Hey Jen and Tanya are still going, it's even better than we both expected. Started our Malay Basix Southbound Tour in Bangkok. First morning got about on a tuk tuk and visited the Budhas. We met our group and our Aussie tour leader Adam from Intrepid, Kaow San Road was manic but a good laugh, the culture is so different. Got a night train from Bangkok to Surat Thani it took 12 hours but was a wicked experience, they had bunk beds and you could smoke between the joining carriages which was dangerous but a good crack! We got on the back of a songthaew (open back truck) and travelled to Khao Sok National Park. We stayed in wooden huts on stilts with beautiful surroundings of the eldest jungle in the world. We went river tubing, swinging off a rope into the river and also elephant riding, it was amazing and we drank cocktails and got Jen got friendly with the "Thai locals" (suprise suprise lol). Woke up to a monkey in our bathroom and a huge spider next to our beds! It was sad leaving but onto the next adventure! We then travelled to Ao Nang (near Krabi) where we went on a Phi Phi Island boat trip by speed boat, stopping to explore beautiful islands, bays, caves, lagoons and beaches with a tasty Thai lunch followed by snorkeling in blue crystal clear water. We went to Maya Bay where Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed in "The Beach" - fantastic day! The following day Jen went rock climbing at Railey Bay with some great instructers, challenging routes and climbed 100ft, (Jen: "I loved it and it was a great achievment")! Jen's experiencing the different foods but Tanya's getting there slowly, bored of sandwiches and crisps but doesn't want the risk of anything hot and spicy lol! We travelled all day and crossed the boarders from Thailand into Malaysia, then got the ferry to Penang Island staying in Georgetown, not as exciting as previous destinations. One day here so we went to the top of Penang Hill (833m) via funicular railway (very steep railway track) followed by Kek Lok Si Temple. Malaysia is very interesting with the mixture of religions and different cultures. Tomorrow we head for the hills to the Cameron Highlands followed by Kuala Lumpur. Obviously moving on but great memories so far and only been away 10 days, loving every minute of it and still got 8 months to go, enjoying back packing life in style lol! So catch up with us soon!