Thailand

So I flew out of Sydney yesterday afternoon (an hour late but never mind) and touched down in Phuket at about 9pm, where I was immediately hit by the 25 degree heat. I was dog tired so accepted (almost) the first taxi fare I could get to the Hostel. That was when the fun began.

The taxi driver didn't know where the hostel was, although I had obviously checked he did before we left the airport. We ended up in the middle of nowhere with me on the phone to his controller trying to sort things out (meantime the taxi driver is looking at every little shack at the side of the road asking 'here?', 'here?'). We eventually asked some locals and they pointed us to the hostel, and then we discovered reception was shut. My taxi driver went for a leak up the wall of the hostel and spotted someone inside, who let me in and I managed to get a room. The trip took an hour and a half (it should have taken about 40 minutes) and at one point I was starting to think I was going to get murdered and have my stuff stolen. Trusting soul that I am, but I honestly know now how Ewan McGreggor felt when he went on the 'mad video game ride in the dark' to one of the hotels he stayed in on 'Long Way Round'.

Things are much better after some sleep (so hot though, so hard to sleep) - reception guy gave me a voucher for a free breakfast at the little store next door to the hostel, which was simple but delicious (fresh pineapple, toast and jam and some tea), and I'm now sitting here sweating like a Scouser in court at 8am. Time to go exploring I think!