It's Friday night and we have returned to Thailand from Cambodia and have finally arrived in Koh Phangnan. We had been travelling for 24 hours again by the time we reached our bungalow at 0630hrs this morning.

We flew from Cambodia to Bangkok first thing and then waited around for our connection to Surat Thani. We should have realised something was going to be wrong when the displays for the check in systems were not working properly. We didn't know which desk to go to without asking. One thing that annoys us here is the lack of communication. The Thai's can be so rude at times. The flight was already delayed by an hour so we had time to eat, much to Amandas relief!

We arrived down at the gate to find that there were more delays due to the late arrival of the plane, great reasoning, nobody could tell me anything more. Rubbish! Amanda and I chilled with our latest game of Gin Rummy and chatted with some English guys who were waiting for our flight too.

At 1530hrs we were called to board and we eventually took off at 1600hrs. This posed a problem because we were supposed to be getting the ferry across from Surat Thani to Koh Phangnan after landing and the last ferry was at 1800hrs. We thought we might make it as we landed at 1715hrs and got our luggae quickly, only to find that the bus takes 1.5 hrs to get to the port and so we would miss the boat.

We had 3 choices, One, catch the last ferry to Koh Samui, try and find somewhere to sleep the night there and get the next ferry in the morning to Koh Phangnan. Two, we could stay over night in Surat Thani and get the morning ferry or Three, we could take the night ferry. The usual travel time for the ferry is 2.5hrs but the night ferry takes 7hrs. We decided on the night ferry as they said we would get a matress and pillow so it wasn't just seating.

The problem was, the ferry left at 2300hrs and it was now only 1800hrs. A long wait, but better than not having anywhere to stay the night. We were driven to the office of the travel company, which like before, happened to have a restaurant and tv to entertain us while we waited. We were advised that the bus would pick us up at 2100hrs and take us to the ferry port.

So, we settled in and went on the internet, managing to call the resort where we were staying and letting them know that we would arrive off the night boat. Shana, the host, gasped as I said we would be on the night boat, saying rather us than her. That didn't bode too well really but hey ho. As it got nearer to 2100 it started to rain and I mean rain. I thought, 'Hear we go, they won't run the boat now!' - The bus didn't turn up at 2100 and we were still waiting at 2130 much to my disgust and infuriaton. I remembered what the organisation of the last bus trip through Surat Thani was like and this was very similar, although we hadn't left our luggage behind this time. By the way, we DID manage to get our lost bag back in the end, I forget to tell you all! Inspector Leighton tracked it down and arranged it's safe return.

Eventually, 2 mini vans turned up and took us to the port, which was only 5 minutes away anyway. We checked in and got on board. It wasn't what we expected. It was an older wooden ferry and upstairs was just the floor space decked out with matresses and pillows, all numbered. We located out space and got ready for a forgetable night on the water. Before we left I secured some water and beer from the street vendors and settled down, chatting to people and making friends. We had some music going and it seemed like it was going to be ok.

Chatted to Tarik, from Turkey, and exchanged music knowledge and travels. Amanda settled down best she could but found it very unconfortable and was not happy. I managed a little better after 3 beers and eventually, after the lights went out, managed to get a couple of hours sleep on a very uncomfortable bed.

At 0606hrs we arrived at the port on Koh Phangnan and managed to get a lift to our bungalow resort where we found our room open and waiting for us. Grateful was not the word. A nice clean, bungalow with a bed, we dumped out stuff and crashed until about 10am.

We then made it to breakfast and topped up our fuel reserves that had been severely depleated overnight and then headed back to bed as we could hardly keep our eyes open. Amanda woke me up again at about 1500hrs and we went and hired a moped and went for some food. We found a lovely little bar that sold Pie and Mash so we both had Chicken and Mushroom pie, Mashed Potato, Carrots, Beans and Gravy, it was Heaven. Yum Yum!

Came back to the room content. Amanda dozed whilst I checked my emails and then we headed to the restaurant on site for a cup of char and watched Layer Cake.

A long but eventful and fulfilling day. Hope the weather gets better tomorrow. We have decided to stay here until the 7th so we don't have to up sticks again till we go to Koh Samui for the detox. Bring it on!

We wish you all a Happy New Year and hope your resolutions are not all broken within the first 3 days of the year.

Love James & Amanda