We flew from Siem Reap on Easter Sunday. James skipped breakfast at the hotel in anticipation of the chocolate he was getting at the airport. I wasn't so sure Siem Reap airport would have chocolate, but James' confidence was well founded as there was a entire shop full of every type you could want from Lindt to Toblerone to Cadburys. There were no Easter eggs, but that didn't matter as we found some comfy chairs and tucked into the feast. There was also live rugby sevens on from Japan so our morning was complete.

It takes about 45 minutes to get from Siem Reap to Bangkok and the same again to Koh Samui. It was around 40 degrees in Bangkok and whatever chocolate was left was melting fast. We were met at Koh Samui airport by a driver with bottled water and face towels. I am going to expect that level of service from all black cabs in future.

Sandalwood villas are just after Chaweng beach up the most incredibly steep hill you have ever seen. At first we weren't sure if the car would make it up, but it was a big 4x4 with a low gear and it went up without any problems.

When you get to the top the views are incredible. Right across the bay to the other end of Chaweng beach. There is also a plunge pool on our balcony which is a little chilly, but nice after a hot day at the beach.

There is a beautiful little cove at the bottom of the hill. It is too steep to walk but the hotel provides free transport by car. They also provide free transport to either of the main beaches at Chaweng and Lamai.

We spent the first couple if days lazing on the beach and getting sunburned. James and I got the worst of it but Gill is also quite pink. We decided to hire a car on Wednesday to see the island and get out of the sun.

The first stop was grandfather and grandmother rocks which vaguely resemble male and female private parts. Next we went to the waterfall where there was elephant trekking and some other wild animals. The elephant ride was great fun and James has a go in the driver's seat.

Then we went to get a photo with a tiger. It was 1 year old and very sleepy or drugged and didn't want to pose for photos. The keeper poked and prodded it and it was all a bit unpleasant. At least it didn't eat either of the children and we all got out in one piece.

So we headed to the West of the island for a swim and to watch the sunset. We got some good pics and something to eat in a great little local bar where the shower was a watering can attached to a hose pipe.

We still had the car the next morning so went to see the big Buddha near the airport. Anna continued her shopping tour of Asia by getting some sandals. She is keen to do a gap year when she is older but James is not convinced she can do it on a budget.

We chilled by the pool on Thursday and booked a boat excursion to the Angthong National Marine Park on Friday. It was an early start but the hotel packed us a breakfast of toast and fruit. We were picked up by the tour bus my at the bottom of the hill and were taken to a private jetty which was the epicentre of an industrial scale boat excursion operation.

We were ushered onto a large speedboat with about 30 Germans and some crazy Thai crew members. We powered out to the islands in 40 mins and the first stop was for some snorkeling. It was excellent, just like swimming in an aquarium. It was Gill's first experience of snorkeling so she really enjoyed it.

Then we went to another couple of island for lunch and some kayaking. Whilst Gill and Anna relaxed on the beach James and I raced the Germans round the island in a kayak. I had said to James that it wasn't a race and that we were just going to have a genteel paddle around, but you know how these things turn out.

The excursion was great and we came back to the hotel properly tired. We are planning on taking it easy for the last couple of days. That won't be too difficult as it is very laid back here and the beaches are great.