Thailand Adventure – 'Off Duty'

In between filming, we managed to squeeze in some extra curricular activities while in Thailand.

In Bangkok we ate and shopped, and then ate and shopped some more.

We tried all of the local delicacies.

Yum - silk worms!

Crunchy crickets

We drank ridiculously priced cocktails at rooftop bars overlooking the sprawling Bangkok city skyline.

Susan F's $47 Kir Royale at Vertigo - Banyan Tree

Bangkok's Sky Bar with Di, Lara and Su

We indulged in the degustation menu at David Thompson’s Nahm – not once but twice – even got to meet David who was slightly odd but very entertaining.

At Nahm, the flowers were almost as amazing as the food - check out those orchids!

We had foot massages with not-so-happy endings, which involved being kneed in the back and violently jerked from side-to-side like a floppy rag doll.

Susan F's massage  'modesty' pants.

Sky Bridge at Flight of the Gibbons

Tandem Ziplining with Kay Caf

We ziplined through the Thai jungle – high above the tree canopy at Flight of the Gibbons – kinda scary but so exhilarating.  The 5km course included lots of flimsy sky bridges plus some abseiling and an encounter with a family of four gibbons including two babies. 

We got up close and personal with the elephants at Elephant Nature Park (www.saveelephant.org) – a refuge for endangered Asian elephants but also for hundred of stray dogs who freely roam the park.

This elephant named Lucky was blinded by circus lights

We cooked up a storm at a cooking class in Chiang Mai with Lara and Di.  God it was sweltering in that kitchen – I managed to get out of cooking one of the dishes by flipping the contents of my wok onto the floor after a chili-induced sneezing fit.

This guy was from the UK - we thought he looked like Phil Collins so we called him Phil all night.  I think his real name was Gary.  We tormented him and everyone else on the course for about 5 hours - including a shared ride home where we entertained them with our singing. 

The 'Talent' van

There was also the night in Bangkok, which began at midnight once filming had finished and ended (for Sue Peden) with Gastrolight and Pad Thai for breakfast.  And another night in Chiang Mai at The Riverside which made for an interesting and hilarious bus trip the next day.  Don’t worry Susan F and Di Parsons, what happens on tour, stays on tour!