Random entry

Not travelling, well i am on train but commuting only.

How the world changes!

On train....four passengers in my group of seats......no Sun, no Telegraph, no Metro..... no Millenium Triology, no Dickens, no trash novel...

Cant make out for sure, but i think 2 I-Pads and two other tablets

World Tennis Charity Invitation

The papers since i have been in Thailand have trailed this match between:

Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka

who are world #1 and #3 respectively.

Played in Hua Hin, i managed to get a ticket and match started at 5pm to avoid the full force of the sun. The match was fairly relaxed but certainly you could see the competitive instincts firmly kick in at times. Azarenka deservedly won and it might be a cliche but you only really appreciate how hard they hit the ball when you see it live.

ps i know i have mentioned i cant spell check, but believe me the names are correct
pps Ms Wozniacki's other half was also present - Rory Mcilroy

Happy new year from Thailand

As you would probably guess they like fireworks, firecrackers and anything else that makes a bang........

and sending lanterns into the sky

Hua Hin

So the last part of the trip is the relaxing bit at Hua Hin, which is likely to consist of:

Sun
Shade
Swim
Food
Read
Watch
and other challenging tasks.

And of course, given its Thailand..........massage.

Now the hotel spa treatments were a bit pricey, so i thought i would try the place at the end of the drive. It looked legit, no ladies outside wolf whistling to attract clients, so i gave it go.

One hour later, i felt relaxed but with Thai massage its no pain no gain. The lady then suggested a foot massage.

PLEASE NOTE FEMALE READERS SHOULD SKIP TO VERSION 2

Version one (male readers only).
It was alright, felt a bit girly but it was cheap and i was doing my bit for local economy. THE END

Version two (female readers only)
It soon became clear i had misunderstood what was on offer. No pounding/massaging of feet but some scrubbing/moisturising. Now i might be a bit slow but eventually i worked out i was getting a pedicure and she was going hell for leather on the sole of my feet and heels. At the end i just paid manfully and left but back in my room i had to give them a quick feel - soft as anything. Now the dilemma, i can manfully go and ask to be pummeled half to death with a Thai massage, but can i really ask for "that thing she did with my feet"

More Photos posted

Ok, managed to get a decent internet connection so have posted additional photos of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, including trips.

You should be able to get to them from here


Alternatively just google "picasa alex gipson" and you should find them.




p.s. whatever you do don't google "alex gipson sexy photos" - that was all a long time ago,we were in early 20's, if Shane Warne is still dating Liz he would not appreciate them being available on the web, and to be honest Ryan Giggs has not helped all of us that had proper Super Injunctions in place which now seem to have been lifted.

Chiang Rai

Last day in Chaing Rai, sees a tour to Doi Tung Royal Villa and the Mae Luang Garden next door.

Doi Tung is the range of hills and used to be an Opium producing area (and there is probably a fair amount still going on). The villa was built for the King's mother -now deceased - 22 years ago and was inspired by trips she took to Lausanne, and is therefore an interesting mix of Thai and Swiss.

Quite basic in areas, it is used for a few days a year by the royal family, but otherwise open to public.

The location was partly due to the fact that the hills do have a bit of a Swiss feel to them (minus the snow in winter) but also to bring employment to locals in order to encourage them away from previous trade.

The gardens next door are 18 years old but seem quite mature and very well laid out.

On the way back we stopped at the Chiang Rai flower festival, which is an annual event, over 10 days starting just before Xmas. Photos to follow in due course and will hopefully do it justice.
In the morning i fly to Bangkok and then travel down to Hua Hin, for the more relaxing part of trip.

Golden Triangle

Day trip from Chiang Ria taking in:

Local artist complex
Village life
Monkey cave
Trip over border to Burma for a couple of hours
A couple more temples!
Visit to Opium Museum
Trip on Mekong River
Visit to Golden Triangle viewing spot where Laos, Burma and Thailand come together.

You can also see two new Casinos being built in Burma and Laos, who don't have the same gambling restrictions as Thailand.

It sounds quite an itinerary but most places were close together and actually it was quite a relaxed day.