Howdy Relaxing Krabi

... but my forearms were now burning fiercely, and I was panting and sweating like a complete psycho. I rappelled down. Bending over like you want to take it in your **** is always a sign you have burned a considerable amount of steam, and I was bending over like I wanted an entire gay bar jumping my bones.
The team started walking back, and I said to Lauren "Phew, that was tough, but great fun." Then I realised we were walking to another cliff face. Jesus.
Three was a ...

... Phi Phi. Simon and I
both had a go at jumping through a ring of fire. Might I add that I was the bravest and
decided to give it a go, it was only on completion of my task that my husband decided he
couldn't be outdone.
That brings me nicely onto today. After sleeping in past 12 we were both resigned to the
fact that we were going to spend the day on the beach as most boats tours etc would have
left ...

... almost 11am! Having woken up at or before dawn at least half the mornings in Africa it was such a treat to not have any agenda and to be sleeping in a soft comfortable bed. Ironically I woke up with a sore back. I guess I couldn’t take all the sudden comfort.

After a nice morning of coffee, orange juice, and an oatmeal breakfast we headed down to the pool. The grounds here are gorgeous, the infinity pool overlooks an expanse of grass ...

... Tropical Murphy's Bar in nearby Chaweng and met up with Amy and Rory (friends from the Indochina trip). It was teeming with rain and Judith got drenched because she had to stand and ride on the back of the songthaew. The only consolation was that the rain was warm! After lunch the sun came out, so we headed for the beach via the plush Library Resort. The reception is known as "contents" and the rooms are ...

We were delighted that a friendly Phuket travel agent advised us to take the boat to Phi Phi and then a ferry to Ko Lanta rather than the older, slower boat to Lanta via Ao Nang. The stunning view of Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don made the journey enjoyable and kept us busy with the camera!

... and reminded me what Uncle Phil had said about the insurance problems with having a crash (if you don't hold a licence in England you may be liable for payment of all the treatment costs). That and also made me think I don't want to die on a Thai A-road in the middle of the night. Dark times.

Needless to say again didnt sleep much cuz of the incessant stops - how many times does the driver need t' loo for God's sake! Got to Surat Thani quite early ...

... the busy cities. Lots of lying on the beach, eating out and window shoppig (very nice shops here but all a bit expensive). Attempted to go swimming but the water never went past our knees even after walking out for 10 mins....bit annoying. Our favourite day was spent going out on an afternoon tour boat. We visited monkey beach (as name suggests lots of monkeys running wild trying to steal things off you), some other bays can't remember the ...

... Alan had a couple of beers and eventually we decided to just go. The rain had eased a little but we were covered in mud by the time we got home as the track up to our place is just a dirt track and the streets in Phi Phi are also full of mucky pot holes. We had an early night due to my illness. You really have to watch everything you eat and drink in this part of the world. Hopefully our stomachs will get a bit stronger. Drinks of choice: Cocktails and Buckets

... the favourite restaurant of the WRC volunteers, and had some drinks in town before staying over at the Royal Asia, the same hotel I stayed in on my first ever visit to Hua Hin with my friends from the WRC. The next day was spent by the beach in Hua Hin, and then in the evening we boarded the night train to Surat Thani. The journey took about 8 or 9 hours, and was far more comfortable than I had expected. We had beds and air ...

... via a wooden 'walkway', next to some large cliffs at the other end of the east beach.

It's a pleasant walk and a lovely beach, very picturesque and much quieter than the main west side, aaaaaiiiiiit... ('Ali F' throws Staines gang sign at PC, everyone looks worried).





Sadly by the time we got to the main west ...