Super Marriott Land

 
For a leaving present Caroline, a good friend of Duncan's, bought us possibly *the* best thing. A Marriott hotel gift card, charged with 350 big ones. To be redeemed at any Marriott hotel in the world when we fancied a good night's sleep and a proper wash.
 
So, on arrival to India The Duncs and I decided to try our luck with a night at the Mumbai Mazza. And we weren't disappointed.
 
For those of you not in the know, the Marriott is fancy pants. It's kind of up there with the Hilton and the Mal Maison, but it's my personal fave as it was our place of choice for a very over priced glass of vino after a hard day at Sugar. "Shall we go for one in the Mazza?" we'd say. And end up staying for more. Then pay about 100 quid for the privilege. But you can't put a price on feeling fancy.
 
So there we were, in the reception of possibly the nicest most expensive place to stay in the whole of Mumbai, surrounded by filthy rich Indian business men, in our flip flops and grubby shorts and massive rucksacks. I'm not sure what people made of us but had anyone asked we would have told them we were New Money. We decided that Duncan should be Myspace Tom, and I his very lucky girlfriend.
 

 

 

 
We were booked in for one night on the fourth floor in an executive suite. Not too shabby for Sam and Duncan. For Caroline's money we got the nicest room in the world ever - massive flat screen TV, DVD player, huge comfy bed, bath, robes, toiletries, mini bar, complementary fruit and cookies. Then we got to use the executive boardroom which meant as much free fancy food as you could fit in all day (I managed to fit in quite a bit - see, a larger stomach IS beneficial when it comes to free stuff.) Followed by unlimited wine and cocktails and cheese in the evening. Then there was the free internet. Another of my all time favourite things.
 

 

 

 
The rest of the perks were as you'd imagine. Three swimming pools. Free newspapers that hung in a fancy little pouch from your doorknob in the morning. And the biggest buffet style breakfast you've ever seen.
 
So what did we do? We took advantage. We swam, ate until we felt sick, surfed the internet, supped Merlot and then tucked up in our huge bed and watched Pan's Labyrinth. And it was exactly how my life was meant to be. 

Full moon on Monday

(I know, I know - it's Blue Moon on Monday, but it would have been a journalist's dream.)



Right, so this is Haad Rin beach on the island of Koh Phagnan:



And it's this beach that, on a monthly basis, attracts thousands apon thousands of party goers to celebrate the full moon.

They all pile on to the beach:



Paint their bodies with copious amounts of glow in the dark paint (thanks for that, Duncan):







And drink lethal cocktails by the bucket:





I went. I didn't want to. I had fun. I didn't want to. I felt terrible the next day. I didn't want to.

Anyway. I'll leave you with a picture of me and Evo having a vodka and lemon shake pre-party. A picture of Tom and Duncs looking hot pre-party. And a picture of the moon during the party. And then we'll never speak of that night ever again: