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Monday, 23 July 2007
Monday, 16 July 2007
Thailand Jungle trek 5th to 15th July
Day 1: Thursday 5th July 10am flight to Bahrain from Heathrow. Kedra one of the group stayed with me overnight and I meet Matt & Paul, then Alice at check in followed by Sheridon and Adrian and Pheona and Kristy in the departure lounge, Elaine, Chris and Zena on the plane and Fiona at Bahrain. Delayed departure gave us less time at Bahrain airport, where we waited for about 4 hours for an onward
flight to Bangkok.
Day 2: Friday 6th July 00.15 flight Bahrain to Bangkok. Spent ages on the tarmac at Bahrain so further delay let to arriving 12.45pm at Bangkok airport. Here we were met by Jean-Dan our Swiss group leader who has been in Thailand running such trips and
other less challenging sightseeing tours for 20years and his second in command Oh a Thai from Bangkok. Both spoke excellent English. It took about 30/40 minutes to transfer in two mini-buses to our Hotel in Bangkok in the lively Banglamphu district. After a small briefing meeting Kedra and I headed off to narry.com tailors over in the centre of the city. As it was Friday night the traffic was horrendous and we were over 2 hours in the taxi before we gave up and it dropped us off at theskytrain - an overground transport system where 10mins later and 3 stops we arrived at the shop. Spent about 2hours in there 7-9pm being measured and choosing suits. I had a package which included 2 suits 2 shirts 1 dress and 2 scarfs for approx £110. As we had missed the group dinner we headed to the Hard Rock Cafe to add to my pin
collection and decided to eat there too. A taxi back to the hotel followed by a bedtime beverage and we were off to bed!
Day 3: Saturday 7th July Drive by mini-bus up to our starting point for the trek so today was a travel/sight-seeing day. We stopped first a war cemetery for those mainlyEnglish but some dutch who lost their lives in the second world war as prisoners of war forced to build the railway from Thailand to Burma by the Japanese. Then it was the Bridge over the RiverKwai itself where the other side was in Burma. Note the film was shot in Sri Lanka and the story a different one. Other stops were a restaurant lunch stop
and a Dam with a floating village and some tropical trees. We reached out destination of the Burmese Inn atSangklaburi late afternoon. Dinner was provided by our host followed by a few beers.
Day 4: Sunday 8th July All set for the first days' trek. As well as our English speaking guides we had about three Thai guides who were assisting including cutting jungle debris from our route. It started off flat but soon began climbing a slope and after a cave with bats flying though we were well on the way upwards. After a quick break at the top of the first climb it started to pour with rain. As we had seen this coming raincoats and rain covers for the rucksacks were already on. After a further steady climb and a couple of falls by myself we had lunch of rice and chicken wrapped in bamboo leaves. After this followed more muddy inclined terrain with which I continued to struggle. There were a few falls by various members of the group and
one which resulted in a bamboo tree nearly hitting one of us. Eventually after the guides trying to work out the best route we met the road and followed this to complete 10 hours walking getting to our destination in the dark. We were all put up in a barn type building with several sleeping areas under mosquito nets. Washing facilities were the nearby river. We were treated to dinner and a dance by some local girls before everyone went to bed shattered.
Day 5: Monday 9th July. A less difficult terrain saw trekking through rice fields and streams, one of which we stopped near for lunch after a swimming/wading dip. Following on we passed villages, rubber plantations and finally a wade across river to our island campsite with a freshly built bamboo hut containing six bedrooms and an outside campfire where we weregreeted by a can of Chang beer.
Day 6: Tuesday 10th July. A circular walk around the jungle following road and then down to follow a stream sometimes wading in it other times walking around it. This was followed by rafting down the river to our lunch destination on bamboo rafts. This took longer than expected due to first my raft capsizing (which resulted in several bruises a cut on the head a lostbandana and despite fishing them from the river a screw missing from my sunglasses!) followed by a second raft hitting the side of river and one member of the group trapped underneath the raft for a little while. After our late lunch were driven back to the Burmese Inn via Three Pagoda's Pass on the border with Burma. It was here that I started to feel weary. By the time I got back to the Burmese Inn I was shivering and getting hot and cold. However after some hot water and a shower I felt better. After dinner though having already had a little diarrhoea
the weary feeling came back and having got ready for bed I felt very hot and cold. I spent the night trying to sleep sweating a lot drinking a lot and passing water so not really replacing any fluids followed byvomiting in the middle of the night.
Day 7: Wednesday 11th July A relaxation day following the 3 day trek. Whilst the others went of on a local boat trip, temple and market visit Oh took me to the hospital. I had woken up feeling not quite as rough as when going to bed but we felt I had better get seen to. The doctors gave me some tests which were negative and someantibiotics and energy giving beverage salts. After a little rest back at the accommodation the rest of the group returned and we headed off to our next accommodation. Upon arrival I had a little sleep again and then tried to join everyone for dinner but again vomited. So I returned to my room and got into bed for the night.
Day 8: Thursday 12th July - Hell Fire Pass trek/Kayaking. As I felt a lot better the next morning I participated in the morning's hike along the remains of the death railway built by the prisoners of war. The day was hot and whilst I was thinking oh no I am sweating so much I'm feverish again everyone else was too so it was just the heat. The walk finished with some steep stairs up to the Hell Fire Pass Museum and by that time I was feeling sick again. I saw a bit of the horrific videos in there but came outside. I couldn't stomach lunch and sat in the van whilst everyone else ate. I therefore gave the kayaking a miss and was taken straight to the nightsaccommodation where I had a sleep with a nightmare that I was getting up walking about not knowing what I was doing and behaving rather mentally!! When my room mate arrived (The kayaking was all the way down river to theaccommodation ) about a minute after waking up I went across to the swimming pool with her for a quick dip and mainly stayed in the circular bit to the side sitting in the water. I managed to eat dinner this night and then just went back to the room for a rest and started the book I had purchased at Heathrow, just managing one chapter!
Day 9: Friday 13th July A morning of elephant trekking and Kayaking followed by the drive back to Bangkok. I was on an elephant on my own which meant I spent longer at the front on top of mine. He did keep stopping to munch on the greenery around though! As I had not been kayaking the day before or anything like this for over 20 years I seemed to be quite a way at the back. Then the rest stopped briefly so I could catch up and then I went past and remained in the front all the rest of the way. I was expecting some of them at least to over take but I didn't realise that
they were not paddling all the time. I took about 3 or 4 brief rests all the journey whereas they were having longer rests! After lunch by the river bank mini-bus back to Bangkok. Upon arrival back to the hotel took a taxi and the sky train back to the tailors. Just a couple of alterations to do and upon finishing these they would drop them back to the hotel. After a quick visit to a nearby shop selling fake football
shirts and a purchase of the new Arsenal away strip for someone at the
cost of 840 bahts which is approx £13, I took the sky train back to national stadium station where I took a couple of pics of the sporting facilities upon descending the station and then taxi to the hotel. A quick look at the nearby shopping street and check of e-mails in the internet cafe and then our group celebratory meal. After the meal we were awarded a charity challenge medal by the guides. Then we went on to a karaoke bar which was tucked away and the only other people in there were locals. After that it was a night club til that closed at 2am. Although I wasn't drinking the lads get a little drunk and Alice tried to steer Matt the short journey back to the hotel!!
Day 10: Those of us that were not too hungover or shattered took a tuk tuk journey at 8.30am to the Grand Palace with a guided tour by Oh. Then back to the hotel by tuk tuk and Alice and I went on a brief shop before leaving the hotel at 11.15am for the airport and the long journey home with a six hour stopover in Bahrain. Pictures to follow. For details of the routes/distances walked, I can obtain the from Jean Dan by e-mail but probably not until August when he is less busy. He had a gprs system with him.
flight to Bangkok.
Day 2: Friday 6th July 00.15 flight Bahrain to Bangkok. Spent ages on the tarmac at Bahrain so further delay let to arriving 12.45pm at Bangkok airport. Here we were met by Jean-Dan our Swiss group leader who has been in Thailand running such trips and
other less challenging sightseeing tours for 20years and his second in command Oh a Thai from Bangkok. Both spoke excellent English. It took about 30/40 minutes to transfer in two mini-buses to our Hotel in Bangkok in the lively Banglamphu district. After a small briefing meeting Kedra and I headed off to narry.com tailors over in the centre of the city. As it was Friday night the traffic was horrendous and we were over 2 hours in the taxi before we gave up and it dropped us off at theskytrain - an overground transport system where 10mins later and 3 stops we arrived at the shop. Spent about 2hours in there 7-9pm being measured and choosing suits. I had a package which included 2 suits 2 shirts 1 dress and 2 scarfs for approx £110. As we had missed the group dinner we headed to the Hard Rock Cafe to add to my pin
collection and decided to eat there too. A taxi back to the hotel followed by a bedtime beverage and we were off to bed!
Day 3: Saturday 7th July Drive by mini-bus up to our starting point for the trek so today was a travel/sight-seeing day. We stopped first a war cemetery for those mainlyEnglish but some dutch who lost their lives in the second world war as prisoners of war forced to build the railway from Thailand to Burma by the Japanese. Then it was the Bridge over the RiverKwai itself where the other side was in Burma. Note the film was shot in Sri Lanka and the story a different one. Other stops were a restaurant lunch stop
and a Dam with a floating village and some tropical trees. We reached out destination of the Burmese Inn atSangklaburi late afternoon. Dinner was provided by our host followed by a few beers.
Day 4: Sunday 8th July All set for the first days' trek. As well as our English speaking guides we had about three Thai guides who were assisting including cutting jungle debris from our route. It started off flat but soon began climbing a slope and after a cave with bats flying though we were well on the way upwards. After a quick break at the top of the first climb it started to pour with rain. As we had seen this coming raincoats and rain covers for the rucksacks were already on. After a further steady climb and a couple of falls by myself we had lunch of rice and chicken wrapped in bamboo leaves. After this followed more muddy inclined terrain with which I continued to struggle. There were a few falls by various members of the group and
one which resulted in a bamboo tree nearly hitting one of us. Eventually after the guides trying to work out the best route we met the road and followed this to complete 10 hours walking getting to our destination in the dark. We were all put up in a barn type building with several sleeping areas under mosquito nets. Washing facilities were the nearby river. We were treated to dinner and a dance by some local girls before everyone went to bed shattered.
Day 5: Monday 9th July. A less difficult terrain saw trekking through rice fields and streams, one of which we stopped near for lunch after a swimming/wading dip. Following on we passed villages, rubber plantations and finally a wade across river to our island campsite with a freshly built bamboo hut containing six bedrooms and an outside campfire where we weregreeted by a can of Chang beer.
Day 6: Tuesday 10th July. A circular walk around the jungle following road and then down to follow a stream sometimes wading in it other times walking around it. This was followed by rafting down the river to our lunch destination on bamboo rafts. This took longer than expected due to first my raft capsizing (which resulted in several bruises a cut on the head a lostbandana and despite fishing them from the river a screw missing from my sunglasses!) followed by a second raft hitting the side of river and one member of the group trapped underneath the raft for a little while. After our late lunch were driven back to the Burmese Inn via Three Pagoda's Pass on the border with Burma. It was here that I started to feel weary. By the time I got back to the Burmese Inn I was shivering and getting hot and cold. However after some hot water and a shower I felt better. After dinner though having already had a little diarrhoea
the weary feeling came back and having got ready for bed I felt very hot and cold. I spent the night trying to sleep sweating a lot drinking a lot and passing water so not really replacing any fluids followed byvomiting in the middle of the night.
Day 7: Wednesday 11th July A relaxation day following the 3 day trek. Whilst the others went of on a local boat trip, temple and market visit Oh took me to the hospital. I had woken up feeling not quite as rough as when going to bed but we felt I had better get seen to. The doctors gave me some tests which were negative and someantibiotics and energy giving beverage salts. After a little rest back at the accommodation the rest of the group returned and we headed off to our next accommodation. Upon arrival I had a little sleep again and then tried to join everyone for dinner but again vomited. So I returned to my room and got into bed for the night.
Day 8: Thursday 12th July - Hell Fire Pass trek/Kayaking. As I felt a lot better the next morning I participated in the morning's hike along the remains of the death railway built by the prisoners of war. The day was hot and whilst I was thinking oh no I am sweating so much I'm feverish again everyone else was too so it was just the heat. The walk finished with some steep stairs up to the Hell Fire Pass Museum and by that time I was feeling sick again. I saw a bit of the horrific videos in there but came outside. I couldn't stomach lunch and sat in the van whilst everyone else ate. I therefore gave the kayaking a miss and was taken straight to the nightsaccommodation where I had a sleep with a nightmare that I was getting up walking about not knowing what I was doing and behaving rather mentally!! When my room mate arrived (The kayaking was all the way down river to theaccommodation ) about a minute after waking up I went across to the swimming pool with her for a quick dip and mainly stayed in the circular bit to the side sitting in the water. I managed to eat dinner this night and then just went back to the room for a rest and started the book I had purchased at Heathrow, just managing one chapter!
Day 9: Friday 13th July A morning of elephant trekking and Kayaking followed by the drive back to Bangkok. I was on an elephant on my own which meant I spent longer at the front on top of mine. He did keep stopping to munch on the greenery around though! As I had not been kayaking the day before or anything like this for over 20 years I seemed to be quite a way at the back. Then the rest stopped briefly so I could catch up and then I went past and remained in the front all the rest of the way. I was expecting some of them at least to over take but I didn't realise that
they were not paddling all the time. I took about 3 or 4 brief rests all the journey whereas they were having longer rests! After lunch by the river bank mini-bus back to Bangkok. Upon arrival back to the hotel took a taxi and the sky train back to the tailors. Just a couple of alterations to do and upon finishing these they would drop them back to the hotel. After a quick visit to a nearby shop selling fake football
shirts and a purchase of the new Arsenal away strip for someone at the
cost of 840 bahts which is approx £13, I took the sky train back to national stadium station where I took a couple of pics of the sporting facilities upon descending the station and then taxi to the hotel. A quick look at the nearby shopping street and check of e-mails in the internet cafe and then our group celebratory meal. After the meal we were awarded a charity challenge medal by the guides. Then we went on to a karaoke bar which was tucked away and the only other people in there were locals. After that it was a night club til that closed at 2am. Although I wasn't drinking the lads get a little drunk and Alice tried to steer Matt the short journey back to the hotel!!
Day 10: Those of us that were not too hungover or shattered took a tuk tuk journey at 8.30am to the Grand Palace with a guided tour by Oh. Then back to the hotel by tuk tuk and Alice and I went on a brief shop before leaving the hotel at 11.15am for the airport and the long journey home with a six hour stopover in Bahrain. Pictures to follow. For details of the routes/distances walked, I can obtain the from Jean Dan by e-mail but probably not until August when he is less busy. He had a gprs system with him.
w/c 25th June
Planned training for this the last full week before departure was a two day weekend with walks near Dover. However as my training partners of Kedra and my cousin were not available on Saturday I searched for an organised walk I could join. I found a 10 mile circular walk with the Maidstone Ramblers from Headcorn station starting at 10am. Although they were all much older than me they were very welcoming and friendly. The walk although mainly over public footpaths was quite overgrown which was excellent preparation for my jungle trek!! It also rained in the afternoon. We stopped to eat our sandwiches in a village church gardens/graveyard and then had a drink in a pub. I did not take note of which village this was!! The walk took less time than I had imagined and I was on my way down to Dover before 4pm.
Sunday's walk was cancelled due to the weather and Kedra having had a cold during the week and me having a niggle in my left leg.
Sunday's walk was cancelled due to the weather and Kedra having had a cold during the week and me having a niggle in my left leg.
Sunday, 24 June 2007
w/c 18th June
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With the weekends now being two days of walking the suggested training also gave two cross training sessions in the week. However as my gym instructor had said give myself a rest before I go I decided not to do anything and won't next week either.
Monday - I had leave from work and hence decided to go for a walk first thing. I just did half an hour which more than made up for not walking across London Bridge! Afternoon spent in Canterbury with Kedra who is also doing the trek stocking up on most of the remainder of our kit with a 20% voucher that Blacks had sent to me. A little walk involved from the car to the shop. Then once home off to see the nurse for an anti-malaria prescription. It is a very costly business this trekking!!
Tuesday - more spending at Nomad Travel Victoria where they give charity challenge participants 10% discount for some hiking sandals for the river section of our trek. Walk up from Bromley South.
Saturday - Joined stage 4 of the Charing Cross to Hastings led walk which was from Sevenoaks to Tonbridge. See photo at Tonbridge here. If I remember rightly there was about 13 of us. Met at Sevenoaks station at ten to 11. The walk followed several footpaths and made use of the walking sticks purchased on route to Bromley South station with my nectar points at Argos! I just used one of them and lent the other to 77 year-old Margot. We stopped for about 45 mins for lunch sat on the benches of a small cricket pavilion. Tonbridge station was reached just after 4pm and a train a bus took me back to Bromley South. I departed the bus rather than sit on it round the traffice of Bromley and more and continued walking home heading on a little detour down the road to Shortlands station and along almost to Ravensbourne coming up to London Rd via the green chain route. Upon reaching home at 6pm I realised the rain cover had fallen from the back of by rucksack. So I retraced my steps and found it on the edge of the zebra crossing near shortlands station. So an extra 45 mins took me to approx 6 for the day and 23.30km reading on the pedometer.
Sunday - The Rotary Club of the Weald of Kent North Downs Walk 10 miles. Arrived at the latest possible opportunity to register and start this walk at 11am. Start/Finish at Harrietsham village just off juction 8 of the M20 past Maidstone. The walk was though various footpaths and extremely muddy fields. Some walkers were doing 5 miles and the organisers were advising this due to the weather however I stuck to doing the 10 miles. There were 5 check points/pit stops along the route and apart from stopping at these briefly I did the 10 miles non-stop in 4 and a half hours. Ploughmans and strawberries awaited and alas a drive home! Just about made it back. The walk was in aid of Cancer Research but I just made the minimum donation of £10 to walk. Glad I did it although my legs are feeling it!! Note the muddy shoes in pic above.
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
w/c 11th June
Suggested training 2 cross-training sessions and 2 6 hours walks at the weekend. However as my weekend was busy with work and family dos I just continued with one walking day at the weekend and postponed the two day weekends to next weekend and the one after.
Wednesday - 1 hour walk from work to Tower bridge and back in loop along thames path as previous weeks with Hazel.
Thursday - swim 50 lengths.
Saturday - marie curie walk 5km in Greenwich Park. Took train to Hither Green arriving at 10am and from there walked towards Belmont Hill and along to Blackheath then down to Greenwich. During this time I got showered with rain and so was happy that I was wearing my craghoppers trousers which dry quick and also had my waterproof jacket. As I got to Greenwich early I walked through the foot tunnel to the other side of the river and along a bit and back. I also went in a few shops and Greenwich market before at noon heading for the Kings Arms for registration for the walk and lunchstop. The rain also came down just as the marie curie walk started and as I stayed with a group I probably did walk slower than I would normally. Back to the pub in 1 hour 20mins. I had a quick half pint of beer and then headed for the DLR and bus back home. Took the bus which was there that didn't take me all the way and so I walked an extra half hour uphill home. Total walking approx 4 hours.
Wednesday - 1 hour walk from work to Tower bridge and back in loop along thames path as previous weeks with Hazel.
Thursday - swim 50 lengths.
Saturday - marie curie walk 5km in Greenwich Park. Took train to Hither Green arriving at 10am and from there walked towards Belmont Hill and along to Blackheath then down to Greenwich. During this time I got showered with rain and so was happy that I was wearing my craghoppers trousers which dry quick and also had my waterproof jacket. As I got to Greenwich early I walked through the foot tunnel to the other side of the river and along a bit and back. I also went in a few shops and Greenwich market before at noon heading for the Kings Arms for registration for the walk and lunchstop. The rain also came down just as the marie curie walk started and as I stayed with a group I probably did walk slower than I would normally. Back to the pub in 1 hour 20mins. I had a quick half pint of beer and then headed for the DLR and bus back home. Took the bus which was there that didn't take me all the way and so I walked an extra half hour uphill home. Total walking approx 4 hours.
Sunday, 10 June 2007
w/c 4 June
same suggested training as last week 2 x cross training 2 x 1hr walk 1 x 8hr walk
Monday - lunchtime swim 50 x 15m lengths.
Tuesday - afternoon walked to from work meeting 30 mins there (got there early) and 20 mins back.
Wednesday - came back home and back in to London to watch England match 15min walk to Bromley South. Lunchtime went to gym to get body fat measured and had lost about 1% body fat since last measured 22 March.
Thursday - lunchtime walk 1hr to london bridge/tower bridge over to the south riverbank and back. Thanks to my parents I have now reached my second target of £1,500 fundraising. Third target of £1,750 had already been set.
Feeling very shattered towards end of week so no further swimming or walking for training purposes.
Sunday - Crusaid's walk for life 10Km sponsored walk with Rob Started with 20min walk to Shortlands station 1.06km Elephant & Castle tube to Hyde Park Corner and walk down to registration 20 mins 1.78km from train inc tube change to registration. 11.78 pedometer reading for walk itself. Left Hyde Park 12.15 arrived back just after 3.15. More photos here. After a little rest at event village walk back to Hyde Park corner and a pint in the Hard Rock Cafe. Left Hyde Park Corner at 5.18 walked back down same route to Trafalgar Square and straight to Charing Cross station. pedometer reading on train 3.8Km/30mins Caught 5.49 train to Hither Green arriving 18.12 and walked back from there. At verdant lane instead of turning the green cross chain route to Grove Park headed through Downham woodland walk way towards Downham Way and walked back way round to rejoin main road back up to home 5.52km arriving 7.30pm. Total reading 22.89km (from Elephant & Castle). Total hours approx 5.5 hours.
w/c 28 May
Suggested training 2 x 1 hour walks 2 x cross training 1 x 8 hour walk.
Monday - as with the day before a rest day from training. I was happy that my training for the bank holiday weekend had been during the good weather on Saturday. Short walk in Watford from car park to pub!!
Tuesday - a day off work to spend with my friend Geraldene with an afternoon walk near Marlow. As the longer walks were being saved for the weekend I chose a shorter circular walk (the water walk) at Bourne End This took us an hour and three quarters and read 7.04 km. (last pic)
Wednesday - Evening gig at the Astoria (first pic) so walk down from there to Charing Cross afterwards no walking the other end as I missed Grove Park and got a taxi back from Elmstead Woods!! Plus a little jumping up and down inside the venue which was quite hot!
Thursday - lunchtime walk again with ex-colleagues. 1 hr from office down london bridge thames path to tower bridge across to the south of the river and back along london bridge. Evening work do walked back across london bridge and got off the right stop!
Friday - Intentions were for a lunctime swim but I felt too tired and a little hungover so I gave it a miss!
Saturday - I had intented to do the Hither Green to Chelsfield stage 2 of charing cross to hastings but I had a better offer in a call late Monday from one of my fellow trekkers to train together. We met at Shoreham and set off for a circular (or more accruately a triange) to Eynsford Castle (2nd pic above) and back. Total walking time 5 hours distance as stated on the walk card 8.5 miles. More photos here.
Sunday - rest day and a little shopping!
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