Sunday 30th January Ko Samui Airport is a private airport originally built by Bangkok Airways, which is still the main operator with two flights daily from Phuket as well as Bangkok and various other Thai cities. We've landed and we're picked up in a minibus laid on by the World Resort hotel which is located on the North of the island on Bo Phut beach. Ko Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand and measures some 21 kilometres at its narrowest point, and 25 km at its longest. It is Thailand's second largest island with a permanent population of approximately 55,000. The old capital is Nathon, on the southwest coast of the island. The central part of the island is an almost uninhabitable mountain jungle, Khao Pom, peaking at 635 m. The various lowland areas ... read more

Wednesday 19th January Our last day in bangkok is shaping up to be a good one. An early pick up from the hostel followed by a trip to nearby China Town where we picked up more passengers. Another stop and another few people and its not long before we are leaving the city in the 12 seater minibus. Our journey takes us about 100km West towards Amphoe Damnoen Saduak which is a floating market around the town of Damnoen. The central town is most famous because of its floating market held every day till noon on a khlong (canal). However as it has become a prime tourist attraction of the Bangkok vicinity the market has lost its authenticity. Our guide leads us off the bus and onto a waiting long tail boat which takes us in ... read more

Friday 21st January Needless to say we slelpt most of the way down to Singnapore which took a mere 3 hours courtesy of AirAsia. The flights were a resonable price at $60 each and we didnt fancy the 16 hour bus journey on little bit. Once the baggage was picked up we made our way onto the free skyrail which took us to the MRT railway where we paid about a pound each for the train ride into the Town Hall stop. We then changed train, paid another pound for a short journey up to Little India where our hostel the Inncrowd Hostel. As we left the train we noticed that we could deposit our used train tickets and we reiceved half our money back! Mega cheap trains here then! On arrival at Little India we ... read more

Monday 10th January We've arrived at Alice springs! Once our bags were taken off the train we headed to our shuttle bus that then took us to the Alice Springs Lodge hostel. Its baking hot by the way!! We reckon about 36oC and upwards, its almost unbearable standing for too long exposed to the sunshine. We were warned! When we arrived at our hostel all the dorms are fully booked and we get our reservation upgraed to a twin room for the price of the dorm. Its a blessing in disguise as we have our own fridge and two air con units in the room. The usual unpacking of bags before showering followed and we then set off together into the town of Alice Springs fully covered from head to toe with factor 30 sunblock! Alice ... read more

Tuesday 28th December Ah.....Sunny Sydney..sun sun sun!! We couldn't get out the airport quick enough and headed for the Skytrain into town. We quickly made our way to Kent Road which is near Darling harbour by using two trains via the underground and shortly arrived at our appartment which will be our home for the next five days! The Napoleon on Kent are serviced appartments which are perfectly located near the harbour and also the town centre which is great for us as we can plan our new years celebrations and sightseeing tours without worrying about travelling great distances. Our friends John and Kat from Glasgow are coming to stay with us on Thrusday for a few days so we are looking forward to seeing them again as it seems like ages ago we met in ... read more