A white beach Christmas

I'm sitting  in the back of a taxi on my way to the airport at 4am, my feet are aching, I'm sweating and my heart is beating so fast that it feels as if its going to burst. My description of how I feel now pretty much describes my Christmas in Bangkok and the not so pretty Thai seaside town I now call "pissy" Patong.... But more about that later. 

On leaving Indonesia my soul was light but I was heavy with the sadness of leaving great friends and a great country. Bangkok and its many bars and clubs didn't exactly do much for my spiritual hangover. My spiritual hangover was now simply a spirit one and after a few nights out and a fews days of temples, tours and water taxis I was wrecked! For all that I'm not a fan of massive cities I do have to say I really enjoyed Bangkok and everything it had to throw at me....

I was nervous and excited when leaving Bangkok on a 14 hour bus to Phuket Island  in Southern Thailand. Nervous about my first Christmas away from my family being just a few days away and excited to hit some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. First stop was Phuket Town. I met a beautiful polish girl on the way down and with no accommodation booked and no clue where I quite wanted to go on the island I walked from the night bus bleary eyed and still high on sleeping pills and jumped into a taxi to follow up on her offer of sharing transport across the island and ended up in Patong. A not so sleepy shithole on Phukets west coast.

At this point I can guess that you are thinking "shut up!" and yes if I was living back at home, freezing my balls off and working every hour that god sends I would too but Patong is unfortunately the first place in all my travels anywhere that I can absolutely confirm I will never return. 

Patong is unfortunately all of the bad bits of any place that I have ever came across. You are talking trashy bars, mouthy yobs, hookers, rats, rabies ridden cats and street upon street of dirt and grime both on the roads and on the thousands of drunken and drugged up revellers themselves. Need I say anymore? 

What I will say is that I have been very lucky here too. I was so anxious about Asia on my own for Christmas and thankfully while I was in Patong I met some amazing people amongst the assholes! I had the most beautiful few days on the beach by small boat over the big day itself and Boxing Day too. 

It's times like this that are sent to test you but at the same time its in places like this that you can find the most amazing gems too. 

I am so super greatful for this Christmas. Tomorrow I leave with my best friend Jennie for Phi Phi Island and I've just finished off the festivities with some amazing cards sent from friends and family at home.

Thank you! :)