28th Feb-4th Mar Thailand

Then yet another early start, 4.30 am this time! I seem to be accepting them if not getting used to getting up in the dark!

This time it was a 1.5 hr ride back to the bus station on the back of a songthaew. To you and me that's pick up with two benches down each side. Going 70 mph at 5.00am when you are dressed for the usual 35 degree heat is breezy, for the first time in weeks I was freezing! Breakfast and another 2 hrs in a bus before we got to the ferry port. A civilised crossing later and we were in Ko Samui. Paradise of white sand and palm trees after so much travelling. We even had the luxury of a pool and the beach at the end of our 'bungalows'. Due to our early start we even had that afternoon and the next day in one place.

We ventured as far as the next town for dinner and off to see the Island's golden Buddha, but with a hotel that serves cocktails in hollowed out pineapples and coconuts who needed to ever leave!

No rest for the wicked and it was soon time to move on again. This time to Ko Tao, a smaller island famous for its beaches and clear water for diving. However we had to get there first! About 200 backpackers and their luggage rammed onto one poor boat built for 50 is not conducive for a pleasant ride in the mid day sun. Lou and I manged to find a spot outside almost hanging off the side - and prayed not to get too burnt. Luckily enough most got off at Ko Pha Ngan for the full moon party and we got to our island in time for sunset over the rocks and the sea.

I was on a basic tour, but it would have been nice not to have accommodation that constantly smelt of sewage, sporadic running water and always having to share your bed with ants. ( There are a lot of different types in Thailand!) Geckos, jungle noises, no hot water etc all fine- but after 10 days it was too much. So we just decided not to go back to the hut much. Therefore that night we chilled out in a bar set up on the beach, with bean bags and singa beer. Nice. I much preferred Ko Tao to Koa Samui, as its more chilled, harder to get to and not really for package deals just diving and long staying hippies.

We then had a free day, and most of the group went off to scuba dive, for us though the thought of a lie in was too much, so Lou and I didn't go with them, just went to the beach, and did a bit of shopping to keep out of the mid day heat (Very hot- still not used to it or the humidity!). We all ate together that night - and most people had an early one as they were all burnt, and we had a big day planned the next day.

Sunday was full moon. So after our farewell lunch together, and some Internet and packing duties we headed off for Ko Pan Nagn: for the Full Moon Party. For thos who know it, enough said, for those who don't probably best you don't (best not let grandparents research this too much M.) Best described as a helluva party with 10,000 people on the beach dancing and drinking 'buckets' of local rum and coke till sunrise. Brilliant. Not so good 12 hrs later at 6am!