Koh Lipe ..the video

Thailand ... Koh Lipe

Stunningly beautiful beaches and water. Very small, at just a few kilometres long. No cars so transport is by modified scooters. They have a bench bolted to them to make it a side-car. Island is so small it is very easy to walk between the different beaches.

We stayed in an eco-retreat. Very basic with no air-conditioning, hot water etc.

To get into the environmental mode we even had frogs in our shower. They were always checking us out and gloating. I promised the girls that the frogs would stay downstairs in the shower room. Came home one night and they had decided to climb the stairs to the bedroom.

Some family members were not happy with this decision. I must have missed this one in boyhood because never had to catch frogs. Grabbing them was easy but holding them was difficult. They felt like a boucing bar of wriggling soap.

I was pondering why they were so easy to catch. Because they can only move by jumping if you grab them from above they have limited room to manoeuvre. If they could run or scurry it would be  more challenging.

There was one other unexpected problem. We stayed at Sunrise beach which is quieter and has better snorkelling. Unfortunately there was one bar that everyone hated and were trying to get closed down.
 ( The lease runs out soon and is not going to be renewed). Our retreat was handing out earplugs. We had two nights of very loud music which echoed across the whole bay. To make it worse the actual music was just so annoying.



I know your parents have eaten all the whales and had all the original adventures. So the young are left with worn out package tours and drugs so psychotic that the only sound they can relate to is a three second  base loop. Its not musical said the old man and it annoys my frogs.

I have always wanted to learn to free dive. A two day course covered theory and practical water diving. I was a little disappointed as had problems equalising in one ear. I got over 16 metres but really wanted to get to 20 metres. I am going to have another crack at this. It is so cool.

Lots of chilling out. The days were hectic as we snorkelled constantly. One day on a boat trip to various islands and another day hired a kayak and did our own thing. Seren loved being towed around the bay behind the kayak. I have some video in the next post.

.

Drinks were cheap and food delicious. I lived on Massaman curry and mango sticky rice the whole trip. So good for your waistline said nobody ever.

Thaipusam Penang 2018

I always feel something at this Hindu festival. Devotees pierce and skewer themselves in an act of penance. They take a lot of pain and  show great physical endurance to make the walk.  Mixed in with  dancing, joy and free food. Its an incredible experience.

Jamies Graduation Oxford

Proud day for everyone as Jamie graduates with a 1st in MMathPhys.  Christchurch is a stunning college to visit. So much history in the buildings and attached Cathedral.

Not allowed to stand on the grass but Quidditch is acceptable

London

Arrived in London on the way to Jamie's graduation. It does not change much. I used to really love this city. Did not feel the same way this time. So busy. With my limpy leg I was a real obstruction in the tube pedestrian tunnels.

One thing I do miss is a greasy fry up  

and Indian food (Thanks 'Sweets' and Lewisham)

We did some research to see if Seren would like it here. Looks like a big Yes.

I had a few nights in a cubicle for the crack. Ten pounds a night in Bayswater. Fourteen to a room.

Tested this theory out by standing on the road in busy Oxford street and photographing it.

Walking aimlessly and came to a blast from the past. I used to stand on this corner while working as a  motorbike courier. Absolute lifetime ago.  Golden square was my hangout before there was mobile phones and internet. It was about the same time people like Mark Zuckerberg and Katy Perry were being born.

Penang year five

We are making plans to leave Penang end of July 2018.  It does make us sad as we desperately try to hold on to the sights and memories. Expect some very boring posts.


The most perfect breakfast. Roti Canai

 Of course there is lots of other great food as well

 you just cannot believe how good this smells

 or alternately how bad this smells

then the aroma of incense burning

 The smells , sights and sounds.  You can never find them all but we have seven moths to try.

Some things just feel strange.

 They have changed the security guards at our condo. Lucky for us, still really nice Nepalese guys. The new ones are very military.  I was surprised when I got my first group salute and muttered "carry on men" like something out of an old war movie. Embarrassed myself. It is difficult  to drive the car, use the remote,  and salute at the same time. Sometimes I use the wrong hand or just do a hybrid wave version. They even have a guard whose full time job is to salute as you drive your car into the condo.

There is a very old couple who go to my gym. They fascinate me.The old man works out while the  women stands right next to him. It is just so sweet. She dresses like she is going to church and has her handbag over her arm. She never works out , just stands very close to him. Is that something from another era.

Every Saturday I take Seren to Gymnastics. Then on Sunday we go to the Buddhist centre. Like to think both parts of her development are being covered. She is learning meditation and Buddhist values which is is all about being a kind compassionate person.Its a good thing.


This is Serenitys gym.. I an threatening Seren that I am going to join as well. She is concerned.

 Just so cute. Lots of good boys at our local mall.

 This one gave me a bit of a surprise. Its not the Odessa file or a hideout for Josef Mengele. On inspection the symbol is totally different. It is a Chinese religious charity.

Sign on my favourite bread and bakery shop. Monday to Saturday open 7am to 11am. Great news I turn up on Friday morning to buy supplies for the weekend. ( should have kept reading )