Tidal wave in South Asia

Andy woke Rich and I up at 10am on 26th to say that he was off to the internet to find out what had happened in Thailand as he had 4 texts from home saying they'd seen the news and wondered if he was OK. When he came back and told us I don't think the gravity took hold of any of us. After watching the news and seeing the amount of confirmed dead go up and up we soon realised just how awful it was. We only decided to come to Koh Pha-Ngan at the last minute but could just as easily have decided to go to the islands in the west.

Friends at Magic Bar

Due to the fact that travellers in the mainland will only be coming to this side of Thailand eveything is now all booked up, including transport, rooms, etc. So it looks like we'll be on this island for another week and then up to the north for a bit of elephant bathing in Chang Mai. Hopefully, if Krabi and Koh Phi Phi have managed to get things together a bit by the end of Janurary we could go there after seeing Loas. I think they will need some tourism ASAP when things have got better.

Haad Yao beach

We went to the full moon party on the 26th, but apart from the news putting a cloud over everyone, we just weren't in the mood. It was pretty hectic for one, music-wise and the amount of people, but it was too much like an 18-30's holiday in Magaluf than the hippy, party crowd of yester-year. So we had one drink and left!

Back at our balcony overlooking the sea, Rich and I had a few beers and tried to at least see the sunrise. Usually the beach has a party atmosphere, and the bar below where we sleep plays the crappest, loudest, hardest dance music imaginable. But that night all we could hear was the sea, the cockrells and the dogs howling. Bliss!

Sunset at Haad Yao

It's New Year's Eve in 3 days. So happy new year to everyone again!

Rich, Liz and Andy xxx

View from our bungalow in Koh Pha-ngan