Sights, smells and sounds of Thailand

Having been in Thailand almost a month now I thought this would help you to imagine all the things I've been experiencing!

Sounds

The bloody rooster and dogs outside the bungalow waking us up at 5 in the morning! The loudest crickets. Forty kids shouting 'good mooorning teeeacher' at us. The little boy in one class whose sole English word is 'exactly' which he said with almost a perfect english accent. The trucks that drive past really slowly with advertisements blaring out of megaphones. The rain as it really starts pouring. Fantastic Thai pop music which they like playing at full blast on buses. Thai mobile ringtones, they all seem to be we wish you a merry christmas or jingle bells, why?!



Sights

All the smiles. Thais all look grumpy until you smile at them and then their faces light up. Driving in the back of the TVC truck looking out at the amazing jungle/hilly scenery (and feeling slightly sick as you drive around the bends) and overtaking whole families on motorbikes. The classic Khao Lak scene, a beautiful sunset with a speedo-clad pot bellied over bronzed German walking down the beach (or not to be sexist a saggy wrinkly over bronzed German lady with ill fitting bikini). Gorgeous little kids, I want to take them all home! Shoes outside all the houses/shops/schools. The sunsets and the beaches, wow, Bournemouth just doesn't quite live up to it!



Smells (mostly not very pleasant, unfortunately rather pungent!)

THAT sewer smell, I've almost got used to it now! Sweaty and smelly little children! Exhaust fumes from the back of the truck or from on the motorbike. Amazing coconut curry soup smell. The sweet smell of the flowers and incense that hang on all the spirit houses. The smell of rain as it hits hot tarmac (aah!)...