Hi there,

This is my last journal entry. I'm now back in the UK and finally on Cumbrian soil. I have been down at my sisters for a couple of weeks and I'm now used to drinking water from the tap, hot showers, flushing tiolets and NOT putting tissue in the bin!

Here's the update my journey through the southern islands of Thailand.

KOH SUMUI

I can't say I enjoyed this island and I didn't stay here very long. I arrived in the early morning after spending a night at the Bangkok airport. I had flown from Cambodia to Bangkok late the previous night and the next flight to Koh Sumui was at 6am. I was too tight to pay for a taxi and a bed for a few hours. Naturally, my sense of humour was not at its best.....

Koh Sumui is the third largest island in Thailand, 25km long and 21km wide. Its surrounded by 80 small islands. The east coast was full of busy resorts, great if your holidaying but not so good if your are travelling. My bungalow was 30 secs from the beach, sounds good? Oh no.... It was crammed with people, jet ski's, banana boats and  larger louts. It was someone else's dream but my nightmare. It was no where near to what I was looking for. I only stayed there for 24 hours. I did however, have a good thai massage there where I was pushed, kneaded, stretched and cracked. It felt great. I wished I had explored more of the island but I was on a mission the escape the sun burnt lunatics.

KOH PHANGAN

This island is thankfully a 45 mins boat ride from Koh Sumui and alot more quiet and tranquil. It has beautiful beaches and good snockling. In Koh Phangan, you could find either peace or a party and you don't have look far to find them. I was looking for peace and I find it at Haad Yao, Haad Salat, Haat Tien and a remote part of Haad Rin. The island provides all sorts of activites to do, from diving, thail boxing camps, yoga and mediation schools and health retreats. It is also home to the world famous 'Full Moon' parties. People flock to the island in their thousands on a mission to fry as many brain cells as possible. I met a group of funny, party boys, they were my neighbours in Haad Yao. They tried to introduce to the 'bucket'. What is that???? A plastic bucket (of the sand castle variety), is filled with nasty thai whiskey, red bull that blows your head off and a dash of coke. I'm proud to say after one sip I declined, it tasted like something you would run your car on! No thanks!!! ...... I was content enjoying the peace I had found.

I stayed in simple huts that were close to the beach, they had no hot water and some didn't have flushing tiolets. You never needed hot water and  would have to be a sadist to want a hot shower in the humid heat. the best thing about the huts were the little verandas and hammocks. You have no idea how good it feels to lay in the sun, reading a good book and the gentle breeze rocking you, without a care in the world.

The weather was overcast much of the time and I had alot of rain. There was one night where an incredible storm hung over the island. The rain lashed down, the lightening lit the entire sky and the thunder boomed right across the bay. I watched it all from my hammock. It seemed that night all the gecco's, spiders and things that go bump in the night took shelter in my hut.

My favourite place on the island was at the Sanctary. It was an alternative resort where people could practice yoga, mediation, fasting etc. The food was excellent, I loved the smoothies and salads. For some reason, I needed time for reflection. May-be it was the after effects of Cambodia, maybe it was my return to the UK looming over me or perhaps it was simply the right time and right place. I met some great people there and left with a new travelling partner, Delfina from Argentina. Our next destination was Koh Tao.

KOH TAO

This is yet another beautiful island and not very developed. Its a major diving site in Thailand. I think it was my favourite place in the country. The island is only 21km square. Diving and snockling are the main activites. I hired a motor bike so Delfina and I could explore the island. The person who hired me the bike most have been insane! My ability to ride motor bikes is not good.... It worse because some of the roads were like trails on the bloody fells. Still, after a wobbly start we got to see some beautiful beaches, Aow Leuk Bay, Thian Oa Bay (Shark Bay) and Chalok Baa Kao. We got to swim with reef sharks, banner fish, parrot fish, angel fish, bat fish, groupers, christmas tree worms, gaint clams and octopus.

We stayed in a lovely place, (Blue Diamond Resort) even with the power cuts and rain. I think I have developed a new skill of attracting storms. This talent is not welcome. I found a great beach Janson Bay, I spent most of my time there. It was good for snockling, it had comfy hammocks and a nice little bar and restaurant. The only thing I didn't like was that I had to pay 1 pound to go there. (It really was worth it).  Each morning and evening, I went to the 'Karma' restaurant owned by 'mama' Jim. She was a tiny, industrious woman and I ended up calling her 'mama Jim'. She introduced me to all her grandchildren, they liked to practice their english and teach me a little thai. I will miss her food and her lovely banana shakes.

RETURN TO BANGKOK

My last few days in this crazy city were eventful. I arrived at 5am and found a guesthouse to catch up on some sleep.  I was woke up by hearing dogs fighting in the back yard..... After 9am, I got up feeling annoyed that I paid so much for the place. Dogs fighting, showers not working, doors not locking properly was not at all welcoming. I was out of there. My next place Thara House was a nice place. I decided to buy a tailored suit for prospective interviews. It was a lengthy process deciding what you wanted, what materials you wanted it in, having your measurements and 2 fittings all in 48hrs. Amazing....

I met someone I travelled with in new Zealand in the Quantas office when I was reconfirming my flight back home! We hadn't see each other for over 6 months, it was great catching up. I'd arranged to met up again the follwing day at the central station, however I never made it becasue I was stuck on bus no53, I didn't realize how bad the traffic was and how long it would take. I was over an hour and a half late! I was really disappointed to miss her. Thanfully, I met Dominque on the bus, he was from France.  We were the only western people on the bus. We got to know the bus route very well because we spent nearly 3 hrs on it!!! After so much time together on the bus we explored our last few days in Bangkok together trying to understand the network of river taxi's, bus routes, and tacky markets. We got lost a few times, thank-god my sense of direction and blind faith got us back onto the well trodden paths and back to our guesthouses.

I loved South East Aisa becasue it is so easy to meet people, I loved the culture differences, the sights, the sounds, not so much the smells but I loved the villages, the towns, the countryside, the temples, the beaches, the thai massages, the food and most of all the people.  Its always the people give colour to your experiences.

Its hard to believe that 12 months have gone by. Time has flown by. Its been an action packed time. I honestly couldn't tell you what has been my favourite country. I have enjoyed every single country I have visited all for very different reasons. I feel that I have achieved a dream, I have visited and seen incrediable places, the national parks in northern americia, mayan ruins in central america,  I've watched lava flow down volcanoes,  hiked in rain forests, jumped out aeroplanes, tramped on glaciers, seen Mt Cook, Aires Rock, the Great Barrier Reef,  the temples of Angkor Wat, walked in the Killing Fields and snockled with sharks, to name but a few.

It has been the best year of my life. My incrediable experiences and memories have been made more colourful and more eventful by the people I met along the way. I have developed many, new friendships and strengthened old ones. I have really enjoyed reading your messages and emails, they always put a smile on my face, some others too!   

Take care of yourselfs as always and hope to see you soon!

Love Annie. xxxxxxx