I heard a number of things about Bangkok before I arrived: that it's a dump and smells like a dead cat, that the men are dodgy and that everyone tries to scam you especially taxi drivers. All of the above were proved true within a couple of hours of arriving...getting followed back to my hotel by a 'fashion designer' (yeah right) being ripped off in shops and then having the experience topped off with a taxi driver trying to get me arrested (she tried to over charge me and I refused to give her more money).
So, as you can imagine, I was relieved when I was able to leave Bangkok and start my island hopping tour!

The tour has just finished and I'm so glad that I decided to book onto tours, its such a good way to meet so many different people and to see and do things that would be difficult to do if you were travelling alone.

On day one we got up at 4.45am and got the plane to Karabi on the South coast and spent two nights there. The first day was spent mostly on Ao Nang beach which was amazing- looks just like it does in the postcards!! Then on the second day we went out on a boat trip to a few islands including phi phi where I am going to spend 5 days next week. We stopped to snorkel, swim and sunbathe and I got to take some pictures with my so called underwater camera which broke after about 10 mins!! (not happy!) But less about that- I think my group have definitely had enough hearing about it! (sorry guys!).

On day three we got a bus and then a boat to Ko Mook island which was much quieter and much less touristy than Karabi. We spent the day on the beach and slept in these little huts on the hillside- the view was amazing.

Day 4 and 5 was the part of the tour I was least looking forward to: camping...and you all know how I feel about that!! We camped for two nights on ko Rock an uninhabited island which was definitely an experience!! But despite the insects, gross toilets with a comodo dragon which decided to sit outside, the beach being covered in crabs so I couldn't sunbathe and having no sleep in my gross tent with a stinking pillow and itchy blanket I had quite a good time! However, I won't deny that I was very relieved to return to Ko Mook for our last night!!

In all I have had an amazing time and met some really nice people which I hope I can keep in touch with and see again!

I am now on a ferry on my way to Puket where I am staying in a hostel on Patong beach for 2 nights- I have heard a couple of things about it since I planned to go there which have sort of put me off but never mind hopefully it will be ok! I am then going to stay on Phi Phi island for 5 days in an 18 bed mixed dorm (only place I could afford at £6 a night)- should be interesting!! I will be sure to tell you all about it in my next update!!

Lots of love to everyone xxxxxx

Oh and by the way I got my purse back! Half the money in it was gone but was still very lucky to get it back!!