Hi AllHaving a great timeJ We arrived at Phangan about 3 days ago - we took the overnight train from Bangkok 12 hours - it wasn't too bad as the sleeper cabin's were really comfy so I got some sleep then we had a bus ride for a few hours then a 4 hour ferry journey. In total with waiting times at the ferry port etc it took over 24hours! So we were very tired when we arrived. Oh, when we got off the ferry we were waiting for a lift - and the female taxi drivers wanted our business they started arguing and it turned into a full blown cat fight they were going in for the kill - then some other women joined in and nobody overly tried to stop them - it was a really good welcome - haha! Our Thai rep was quite embarrassed about it we just know not to mess with any of the Thai girls as they can be quite fiery. I was staying in a small hotel for the first few nights as I went for the standard package so I could find potentially some better accommodation. I have been looking for the last 3 days - I know most of the beach bungalow's and hotels intimately. Long story short - I have found a bungalow today at a reasonable price and that is available for all of my stay as most are partly booked with the full moon parties when the island is packed. It just next to the beach and a pool with Air Con and hot water and a TV (but think it has mainly Thai channels - as expected) but I doubt I will be watching much TV anyway. Really looking forward to moving in tomorrow night and finally getting unpacked - I have been staying with Mel (a teacher from Sheffield out of the POD group last night and tonight). She is great we get on really well. We've been finding our way around our part of the island trying out a few of the restaurants etc finding the supermarket. Some items are so much more expensive than Bangkok i.e. I bought some sun cream from the supermarket yesterday and it cost me 8 pounds! As all the goods are imported from the mainland they are not the typical Thailand prices. The clothes are really expensive too - but other things are cheap such are the laundry and traditional Thai food. Anything that is aimed at tourist i.e. taxi's alcohol western food etc is expensive. I am ok on my budget but a lot of the girls are struggling a little and are giving themselves a daily limit. On our main street it has quite a few bar's with the prostitutes outside and lots of very old ugly men taking up there services. I finally went to have a quick look at my School today in Haad Rin (the main town and the party town - it is were all the full moon parties are). The School was more modern than I anticipated - it even had a computer room I'm not sure what works but it all looked good. I meet a few of the teachers and a previous POD volunteer that has met a Thai boyfriend and is living here and now receives paid a small amount for working at the school - she is called Lizzie and she came to our resort tonight to meet us all and provide me with some info on the children. I was introduced to one of the classes today - they were 12 years old and they said 'good afternoon teacher' it was sooo cute. They asked me where I came from it was nice to meet and get a feel for the school. I will start my teaching on Thursday and I will be shown what classes I will be teaching. They all looked really smart in there uniforms. Some of the other girls had a look at their school, but they have fewer resources which we did expect. I think I have fallen really lucky with my school!!Got to go next time I will upload some new photo's so you can see a little of the Island - it is really beautiful. I will also let you know some info on my student's when I meet then and I have taught a few classes.Oh, my new Thai number is 0890018504 to text type +66890018504 - it should cost you the price of a normal text.Love Ali xxx