Easy like a Sunday morning. .

After two weeks of doing mostly nothing it's time to rouse my lazy self and move. . Days of swimming. Sitting in the sun, reading (three) books and generally doing nothing comes to an end tomorrow. . 

Not before time really. . It's been enjoyable to take some time off. . Contrary to what you might think, travelling all the time does get difficult at times and mentally as as well as physically draining. But I feel rested and ready to go again. It will be good to re-acquaint myself with my bike.

So an overnight flight via Perth will see me deposited in Darwin with a few days to sort out the customs requirements.

Ko samui has been a relaxing, warm comfortable venue to kick back. I haven't seen a lot of it which is a bit of a shame but I've spent very little money, which is good for my antipodean adventure to come.

Monday mornings aren't very difficult but this one closes the chapter. Packing up my small bag and getting ready to move on brings the familiar sense of anticipation for travelling. .

 There is something fabulous in that thought of not being where I am now tomorrow. The wanderer in me feels fulfilled when it happens. There's something to be said for stability, but I think it leaves me slightly frustrated with life. Thinking there is so much more to experience. So much more to see. Life isn't forever and time it seems accelerates as I get older. 

I have a few hours to spend waiting for the flight that will take me to the mainland to take the overnight flight to Australia ... Land of the young and free, of golden soil and wealth for toil. Where home is girt by sea and land abounds in natures gifts, Of beauty rich and rare.

Advance Australia fair

Desert Island dreamin'

Arriving after sunset, stepping off the narrow bodied short haul jet brought the familiar sensory shock of humidity. None of the gentle introductions of arriving by sea. Easing into a new country.

Travel by air holds no such pleasantries. . Bam!. . There you go. . Get on with it.

A suitably rustic airport building is approached via an open bus, but luckily my single "travelling light" bag completed the same journey as me and a £2 taxi ride delivers me to a welcome air conditioned room at the north of the island.

Welcome then to Koh Samui. Ex backpacker hippy paradise more recently discovered by the less open minded but slightly better off hedonists in search of all night beach parties and all day sleeping in the sun at the obvious resort.

But away from the party populist beach there is a peaceful island that has not been spoiled by lager lout reputations. like any holiday destination there is charter boats and tourist traps but it's easy to slip aside from that. 

A beach front room on the north coast is as peaceful as smooth sea lapping against soft palm lined sand.

This then is "home" for a while. A chance to recharge and sit with a cool beer, a book and sunglasses, easing my way through the day. 

A little supermarket across the road will provide most things I need. A fishermen's market a short stroll along the beach will supply fish for a bbq .

Time to chill in the heat.

My bike will be delivered to Darwin on the 21st, although I expect customs clearance will take a little while after that. Which is picture postcard perfect thanks as my flight to Aus is booked for the 19th. In the words of Hannibal Smith "I love it when a plan comes together"

lets play Korean or European...

Slight difference from normal blog posts
(with apologies to those completely uninterested in cars - who can move on - nothing to see here)

Still here? 
I played a little game of "Korean European" with the cars while I was there.

But can you spot one from the other?

click each image to see the answer in a new page. 

First one should be easy.



second one not so sure? 


Third one - you'll get this one


Fourth one - tricky?


Fifth - hows it going so far?


Sixth one


Seventh heaven


Eighth one - you know this one


Ninth one - Almost done


And to finish on


Normal service will now be resumed....

Moving on. . .

Well that's that. . After a week out of town offline from the connected world I've re-entered the 21st century. 

The bike is in a wooden crate and will soon be on its way by sea to antipodean shores. Guess I had better be there to meet it!

In the meantime I've got time to spend travelling to exotic shores for a little RNR. 

So an island off the coast of Thailand beckons for the coming weeks. 

South Korea is a heady sometimes difficult mix of traditional and modern. It is very unlike my own and probably most people's preconception. Dog isn't on the menu of every restaurant and rickshaws don't fill the narrow streets instead wide well surfaced modern roads are populated with 21st century cars. And as I've already talked about burger bars and western food is easily and readily available. 

Outside the crowded towns the countryside is lush and hilly and beaches are good where you can find space away from fishing villages. 

But now I'm on my way. . I've avoided air travel on this trip so far but it's not very realistic to travel this leg by ship so airline ticket in hand I'm about to board the big silver bird and take to the sky. Ko Samuai island is my destination. Soft white sand. Crystal clear waters and a beach front apartment will be home for a couple of weeks before I get myself to Darwin to collect my bike. 

Expect pictures of palms and sunsets over the beach in my next update. 

It's a dirty job...