and book my flight in about 2 weeks time.

Again…didn't call a soul to come. Not looking for anybody to tag along. Just book it and go…life is too short to wait on folks. Just do you!

From The Ritz To The Pitz???

OK not the pits per se, but when you've done the business executive suite at the Ritz in Kuala Lumpur just because you can, there is only one way from there and that is on up to the Four Seasons or the Shangri La.

Fling an S in the mix and you have a type of accommodation that would break me out in a rash.

H.O.S.T.E.L

**APPLIES SOME ANTI-HISTAMINE CREAM**

I've been thinking about it for Sweden. Granted I'm going for 5 nights I could hack it, or could I? The thing is I wouldn't be going to just any old hostel. I'd do a search online and make sure they had female only dorms and showers, private rooms if that's the route I wanted to take. The plus points are you get to meet new people and it's much cheaper than staying in a hotel.

Granted I didn't see much of the suite at the Ritz Carlton, although coming back to luxury was a plus point as well as a butler on call 24 hours a day to bring up my hot chocolate on request whilst I lounged on the couch in my Ritz robe watching TV. But when you travel and go to fancy hotels if your aim is to meet likeminded, outgoing people you're more likely to bump into families, couples and people on business. Not the types of folks you can plan last minute outings to the local clubs or restaurants with.

I think it's time I dropped the vacation snobbery for a second and experienced something a little more unreserved than what I'm used to. I'll do the Ritz again and I'll definitely get around to the Four Seasons one day as well, but if my aim is to travel more next year then the expensive hotels may have to downgraded a notch in order to fit in even more exciting locations.

This one in NYC doesn't look too bad at all, and this one in Sydney, Australia

The Gershwin Hostel in New York City

I'm always saying doing something everyday that scares you. Staying in a hostel would count for one, that's for sure. I'll be using many resources to make sure I pick the best one based on the way it looks, price, facilities, locations and most importantly reviews.

"Just Live Your Life"

"Just live your life (Oh!), ay ay ay. No telling where it'll take you."

See that's what I love about me. YES I LOVE ME SOME ME!!! I Had no desire, no thoughts about pretty much anything this morning and before 11am I had booked a flight to Stockholm, Sweden.

No planning, no thought, asked nobodies permission, didn't ask anyone to accompany me on this trip. Just a good price, picked some dates, and I'm good to go.

*********0.00 GBP Total Fare
*********0.02 GBP Taxes, Fees & Charges
********16.00 GBP Passenger Fee: BAG
*********8.00 GBP Passenger Fee: Airport Check in
*********8.00 GBP Passenger Fee: Debit Card Fee
********32.02 GBP Total Paid

£32.02 round trip to Sweden is less than my weekly fare in London!!

In the very same way after Obama won the Presidential Election I had no thought to go to Washington the week of the inauguration. I had booked my flight and accommodation sorted within 2 days.

And the very same day after watching that Single Ladies video, got inspired again, and found a dance school and booked my first dance class for this Sunday.

I love a little bit of spontaneity, too much planning is too safe and too boring. It's hardly bungee jumping I know but it's enough for me, to not get too bored of the mundane Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 lifestyle many people get caught up in and forget to live a little.

Up £17.00

A little increase since a few days ago but £288.90 pounds n pence later and I'll be on my way next year.

My hands were quivering a little as I punched in the credit cards digits on Delta's website. Not because it was that feeling of "Oh Lord more money being spent" but for what me booking this flight was all about and the significance of this trip.

I had no doubt that Obama would be President. Although I was slightly shocked and dumbfounded that there are going to be a First Black Family and a President that may actually make a difference and impact the world like no other.

Everyday since I've woken up and gone to bed the future First Family have been on my mind, and I tell myself they actually look like me my friends and family, and that something remarkable has happened for people the world over.

I need to be a part of that. Be in the same city and witness history being made. Join in the euphoria of people of all races, and ages scream, shout, laugh, cry and party. I so want to be at that parade and catch a glimpse. Tell my unborn children "Mummy was there" I will try my best to get as close as possible but I know this will be a RECORD turnout, road blocks, inflated prices, more people than I'd ever see in my life, tired legs, shivering in the cold and just being tired from standing around all day.

Watching it on TV in London will be amazing to see. But it wont be the same. I'll settle for a packed out bar in DC amongst many Americans for the inauguration itself if I have to, and probably end up hugging many Americans who I have no clue what their names are and hopefully stumble on out of towners like myself who have come far and wide to just be there. Americans to me have always been overly friendly, polite and hospitable, Lord knows what they are going to be like around that week.

This is going to be amazing. How can it not be. I'm living in a time where a black man will be President of the United States of America and his 3 favourite girls following him and the puppy into the White House in 74 days time. A ticket booked, a hotel reserved and a place to stay.

Thank GOD I and many who never thought this day would come are living it and breathing it. There is a lot to be thankful for.

And thank you Delta for not having over inflated prices and will getting my black ass there and back safely.

God Bless America!

Anyone who is trying to get to DC to just be there during President Obama's inauguration on January 20th 2009 will know that getting a hotel, motel or Holiday Inn is getting beyond ridiculous in prices and availability. Either there are none or you have middle of the way…no Super8 motels smelling themselves and charging mid 3 figures when their rooms are probably used to being around $60 a night.

Days Inn for 8 nights will set you back over $2,400

**raises eyebrows**

For that, go fly to Kuala Lumpur, stay at the Ritz with full butler service and you'll have enough for spending money also without breaking a sweat.

I searched and searched and searched. In my heart I said I am going [but my common sense said "you aren't paying no bitch price for a room."]

Extended Stay America had availability at $79.99 a night. Now that's what I'm talking about. Right near to Washington Dulles airport and about a 10-15 minute drive away from the first station on the Orange Metro line to take me into DC.

All of the recommendations like Bowie and Columbia in MD were not in my price range or just not available. All of the smart thinkers who were not opting for DC said to themselves stay in the MD/VA area instead.

Seriously, if you are thinking of going then just reserve a room on your card which you can cancel at a later date, in most cases like with Extended Stay America you won't be charged until you check-out.

From Centreville to the Metro station [Orange Line] is 11 miles away 15mins. I know there are some days driving will be a straight no no, but I checked before I booked and the station even has parking.

I've been keeping an eye on the flights and they've increased by £2.00 so only £273.90 return on Delta including taxes and I'll be booking that in about 2 hours time. For us Brits to DC and the surrounding areas to fly in I don't think will be a big deal, but I'd be interested to find out about domestic flights for Americans travelling to DC is. I just hope the airlines aren't taking advantage by raising the prices astronomically for this particular week.

£271.90

That's how much it will cost me round trip to be in the same city as President Elect Barack Hussein Obama on January 20th.

This is a piece of history in the making that I do not want to miss.

The Holiday Blogs...

Will be coming over the course of the next few days about Bangkok, Koh Lanta and Kuala Lumpur with more pictures and videos. I updated a few of the blogs I posted whilst out there and added pictures that I took [with the exception of Hyacinth Bucket] A Different World and WOAH Lanta!!, those photographs were taken by me.

In the meantime a couple more pictures that I took...

I had to double take...I seriously thought "no you are not selling feminine hygiene products at a damn food stand in the airport and advertising it so openly as the slogan of your business." Needless to say one misspelled letter and it would have been all over for that food stand.

I darted in this cubicle to take a picture in the ladies toilets. How in the hell are you as a woman supposed to pee using this bog-in-the-floor toilet? Sit all over it??? Nah you don't sit in public toilets.

The Bucket List #21

Me and my sister have been conditioned from a very early age to enjoy the best if you can afford it, and make no apologies for doing so.

I have never camped, stayed in a tent, or a hut, and I may not ever do that. I think I could but I don't want to right about now. Plus I don't sleep on the floor at home and refuse to pay to do so somewhere else in the world.

There is some real travel snobbery I've experienced when it comes to accommodation and it usually comes from the campers, those that like to rough it. Somehow if you stay in a hotel, you aren't really experiencing the country compared to those that literally like to get dirty and camp out in the woods. So they say. Whatever, I could care lesser than I do already.

Listen, I can climb a mountain, go across country in a jeep, wander through the rain forests and get bitten by any and everything, venture into local villages, eat and buy from the locals…but come night time I want to collect my key from reception, take a nice hot shower, order room service, and watch CNN or a pay per view movie. The difference between my holiday and theirs is where we lay our heads at night.

Every travel experience is a personal one and I'm not about to feel bad for my choices. A holiday for me is about relaxation and doing as little as possible whilst experiencing the most that you can, hence another bucket list entry being knocked off...

#21 Stay at the Ritz

It's booked and paid for and I'm going. On my Malaysia trip I'll be staying there in Kuala Lumpur. Every guest is entitled to 24 hours butler service and I'm going to enjoy it and bask in it in 26 days time.

And why not. Isn't that what life is all about?

LondonDiva to SydneyDiva in 09?

Australia Tourism Video - "Where the Bloody Hell Are you?"

Well last nights relocation and working in Sydney seminar was very interesting and eye opening to say the least. I am kicking myself that as a person who loves to travel I haven't yet been to that part of the world, especially as a Brit. I had no idea Australia was so beautiful. From looking at the tourism video that they showed alone it looked like a cross between London, Texas, NY and California. In Sydney, a city where going to the beach after work and having a party on the beach on Christmas day seems pretty normal. I think in October I can deal with 31 degree weather in what is now known as spring currently in Australia.


But that's not the reason I want to go, but it is a factor. London life just isn't that great. For people visiting it's wonderful. As a resident you're a tax after tax after tax payer, dealing with rude people, kids that want to fight you, stab you, set your dog on you because you looked at them in a certain way. The mad squeeze on the trains in the morning every morning and evening. The shitty weather. The 2 day summers [3 if you're lucky]. Everything being hella expensive, and I find this city very dirty compared to other cities I've been to around the world. Oh yeah, people may say the social scene in London is great, and it is, but there needs to be a general balance. If you're not into the London social scene or cannot participate in it because you're not into it or you end up spending the weekend to recover from the working week then your shafted like a sandwich without the bread.




(This is what I contend with every morning on the Northern Line from Balham to Bank, and believe it or not there is plenty of room on those trains. I'm more cramped than that for 30 minutes every day)

I need a change!

London's clubs, pubs, bars n restaurants are not going to hold me here especially if that's the only good thing it has going for it. So Sydney is looking like a viable option for the field of work I'm in and also for a lifestyle change. Whether it be 6 months or 12 months who knows. I may end up hating it or loving it so much that I'd never want to leave. Although I'm doubting the latter. It's more about a life experience than it is a working one. If I don't go even for the short term, I'd be an idiot to pass up the opportunity to live and work in another country.

If work doesn't take me there then travel certainly will. Either way September 2009, I'm off. Why even think about it just pick a date and make the plans that suit me.

Haven't Experienced That In a While

I think I have the travel bug. It's the best bug to get. I was daydreaming about locations as usual and after I'm done planning and paying for one holiday I'm onto thinking about where next.

Today I mentally vacationed to Egypt and Dubai. From the UK Egypt is very popular so I know I can get better bang for my buck going to Egypt than Dubai, plus there are a few things I can knock off my bucket list by going to Egypt.

I ventured to the travel agent on my lunch break and just as I thought eerily quiet. 4 members of staff, staff on the bureau and one customer in the shop who was seated with a travel representative. The Egypt brochures caught my eye right by the door, and I'm standing there flicking through them looking genuinely interested about finding the perfect holiday. I've been in there for about 5 minutes, in this whole time nobody comes in. Then in pops an older white lady and she looking at the brochures in the same area as me, in fact Egypt was what she was interested too. She never motioned for assistance but in less than 30 seconds up pops a young white male rep [which seemed from literally no where] asking her if she needed help and waited on her hand and foot for the full 2 minutes she was in there.

I could and I couldn't believe it at the same time. Here I am standing there with money to spend looking to take a holiday with your company and I get bumped for the white lady. I guess it's only white people that have money to spend and I as a black woman am picking up brochures to cut out the pictures and just dream about where I want to go. I am blatantly looking in their direction and even after the woman has left I am not even acknowledged. If there were 3 or 4 people I could say genuine mistake. When I was the only one in there standing and browsing and blatantly ignored you start to get a real sense of "it's the blackness isn't it?" I'm sure the brothas have had it when driving nice cars, even buying them. The sistahs in the expensive department stores making a purchase and sometimes yes in cash what wasn't earned from their boo's drug running and other illegal activities.

As a black woman living in London or Europe [if you want to call it that] instances like these are not rare. You know when it's a common mistake or when people see colour before anything else.

I could be wrong about my lunchtime outing but I hardly doubt it. I've said it to some people before, no matter what you do and where you go in the world, what you achieve and how much money you have, some people just look at you and think nigger, coon, uneducated, broke, illiterate and a whole lot of everything else negative that they think comes along with being black.

Not to worry. I'll be booking my trip independently and they can literally kiss my black ass. I don't pander to other races to seek approval, but I do appreciate a little respect and assistance especially when it's a part of your job description.

For Goodness Sake, Live a Little

Q: You're a married 30 something with 2 children. You are invited to Hong Kong for a very long weekend, one of the most fantastic cities in the world for and all expenses paid trip by your friend who's pretty well off [to possess a Black Amex well off].

Your partner doesn't fly and although they aren't invited, the point is by being married to this person for 7 years and together for 14 years, they hate flying which means the holidays for you and the children are extremely limited to overseas trips. [The other half hates flying they don't have a fear of it - and there is a difference].

The question is do you go?


My question is why is this even up for debate?

Your friend is between jobs starting a new one in Hong Kong in 6 weeks where he lives and he's bored. All expenses paid and you're still dithering about it. For nearly 2 weeks I've tried to persuade my boss to just go. He is so boring and secure in his little safety bubble that even flying to Hong Kong for a long weekend on his friend's tab is just too much excitement for him. Now it's not the money element he said, but he's made excuse after excuse after excuse not to go. I've already told him, "tell what's-his-face that I'm going if you don't."

His family holidays consist of driving in France because her indoors doesn't fly. Well you know what, leave her at home and take the kids your damn self. My parents took me and my sister on our first holidays at 3 and 5, the same age as his children. And every year after that with the exception of 1986 we went on holiday 1 to 2 times a year.

There is no way I'm going to deprive myself or my children of many worldly wonders just because my partner is acting like a pussy about flying. Well guess what I'm no huge fan of sitting in a cramped seat and eating food out of a foil container wondering if the altitude is going to form blood clots in my legs and kill me, but it lasts for a few damn hours then your transported into a different land, with a different culture, language, food, customs you name it it's different, amazing and beautiful.


When I get married as much as I will look forward to our holidays together, I will encourage him to go off on holiday with his friends too, because I certainly will be going with mine. Sometimes it's good to get away from your other half, and the other half be supportive of still wanting to be independent whilst committed to one another. A few of my married friends vacation separately and it's not a problem. And why should it be? Shoot, if you don't trust him/her to go then you shouldn't be with that person in the first place. My friend was heavily pregnant at the time, and her husband was off in Vegas watching the Mayweather fight with his boys. She supports that and it works for them. Luckily I have secure friends in secure relationships. Good on them for maintaining that friendship/married life balance.

He [back to the boss] is a manager here so he's hardly broke. I'm guessing a £50 to £60k salary and you know where he took his last 'holiday' when he had 2 weeks off…..?

SUSSEX. FOR 2 NIGHTS!!

Who the frickety frack goes to Sussex? That's like living in Dallas and going to Houston on vacation.

I know broker folks who go to Egypt, Europe, Mediterranean, Caribbean, the Middle East. You name it they go there.

No adventure in his life no spark at all. How can you still be thinking about it, when you've been given a once in a lifetime opportunity? Even his friend came back on e-mail after sending him a list of flights to pick from, that "life is too short and told him to live it now before it's up" All this talk about "we have some good times at home" and "I can imagine being alone with the kids on holiday" YOU'RE GOING FOR 5 DAYS OR SO OUT OF 365. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE STATIONED IN IRAQ!! **slaps forehead** OK we get it. You're boring, have no ambition and have not an ounce of adventure running through your body. Why am I even surprised? He's already admitted he likes routine as in terms of his Monday to Friday working life and has been here for 12 years and is only 34. I've worked in the industry for a year less but moved to about 5 or 6 different investment banks and financial institutions gaining new experience and building up my CV.

Just like my co-workers say, something tells me he'll be here until he's either retired or made redundant. God forbid if he's made redundant he's probably fall into a deep depression not knowing what to do with himself. He'll still be vacationing in areas so close to home he'll be able to be pop back if he's forgotten something.

Why he buys the Condé Naste Traveller magazine [Vogue magazine for travellers] I don't know. It's like me buying car magazines without a drivers licence.

I'll never get that mindset in people. I just don't. Sitting down and watching life just pass you by. When we have Easyjet and Ryanair there is no excuse. None.

The Bucket List: #12

My bucket list now has 22 items on it. And soon to be 23.

It's good to look through it and see what can be crossed off. I wonder how long it's actually going to take me to do it.

My flights are now booked for Koh Lanta, Krabi and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This morning Malaysia wasn't even on my mind. I just looked a a map of Thailand when I was at work online and said I want to go to Malaysia and lo and behold a few hours after that, flight is booked and sometimes that's just how it should be. Spontaneity is sometimes like a drug. [I have never used drugs BTW] but I'm guessing it feels somewhat close to that. I am really looking forward to travelling to South East Asia by myself. Like I've said before if I waited on a friend or family member to be free and have the money to go, do you think anything would have even been booked for now? I highly doubt it. There is so much to see and do that I don't even want anyone bothering me. I just want to get on and do it. I'm looking forward to meeting new people and doing new things and embracing being a singleton on holiday.

**Pumps fist in the air for all those independent singletons**

It surely is nothing to be embarrassed about or even ashamed. In fact most times I love it. Peace and quiet and to come and go as I please. No big baby of a boyfriend wanting to know what time I'll be back or wondering when can we spend some time together as he hasn't seen me all week because of work. I want to marry and have kids, and I can wait, I'm not in a hurry hurry [yes I said it twice]. I'm taking my time and enjoying the scenery figuratively and literally....which leads me onto the next bucket list entry I am going to conquer.

#12 Ride on an Elephant

I used old faithful aka Google and typed in Koh Lanta + elephant and listed at #3 was Sumate Koh Lanta Yai Safari.


ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!! Right there on the island, and they have 5 different elephant programs to choose from. Just last week I was dreaming about trekking through the Thai rainforest on an elephant and on #3 of their programs is the perfect elephant trek for me which consists of:

• Elephant riding for one hour at Pha-ae Camp, set in lush tropical rainforest.
• Visit the Sean Gypsy Village(Baan Sang Ga U).
• Enjoy lunch and stunning view at (Baan Sang Ga U)
• Jungle walk to waterfall.
• Visit Lanta National Park.
• Watch and participate in the baby elephants show.

And now it seems it will become a reality. I thought about doing the one where you get in the Kayak, but I don't know what is in that water and if I see a water snake, let's just put it this way

MY HEART WILL STOP AND I WILL DIE BEFORE THE DAMN BUCKET LIST IS EVEN COMPLETE!

The rainforest trek sounds perfect. I have no desire to see a cave, but I do want to see more stunning views of Thailand.

My sister was in Thailand a few weeks back and rode on an elephant in Koh Samui. She said it was a bizarre yet amazing experience.

I cannot wait to go for a trek with Nelly or Dumbo or whatever it is called. But if I witness an elephant going poo or wee I will have a silent fit.

Throw Malaysia in the Mix & Call It a Day!

Maybe leaving a majority of booking everything till the last minute was supposed to happen for a reason.

I was looking at a map of Thailand online this morning and noticed just how close the distance was to Malaysia. Now in the far east Malaysia is definitely on my list of places to go in the world. So I decided about 20 minutes ago, to just go. Do a 2 in 1. And why not?

So I went onto Air Asia and checked out the prices to all of my domestic flights just to see if they had gone up some, as there has been financial crisis, after financial crisis and for all I knew since I last checked back in July, did the airline even exist anymore? Hey stranger things have happened in recent weeks.

So once I hit Bangkok and stay there for 3 nights, I'm flying to Krabi and travelling to Koh Lanta by road and sea.

I'm going to switch it up from here and travel from Krabi to Kuala Lumpur and from Kuala Lumpur back to Bangkok to spend the last night there before catching my early flight back to London via Bahrain.

It was lucky I was sitting down because I'm used to cheap flights to Europe for a penny plus tax, but still I was amazed at the one way price from Kuala Lumpur back to Bangkok [the longest leg at that] £12 ($21)

EXCUSE ME!!

It costs £8 at peak time to get a one day travel card to zone 1 in London. So for £4 more my black ass can fly from Malaysia back to Thailand. Shoot you don't have to tell me twice.

SOLD TO THE LEGGY SISTAH IN THE BACK WITH A PENCHANT FOR TRAVELLING!!

Now I have to order a Lonely Planet guide for Malaysia and see what I want to do whilst I'm there.

Excited is not even the word.

Bangkok to Krabi 1320 THB* (£21.55)
Krabi to Kuala Lumpar 705 THB* (£11.51)
Kuala Lumpar to Bangkok 75 MYR** (£12.08)
*THB Thai Baht
**MYR Malaysian Ringet

2 Hotels Booked. 2 To Go

Oh my goodness I'm so glad I did 1 more last minute search on Bangkok hotels, because I had IMM Fusion down as my choice until I came across this bad ass hotel called Le Fenix. And I got 3 nights for approximately 5,827 THB (£95) not per night. Total stay!!! OMG I am so psyched.

Le Fenix, Bangkok

(l-r) Exterior of Le Fenix Hotel with L Shaped windows, Lobby, Flow Bar

I have no energy to book the 2 other hotels and domestic flight so will leave those till tomorrow.


(l-r) Guest Room, Roof Top Lounge

I already have The Langham booked for Koh Lanta and considering the Boston Langham is $505 per night and the London hotel £263 a night during the same time I'll be staying there, the Thai one I booked on special for £90 for 3 nights.

**FAINTS**

Langham Place Eco Resort + Spa, Koh Lanta, Krabi

(l-r) Wave Bar, Main Pool, Mountain Top Pool

Who said you need to experience Thailand by back packing and back packing alone? I'm sorry I have no problem getting dirty by day, but you best believe I need a pool and spa afterwards. And on top of that, I can experience just as much as the smelly back packing traveller. Shoot if I ride an elephant and you ride an elephant in Thailand aren't we sharing the same experience and seeing the same beautiful countryside? The only difference I'll be laying my head down at night in a 4 star hotel rather than a hut or shared dorm. I know I sound so snobbish, but I've had it up to here of people telling me that by staying in nice hotels in Thailand I'm not going to experience it fully. We'll see about that.


(l-r) The Watermark Restaurant, Guest Room, Chuan Spa