Friday 10th November

Today has been a right rollercoaster with regard to travelling arrangements.

Firstly, we got up at 0600hrs and arrived at Bangkok Railway Station ready for the 7 hour train journey to Chumphon, only to find that the train we wanted to go on was fully booked. We then found out that ALL the trains for today were fully booked. Mmmmm what to do. We had already booked accomodation for 3 nights and now our first choice of travel was unavailable.

We ventured to the travel agents within the station and was helped by this young lady and told we could get the VIP bus but it wasn't leaving till 1900hrs tonight. Amanda and I didn't really want to spend the next 12 hours stuck at some railway station waiting ofr a bus to take us 7 hours south to an area which we were now told was only a stop off point for people going to Koh Tao and that it was also raining.

So, after much deliberation we decided to take this as a lesson learned and booked a flight to Phuket Island for only £35 each for 1500hrs today. We made our way to the airport in a taxi, from the stand not a tout, only 250 bht instead of 400 which the touts were offering. Scheming b******s! So, we got to the airport and then check with the airline that everything was ok and we were then offered the chance to go on the 1040hrs flight instead of 1500hrs, so we jumped at the chance and now, instead of being at the railway station, tired and pissed off, we were strolling along Karon Beach in Phuket Island enjoying the sunshine.

We have both been struggling to get over the jet lag and still seem to be on English time. After walking the beach and the town, we headed back to the hotel, grumpy and tired. We slept for a good several hours and have now decided to go out for food and drink. Time to get pissed I feel!

As much as we are glad to get out of the stinking filthy hell hole that is Bangkok, we are still striving to find a place that we really like. I guess it will tkae several weeks and we will stumble across some idilic area without planning it but until then, our search continues.

I hope to visit James Bond Island whilst we are here and walk in the shoes of Mr Scaramanger!

So, until tomorrow at least, We are safe and well and glad to not be at work, but still looking for some fun and action. Any ideas would be welcomed!

Take care,

James and Amanda