Day 158 - Final day in Koh Samui

Going to miss this place, well not the sand, but the views

Day 158 - 28th November

What the hell is in that rum. I was still struggling and feeling sick.

He seems content enough.

But it was my last day in Koh Samui, I'd be leaving in the morning at 6:30 for Kuala Lumpur. So I got to work until 12 o'clock when Matt finally surfaced and we went for the order of the day. I never get sick of rice and meat because they cook it so well here.

Matt went off to the gym whilst I went back to write again. I've come up with a new sitcom based on my experiences growing up in a big family. It's going to be pretty funny I think, with lots of great personalities and comedic material. We shall see.

I had some fantastic news - my oldest friend, Matt (neither from these last few days in Koh Samui) asked me to be his best man at his wedding next September. Obviously I was delighted and accepted the role. I'll plan how to do it in the coming weeks.

I went to the Irish bar for a few beers whilst I had Skype chats with my parents, sister and brothers. It was great to hear from them all. My niece Emmy is quite the character now, oh how I miss her and the rest of the gang.

A curry in a coconut - on in Koh Samui!

In the evening, I had a curry at the local place, The Curry that I found with the others and had a wonderful fish curry in a coconut. Seriously, this woman is fantastic and her place will be a hotspot in the next year or so, I'm sure of it.

Crazy kids, Matt and Emmi

Even crazier, Emmi and Joy

I had a quick wash and then made my way up to the Mynt Lounge to say goodbye to all the gang. The trip wasn't as uneventful as it usually was - I kissed a masseur and was ball grabbed by a random drunk woman in the company of three guys outside a Seven 11 on my way up.

These girls love a selfie! With two others thrown in for good measure.

At the Mynt Lounge, we played pool, drank beer, put on lousy music and enjoyed my last few hours. I'll miss Joy, Emmi and the rest of the gang but I'll be a few hundred up wherever I go from now on! 

But the night didn't end there.

Chaweng was lively.

I left for a few hours to watch the United game and afterwards we (Matt, Joy, Emmi and I) headed to Chaweng to go to a club. I thought, what the hell. Sleep is for whimps. We started dancing, I upset Emmi by telling her she didn't need to smoke - sorry Ems - and Matt got soaked in his shirtless stay when the rain came down.

Before the madness, the face wasn't much different though.

We moved to another bar and then trouble found us. Matt had his phone and 800 Baht stolen from his bag. To say he was agitated would be putting it mildly and it took all three of us to calm him down and keep his head cool. Panicking in this type of situation is pointless.

Outside, he fought a corigated sheet of metal protecting a building site. The sheet won of course and Matt was left nursing a swollen, possibly dislocated knuckle. I had to sort him out.

So I got him on the phone to the bank, cancelled his online banking details which had been stored on his phone, gave him my old Nokia from Cambodia and ran in the rain to Seven 11 to get ice for his hand. All in all, an exciting way to finish off Koh Samui!

What a way to start the day!

I saw out the night, knowing it was useless trying to sleep when I had a six thirty bus to catch. It was already 4:30. I'd get plenty of rest on the 23 hour coach trip! 

I bid farewell to the gang and readied myself. It was going to be brutal.

Day 125 - Farewell Siem Reap and Cambodia. Time to go to Laos!

This is how I feel today about leaving Cambodia!

Day 125 - 26th October

Well, the day has arrived. 9 weeks gone in the blink of an eye. I've had so many great memories - Bou Savy, Globalteer, the kids and sports, Phnom Penh trips, Big Willy F.C. and so many more!

I delivered my loaned bike and effects back to Globalteer, gave my favourite noodle lady a present and waited for Mr Barang to pick me up for the airport.

The Bou Savy staff bid me a warm farewell, I'll miss them all and the banter I had with them about charging other rooms for my $106.30 bill. Thanks to David who kept me organised and all the staff. Hopefully our paths with cross again in the future!

I waited patiently for my flight and then off I went.

I reached Pakse around 4:30pm and had my grilling from the Laos border officials. $35 lighter and I was sitting in a waiting room ready to fly out to Vientiane. I was so excited. Laos was not on my original plan but now I was here, I couldn't wait to start exploring.

I was sitting on the plane beside Jo and Georgia, two women from Australia, but I only found this out when we were through the baggage hall in Vientiane and they were trying to close up at 8:30pm! After quick introductions we agreed to split 70,000 Kip for the cab into Vientiane city centre.

The cab driver said we'd paid only 57,000 Kip for one drop off point when we knew we'd paid for two drop offs at 70,000 Kip. I knew what he was going to pull so I told him to take the girls to their hostel first.

The girls gave him 10,000 Kip as their half of the 20,000 outstanding.

We dropped them off and then headed to my hostel. He demanded 20,000. I told him he'd already made an extra 10,000 Kip out of us and was now taking the mickey. He kept his hand on my backpack and demanded 20,000 Kip. Nearby, a group of eight to ten security guards were standing by to maintain order at the street carnival down my street. That meant punching him was out the question - I'm joking (or am I).

I gave him 10,000 Kip and snatched my backpack up. He yelled something in Laoian and I told him he was taking the piss before walking off. I don't mind paying up if I owe but don't try and rob me!

I eventually made it to the Funky Monkey hostel and checked in. I was sharing with a Chinese woman and a dark haired, Russian looking woman. She had tattoos all over her.

I bought my bus ticket and then retired to bed ready for a long day ahead. 24 hours to really see Vientiane - I wasn't going to waste it!