The Orchid Hotel and Spa Patong

... Samui would cost 500 here. Hence we didn't travel around much, Thailand is already pushing our budget to the limit.

By the time we checked in the sun had set and we were starving, we headed for a little German restaurant, Bavaria Kitchen, for good food and huge Weissbiers !

We spent 6 full days in Patong, first impressions were really disappointing. The main roads are clogged with 7-11's, MacDonalds and Starbucks ...

... coconut, palm oil and rubber tree plantations as well as a number of temples. On arrival at Phang-Nga we transferred to a boat for our trip to Khao Ping Gun or James Bond Island. It was now very hot so the breeze on the boat was most welcome. We went past mangrove swamps and lots of limestone formations. Some were covered in trees on others you could see the limestone - red, orange ...

As the freak storm began to subside on our last evening in Ko Tao, we plodded through the puddles and drizzle, armed in our waterproof jackets (first time they had been worn on the trip) to the travel agents where we would be transfered to the night boat taking us from Ko Tao onto Phuket, via Surat Thani. As we were carted to the pier on the back of a pick-up, we contemplated what our boat ride that evening would be like; reclining seats, or perhaps bunk-beds, would it have a ...

... you see a lot more of their personality than other children in Asia and I think they will be a lot more fun to teach. Although I experienced how cheeky they can be first had! We were told that if you can teach English in Thailand, then you can teach English anywhere in Asia!! I think the teaching practise went really well. I feel a lot more confident going to teach now. My final observer wrote in the points to improve, that I was ready to start my placement! I'm not sure how much ...

... fläsk och ris och det komm** snabbt in på bordet. Själv har jag bestämt mig för stekta nudlar i chili. Dessa v**kar dock dröja. När de andra tre avslutat sin måltid och jag försynt frågar eft** mina nudlar utbryt** en högljudd ordväxling mellan människorna, vilka jag antar är man och hustru och två barn, bakom disken. Sorry, mistake. De har glömt mina nudlar. Klockan, alltid denna kamp mot klockan. Vi måste gå till båten. Äta får jag göra en annan gång. Då vi promen**ar ned ...

Up early today as we are expecting our young friends from New Zealand Daniel and Gemma. Last saw them in Vietnam so very excited to see them again. Originallyy met them on the trans siberian Rail trip. Stayed at hotel in the morning because of hels sunburn. She wanted a day in the shade but persuaded her to come out in the afternoon to buy some snacks and beers to put in fridge for tonight. Bought some ...

... sleeping stall holders. I tried waking one up by banging on the table, because we wanted to buy a new XD card for the camera, but she was dead asleep! By which stage we've had enough and stand on the street waiting to be asked for a taxi (they find you, not the other way around). An older man appears and asks us to look at his car. He has the right coloured number plates and a brand new ISUZU 9 seater. We haggle over the fare and agree on THB400 ...

... breath taking. Fine white sand as smooth as flour and turquoise water as far as the eye can see. The water is so warm that I never want to get out. The Similan Islands are a boat ride away and are home to coral reefs that are great for snorkeling and diving. We will go snorkeling tomorrow.   beach has many lounge chairs and umbrellas ...

... had a couple of hours free time to spend on the long stretch of golden sands by the line of hotels encompassing the beach. We can see why it got hit so badly by the tsunami as the main Island consists of two large rock formations linked by a slither of golden sand with several hotels neatly perched on top. Either side the clear waters within the coves stretch out into the open ocean, making it the perfect trap to 'bottle neck' a tidal wave with no escape. We cruised ...