Wow, "my Add" != "my Ed" (typo) the keeper.

Picking our way through the small islands south of Phuket on our 65' ketch just as the sun was coming up, at the tail end of a trip from Singapore. Crystal clear water, dolphins playing at the bow. It was a Saturday, and on board we had power tools, TV's, stereos, a couple of motor bikes and other bits and pieces. We actually pulled in to Phuket just after mid-day, to find that customs and immigration at the port closed up at mid-day Saturday, giving us 36 hours to dispose of our cargo. We ran the zodiac back and forth and accepted the assistance of the off-duty customs and immigration guys in this exercise, in exchange for a couple of TV's and a stereo or three.

The cargo was duly disposed of and customs and immigration solemnly stepped aboard on the Monday morning in their crisp, clean uniforms and with totally straight faces processed us into the country. That Monday morning was my introduction to Phuket and I remember thinking "yeah - I think I'm going to like this place".

With the boat safe, we went to Patong Beach, where there was no mains electricity and Nipa huts offered accomodation on the beach side of the road for about 25-30 baht a night. Two cars could barely pass on that road. Coconut plantations grew right up to the road, there was one guesthouse that had a second story. Patong had one cop who knocked off at 6.00pm, then went and opened his beer bar shack where he also supplied marijuana to the handful of guests. It was so un-touristy you could stand on that great crescent of beach and maybe not see a soul. It was wonderful. It was in the 1970's.

Last time I was there would be 1995 and Patong had become a city. Don't want to go there ever again - we had the best when it was the best.

I have two places so there will be two entries ... will just have a get a nice photo of the other ...

For me, Thailand is about it's people and not so much about the place.

Want to know more about

Fish Farms or a simple Australian Visa Application ?

Finally I got a photo of the other place that means a lot to me.

This is the sitting gazebo (for want of a better descriptor) on the Pond's edge where I have sat for many an hour with the Farm Family while they are rabbiting on in Thai as they occasionally glance my way to see if I have nodded off.

It's also the place to find a cool sleeping place on a Hot Thai Summer day ... always a breeze.

Doesn't look much without being populated with the Family ... but it's been a source of constant joy and contentment in Thailand.

Sunsets looking back across the Fish Pond.

Bangkok.... no more better memories than Bangkok

I have bit of a memory of the time I got on the ferry at Mukdahan early one morning and putted across to Savanakhet . It was a beautiful morning and that is a beautiful river . That evening from the Laos side of the river ,on the roof of the Santiphab Hotel , I was there when the huge old sun turned the world gold as it fell .

I have a memory of the time I went fishing with Taraporn on Koh Tao and I took the helm and followed his directions ( hand signals , left , right) as we brought the boat back into the bay . I ate for free that night . I was asked to stay with them and help out as a kind of happy fool minstrel , but alas .... I said I would be back some time although it has never happened .

One night on slimmers, as I sped towards Kings Castle in a taxi , with a bunch of girls , all hanging on for their French junkie boyfriends , I was sick out of the taxi window . When I came round in the disco , lying on a soggy sofa , some old Indian guy had his hands in my pants . It was really scary because I couldn't move . circa 1994