Set our alarms so Ellie could be out by 9am to collect her bag from her friend Tim. He owns a fabulous resort in Ko Samui and we'd thought it would be safer getting it delivered there rather than our Guesthouse, but over the last few days we've got to know the family here at Beach Bungalows and they're such nice people. They're so kind to their pets (they even own the dog that layed an egg) and all of them have been so helpful. While Ellie was at Tim's, I took a walk around Lamai and visited a shop that sold wonderful carved vases, picture frames, Buddha's etc. I'd love to kit my flat out in Teak wooden furnature; low cusions and silk tapestry, but apparently it's really expensive to send things home. It is ... read more

Our alarm went off at 9am. We packed up and left the hostel with our Dutch room mate who shared a cab with us to the next town in Ko Samui called Lamai. Had a fruit sald with yogurt for breakfast at a Beach restaurant called Beer's Bungalows and agreed with the owner for us to rent a room for 300THB (about 6quid between me and Elllie). We noticed how much cheaper Lamai is to Chaweng - fruit shakes are nearly half the price. Our room has a comfy double bed with clean bedding and towels, and a great fan to keep us cool so we were really chuffed. Sunbathed on the beach which is much smaller than Chaweng. The shops and bars aren't as upmarket either, but we're loving how cheap it is. Had Tom ... read more

Woke at 10am, must have had at least 10 hours sleep last night! Guess we needed it. Went for breakfast with Coats at an Irish bar near his hotel then went to a Tourist Info place to call Quantas about Ellie's bag - finally they've located it and said it should be delivered to us in Ko Samui in 2-3days, yey! Ellie & I wandered down the main road in Chaweng looking out for the poshest hotel possible. We snuck in through the entrance of Centara Grand Beach resort, past the security guards and staff around the beacutiful poolside and on to their private area of Chawang beach. We layed down our towels and dozed for ages (despite not being tired) - you kind of can't help it, it's so relaxing lying in the sun and ... read more

We got up at 6.30am after 10 hours of much needed sleep. Walked round some local villages and chatted happily, in no rush to be anywhere. A dog joined us for the whole journey, we were scared of it at first but grew quite fond of it, Tom said it thought it was one of the team. Along the way it had stand-offs with other wild dogs which also looked like wolfs, but it held it's own until the smallest Chihuaua chased it off, I've never seen a dog run so fast! We stumbled accross a lovely place called Malibu Beach Bungalows with it's own private beach and stopped for some fresh fruit for breakfast. Got a taxi to Ao Haad Yo and went in an internet cafe where I could finally ring Ant - was ... read more

We were up, ready and at Khao San Road by 10am. The markets were great, sold loads of fake stuff, we got some Bilabong flipflops & a maxi dress for El. Had a fruit smoothy watching the wrold go by, it's different to being on holiday when you always have to be somewhere or catching some rays. Accross the road from the cafe they were selling fake driving licences, diploma's, degree's and PADI diving licences! We also spotted a massage parlour selling fish footmassages - the sign said let our fish kiss your toes and feed on your dead skin - gross! Is that just for wierdo's with foot / fish fetishes? Ended up at a market that only the locals go to, selling second hand shoes and scruffy toys. We were the only English people ... read more