Last Man Standing

So Rick and Ross are on their backs in bed. They must have eaten something dodgy a couple of days ago because now they can't walk more than twenty feet from a toilet. They reckon it was the food at the Ark bar, a place on the beach, but the hilarious thing is that they both had pretty bland western food (burgers and ribs etc.) while I went all out with the old Thai curry, as I have done since we got here, and I haven't had so much as a flutter. That's the old Powell stomach for you!

I'm kinda poor now, which gives Thailand a whole new dimension, because you have to play the game differently. Instead of being a rich tourist engaging in tourist activities, I'm now hustling and bartering more, eating in places where Thai people eat (for about 50 Baht, less than a pound, I've found that I can have a really good meal and a bottle of water, which is usually more expensive than the food), and generally getting by. Admittedly I'm not getting to do a few of the things I'd like to (go sea fishing, hire a jet ski, go diving etc.) but hey, that's Thailand for you. The people who live here are very poor, but still very happy. Guess I'm tuning into that more since the theft.

All that aside though if anyone feels like putting more money in my account, please feel free to do so! And let me know on here if you do, so I can budget. Don't worry about that 100 notes from Dave, if he's strapped or whatever. I could use it when I get back anyway.

Last night I went out with the guys from the bar where we're staying, and we were chipping in for Sangsom and Red Bull (which over here is f*cking lethal) buckets. They keep calling me Sim, but its funny. There was Ali, Coconut, Twist, Tony (I can never remember his real name, but he has a scar on his face from a car accident he was involved in a few years back so I call him Tony, as in Tony Montana), and a few Swedish guys and gals that are staying at our resort. Luckily booze out here is dirt cheap and I ended up smashed and wandering the streets with a couple of Thai girls at about 5am, but it all went a bit tits up when I couldn't find my wallet and started panicking and accusing them of stealing it. After a long shouting match which involved the police (who actually found it funny that a phalang (me) got his wallet taken by a couple of Thai girls.) I later found the wallet, but unfortunately the girls didn't see the funny side and left. Win some. Lose some. laugh about it in the morning. Thai style.

I'm loving the beer over here, it seems the stronger the beer, the cheaper it is. My new favourite is Chang, which is about 50 Baht a bottle (again, less than a pound) or 25 Baht from the local 7-11. There's also a song, but the only word I know is Chang, which is generally repeated. Chang, Chang, Chang, Chang, Chang (you get the idea). The Thai guys love singing it, and do elephant impressions while they do. I think the song has something to do with elephants.

This afternoon I'm renting a motorbike and going for a trip round the island. Its 150 Baht for the day, or 24 hours. That's about 2 pounds. For the day. Its more expensive to rent a kayak for an hour on the beach. Its insane, but good for me! It did p*ss it down for an hour this morning though so best be careful on the old roads (in case you were worried Mum ;-)

I picked up a wicked present for you Chris, on the beach last night. Its one of the most terrifying things I've ever seen, you'll love it.

Right, I'm gonna try and get some more photos onto facebook (if someone could show my Mother how that works that would be cool), that's if the Thai bird here in the internet place doesn't maul me, she keeps sending me msn messages saying 'sexy man' and blowing me kisses across the room. Unfortunately she looks like she was recently hit by a falling tree and then eaten by ants.

Love to everyone, I'll update soon.

Much love

Jim