Hi All

It seems like a while since I did my last blog - the Internet has been down for quite a few days - which happens every week or so.I am still having a great time - I have been busy sorting things out for when we leave the island, which is on Saturday early morning.It has been raining on and off for a few weeks, which is quite unusual for this time of year.As I am typing now there is a big down pour - but it passes and still stays warm/hot.

We went to visit Koh Toa last Sunday it is a small diving island about 2hrs ferry away.A few of the girls and I went for the daywe enjoyed the day but didn't see much of the island as it was raining - the sun makes such a difference so we were walking and shopping with towels over our heads.I decided that we are here so an hour before we were due to leave I thought I am going to go in the sea even if it is freezing and try and snorkel - Francis joined me and to our surprise the water was warm and the snorkeling was fab - we saw loads of fish and different colour coral worth the visit.The catamaran back was very choppy I'm not prone to sea sickness but there was quite a few of use standing at the back getting some fresh air.I felt a little sick as the guy who was asleep next to me after I while I looked in front of his seat and saw a bag full of sick (nice).

We have all been sorting our things out this week - clothes and books I am going to pass onto the English teacher at my school.Things that I don't need to carry around on a journey that is going to involve a lot of carrying my ruck sack so only the essentials.When we are traveling for the rest of the time I will not have as much time to update my blog/e-mail.We haven't fully got our route planned but there are 7 of us traveling together and we are planning at the moment to include Krabi, Phucket, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi and a few more places along the way.

I met up with Phil Barker (a guy from Padiham for those who don't know him) and his girlfriend Ae the other night they are on the island for a few day - we went for a meal at the Mexican meal it was really nice to catch up with them both and to hear my accent being spoken.They are moving around the islands for a few months it was good to chat to Phil about teaching as he has done it before in Bangkok.

Stephanie and her friend who has done some teaching at the school with the other English teacher Lizzi - we and all of the other Thai teachers went for a meal last night to a nice seafood restaurant we all enjoyed it and it was nice to see everybody out of school.The girls and the POD reps are all going for a farewell meal tonight at a restaurant where they make home made ice cream.So great for my sweet tooth were are all looking forward to that.We are going for a final meal with our POD reps and all the girls on Friday at Anahatta a fantastic restaurant on the Island then we are going into Haad Rin for drinks. But we are up early for the ferry the next day so need to be fully packed and ready to go! Stephanie and Matt are leaving early to travel around Thailand so I'll be saying my farewell's to them. They were both really friendly and had a good sense of humor.

This trip has gone so quick for me I must admit the thought of having to actually work is something I am not looking forward to returning to.But catching up with Dan, family and friends is something that I am really looking forward too!

Got to get back to school - I'll update my blog at my next earliest opportunity!

Love to you all - Ali x x