Thailand 2014

I sit here at my desk on a surprisingly warm Wednesday September afternoon and it’s clear that after one deadline and two days of being back at work, I’ve slipped seamlessly back into reality.

Before travelling to Thailand I’d heard so many tales, both horror stories and glowing references but after three weeks travelling the country I have nothing but positive things to say about such a culturally diverse and fascinatingly traditional land.

After a gruelling flight we touched down in Bangkok, a city that I expected to conform to the south East Asian capital city stereotype of being chaotic and dirty.

We hopped in a taxi from the airport that delivered us safely to Khao San Road, a legendary backpacker street bristling with life.

On every corner street food merchants sell traditional Thai dishes and you can tuck into a tasty Pad Thai for less than £1.

We were also warned to keep an eye out for shady tuk-tuk drivers, but in our experience we travelled cheaply and quickly without any funny business. Maybe it was the fact we were a travelling trio of burly (me not so much) men, but either way we found the drivers to be punctual and fair, always arriving on time at pre-arranged pick-up points.

Our first stint in Bangkok was dedicated to eating, drinking and sightseeing. We were luckily enough to take in the Grand Palace and a number of Buddhist temples, really impressive structures that have a mystical aura about them.

For our final night in the capital we went to watch some Muay Thai, a form of kickboxing that is Thailand’s national sport. The stadium was packed and the crowd ‘ohh’d and ahh’d’ with every kick and punch. There must have been 15,000 packed into the compact arena and the atmosphere was more akin to a football match.

From Bangkok we flew south to Krabi where we were treated to more great food and beautiful beaches. A lot of the seascape is dotted with huge natural mounds which really make for a dramatic beaching experience.

In Krabi we were luckily enough to stumble upon a beach inhabited by friendly monkeys who happily climbed over us and tried to steal any loose object that we had. We also rode elephants and it isn’t until you’re on top of one that you really comprehend how magnificent and huge the animals really are.

After several days body surfing the warm water at the various beaches on the Andaman Sea, we headed to Ko Phi Phi, a stunning island that provided the setting for the Leonardo Di Caprio film The Beach.

After a frighteningly stormy boat journey we arrived in Ko Phi Phi and found no roads, just dusty tracks winding around the island.

The view from the island’s Viewpoint was stunning, looking out over a mixture of golden sands, green forestry and a packed island centre.

The island has an ambient nightlife with beach parties entertaining party-goers and going on well into the early hours.

We were fortunate enough to hire a water taxi and a knowledgeable driver ferried us to snorkelling spots where we swam with the most spectacular tropical fish and even small sharks.

The sharks didn’t trouble us, but it is worth noting that the monkeys on Phi Phi’s Monkey Beach aren’t as friendly as their Krabi counterparts, a bite on the back of my leg being testament to that.

After a busy few days in Phi Phi we embarked on a somewhat calmer boat trip to neighbouring Phuket.

Phuket was one of the first Thai resorts to gain global prominence and that has played a part in its downfall. Patong is a great place to be at night, people spotting heaven with bars brimming with people, but during the day it leaves a lot to be desired.

Overdeveloped and overpopulated with people trying to make a quick buck, Phuket does however offer excellent shopping opportunities where you can pick up authentic looking goods for knockdown price.

With time running out we jetted north to Chaing Mai, a city for which I had high expectations.

Situated in the mountains, Chaing Mai is a historic city, with regulations in place to limit development in the old town.

We hired bicycles and checked out the old town which features even more impressive Buddhist temples than Bangkok. Well worth an afternoon looking around.

We also checked out Tiger Kingdom and although docile due to being hand reared, being up close to the magnificent creatures really hits home how majestic they are and how sad it is that there numbers are becoming limited.

Chaing Mai also boasts a buzzing nightlife. A splattering of bars and clubs in the old town play host to a crowd comprised of local students and backpackers and DJs spin the right kind of beats to keep you on the dancefloor.

We then shot back to Bangkok for a couple of days present shopping, sorting out loose ends for the trip home and checking out the Nana Plaza, the world’s biggest red light district, but that’s a story for the other day.

Given more time I would have loved to explore south east Asia further and take in the likes of Vietnam and Cambodia, but I had to get home and return to my work at the West Briton newspaper.

I have no regrets from my time in Thailand; we visited so many places, took in so many sights and found the country to be cheap and the people to be most approachable and friendly.

I’m now back at work trying to unearth local news happening on my patch.

In terms of my next adventure, I have to hold tight until the new year when I receive my next entitlement of annual leave.

I have long since regretted not visiting Mexico when I was so close in South California and this week I learned of strong links between Cornwall and Mexico due to the large volume of migrants who made the journey looking for work.

Watch this space…

Wheels begin to turn on Premier League transfer merry-go-round

With the Three Lions having since returned to home shores following their dismal early exit in Brazil, many domestic football fans will now be turning their attention to their club sides as the summer transfer merry-go-round grinds into gear.

One of football’s worst kept secrets was confirmed on Friday with 18-year-old full-back Luke Shaw leaving Southampton and joining Manchester United for a fee of £27m that could potentially rise to £31m depending on appearances.

Ryan Giggs, United's assistant manager, said: "Luke is a very talented young left back with great potential.

"He has developed immensely during his time at Southampton and has all the attributes to become a top player."

Shaw will be joined at Old Trafford by centre-midfielder Ander Herrera who is 24-years-old and has joined from hometown club Athletic Bilbao.

The capture of the young duo clearly indicate new coach Louis Van Gaal’s intentions of building a young and hungry squad in their efforts to return to the summit of English football.

To be once again be crowned Premier League champions United will have to dethrone city rivals Manchester City who have added Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna and Porto’s Fernando to their ranks.

Brazilian midfielder Fernando’s £12m arrival could signify the end of Jack Rodwell’s career at Eastlands and he is being tipped for a potential move back to Everton.

Two more England internationals leaving the south coast are Ricky Lambert and Adam Lallana.

Lambert has already confirmed his £4m to Liverpool and could be in line for more first team duties than previously expected following Luis Suarez’s enforced ban for biting.

The two clubs are also thought to have agreed a £25m fee for Lallana who could move north to complete the deal as early as Tuesday.

There is also expected to be a lot of movement in West London with Chelsea already having sold Brazil centre back David Luiz to oil rich Paris St Germain for a fee of around £40m.

Funds from the sale of Luiz have already been used to bring in former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, with Spanish international teammate Diego Costa set to join him as Jose Mourinho plots another assault on the premier league title.

Fabregas said: "I considered all the other offers very carefully and I firmly believe that Chelsea is the best choice."

Swansea City have also announced the signing of free agent Bafetimbi Gomis after the striker was released by French outfit Lyon.

Gomis is expected to provide competition for Wilfried Bony and Michu as the Welsh side look to build on last season’s 12th place finish.

Brazil 2014

The predictions may have been wildly inaccurate but here's a piece I put together a couple of weeks ago.

The controversy surrounding Luiz Suarez’s chomp from the shoulder of Giorgio Chiellini and the early exit of the Three Lions should not overshadow what has so far been an excellent World Cup.

The group stage of the competition produced a total of 136 goals, which according to FIFA is a new record and with the serious business set to begin it’s hard to pick a favourite to be crowned world champions.

Hosts Brazil have so far laboured, but have been carried by the flamboyance and goals of poster boy Neymar and are still undefeated as we enter the tournament’s second round.

Fears of domestic disturbance have since been dispelled and although they aren’t firing on all cylinders, the fever of the home support is another weapon in Brazil’s armoury as they bid to be crowned winners in the historic Maracana stadium.

It’s a similar story for the Argentina side who haven’t produced the avalanche of goals expected of them when the draw was made.

However, the Argentines do have Lionel Messi who joins Thomas Muller and Neymar at the top of the scoring charts with four goals.

Messi has always been shadowed with doubts over whether he could replicate his club form on an international level, but a breath-taking set of performances in the group stage has got the Argentina hoping that he can carry them to glory just as Diego Maradona did back in 1986.

The rest of the South American contingent are also looking strong with Chile helping knock out reigning champions Spain and becoming the pick of many neutrals with their high intensity pressing game.

Ecuador have since gone home but Colombia qualified for the quarter finals with a 100% record.

Despite the absence of injured talisman Radamel Falcao, the Colombians stormed through the group scoring nine goals in the process, with James Rodriguez catching the eye with a stunning goal against Japan.

France are also missing a main man in Franck Ribery, but looked ruthlessly efficient in the group stage with no signs on the in-fighting that plagued the camp in South Africa four years ago.

It wouldn’t be fair to mention the word efficient without mentioning Germany.

They dismantled Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the opening game before playing out an entertaining draw with Ghana and then edging out USA to secure their place in the second round.

Belgium have so far failed to hit the heights expected of them but enter the second round unbeaten nonetheless.

As always with the World Cup second round, there are a host of underdogs looking to upset the applecart and one bad day could see a team eliminated.

My Predictions

Brazil v Chile – Chile have looked the more impressive of the two sides so far but Brazil urged on by the passionate home support should just do enough.

Brazil 2 – Chile 1

Colombia v Uruguay – Uruguay will undoubtedly be weakened by the ban of Luis Suarez but the team don’t give a lot away at the back as England will testify. Expect a cracking atmosphere due to the large volumes of fans who travelled the relatively short distance into Brazil.

Colombia 3 – Uruguay 1

Netherlands v Mexico – Can’t look past Netherlands here who have so far been inspired by Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben.

Netherlands 2 – Mexico 0

Costa Rica – Greece

Costa Rica are arguably the surprise package of the tournament so far after being tipped as the whipping boys in the group stage. Greece have also shown that there’s more to them than the defensive reputation that plagued them in the past, it’ll be close.

Costa Rica 1 Greece 2

France v Nigeria

Nigeria have looked pacy and dangerous going forward, but vulnerable at the back and I can’t see anything other than a comfortable French victory.

France 3 Nigeria 1

Germany – Algeria

Algeria are another surprise package and have been led by the performances of Valencia man Sofiane Feghouli, but again, I think Germany will be too strong here and if I was a gambling man I’d get a few quid on Thomas Muller to find the net.

Germany 2 – Algeria 0

Argentina v Switzerland

Xherdan Shaqiri’s hat-trick in the 3-0 dismantling of Honduras proved that the Swiss are a force to be reckoned with. The nucleus of the team rose through the ranks together but with Lionel Messi looking at his best after an injury hit season I think Argentina will advance.

Argentina 2 – Switzerland 1

USA v Belgium

USA look well organised under Jurgen Klinsmann and with Belgium not yet living up to the billing I think this will be close.

USA 0 Belgium 0 (USA to win on penalties)

Life and Death Row

I've just finished watching the excellent BBC documentary Life and Death Row.

The series shadows inmates, their families, the families of their victims and those working on their appeals during the process leading up to the death penalty.

The series was an emotional roller coaster and I found myself experiencing a whole range of feelings and thoughts during each episode.

Firstly, I know that the crimes that these criminals are alleged to commit are atrocious and as well as taking a life, they have also destroyed many others around it.

But does taking the life of the criminal mean that two wrongs make a right?

Before I watched this programme I was of the view that the world is a better place without these murderers in it.

This programme has opened my eyes to the damage that capital punishment can do to the family of the accused and in one instance, a young male whose brother was on death row, confessed that if his brother was put to death, then he to would go off the rails and more than likely descend into a life of crime himself.

This series followed men accused of single violent acts that resulted in death.

Should the law be different for these people as opposed to the likes of serial killers, the epitome of all evil?

Drawing the line and differentiating between the people on death row is a difficult task and one that's ultimately a matter of personal opinion.



Another issue that jumped out at me throughout this three point series, was how do the men and women on death row became embroiled in such a lifestyle in the first place?

Are these people born evil or is it a result of other factors that have influenced them during their lives, particularly the early years?

There's no definitive answer to this and perhaps the truth ranges from case to case.

The third and final installment of the programme focused on the case of Robert Pruett.

Pruett was born into a family where he was sexually assaulted by random men and beaten by his father when he refused to take drugs.

His father was a violent man who was in and out of jail and Robert was convicted alongside his father and brother aged just 16 for the murder of a neighbour.

He then allegedly killed a guard and was sentenced to death.

Although the evidence convicting him of the guard's murder was sketchy, I'm not going to share my thoughts of whether or not he was guilty.

Instead I'm wondering if this guy had any chance whatsoever in life.

He was born into a home in a crime-ridden area of Houston and from an early age all he knew was a life of violence, desperation and drug abuse.

I have no doubt that some people who were 'brought up on the wrong side of the tracks' do defy the odds and make a life for themselves, but the odds of doing so are stacked against them.

Earlier this week I was in McDonald's where a young boy and his friend were causing trouble.

The kid was about 12-years-old and undoubtedly a menace, but he wore tatty clothes and was out wandering around at 10pm.

His tatty clothes and lack of supervision suggested that his parents weren't enforcing the usual methods and rules used to bring up a child.

I'm only in a position to speculate, but I highly doubt that his parents monitor his grades at school and he is offered any encouragement to progress with an education.

This kid was a little shit, but I believe that if he was born into a better family who strived to bring him up properly, then it could have been a different story.

Instead he's unlikely to access the training necessary to secure a reasonably paid job and if he is skint then how is he most likely to be able to make a quick buck and achieve status? Crime.

I don't hold many positive hopes for the future of this young man, but I'd love to be proved wrong.

Just a quick thought, imagine a life with no music.

For me music and lyrics stir so much emotion and triggering so many inner thoughts and longings.

I have an album/band/song that supports and provokes emotions during every mood and I believe that a life with no soundtrack would be an incredibly lonely one.

Now playing: Radiohead, Karma Police.

Short-term security, long-term cravings

I sit here at my desk nearing the end of my last day at Prestige Signs, gazing out of the window at the grey Cornish drizzle.

The weekend is coming but after a hectic blowout in Exeter last week, I'm looking to a couple of low-key few days off this time around.

It was great to see Phil, one of my oldest friends, and even better to see him making a great life for himself with his lovely house, long-term girlfriend and his management job.

After my lent detox perhaps what happened that night was inevitable. I woke up the next day unable to piece back the night before and with half of my eyebrow missing.

Despite not remembering anything past 23:00 it was great to get a few of the old crew back together.

Anyway, I digress.

I'm posting to inform you that my freelance work at the West Briton has seen them award me with a permanent position.

I've enjoyed it here at Prestige but working full-time in the local press is an opportunity that I am in no position to refuse and it's nice to have my hard work and graft since starting in there January recognised.

The contract is temporary, covering a woman off on maternity leave, and only runs until September.

After this I'm unsure where my future lies, but I'm going to embrace the opportunity and work hard to improve my skills as a journalist and hopefully leave a positive mark on the powers that be at the paper.

It feels good to have finally got a full-time post in the industry that I've always studied hard and hoped to work in, even if it is only temporary.

Right now I'm not worried about September. By that point I'll have more invaluable experience under my belt and they may even opt to keep me on if the woman does not return after giving birth.

My urge to travel still remains however, and I constantly find myself immersed in travel literature.

I've done well in my life so far and visited scores of countries forging relationships and creating plentiful memories along the way, but all of this along with inspiration taken from the trips of others, has only served to whet my appetite and make me long to visit more exotic far-flung corners of the globe.

My dream is to take a trip on the lengthy journey that is the Trans Siberian Railway, visiting cities and taking in the varying terrain of biggest country of the world.

Also on the list is the opportunity to sample the neon metropolis that is Toyko before heading out to the Japanese countryside to absorb the centuries old culture and traditions that exist there.

One day, when I've finally developed adequate Spanish skills, I'd love to travel around South America and hike the heights of the Machu Pichu and attempt to dance the tango on the streets of Buenos Airies, shortly before tucking into a mean and juicy steak.

Hopefully one day.

From my life experience so far I'm now a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and for the foreseeable future I'll continue to work hard writing stories and the approaching Cornish summer.

I'm excited to visiting Thailand in September and who knows what lies ahead for me after that.

The world is a big place and if I don't allow myself to be insulated within a bubble, the possibilities are endless.

I hate the concept of YOLO, I normally see it as an acronym to excuse behaviour that wouldn't normally be acceptable. However, the words you only live once are certainly ring true, so I'm going to do all I can to ensure that when I look back on my life I remember one of adventure, discovery, happiness and success.

Progress

So already three months have zipped by and we are a quarter of a way through 2014.

We've survived the storms and now can begin looking forward to beach days, Flora Day, barbecues, summer bike rides and beers in the sun.

On the employment front I've taken giant strides so far in 2014.

I am now employed by the West Briton on a freelance basis, regularly contributing articles on a variety of subjects and this week claimed my first page.

It's nice to once again be getting paid for what I studied hard towards and I'm hoping my three days in the office will act as a foot in the door.

To supplement my income I'm working for a local sign company, doing sales, quotes and getting out to meet clients. I'm enjoying the work and can now, as a result, add another string to my bow.

However, all this 9-5 lark has once again given me itchy feet.

I'd love to take off for another lengthy trip but I now have professional interests at home and another long trip would only serve to take me back the position that I found myself in when I returned from America back in December.

I long one day to travel all around South America taking in Argentina, Colombia, Brazil and Bolivia amongst other places, but that will have to wait a few years now. At least it'll give me time to brush up on my Spanish.

I'm hoping to jet off to Thailand for a couple of weeks in September just so I have something to look forward to and save towards.

Thailand is renowned as being a combination or culture, partying and beaches and all of these components are of great interest to me.

Unfortunately no festival line-ups have really grabbed my attention this year so I may just opt for Boardmasters as it's just around the corner and we could potentially muster a decent crowd for the weekend.

On a footballing note I'm looking forward to the biggest game of my life on Easter Monday when we take on Veryan in the Junior Cup Final. This season has been a mixed bag for me with my season being interrupted by my trip to America. 

I have been in and out of the team since, but now appear to have won my place back so fingers crossed I can maintain my form and get a start in the showcase event and put in a performance that my family and friends know that I'm capable of.

It's also great to see Argyle mounting a promotion push. As a fan it's been a difficult few years and it's great to see us on our feet again and I'm looking forward to getting to as many games as I can between now and the end of the season.

So, in reflection, the start of 2014 has been productive thus far and I'm hoping to continue the forward momentum to have a successful year and keep an acceptable balance between work and leisure. 

New year, new ideas

Well as predicted, my blog has fallen into somewhat of an idle state since I returned from my travels around the USA.

Since I've got back I've spent the majority of my time trawling the internet looking for jobs, catching up with friends and trying to restore my health and fitness once again.

I can honestly say that this has probably been my favourite Christmas, lots of eating and drinking go without saying, but the friends and family with whom I've shared this festive period, are the ones who've made it special.

I'm not a winter person at all, I long for a 12 month summer, but I am a sucker for the atmosphere at Christmas time. Everyone is in such high spirits and at their most social and socialising is what I've done a lot of lately.

It's fair to say I'm looking forward to a detox and a health kick as we emerge from the dark depths of winter.

Looking for jobs is a painstaking process as anybody who's spent time unemployed will testify. Page after page of often irrelevant listings have to be searched through on the off-chance that something appropriate may be there. 

It's fair to say after being laid off through no fault of my own on two separate occasions, I haven't had the best of luck when it comes to employment.

I've also suffered numerous setbacks with unsuccessful interviews and this was once again the case in early December when I attended an interview regarding a job of copywriter and PR guru at a Cornish company. I came away from the interview feeling that it went well and not so much confident, but not pessimistic about my chances either.

Although the company were impressed with my writing they felt that I did not have the necessary PR skills desired for this role.

My search continued and after emailing every newspaper and magazine in Cornwall I eventually had feedback from a well-known title and I was asked to drop by for an informal chat. After turning up armed with my portfolio and an eagerness to make a good impression, the boss seemed suitably impressed and offered me a trial with the potential to cover a six-month maternity contract.

So fingers crossed, my luck may have changed and my employment curse hopefully lifted and I'll without doubt put in 110% this coming Thursday and Friday to try to get this break.

I'm still heavily debating going down the teaching route, but if this trial passes successfully, I could have my foot in a very important door.