Lists

I read a post online today about a girl that LOVES lists! And I am with you honey! 

Writting down your goals is commitment in writting that you are going to do somthing! And once you’ve achieved and ticket of highlighted it.. well what an amazing feeling!

I love a list and today I was writing a list about writing lists.

At the start of every year I usually write down my goals! This year was different because I went traveling my only goals was to see more, so more, eat more and tan more! 

Now that I am back to reality it’s time to get my list on!

So I have written a list on my phone keys things to by a super cute note pad and super cute colour gel pens!

Next I want to write lists of:

I’m hoping to add more to lists To my notepad but the ideas might not come until I choose the notepad!
Lists are great for setting your goals in writting! No going back once they are set!

What do you write lists about? Do you find them helpful? 

Traveling with your Partner

Since being back, I have been asked lots of time weather I found it difficult to travel with my boyfriend.

Before, I left for Thailand in January I must admit this was somthing that had crossed my mind. We do not argue a lot but we argue over the little things like couples do. 

Upon arriving in Thailand, we were tired from all the traveling and where grouchy because we were confused by the arrival card forms. I could sense that my boyfriend was getting annoyed and was asking me questions as if it was my fault. I thought oh no here we go. 

The truth is, that was about as much as we argued in Thailand. 

The everyday life of traveling around Thailand, takes away so many of the stresses back home. Speed of life, is not full on anymore it’s medium. You don’t have to rush home from work too cook dinner, before going to bed and starting again. There was nothing to argue about.
If anything traveling made our relationship stronger. I now like to allocate us time together, to just be us and spend time together.

For me I was worried about wearing no make up all the time. Within the first week, I was going out without make up on and this allowed me confidence to grow. The best thing was my boyfriend every other day, kept telling me how beautiful I look. He told me how he noticed more freckles surfacing and how lovely and refreshed I looked. This really helped with my confidence and helped me feel comfortable in my own skin. 

Sometimes, we found it harder to make friend as a couple, rather then a solo back packer. We found ourself  mainly making friend with already formed groups or other couples. I feel that solo backpacker do not want to feel third wheely. Which I understand as there are some cringey couples out there, but I think we are okay ha ha.

We had lots of drunken night out, long trecks and relaxing days. The trip  made me realise I wasn’t just traveling with my boyfriend, I was traveling with my best friend.

Now that we are home, I find myself receiving text messages saying ” I love you beautiful, you are my best friend”. Which I admit is cringey but it does make me realise how good our relationship is.

Cannot wait for our next adventure. 

Why hate it before you try it

A lot of people don’t like sushi.

when I ask why most people say because they don’t like fish. Did you know that sushi means ” on a bed of rice” 

Sushi does not necessarily mean you would put anything fishy on it. They do vegetable sushi, chicken sushi, curry sushi. 

I often wonder what goes on in somebody’s head, when they say they do not like something, before they have tried.

My boyfriend will not try gherkins or olives because they are green. When someone offers them to him, he says he dosent like them. How does he know if he hasn’t try them.

When I was younger I used to make my mind up, if I didn’t like somthing before trying it. My dad would make me try it, I would chew it and swallow quickl, then agree that I defiantly didn’t like it. My dad said how would you know, you made up your mind before you ate it.

I believe this method of thinking, is also how we think about life. 

Have you ever gone to Thorpe park? Looked at the scariest ride and thought nope I won’t like that. Then the person you are with keeps pestering you and you end up going on it due to peer pressure. Then you hate yourself for giving in as you are being strapped up, preparing yourself to have an enjoyable experience. The ride goes and your still panicking as it head to the scariest part, and once you have done it you laugh. You laugh because you are relived, as it wasn’t as scary as you expected. You laugh because you actually had fun and enjoyed it. You laugh because you have just experience such a contract of judging and hating the experience before doing it, and actually loving and having fun during the experience. 

If you can change your mind set of hating before you try, you will find life more enjoyable. The food that you hate before trying, actually may be somthing you end up having in your daily diet. That ride at Thorpe park that you would hate to go on, may be the reason you want to go again. 

If you start saying yes to trying new things, your life will be open to so many new aspects. It may take you traveling, it may take you sky diving and I promise you it will open your eyes. 

Backpacking – what to bring and what not to bring

If your going ok your first backpacking adventure, like many you will be wondering what to bring. You don’t want to bring to much and be carrying a heavy bag around, but at the same time you need certain things to survive. 

Ladies, hair dryers and hair straighteners are a no no. Your hair will dry within 20 mins of being outside, embrace nature drying your hair it’s all part of traveling. If you straighten or dry your hair in the heat, you will be damaging your hair big time. The biggest bonus of not brining these is it’s a lot of weight taken off your back. Plus my hair grew loads and feels healthier. You will however need lots of hair bands, I was forever wearing one and keeping one on my wrist. I went with 30 and came back with 3.

Make up was the hardest decision for me, as I’m the time of girl you hug and end up will my make up on your shirt. Travelling I took, two lots of BB cream and lipgloss both with additional suncream in them. Truth is, after two weeks I was way to tanned for my BB cream and my skin felt so healthy anyway I didn’t want to wear it. When we went on night out hardly anyone wore make up, apart from young girls that where there for a Party weekend. 

Towels are a pain, not every hotel/hostel will provide you with towels. Plus you usually need your own towel for beaches or sitting beside the pool. We discovered microfibres towels, they roll up into a tiny sack. They try very quickly, if you poor water on them in the sun you can practically watch them dry. 

Two paid of shoes only! Flip flops and comfy walking shoes. I invested in sketchers which were super comfy, when we moved from each destination I put my flip flops in my bag and wore my comfy shoes. We also had walking boots ( light but grippy) which we kept in my boyfriend bag as his was much bigger. The walking boots where perfect for rainy days and going for hilly walks.

I originally packed one of shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and body wash. We packed these items in a seperare see through bag, with all or cosmetics. Don’t forget sunceeam and mosquito spray. One bottle of sunceeam lasted us sixweeks. There are shops, most of the time you will find it fairly cheap to buy these items.

Only bring one book, because you can buy books out their, they have book exchange cafes and most hostels you will find someone you can exchange with. If you have a kindle then that is ideal.

The biggest question is how many clothes to bring. The awnser is now much. I brought with me 3 pairs of shorts, 3 strap tops, 3 dresses, 2 strap tops, and a mix of four bikinis that I could mix and match. It dosent seem a lots but once you have put your costemtics, your shoes and your clothes in your bag will be pretty full. Plus I’m thaialnd was found so many clothes and items we wanted to buy and put in our bags.

Don’t forget a water proof jacket, for when it rains. I always had mine attatched to the outside of my bag.

It dosent matter what you bring, at the end of the day you will have fun. Brining less stuff just means, you will moan less when you are moving about.

Bucket list

As many of you will know by now, I love a bucket list. I have managed to tick a few more things off in Thailand. Thailand also inspired me to add a few knew things. I’ve also added into the to do list countries I’ve been too; I’ve currently been to 12 countries and can’t wait to add more. 

Meet an elephant in the wild

Go to Disney land

Visit Lapland ✔️

Kayak ✔️ – Kayak on the sea in Koh Phanang 

Go on a ghost walk / hunt 

Spain ✔️

Complete a half marathon 

Egypt ✔️

Hug a panda bear 

Go on a ski holiday 

Morocco ✔️

Gibbrolata ✔️

Ride hot air balloon 

Grenada ✔️

Fly a kite ✔️

Hold a monkey ✔️

Stand under a waterfall ✔️

Write letter to my future self

France ✔️

Be sent flowers at work

Gran Caneria ✔️

Greece ✔️

Amsterdam ✔️

Volunteer at a soup kitchen 

Belgium ✔️

Bring food to the homeless 

Cyprus ✔️

Have a price of writting published 
Try acupuncture 

Have my palm read 

Go to a murder mystery night 

Go to a casino ✔️

Go to bingo✔️

Go to a fashion show

Have a make up lesson ✔️

Go wine tasting ✔️

Take a cookery class 

Fly in a helicopter 

Spin records like a dj ✔️

Be a member of a tv Audience 

Sleep in a castle 

Visit a Buddhist temple✔️

Visit the Pyramids 

Go to Octoberfest 

Go to Dublin 

Floating lanterns on a beach 

Sit on a jury 

Be taken to Paris 

Visit the Dead Sea 

Feed a exotic animal
Try a watersport ✔️

wall of China 

Go island hopping ✔️

Go on a moped ✔️

Go to a full moon party 

Achieve somthing for make a wish 

Drive a sega way 

Go to Pompey 

Go glamping 

Go on for dinner or the River Thames 
Amsterdam✔️
Hawaii 
Visit a factory✔️

Win something amazing 
Added to the list on 19/01/2017

Visit Australia 

Go snorkelling 

Visit America 

Travel around Asia 

Parasailing 

Go to a floating market 

Visit Fiji 

See a koala 

Watch football in a different country 

Go to a Christmas market

Go zip wiring 

Visit Singapore 

Visit Vietnam 

Go to Harry Potter world 

Stay in a group hostel 

Do a fun run for charity 

Save £10,000

 

Reality of being home

As upset as I was to come home early. I landed in Gatwick at lunch time, and I became excited to hug my parents, have a cup of tea and a bubble bath. I was very happy to see my parents, emotional hugs as support during this time.
I got home and put the kettle on. Home did not feel as homely as I expected. It seemed smaller and I felt like a foreign giants. My cup of tea was great in my favourite mug. The next morning, I got up and made a cup of tea and sat and watched the news. I missed being on the beach with a strawberry or mango fruit smoothie. Missed waking up, feeling excited for today’s adventure. 

We had lots to do, sort out our phones, see Tony’s friends and family, sort work out, get a diary, sort out storage in our bedroom.. so much to do. No more stress free morning, when are hardest decision was to relax on the beach before or after we explored the area. 

Every day we would swim in the sea or a swimming pool. Yesterday morning, I got changed straight into my work out gear and went for a run outside. It was nice to be outside excerising again, but still not the same. 

I’m currently having a bubble bath, face mask on and drinking a chai tea. I felt that some time to reflect would be good for my mind. All I can think about is missing traveling and looking at around the world tickets online. 

Last night, I went to church to light a candle for my auntie and for my family. It was a church I had been to a few times with my dad. This time when I went, I noticed the paintings on the wall, the wooden alter, the mosaics glass artwork. It was like traveling has opened my mind to be more observant and notice new things. It is such a beautiful world, when you open your mind. When I jogged to the park yesterday, I always thought it was a rubbish little park in Mile oak. When I jogged to the top of the hill, and turned around I could see the sea me stood there for a minute to take it all in.

It’s safe to say I’ve been bit by the travel bug. I’ve bought a scratch of map, to decide our next destination! 

Emotional goodbye to Thailand, my paradise

Due to sad family news, we have had to cut our trip early. We booked flight for 2 days after to return home. 
As we were in Koh Phanang, we had a lots of traveling to do as we needed to fly from Bangkok. We started journey, at 5pm. All of our bags packed, wearing our airport clothes. I’ve updated my airport trousers to super comfy elephant trousers and strap top. A taxi picked us up and took us to the pier. 
The ferry to Koh Samui to big Buddha pier, took only half an hour. I started to feel sad that this was our last boat journey. I found the boat journeys, super relaxing sitting on the top deck sitting with my legs over the edge. One of my favourite journeys, was seeing dolphins swimming from Ao nang to Koh Samui.
From Big Buddha, we got a mini bus to the Airport for 100 Baht per person. 
Koh Samui airport was busy, their seems be only one airline that flys from there. The queues took forever. Once checked in, we had a look around the airport, it was so laid back that it didn’t feel like an airport. 
We waited for an hour before Boarding our flight which was slightly delayed. The flight took a hour and half to Bangkok. The flight where around £100 each, but you where served a little food which was great. 
Once at Bangkok airport, we checked in. I got emotional being at Bangkok airport, as this is where our beautiful journey began over 6 and half weeks ago. We arrived curious of what to expect on our trip, and wondering how to get a taxi and how much to pay. I got emotional and actually cried a little realising our journey was over. Tony cuddled me and said it’s not over, it’s just beginning because now we know we want to see more of the world. 
It took a hour and flurry five minutes in Emirates check in queue and when we got to the desk they told us we might not have a ticket as they where over booked ( although we had already paid £1500 for our flight) after another half hour wait they managed to sort our flight out. After, immigration checks to leave the country we had to run to our gate as we were now very late despite arriving 3 and half hours before our flight. As we arrived at the gate, it was literally about to close and we were the last few people on the flight. 
The first half of our flight was to Dubai and took around 6 hours and 10 mins. As this was a 2am flight, I managed to sleep for a few hours.
Once arrived in Dubai airport we had a two hour wait. Tony, wanted a McDonald’s in Bangkok but due to the chaos we didn’t have them to get one. As soon as we got to Dubai he was searching for McDonald’s. 
Dubai airport was HUGE. We took a elevator to the top floor, then a five minute walk to the train. We got of the train at the next stop. Then another elevator and then a 5 min walk to our gate. Disappointed to discover, we did not have seats together but I luckily managed to swap with the girl next to me. 

Every time, I’ve been to Dubai I always get “randomly” checked. When you get randomly checked, you have to go into a private room. The first time I was patt searched everywhere, and I mean everywhere. The second time I was drug swabbed under arms, in between boobs, hands, feet and my shoes and phone where also swabbed and I had to wait for the results. Great, that they are so strict on security and questionable to why I look so dodgy haha. 
I am currently on the plan from Dubai to London, Gatwick. We still have around 4 and half hours to go. I’m currently watching ghost busters 2 with a cup of tea. I have to say, it’s the first proper brew I have had in six and half weeks. 
I am a little more excited to go home now, see my family, have a bubble bath, have a good cuppa and a nandos. I’m sad as my journey was cut short but I need to go home and be with my family.
I have so many more dreams of place I want to visit. I am satisfied that we covered everything south that we wanted to cover, my highlight where swimming in waterfalls, Kayaking on the sea, water parks, drunken nights on the beach and meeting new people.
My current journey is over but it is to be continued.

Koh Phanang

We spent another 3 days in Koh Samui, before getting the half hour ferry over to Koh phanang. The entire boat journey you could see Koh Samui and Koh Phanang. 
Once arrive in Koh Phanang it advised us that it was a 15 min walk, through the main road. I realised the pier was on the same beach as our hotel, we walked agog the beach for 5 mins and reached our hotel.
We stayed at Coral Bungalows, for 480 Baht we got a bungalow with Aircon and fans. The room has a double bed and a single bed. The bathroom was your typical wet room. The room was fairly dark and looked slightly like prison but it was super cheap and super basic. The great part about our hotel was that it was right on the beach and had a swimming pool overlooking the sea. Our room happened to be the last room, and overlooked the sea, we had some fun days sitting on the balcony playing cards and watching the sea.
We had a mixture of drinking night / hangover days, adventure days and relaxing days. 
My favourite adventure day, was when we hired a moped and drove around for 5/6 hours. We drove to a Chinese temple, where I lit a incense stick to purify surroundings. After this we drove to a waterfall, were we walked for 400 m UPHILL, to the top of the waterfall where we went for a swim. We then drove to sun set beach, for a spot of lunch at My friend restaurant.  

Another day, we went to the water park that was a little walk from coral Bungalows beach. The slip n slide, scared the living day life out of me but my boyfriend went on it at least 15 times. They also did inflatable challenge on the sea, bungee jumps and Zorbing. My favourite part was hiring Kayaks and kayaking out into the sea, was beautiful. 650 baht was a 4 day pass and included use of everything. 

We had a drunken night ( by accident) we had to large changes during happy hour and got talking to an American couple and guy from Hawai without realising we drunk 4/5 large beers and we’re feeling a little drunk. 
Another night was a pool party night and I had 4 buckets of Samsung and coke oops. The party was okay, but had more of a chilled vibe. We drunkly walk to 7/11 at 2am to get ourselves some cheese toasties. 

The rest of the days we spent, walking to the beach, looking at the shops, and swimming in the pool. Koh Phanang is beautiful and such a mixture of things to do. We went post full moon party and stayed here around black moon party. 

Oh, and the sunsets. Every night we watched the sunset and I feel every night it got more and more beautiful. 

Defiantly recommend. 

Koh Samui, Chawang beach

We arrived in Koh Samui on February 13th. 

We have spent a total of 3 nights and four days here. 

The first day was spent traveling to the island, 3 hour coach journey and 2 hour ferry. Once we arrived on the island, we walked to the Big Buddha temple that’s close to the ferry port with our big rucksacks on. There was a few stairs to get to the top, but the golden Buddha and the views were certainly worth it. 

After, we got a taxi to our hotel. We have checked ourselves into a hotel called pleasure Harbour Bouqitue close to which is close the Chaweng beach. The hotel is decorated erotically, which is interesting for Valentine’s.

We have found our favourite bar and resteraunt called Backpackers. Amazing cheap food and I finally tried my first Thai green curry and it was amazing. I can’t wait to have another. We have gone here at least once a day, for a game of pool or connect four. 

The first night, we decided to have a few beers. There was a bar at the end of the strip called tastys, where the seats outside where swings and the toilet was a golden thrown hidden behind a book case, defiantly recommend trying here. We ended up finding a small club, which was full of Thai people only and dancing until 3am drinking vodka buckets for 99 Baht. We had a fabulous night, and defiantly recommend this area for partying. The only strange thing, is there is vissably a lot of prositutes around and with that comes a lot of seedy men. 

February 14th, Valentines we spent the day adventuring and found a arcades and cinema. The Arcades was a lot of fun, from old school street fighter games, to the new 4d shooting games. At the cinema we watched the new 50 shades of grey. If you go to watch this, make sure you stay to the end of the credits, as you get a sneaky preview of the next film. We ended Valentine’s with a drink at our hotel, where I finally had my first glass of red wine since we have been away. 

Yesterday was beach day. Chawang beach is surfers paradise, where the waves are constantly high. It’s very difficult to swim here and if you doggy paddle like me the waves will take you. I did however, have so much fun holding hands with my boyfriend and jumping against the waves with my goggles on. We then had massages on the beach, a Thai massage for one hour. It felt like heaven, I enjoyed mainly when she massages my back and my hands. After, our massages we had some food at the street market by the shopping centre. Potato cheese balls and chicken on a stick yum yum yum! 
We had an early night, as we where tired from jumping with the waves for hour and hours and felt super relaxed after a massage. I literally had one beer with food and was ready for my bed. 

Today, we are checking out of our hotel and heading to a different part of the island, where we have booked another hotel. 

Hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day. 

Krabi Ao Nang

We have spent 4 night back in Ao Nang in Krabi. It’s strange that it now seems so cheap compared to the island such as phi phi. 

We stayed two night in cosy house, and then moved next door to flora house for 2 nights. We have stayed in Flora house previously and would defiantly recommend it. 

As we are now trying to budget, we are spending most of our money in 7/11. We buy boxes of cereal, milk and plastic bowls.  Breakfast is costing around 20 Baht per morning. We have been having street food for either lunch or dinner and resteraunt food for the other. We went to a fabulous, all you can eat BBQ Buffet for 400 Baht per person, very over budget but very worth it. There is also a little area of seafood restaurants at the bottom of the road that leads up to the pier. We had amazing prawns in sweet and sour sauce there.

Apart from eating delicious food, we have adventured to the top of the road towards Krabi town an adventures to the road that runs parallel to our hotel road. We have walked a total of 12 miles in the last couple of days, just from wondering around. The height difference between the kerbs and the road is big. Too try keep up with a little fitness, we have been jumping of the high kerbs and squatting on our landing. 

Tony has been out of beer, as we have drunk toooooo much of it. We are usually drinking Samsung and coke. Samsung is a Thai rum, I hope to find it back in the U.K. 

I have also invented 29 Baht, into a charcoal tooth paste. It’s dosent taste great but it’s supposed to give you whiter teeth in 14 days, defiantly worth a try. My hair is become lighter everyday, and is frowning and seems healthy from lack of straightening and curling. 

We spent a day at the beach, literally from 11am until 4pm. Ao Nang beach, has been our favourite so far. It can get very busy though on a really hot day.

We have had two rainy days, But just a chance to eat Thai snacks and practice my card skills.

Tonight we are packing and having some street food for dinner. We are embarking for in a long journey tommorow. We are being picked up at 6:30am, and taken to krabi town. From Krabi town we have a 3 hour coach journey to the north of Krabi, to Donsak pier. From Donsak Pier, we have a hour and half ferry journey to Koh Samui. We have a hotel booked for 3 nights. 

I’m excited to be spending valentines with my best friend / boyfriend in another beautiful island.