...and WHERE have you been!?

Good day to you. A few people have been demanding the comeback of the fabulous Meg's Meanders. Well, maybe not with quite the desperation just implied, but it would seem some are interested in my vague ramblings. So here I am, once again! And I apologise to any avid followers. The last time I updated you was way back in December 2012 in a truly beautiful part of the world known as Langkawi, still miss that place!

So, since then, Jo and I visited Thailand. I don't think we stayed long enough to fully appreciate it, but there is definitely some beautiful scenery, especially on the island of Phi Phi. This island was made famous by the film "The Beach" and is therefore filled with gap year travellers and not much history. It is very veery pretty by day and party central by night. The done thing on this island seems to be buying drinks by the bucket and then finding yourself incredibly alcohol-ed up to the brim. This led us to an empty karaoke bar by 9pm where we rocked the place singing our hearts out with the staff, which I think they enjoyed. Busted out our tried and tested rendition of Eminem and Rihanna. Jo approved of our performance so much that she felt we should sing it a second time. After this more drunken times ensued, which I will not mention right now, but a tattoo artist said he liked my henna design and took a photo. This was a proud moment for me.

On the last day in Phi Phi, Jo unfortunately was suffering from a bout of food poisoning so I ventured off by myself to explore the island some more. I climbed up to the the viewpoint which you can see above. The climb was strenuous, mainly because of the incredible heat and humidity. It was worth it though, as I hope you can see from the picture.

Our next destination after Phi Phi demanded a sudden change in climate. From 30 degrees plus....... to minus ten. When we arrived in Seoul we were greeted by Tom with a stereotypical running hug. We hadn't seen our glorious friend for months and months and it was amazing to see him again. Upon leaving the airport we got many weird looks. This was mainly due to the fact that we were two girls not wearing coats in the extreme weather that South Korea experiences in winter. We must be crazy.

The first thing we did upon arriving in the city was head to Home Plus (the Korean version of Tesco) and buy ourselves some coats. Mine was a glorious yellow number with brown elbow pads, a reindeer themed lining and a peaked hood - all the styles in one coat! We got to our accommodation for the night where we met Tom's friend Dom. They took us to experience our first Korean dinner of barbecued meat in lettuce wraps with a traditional alcoholic beverage called soju. We then went out on the town for some drinking and dancing. Made friends with the DJ and introduced him to Shakin Stevens. Spreading the love around the world. You're welcome Korea.

The next day we travelled to Tom's town of Andong, which is less central and cosmopolitan but has many a delicious independent coffee shop. Here we would spend our days drinking coffee while Tom was at work and go to Halfway Village, a traditional Korean settlement. Which was covered in deep snow so we didn't really get the true feel something is telling me. Anyway it was cool and we saw a nice dog.

Our first meal in Korea!

Ingredients for "Jo and Meg's amazing eggnog" - our contribution to the Christmas Day celebrations with Tom and his friends.

Braving the elements at Halfway Village, graced by none other that Queen Liz a few years earlier.

A traditional Korean building in the village.

New year was celebrated by going for a nice meal in Seoul and then partying it up in a bar where we conga'd to Will.I.Am and Britney, those crazy Koreans. We visited the DMZ which is the area between North and South Korea and went to a nice seaside town called Busan.

All in all a fabulous time in a cold land - we love you Tombo!! Next stop Japan.