Hi everyone, We're in Koh Samui right now, a little island off Thailand. We were due to stop over for two nights but have decided to stay a few more an account of it being so damn cool. We have been here three days and have spent that time hiring out motorbikes each day and pootling off round the island to explore. So far on our adventures we have found a fishing village, where the heavens opened and we had to wade our way out through the roads which had flooded! We also "stumbled" upon a driving range which was convenient for the boys who had been navigating. Today we went in search of genital shaped rock formations (and were successful), two waterfalls (were highly unsuccessful with that one-Thailand doesn't appear to be a fan of sign posting, as we began to realise each time we found ourselves in the middle of nowhere looking for we had been told were big attractions), and a beach (had there been no torrential downpour this trip may have been more productive). We began our trip round Thailand in Bangkok. Here we got the boys a haircut at a Thai Hairdressers who did a surprisingly thorough job, shaving vince's hair almost completely off and giving Ali what can only be described as a "slicked back" do. We visited The Grand Palace where once again there was a monsoon "shower" (which puts England's rain to shame) and brought our sight seeing to a bit of an early end. Us girls then caught a crazy tuk tuk to the reclining budda (as we found out Thailand likes to have Buddas in every position possible and then put them everywhere). This was worth seeing as it was made completely out of gold and its toenails alone were bigger than our heads!!! We also made a brief trip to Pat Pong which is the red light district in Bangkok (we didnt discover this until arriving-although I'm comvinced the boys were more than aware). Here we went to see a famous ping pong show which I SWEAR we were talked into but was very funny nevertheless as we saw things done I didn't even know were physically possible, and saw ladies smoke cigarettes and open bottles with parts of their body Im sure were't intended for that. After Bangkok we flew up to Chaing Mai in the North of Thailand. Here we went on a day tour where we got to go elephant trekking, bamboo rafting and went on a one hour "walk" (although I'd hate to see their TREK) up to a Hill Tribe Village. This was a brilliant day which we all loved. The bamboo rafting especially was really good fun. Vince, Issy and I found ourselves on a raft with a complete nutcase. Vince doing some punting at the back and me and issy sitting safely in the middle (or so we thought) until the river got a little more dangerous and we were hanging on for dear life as we went over waterfalls. In the evenings we went to Chaing Mai Night Bazaar where Issy could hardly contain herself, buying everything offered to her simply because they would practically half the price making making it practically impossible to refuse. As well as clothes and lights etc the night bazaar also had absolutely delicious pancakes and and insane amount of jewellery. Next stop was Phuket. We didn't really know what to expect seven months on from the tsunami but it was beautiful and they seemed to be doing really well. There were certainly lots of tourists (mostly old and sick English men who come over to pay for a Thai girl for a few days which you couldn't help but notice because it was everywhere). While in Phuket we went n a day trip to the Kai Islands where we went snorkelling and generally got very burnt (Ali ever so slightly more than the rest, who had to spend the next day in our hotel room, and one week on is still peeling like nobody's business!) Clare, Issy and I managed to get attacked by a swarm of stingers and then fish. Clare reached the boat super quick (at least her swimming skills can help with her fear of fish), however me and Issy who aren't quite that fast in the water panicked, swum round in what seemed like circles and only succeeded in swallowing half the ocean. Never again! After that we decided not to do any more snorkelling and fed the fish instead. A few days later we visited Phi Phi, which although gorgeous we couldnt fully appreciate because we were all feeling a little ill. But I would've loved to have spent a few days there if I'd had the chance. Vince, Issy, Ali and me also went to a very dubious cabaret with the only hugely entertaining part being the transsexuals doing Tina Turner impersonations. Still an experience though. Tomorrow evening we're getting a speed boat accross to Kho Pha-Ngnan where there's a full moon party and we may be seeing Katie. Then coming back here for a day before heading off to Kho Tau, another island further north. Anyway, hope you're all well and making the most of the English Summer, I've been assured that it is in fact very very hot. We're back in three weeks now and all looking forward to it. But you can still squeeze in a few emails to us to got us ready for our return so theres no excuse. Lots of Love Beth, Clare, Issy, Oli, Vince and Ali xxxxxxxx