THE FANTASTIC TOUR

Well, after 9 months (& one week!) and 20 countries we've finally completed our adventure. We've packed our backpacks for the last time and we're waiting for our last flight, our flight home.

What can we say? It's a cliché (and clichés exist for a reason), but it has been the trip of a lifetime. We've seen so much, had so many new experiences and met so many weird and wonderful people. We've eaten the best and the worst food, we've stayed in the nastiest hell-holes and the most beautiful places. We've travelled by plane, train, bus, boat, kayak, zip-line, car, motorbike, scooter, bicycle, cable-car, hanglider & tuk-tuk. We've used countless currencies and bartered in many languages (well, we tried!). But the best thing of all is that we've done all of it together and had a blast doing it.

Thanks to all of you who followed us on this blog. Although its been great for us to constantly remind ourselves of what we've done, ultimately we did it for you. Hope you enjoyed it and that it gave you some idea of where we've been and what we've been up to.

Coming to a blog site near you - 'The Fantastic Tour 2' - maybe not now, maybe not tomorrow, but hopefully one day... 

Until then XX

BANGKOK, THAILAND 10

BANGKOK, THAILAND 9

BANGKOK, THAILAND 8

BANGKOK, THAILAND 7

BANGKOK, THAILAND 6

BANGKOK, THAILAND 5

BIG BANGKOK BONUS

We didn't think our bonus time in Bangkok was going to be as long as it turned out to be - 7 days, 7 nights. Definitely the longest flight delay we've ever had! To begin with, it wasn't much fun as we spent a lot of our time trying to find out when and how we were going to get out of Bangkok. Qantas kept saying we might get on the next relief flight out of Phuket (12 hours bus ride away) to Singapore and then onto London, but we were clearly at the bottom of a long list of other stranded people (936 at one point) and it never happened. We had to take shifts manning our hotel room phone and we couldn't go anywhere in the city due to the risk of potential rioting, etc. We even looked at the possibility of making our own way to Singapore, but with 'perfect' timing there were severe floods in southern Thailand and the buses were unable to get through.

Eventually, and thankfully, a court-ruling forced out the government and the protestors (PAD) ended their occupation of both Bangkok airports. Qantas finally confirmed that we were booked on a direct flight to London on December 8th. It was great to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, but unfortunately it meant that we had missed our families' welcome party, a gig night with Jesse, Eco-Dave's annual Christmas dinner on his island and last, but by no means least, a long-planned evening to see the Mexican wrestling with Sam & Eli. Sorry to everyone for not being there, but we'll make up for it when we get home!

Once we'd got our return date confirmed, we were able to enjoy our last few bonus days in Bangkok. And the sun was finally shining for us, so we made the most of our hotel's rooftop pool. We also took in some sights - the Giant Buddha, the Lucky Buddha, the Grand Palace & the Emerald Buddha, Wat Po Temple & the impressive Reclining Buddha. As well as walking up and down the Khao San Road a zillion times (this is where your most of your Christmas pressies come from guys!), we even managed to squeeze in a trip to the flicks to see the latest Bond film. 

Also, having missed so many national festivals around the world (we were always just too late or a bit too early), we were lucky enough to STILL be in Bangkok for the much adored King's 80th birthday (there are huge pictures of him EVERYWHERE). It's always a national holiday, but obviously 'the big 80' is a biggy, so there were all sorts of street celebrations, mass sing-alongs and even bigger firework displays. We'd never seen anything like it before, especially for a King (do we love our Queen that much?), but His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the world's longest-reigning monarch and we were glad to be a part of his and his country's special day, despite his absence due to ill-health(!)

This was our third visit to Bangkok and, even though we've got so much more to see, we've grown to like the city a lot. We'll be back for sure...

KO PHAGNAN, THAILAND 2