Hello from Phang Nga.

After a sad goodbye to Keleigh and a huge thank you for a great start to our travels, we jumped back on the boat and headed back to Krabi. From Krabi we got a people carrier to Phang Nga. We thought it was going to be straight forward but we ended up stopping twice. Once not too far from Krabi, we were dropped off at a meeting point where they organised everyone into destination, half an hour later we were off again. Kate and I had to sit in the front, with very little room, and I didn't have a seat belt. The man drove like a maniac, it was quite scary. After about an hour the driver pulled over and shuffled Kate and I into a taxi to take us to Phang Nga bus station.

The guesthouse was nice, not luxury, but it had a bed, toilet and a fan. We only had limited time here so we got something to eat and went on a tour of Phang Nga bay. The trip lasted about two-three hours even though it should have been about four-five, but there was only Kate and I on the boat and we rushed through a stage.

The tour started with the boat going along the windy river, very beautiful, big hills. We then went onto James Bond Island (The Man With The Golden Gun). Never seen the film but it was good anyway, got some amazing photos (which were then to be accidently deleted by a prat, me). For all you know we could be lying hehe. We aren't. Honest.

On our way back we stopped off at the floating muslim village on the river. Our boat pulled up to one of the many platforms, the place is bigger than you would expect. Our guide, who didn't speak much english, dropped us off and told us to walk around. I got the feeling we were supposed to take our time and we were more than willing to. However, we started to walk through the market and were bombarded with people 'I no able to pay for school, please by this postcard' I bought a postcard, however this didn't stop the hassle. Kate and I were pretty gutted by the next event. Two women shoved two monkey's, with diapers, onto our shoulders and said they will take a picture with my camera for us. We got some great ones. When they took the monkeys off they charged, what we think and so would you, an extortionate amount for a picture taken on MY camera. They didn't even state that it cost anything to start with. Kate and I are such suckers. We payed it, worked out about 2 quid each, not much by UK standards but by the thai baht and what they were offering, its ridiculous.

We got straight out of there. I think our guide was a bit shocked at how quick we were. We were glad we visited the market as it's quite quirky. I think if you are stronger willed than Kate and I you would love it. Hmmmm, maybe next time.

At night we sat and cosied up in our room getting a good nights sleep for our travel to Khao Sok National Park the next day.

PS. Use Sayan tours at Phang-Ngabus station. Great Lady.