Greetings from Koh Tao!

We arrived a few days ago after a rough crossing from Chumporn and checked into our "hotel". Actually more of a shack.

Once we'd got rid of the bags (we should have started in the colder countries!), we had a wander around. The first thing to notice about the Islands above mainland Thailand, is the number of hippies. This must be something to do with the infamous full moon parties which take place on a monthly basis on the next Island. Since they're so popular, they have become weekly: Black Moon and Half Moon!

Koh Tao is beautiful and still relatively quiet. We think the reason for this is that people come here to dive, and therefore not too much lapping it up going on. In fact, we stayed out after 9pm one night, and most bars were closed.

Graeme has been diving several times now and is enjoying it, and has seen his first Shark.

Yesterday, we went on a boat trip which sailed around the Island. We stopped 5 times throughout the day to Snorkel. All of the bays we were taken to were simply stunning. On the way back, we stopped at Nang Yuan Island (400m off Koh Tao), which was the icing on the cake. We walked to the top, well, Graeme went right to the top to get some pictures. You can see these for yourselves.

Once we were back on dry land and stopped swaying, we realised that we were both burned and to add to it, bitten by mozzies. Back at the shack, we realised that there are 1cm gaps at wall joins, which explains it all.

We have decided to stay a few more days than originally planned as we both love it here so much. We will be saying goodbye to the shack though!!

Em & Graeme.