I’m currently training at Tiger Muay Thai and MMA, in Phuket, Thailand. I arrived here in early January and after my recent trip to Japan, I decided to come back to continue training for a while longer. My primary goal is to get fit and healthy, so what better place to do it?

This picture was taken during a seminar by Gracie Barra black belt, Steve Gable back in January. I’m in there somewhere, can you spot me?

Why I am Sticking Around Tiger Gym and Phuket

Phuket is turning out to be the ideal way to build a temporary base for a few weeks/months. It has everything I need, all very close by and accessible.

• The Training Camp – I’m training MMA every day at the moment. Shortly, I’ll start training in Thai Boxing. This place has everything you need to get healthy and you can choose from a whole host of classes, or even just use their well kitted out gym.
• Cheap Accommodation – All the accommodation around here is geared up for people staying by the week or month. You can get a nice place with air-con, cable, fridge, hot shower, wifi and a swimming pool for 10,000 baht per month ($300). I understand that some of the trainers and longer term guys, spend as little as 3,000 baht per month! That is cheap!
• Language School – I have decided to attempt to learn to read, write and speak Thai. There is conveniently a good language school a short drive away from where I am staying. I have signed up for daily lessons.
• Awesome and Healthy Food Options – Most of the restaurants near to Tiger are geared up for fighters and people training. Healthy and cheap is the order of the day here. If you get bored of the local restaurants, there are plenty of street food options, or western chain restaurants just moments away by bike.
• Beautiful Beaches – Aside from the infamous Patong Beach, there are lots of smaller, quieter and nicer beaches around Phuket. Karon and Kata beaches are a nice alternative, along with Rawaii and Nai Harn further south.
• Shopping Malls – There are 2 large malls, one of which is in Patong which are easy to get to if I want to buy supplies, go bowling or see a movie etc.
• Kite Surfing School – I spotted this the other day on the way to my language lesson. I believe this takes place in Chalong bay and I am keen to give it a try!
• Meditation and Chi Gung Centre – This is a 5 minute drive away from me. They offer various meditation classes, along with Chi Gung and Tai Chi. I have wanted to get into meditation for a long time now so this might be a perfect opportunity.
• Bars and Nightclubs - You always need a blowout every now and again. Patong is the nightlife epicentre of Phuket and is very well known for its bright lights and endless girly bars. If this is not your thing, there are several other options for a night out in Kata, Karon or Rawaii, amongst other places.
• Constant Flow of Young Westerners – Due to Tiger’s high profile and reputation, it attracts many people on a constant basis. There are always new faces around and it is very easy to make new friends. Also, these are not normally your average party tourist, hell bent on ruining themselves every night, so it definately makes a nice change.

From this location, I am also very close to Krabi, Rai Lay, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao Noi and many more awesome islands and national parks. I also have Phuket international airport just up the road.

Rough Goals Whilst I am Here

I don’t have anything set in stone and I am notorious for being indecisive and changing my mind frequently. However, here are a few thoughts that spring to mind.

1. Get good at MMA so I can hold my own in the cage without getting my ass kicked every time.
2. Learn to speak thai to conversation level along with basic reading and writing.
3. Lose my eternal beer belly… finally.
4. Compete in the forthcoming Never Tap Asia event, taking place near the end of March.
5. Catch up on my work after a lazy few months.
6. Save some money by living cheaply, avoiding the booze and keeping my head down for a while.

A Quick Overview of Tiger Gym’s Facilities

Tiger offers a whole range of lessons throughout the day

• Muay Thai – Split into beginners, intermediates and advanced. Classes are twice a day at 8am and 4pm for 2-3 hours a time.
• Yoga – 7am start for this one.
• Krabi Krabong – Twice a week. This is basically a form of stick fighting.
• MMA / Jiu Jitsu – Beginners and advanced.
• Body Fit – Conditioning classes.
• Western Boxing – 3 times per week

In addition to the classes, there is also a weight lifting room, with someone on hand to offer advice and guidance. Many people also take private lessons with the instructor of their choice. There is also free internet, a restaurant serving healthy food and protein shakes and a shop where you can buy all your gear and clothing.

If anyone is thinking of heading down here, or if you need a detox, get in touch and we can hook up here in Phuket.

Have you trained here? What do you think? Any questions? Please leave a comment.

What do you think? Leave a comment below

(Above) A view of Takeshita Street – the main shopping strip with many small, independant stores and stalls selling alot of strange and random items.

(Above) A box of babies anyone? Strange!

(Above) Ever so slightly wierd and slightly scary shop mannequins.

(Above) Most of the smaller shops are like aladdin’s caves, full of wierd, wonderful and unique clothes and accessories.

What do you think?

Have you been to Harejuku? Have any thoughts you want to share? Please leave a comment

Being Bad at Dancing Can Make You Famous

Where the Hell is Matt - Dancing 2008

Matt Harding  was sponsored by Stride gum to travel round the world making videos of himself and others dancing. Here is his latest (and best in my opinion) video.

Where the Hell is Matt (2006)

This was the first of his two sponsored trips around the world.

Where the Hell WAS Matt – The Original (2003/2004)

This is his original video that sparked it all off for him.

Find out more about Matt on his website – www.wherethehellismatt.com.

Other People Dancing Round the World

Nick Dancing Around Lanta

Inspired by Matt’s videos and dancing style, this guy does a great video of him dancing around Koh Lanta, Thailand

Here’s another one – Dancing Sascha around the world

And another one – Renate & Charly dance tour

And yet another one – Around the World Dance

What do you think? Have you done or thought about doing this before? Do you have any links to other people dancing around the world? If so, please leave a comment below.

(Above) Tall buildings and giant signs.

(Above) Japanese shoe-shining in action.

(Above) Yet more tall building and giant signs.

(Above) A poor homeless guy. Bless him.

(Above x2) The stunning views over Tokyo from the Metropolitan Government Building observation towers.

(Above x2) A shoppers paradise. This store was massive and sold pretty much every electronic device you could possibly think of.

(Above) This is actually a 6 or 7 storey sex store directly next to the main station entrance, next to the main street.

(Above) We visited one of the famous Maid Cafes. These places are wierd – originally designed to cater for the legions of obsessive anime and manga fans in Japan. We ordered a few expensive drinks and cakes which then had a magical spell placed on them by our maid before we ate to make them more delicious. We were not allowed to take pictures but I caught a sneaky one.  Not the best picture in the world but better than nothing!

(Above) This maid let us have a photo with her outside.

(Above) Akihabara… Bright light heaven! Love the place!

(Above) The entrance to the Temple approach. Walking up to the temple you pass through many small stalls and shops selling various souvenirs, clothes, toys, chopsticks and all manner of unusual bits and bobs.

(Above) Incense burning outside the temple entrance

(Above) One of the temple pagodas

(Above) An elderly Japanese lady praying in the main hall

(Above) Lanterns outside the temple area. There are lots of these around the place.

If you’re in Tokyo, this temple is worth a visit. Just get the train to Asakusa Station, via the Ginza Subway Line, Asakusa Subway Line or the Tobu Railway and its a short walk from there.

(Above) Giant video screens are the norm in these here parts.

(Above) The pedestrian scramble at Hachikō Square, as you walk out of Shibuya station. This is one of the most famous intersections in the world and is very hectic. The picture doesn’t do it justice.

(Above) You see some very strange things walking around Tokyo!

(Above) We stopped for a drink and to rest our legs when we were approached by Mr Suzuki (far left). He was very keen to talk to us and after sending a couple of beers over to our table, he invited us over to join him and his friends. This guy is a bio-chemical engineer with an amazing knowledge and a lot of stories to tell. Several beers and lots of wine flowed as he impressed us with his stories, jokes and science. At the end, when we tried to pay, he was having non of it and wouldn’t let us even look at the bill. I estimate we consumed at least $100 worth of drinks. What an absolute legend!

(Above) A nice relaxing beer after a hard days exploring.

(Above) This is the guy that served us our beers. WTF