LouiseandJonty

Aaaah Koh Tao. Relaxing lazy days on the beach, snorkelling in the sea, a beer or two at sunset followed by a green curry and papaya salad before walking home along the beach in the moonlight. Then do it all again ten times over and you'll still be left wanting more. We stayed in Mae Haad. This is the more functional end of the island where the ferries come in but it's good value, quiet at night, and well located for days on Aow Leuk or Sai Ree beach and evenings out in Sai Ree village. There's also a couple of nice little bars on the beach nearby. We'd start the day with a breakfast in 'Cappucino' a french run bakery and cafe with good food, music, coffee, and wireless. Then take a walk to either ... read more

There's no denying the aesthetic appeal of Koh Phi Phi. The soaring cliff tops and white sand beaches, hidden coves and blue green water. There's two islands, Koh Phi Phi Don where you can stay, and Koh Phi Phi Leh a conservation area and home to Maya Bay (of 'The Beach') that you can visit by longtail boat. Phi Phi Don has a small tourist town with accommodation to suit all budgets but there are quieter and more romantic locations dotted around the island the best of which we think are at 'Long Beach'. Koh Phi Phi Don town is frequently described as 'a bit scruffy' but really this is only by those who have their expectations firmly set at Koh Phi Phi the paradise. It's functional, crowded, busy, a bit of a hotch potch of ... read more

Singapore, we love you. You have it all, an efficient metro system, very impressive old and modern architecture, a friendly population and mall after mall full of shiny spanking new shops. What more could a city dwelling boy or girl ask for? There's even a cocktail invented by you, the gin based Singapore Sling. This city could certainly teach others a thing or two. There's nothing really to fault Singapore on, apart from perhaps, the weather, it's a wee bit humid and perhaps the amount of time the traffic lights take to change in order to cross the road (are we starting to sound petty?) And...er, yes perhaps the fact that we both got bitten by mosquitos after looking around Fort Canning park during the day. Is there not something you could spray the pesky bugs ... read more

After Rainbow beach we spent a few days in Agnes Water, last chance for some surfing before the coastline tucks in behind the Great Barrier Reef and the surf dies away. Agnes and the Town of 1770 are quiet but very likeable. Onto Airlie Beach and the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands! Possibly the most beautiful beach on the planet. Consistently voted in the top ten and according to the most recent polls number one, Whitehaven beach is something special. It's the highlight of the Whitsundays sailing trip. Mooring off the beach we came ashore on the tender and spent a lovely lazy few hours taking it all in. There's 8 kilometres of the whitest and softest white sand so plenty of room for everyone to have their own little piece. We took a lovely long ... read more

After dragging ourselves away from Sydney we caught a short flight up the coast to Ballina and Byron Bay. With Byron's relaxed surfy style, a bit of art here and there, and some live music most nights we got to like it very much. We stayed 5 days and with better weather we may have looked to get a longer let. The point break (get me) at the far end of Byron's main beach is a cracker. So Louise got busy on the boogie board and I managed to catch a few decent waves without getting in the way of too many locals, 'Look left!' one shouted at me as I accidently dropped in on her wave. What we loved most about the Byron Surf was that people from all walks were enjoying the surf. And ... read more