6 Week Gap Year

1st December (Friday)
Last day at Lighthouse Villas with checkout at 12. As I pack the suitcase I can’t believe how many bits of paper, brochures receipts and reminders I have accumulated since Melbourne. I must now be way over weight limit but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. I go down to Boat Lagoon hotel again and “sunbathe” in the shade and swim a lot. Come back and leave the apartment for the last time. Meant to say that the apartment had satellite tv, dvd player, radio and cd player and a karaoke system! The kitchen was equipped with microwave, toaster, proper halogen hob, oven, extractor fan, coffee filter but I couldn’t find a kettle. There was a biggish item which looked to me like a rice boiler. I checked with the office when I arrived as to where the kettle was and they laughed. The “rice steamer” was in fact the kettle. You fill it with a litre of water, boil it, use what you need then it has the facility to keep the water in there hot. Weird! Small tip while I think of it. Buy a pack of wet wipes and keep them with you at all times. They are great for wiping perspiration away and refreshing the face and hands. Each time you use them they effectively cool you for a short while.
Have a last swim at the pool and then collect my bags and Jim takes me to Phuket airport. I shall miss him and Mah, Jim is a real character and I wish him well with his new venture.
Another on time flight with Bangkok Airways and another lovely meal of Duck in light chilli oyster sauce and fried rice with garlic and lemon grass. Superb! Arrive in Bangkok airport exactly on time, collect my luggage and go looking for a taxi. I’m not doing the bus again, although it’s a good option for those on a budget and who have checked the map and know where there going when the bus drops you off. Another little tip, look for the taxi drivers who are licensed and work from and for the airport. They have ID cards to prove it. These guys are generally quite smart and I think are cheaper than the metered taxis. My fare was 700Baht (£10). Bear in mind also that the airport is around 45km from the centre of BKK and can take anywhere from 30mins to 2 hours depending on traffic and the time of day. Arrive at the Grand President about 22.30 and check in. They advise they do not currently have a non-smoking and double bed room as I requested when I booked. But they will upgrade me and move me tomorrow to what I had asked for.
Go to the room and what a disappointment. Everything is white. The cupboards, the units, the bed, it’s really clinical and cold. The floor is white “marble” tiling as well. Look around the floor and there is dust and muck in the corners. The bathroom is all dark “marble” but the sealant edges round the sink and bath are all black with mould. I’m absolutely sure that when I looked at the website the room was carpeted and had wood units, cupboards etc. I’ve no choice for the night now and will sort it in the morning. Go and have a beer in the lobby and find out you can get wireless internet there. Reception advised you can have wifi in the room for 350baht a day plus 4000baht deposit! You can have cable internet in the room for the bargain price of 250baht per day and 4000baht deposit!
Might as well use the lobby then, that’s free!