Hi all, Only just settled down to start writing again. It has taken me a while to find my feet since leaving Bangkok. The journal was better than I expected. The bus we travelled on had huge reclining seats, blankets provided and air conditioning. There was a huge plasma TV at the front of the bus on which they showed films all night which was great. I had sorted myself a packed lunch and settled in for the 11 hour journey. It was really cosy and I managed to sleep for about 5 hours. The ferry took ages but then I finally arrived in Koh Samui 17 hours later. It only cost me 4 quid for the whole transfer! Now it gets interesting.... Miffy had recommended Charlie's Huts to me so I set off for them. I found them - or should I say what used to be them. They had been demolished and were being re-built! So off I went to look for somewhere else to stay at the hottest part of the day carrying my huge backpack - great! I then found some beach Bugalows which were pretty basic but then they all where for the price I'm paying - about 6 quid a night. They are always double rooms so if there were 2 of you it's very cheap. I thought about taking a photo to remember the place I stayed in Koh Samui but trust me, it's not something I will forget for a while, especially after finding the Ghekko just chillin out on my window sill! He looked at me as if to say 'Hi, well you best get used to me as I'm staying - and he did. Once I'd dumped my bag I went to explore the main road of Chaweng. It is packed with restaurants bars, shops and internet/travel places. The road is so long you couldn't really walk the whole length of it really (I tried). I decided to go back and get changed for the night and headed to the beach party at the bar next to my resort. There I met the Aussie crew - RJ, Kaitlin and Gerrard, they were travelling too. We had dinner and then went to the Rasta bar. Bob Marley and Red Bull in medicine bottles! There's definately an extra ingredient in the Red Bull over here, it gives you jet engines not wings! I spent a couple of days lounging around on the beach which is gorgeous and the water is a clear turqouise colour and great for a dip when it gets hot.I tried to find the gym to try out the Thai boxing lessons and failed - I'm still crap at reading a map! After not doing too much for a couple days I decided to book the Thailand Safari tour. We got a boat to the Ang Thong National Marine Park and went climbing up to the top of the hill/mountain (not sure - felt like a mountain) and found the lagoon - so pretty and peaceful and you could see for miles. Then back down again to go Kayaking in the sea and through the caves. I really enjoyed this and as I didn't have a partner one of the Thai boat crew got in mine. This was good as he was an expert at steering us through the caves where everyone else kept floating into them (ha ha). Though at one piont I thought we were going to paddle right out to sea - but it was good too as it was very choppy and we were up and over the waves all the time. Back to the boat for dinner and then snorkelling with the advice of 'watch out for rocks' - 'which rocks?' ouch - those rocks! I haven't ever done this before but really enjoyed it once I got the hang of the breathing. It's weird cos your underwater and you naturally want to hold your breath. The water was a bit murky but I managed to see the coral reef and some black and white fish just swimming around me not even phased by the human flaling around them! After this back to the boat to go for the elephant trekking. This was fun too as it was different to any other methods of transport I've been on before and surprisingly alot more comfy than the taxi/truck things you get about on in Koh Samui! My elephant was nippy and kept over taking everyone but stopped in his tracks when the one in front decided to take a huge poo right in front of us - lovely! On the trip I met Elaine and Stuart, a couple from Aberdeen, and we decided we would go watch the Bolton/Liverpool game (I'm saying nothing!) and then to the ladies Thai boxing. This was brilliant! They really kick the crap out of each other. It's very different to my body combat classes, but I still reckon I could take em'! After betting all the way through the fights, we were then reminded that gambling is officially illegal - oops already broken the law! I was hoping to see some lady boy fighters rabbit punch each other and pull hair but sadly they never came. Off to a club then..... Today, after feeling a bit rough I decided to come to Koh Phagnan. Only 45 minutes on a ferry. My first impression was - it's tiny as compared to Koh Samui it is. Koh Samui is very touristy and built up whereas Koh Phagnan is smaller and a less busy. I actually prefer it here as it's more compact and everything is about 5 minutes walk. I am staying in a lovely resort, the room is basic but it has a pool, TV area showing films and things like Friends ( I was getting withdrawal symptoms). It also has a pool table and restaurant and is a 20 second walk from my door to the beach (yes I timed myself out of interest)! Koh Phagnan so far - very good......... x x x Julie