Hi everybody, its Dr Nick

This is back-tracking from the 4th of July 'cos its taken a while to travel and settle in to a routine but were all safe and enjoying diving

Wow this has been an incredible trip so far. Weve had loadsas laughs, encountered some problems and met some truly nice people on the way

Where to start, oh man did I mess up with our deparure or what

We departed Horley on the Mole at 5:15 on the second bound for LHR nice and early not too much traffic on the M25, tho busy. Said our goodbyes to Kt and Aly's mum and set off on our adventure...........24 hrs too early, had a bit of a senior moment with the E-ticket. Fair play to Julie, Aly's mum, she and Kt had got as far as J8, well home really. They gamely turned round in the gathering onslaught that is the morning M25 and set off to rescue us. Oh what a palaver. Thanks Julie.

OK 24 hours later, and armed with Aly's jet lag coping technique, or sleep deprivation as we usually kno it, we set off again. Julie thankfully taking us to LHR again in plenty of time. Checked in and on our way. The plane left on time, Gulf air is a bit basic, but not to worry. Brief stop in Bahrain avoiding getting Aly the Maccy D she was pestering me for. and onward into the night for the orient.

Landed on time at Bangkok's new airport. Love it there with their collosal statues of ancient warrriors. Breezed thru immigration, thoght we may have been held up here, while they delved into my past, with intensve smoky interrrogations, but no, a quick stamp and a smile from the official and we were thru.

Hookd a cab to the Khao San Road in the heart of Bangkoks back packer area. Arriving at the Nakorn Pink hotel, which is strangely painted orange? Meant to meet my sister Sally here and my 16yr old nephew Andy, after checking with receptiion found they hadn't checked in, curious. Was a bit worried 'cos they had been trekking in the Chang Mai area in the northwest of Thailand. Quick fone call, they had checked in to a hotel just down the street with part of the group they had been trekking with.

So we hooked up with them in the Golden Pearl Hotel, full of questions and keen to find out what sort of time they had had. Chang Mai had been wonderful with no mishaps or real problems. Wow was I relieved, as it had been me who had urged Sally to go. We moved back to the Nakorn Pink/Orange which is a clean cheap hotel usually catering to Chinese businessmen, for a nice hot shower, kick back for a bit and cobble together a plan.

Grabbed a TukTuk. Gordon Brown take notice, free petrol day for TukTuk drivers! I kid you not, lol. We had to visit the government shop and jewelry store for him to qualify. We had to hit the Khao San Road to register with the ferry/bus co, this is about 11am local time. I tried to find the STA travel branch which I was sure had been in Rumbuttri Road, but as usual I was mistaken and derided by Aly, Having a senior moment again. We took in a couple of Wats(temples) which are really peaceful and quite tranquil in the hustle and bustle of the city. Met 2 girls from Birmingham uni on a tour, by an ornamental river within the grounds of the Wat, full of massive catfish which we had great fun feeding thanks to a handy street vendor flogging bread for just this purpose. Driver was desperate to get his coupon from the Govt store so we bit the bullet and Sallied forth, pun intended. I do not recommend going 4 up in a Tuk Tuk, unless you take turns sitting on the hard step! But it was a laugh. Govt shop was all very nice but I didn't fancy carting round small valuable objects for 2 months, bear in mind I lose a pair of glasses a week nearly. fascinating to watch the workers making the jewelry, classy stuff but pretty expensive, even with a deal I wasn't tempted. Had a nice chat with a guy in the tourist glopshop bit, about our respective countries politicos, and how they are not really in touch with the people but fulfilling their own agendas, hey ho. Onward in the TukTuk 4up for a bit of dinner recommended by the driver, and it was superb, served 1 or 2 dishes at a time as the kitchen can cope with them, lovely food piping hot and fresh, steamed duck fried noodles or rice, my favourite Masseman curry a chicen and a pork dish for variety and some crab balls, 2 to a portion of course!

Gonna cut it short here and go for brunch get a few carbs in us for the diving this aft.

Watch this space. Luv you guys

Alan&Alyssa xx