19/05/09; we arrived and there was a air-conditioned minibus waiting!! we hopped on and it took us across island to our resort called chaweng. as we drove across it started hammering it down- some of the roads were flooded!! it dropped us off right at our hostel. oh my god- i love it!! the hostel is luxury! the staff are sooo friendly and helpful. our room is a huge double with a ensuite with loo roll and hot water!! there is a safe, a tv, a balcony and they do your washing and ironing for 3 pound. you do have to take your shoes off and leave them by the front door tho?? it only costs about 10 pound a night which is the same or less as we was paying in oz, it is one of the more expensive hostels here. we had showers and then set off to explore- we are a two minute walk from the beach and right on a main street with all the shops, bars, clubs, restruants, etc! the weather cleared up! we grabbed some lunch in a cafe. i wanna attempt another foot massage this afternoon but i dont want to go to the wrong type of 'massage parlour'!!! lil alex has put on some of the photos- more to come!! we walked along the beach- its gorgeous- really long and sandy!! lil alex went back to hostel and watched some spanish football while i went to massage place down the road that said it was a 'good health massage parlour'- so i guessed there wouldnt be any hanky-panky!! it was a lovely foot massage- different from the others cos half the time she used a stick thing to spply pressure to certain points, etc. she also gave me a shoulder massage afterwards!! very good for 5 pound- probably rated first!! i went to see lil alex and we headed out along the main strip- he brought flip-flops, i got an anklet (made of shells- very hippy). then we went to a restruarant that the hostel had recommended and given us a 10% off flyer for. they were so grateful that we went in- the guy actually bowed at us to thank us!! the food was proper thai food and absolutely delicious- lil alex reckons its the best he's had since we left home. he also had a beer and i had a smoothie and it came to 10 pound for everything so we didnt use the 10% off voucher cos we felt it was worth the money. We then walked along and went to a bar where cocktails were buy one get one free so i had 2 black russians for 3 quid and lil alex had another beer. then we headed back cos we was quite tired from all the travelling. as we walked along the street lil alex must of been stopped by about 50 people wanting to make him suits! i feel sorry for everyone so am trying to out my custom- there is so much i want to buy!

20/5/09: we got up about 9 and got ready then headed out for breakfast- everywhere was dead- it is out of season so the place is quiet anyway. we found a nice restraurant and lil alex had a huge cooked breakfast and i had toast, egg and beans with a fruit salad. plus i had orange juice and lil alex had tea and it was about 9 quid!! we went to the beach and chilled for a while- the water is crystal clear- several starfish and a couple of jellyfish. very warm water. the weather was very very hot and humid but a bit overcast. we went back to hostel and booked a trip for tomorrow- going all around the island- includes elephant trekking, swimming in waterfalls, seeing the big buddha beach, etc, all for 30 quid each. we went back to the beach and i got another massage- this time a full body thai massage with coconut oil- right on the beach for 5 pounds! it was gorgeous and lasted for ages!! we laid on the beach until about 4.30. the whole time people are walking along trying to sell ice creams, jewellery, sarongs, etc. everything here is in a different alphabet- let alone a different language so it is hard to understand anything. back at the hotel they had made all our bed and everyting- its great- a bit different to some of the places we've stayed! we went back to the hotel and got showered then went out to tea at an italian place- had a set meal of garlic bread, pizza and a drink for 5 quid!! then we walked all along the street- i was looking at all the 'designer' bags cos i need a new one but couldnt decide whether to get prada or yves st lauren or jimmy choo or chloe- no radley tho!! lil alex brought a new belt- armani- for 6 quid. i got a new bracelet- a tiffany one with a heart and arrow clasp thing- only 6 quid. we got a cocktail off a bloke with a stall in the street- only 1.50 pounds. then walked along and went to bar where i had two coconut cream cocktails (BOGOF). then it was getting late so went back and crashed.

21/5/09: up at 8 and got ready then got picked up at 9 for the trip. glorious sunny day!! we were in the back of a jeep with 6 other people- one israeli girl was literally peeling all over- it was hilarious!! first stop was the grandmother and grandfather rocks- which are basically two rocks- one of which looks like a penis and one look like a vagina- very funny but cool. next stop was a monkey show where we first got some coconut and coconut milk fresh from a coconut, then we saw how they train monkeys to climb trees and knock down the coconuts- it was a bit sad cos the are chained up a lot of the time. we got our picture with them. next stop was the safari place where we went elephant trekking- we sat on a seat on its back and a bloke sat on its head to direct it. it was so high. we walked into a field then the bloke got off and lil alex got on its head. it was well fun. next was an elephant show- saw an elephant dancing and balancing and playing football and doing tug-of war against 15 guys including lil alex- the elephant won. then there was another monkey show- with monkeys juggling knifes and playing with fire and playing the guitar. next was the crocodile show which was amazing- some guys put there arms and heads in crocodiles mouths, etc. then we went to the waterfall where we went for a swim- it was nice and cold and refreshing, plus it was very beautiful. then lil alex sat on the top of the jeep (very dodgy if u ask me) and we went to see the mummified monk- a real monks mummy in a glass tomb in temple- a bit freaky. next we climbed up a mountain in the jeep- offroading on dirt tracks, it was really steep and went through the jungle- lil alex sat on roof again. we went to a viewpoint where you could see the water on both sides of the island. then we went to the magic buddhas garden which was a kind of retreat with all stone carvings and a small stream. then we drove further across mountain to have dinner- a nice thai meal- they done me something vegi. then torrential rain started and so they put cover across jeep but we still got drenched and the mud tracks down the mountain were like rivers. we went to bug buddha beach next- which is a huge buddha statue overlooking the beach- it was only spitting by then. then we got dropped off about 5.30. we had showers and waited for rain to slow again before heading out to find some dinner. we went to same restraurant as first night cos it is nice and cheap. i had vegetable green curry and rice. should be todays photos on lil alexs. then we went to bar and had a couple of cocktails before heading back- i really wanna see a cabaret show they are doing with lady-boys but lil alex is adamant he is not going to see it!!

22/5/09: we got up about 9- the sun was shining- a beautiful day!! we got ready and had breakfast at a restruarant up the road then went on the internet and booked our flight to phuket for monday morning- worked out about 50 quid each. then we headed to the beach- it was sooooo hot. we laid and sun bathed and swam lots to cool down but could just feel our skin burning even with lots of suncream. we left about 3.30 before we got too burnt- a tad pink but nothing too bad. had showers and then i went for a massage- i had another reflexology one- very nice- only 4pound, 5 pound including tip. then we got ready and headed out for the evening. its just like being on holiday here which is nice and relaxing. we went to a cheap thai place for dinner but had nice meal. we walked along and i brought another little dress- 6pounds. then we went to the cocktail bar on the street up the road and had a couple of drinks (i had persuaded lil alex to go and see the cabaret show but he needed a few drinks first). we then headed to the cabaret place- it was free to go in but drinks were quite expensive compared to elsewhere. all the waiters/waitresses were very gay and ladyboys in the making with make-up and nice nails, etc. lil alex freaked cos he was sure one of them fancied him cos he kept coming to stand beside him and smiling at him. haha!! the show was really good- about 10 'females' and 4 guys all in really glamorous costumes singing and dancing- it was amazing cos they looked just like women- even lil alex admitted some of them were really pretty. then they had a break and you could get your picture taken- so i got a picture with lil alex with 3 of them hugging him- he loved it really!! we was both a bit pissed so went back and crashed.

23/5/09; got up about 9.30 and went for breakfast- lil alex had a bit of a tender head!! very hot again so another beach day planned. we went and laid on the beach for most of the day- a bit cloudier today but still v hot. went back to room about 4 and got showered then i headed out for another massage while lil alex chilled. i walked along and went to another different place- i decided to push the boat out and try a facial. it was lovely- they washed it, massaged creams into it, then put a face mask on and while it was setting they massaged my arms and hands. then they washed it off and applied loads of strips of ice cold cucumber which they left for a while- that was weird. then they massaged my face and head- a bit more cream and talc and it was all done! my spots look better already! not bad for 9 pounds. went back and met lil alex and got ready to go out for dinner. we had an indian tonight which was quite nice. then we went to a bookshop and i spent 25quid on two books- one about a bangkok prostitute and one about real ladyboys lives- should be interesting- lil alex was disgusted that a) i spent so much money on books and b) would wanna read about such things. he has put on the cabaret photos. we went back to the cocktail bar on the street for a couple before heading to a beach party- one of the bars on the beach had all chairs and tables and loungers set up on the beach with big illuminous paper palm trees and people playing with fire, etc, there was also djs and dancing. we stayed for a while and had a couple more drinks before stumbling back.

24/05/09; last day in koh samui. up about 9 and got ready then went for breakast- i had a good old subway and lil alex had mcdonalds. scorching today- gonna be a roaster!! we headed to the beach and enjoyed a relaxing chill for lots of the day. then headed back before getting burnt and had showers then I went for a final koh samui massage. I opted for the traditional Thai massage- it involved the therapist applying pressure and stretching and twisting to all the parts of the body- i'm sure my spine is not meant to crack like that and my arm is not meant to bend the way it did; certainly an experience for 4 quid. Picked up the laundry that the hostel had done so nicely for us- shouldnt need to do anymore til we get home- i'll save it for u mum!! we headed out for dinner- i had pizza and salad and a choc milkshake, lil alex had green curry and rice and a beer all for 7 quid. then lil alex brought a dvd for a quid and we went back to hotel to pack. lil alex watched film- surprisingly good quality!! while i read.

25/5/09: up at 6 and got ready. checked out and got taxi to airport at 6.30. funniest airport- just a few huts- no security! we checked in our bags and waited around to board. the plane was a very small thing with propellers. took off at 8, by the time we got up we was starting to descend again- less than an hours flight! But we still got something to eat and drink- i had salad roll and orange and lil alex got croissant thing and yoghurt.