Abu Not-So-Crappy

Take this! U.S. flight restrictions:

We were tossing around the phrase 'Abu Crappy' before we got there. I have to say, the four minutes we spent in the airport say otherwise...

However when I took a picture here: - they didn't really like it, as you can see:

- and they confiscated my camera after whipping those two shots! An explanation that the picture was actually of Dave got my camera back, and so it begins. :)

After the next flight, I was feeling pretty embarrassed about my fellow countrymen. On both flights, drunk Irish Dubliners made a scene. I won't go into it now, but suffice to say, a air conditioned Buddhist taxi ride into Bangkok had left the experience behind.

And here I am! Dave wanted a bit of comfort for tonight, to be fair, it was a great idea on his behalf. One step at a time as the fella says, and the first step was finding the place, which is pretty swanky for us backpackers:

- at a whopping 16 euro for the room, it'll be the last time we spend that much on accommodation, at least I hope so! Dave insisted he would pay for it, he's very good, but we won't be makign a habit of shite like that either. Tis always easier to keep the auld money on the level when backpacking.

Anywhoo, I saw a lady who was fixing dreds on the street outside, so I got a bit of a makeover....

Note the awesome new backpack too. No more headbands for awhile ;)

So we're here safe and sound, alive and well. No problems, or heat stroke, or diarrhea, or stomach bugs, or mossie bites...yet!

On a random note, here's some flags:

I'm going to go and get some food, and tuck into a Singha. We've been doing a bit of research into island hopping through Indonesia, and it looks extremely doable. Sweet!

Oh yeah, almost forgot, we've booked a bus and boat to take us down south to Koh Tao. Koh Tao is a wee island in the Gulf of Thailand, I think it's about 7 miles long, in the shape (and colour) of a turtle(Tao) We're heading there tomorrow at 7.30pm, arriving at around 9.30am the next day. We're going to be back in Bangkok to fly home so will stay awhile then.

Bye for now!

So many places, so little time.

Plans are finally in motion.

A budget was devised this morning, to see what spending money I could expect to have for the three months.
Honest truth, it's looking like it will be around the €500 mark. Let's see how long it lasts!

Yesterday was the first day I had time to think about anywhere I'd like to go when we get there.
Bali came to mind, there's an active volcano there that I'd like to hike. It's just over 10,000ft elevation. Should be a larf!

Here's a view of Mt Agung from space:


View Larger Map

Look at that shape, talk about cliché! (By the way, the maps are interactive, so feel free to use the zoom or click-and-drag function etc. to see what's around)

From Bali, you can head on down to West Timor. For ten points can anyone guess what's east of West Timor?...

Well, we won't be going there. The plan is to try catch a cargo ship, cruiser or small plane from Kupang(On West Timor) to Darwin!

That's right folks. My favourite country will hopefully make it into the trip. It's best to hope for a small plane as real pirates (That's right Frenchy!) are to be found in these waters. But the advantage of going by boat is you can usually get your journey for free, or at least a greater chance of it, by helping out out.

Have a gawk at it here on the map:


View Larger Map

I could go on about loads of plans, but those two are highly likely, and also close to both of our hearts.

Anywhoo, welcome to the site!
Please leave the auld comments, the more of them received, the better chance spirits will stay high enough to post a decent blog entry.

:)

Flight Itinerary

"Where are you heading again?"

Check it out:

- somewhere around that map.

"When are you heading?"



Check it out:



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Friday, Oct 03

Etihad Airways - Flight 42 Confirmed

Confirmed Depart: Dublin Arpt Dublin, Dublin, IE (DUB) 10:15

Baggage Allowance: 20K

Arrive: Abu Dhabi Int'l Arpt Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, AE (AUH) 20:40

Terminal: 1Not Valid for Travel - Before 03 October/After 03 October
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Friday, Oct 03

Etihad Airways - Flight 402 Confirmed

Confirmed Depart: Abu Dhabi Int'l Arpt Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, AE (AUH) 22:15 Terminal: 1

Baggage Allowance: 20K

Arrive: Suvarnabhumi Int'l Apt Bangkok, Bangkok, TH (BKK) 07:35

Not Valid for Travel - Before 03 October/After 03 October

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Bangkok, the real name for the city is huge, here it is:

Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.

- I believe it's the longest place name in the world....

The plan is to be home for Christmas, so... start saving! ;)



I'm delighted to say that my friend, Dave Colohan, will be joining me on the trip too.

He will affectionately be refered to as Dave Disprin on the site.



As there's nothing really to say yet, and if you are on this site before I've posted anything to it, check out the band link here: Resurrection Fern