Hello everyone!!
Last night was quite emotional but great all the same. We all caught a taxi to a restaurant near Khao Sarn Road. I had spring rolls, noodles and some strawberry daiquiris!
Quinny made a speech and cried, which of course set me and some of the others off. He said some really kind things to us all. He said we speak different languages so it's difficult for him to express exactly how he felt, but the message I got was that we meant a lot to him and were one of the closer knit groups he had ever taken before. He said we really felt like a family to him, especially over the Tet holiday period in Vietnam which he usually spends with his family.
Little did he know we had all organised a surprise for him. Today (the 15th) is his 35th birthday. So we all put some money together and bought him some presents, including a Chelsea (his favourite soccer team) top and a book that we all wrote messages in. Then we all bought him a birthday cake at the restaurant and sang him happy birthday. We also all tipped him quite a bit to show our appreciation!! I'm going to miss hearing his little voice say 'familyyyyy! Can you hear me? Can you see me?'. I got so used to it over the last four weeks.
We then walked down Khao Sarn Road, planning to have a pretty big night. But due to a Buddhist holiday no one was serving any alcohol. Some of the others went back, but about 2/3 of us stayed to count down til midnight and again wish him happy birthday.
This morning Laura, me, James, Tom, Jo, Rhi, Lou, Em and Becky all had breakfast together. We then said bye to Jo, Rhi, Sarah and Becky and the tears started a bit again. I have told Jo and Rhi that I will take them to Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs in May as that is the only match that suits their dates, so at least I know I'll see them then :)
Next me, Laura and James caught a train 15 stops to Chatuchak Park to the giant Chatuchak Weekend Market. We all did pretty well. James bought a shirt, sandals and some shorts, Laura bought some souvenirs, a dress and a shirt and I bought a dress, a top and a phone cover. The market was ginormous and bustling with life. It tried to rain while we were here but we only got a few tiny drops. All it did was make it even more humid than it already was! We are showering three times a day here due to humidity - it's disgusting.
We caught the train back and I sat next to a very cute little girl who ended up wanting her photo with me, so her dad took one! I think that'll be my last celebrity moment - no one will want a photo with me in Melbourne haha!!
We relaxed this afternoon, reading and napping while James went to Wat Traimit which we did on 15/1.
Tonight we had dinner with Tom in Chinatown, we went to the same vendor as last time. It was not full of life and light like last time. All of the decorations must have been for the upcoming new year celebration! Was still good though. James met his new tour for dinner today. We all keep joking to him he'll never be able to replace us all haha. It was strange meeting downstairs and it only being the three of us. I kept expecting everyone else to pop out from around the corner and it wouldn't all be over. But it is :(
The plan for tomorrow is to have breakfast with Emily and Lou, then have a massage, manicure and pedicure. And then lunch with Tom and James down the street. Then we have to say our final goodbyes and head to the airport about 4pm.
I will post again tomorrow before we leave for the airport. Can't believe how fast this is all happening!!!
Love to all
Claire and Laura
Xoxox
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