Date: 25th April 2011
Place: Koh Phangan
Weather: hot and sunny

Since we couldn't go to see the waterfalls when we went on a boat trip we decided to make our own way there by hiring out some bikes (me and simon had a 250 lime green kawsaki and little lucy lou had her own moped) We couldn't have got a taxi there as theyre not accessible by road. Part way through the trip we met this guy travelling alone called paul and he decided to come with us.

The journey was fine whilst we were still in town, it was when we got to the off road part that was hard work! The ground was so uneven and ridiculously steep at points, I hung to simon for my dear life, whilst still enjoying the ride. There were a few points where Lucy nearly came off, and when we were literally 10 seconds from the waterfall bless her…she did.

Because there were so many holes in the path the bike had slipped to the side down it and she flew off the other side. And since the ground was all sandy and pebbly her leg got in a bit of a state. We walked down to the beach near the waterfall so that we could get some help and clean it up the wound.

.

We did manage to see the waterfall though, although its not what we expected. It wasn't the full on sheet of water coming down into a lagoon. It was more a stream coming through some rocks into a lagoon, but still it was pretty nice, I just felt bad as lucy watched on as we had a dip in the blazing heat.

It was the half moon party that night so we weren't going out until late. We sat around the pool for a while whilst the sun set and then went to get ready in any bright clothes we could find.

The half moon party is in a jungle rather than a beach and it just plays trance music. The atmosphere was amazing and everyone had florescent paint on them which looked awesome. It was just a shame that the music didn't do it for any of us. I still had a dance though and found a girl with some paint to paint on me. I left fairly early with Lucy (at 4.30am) though and we got a taxi/bus home.

Date: 26th April 2011
Place: Koh Phangan
Weather: hot and sunny

Today was another chill out day to recover. Coffee shakes have now turned into banana shake's,lol needed a sugar boost to help with the hangover. We chilled by the pool, me simon and Boo (Bjorn) a guy we met who knew Mina our tour leader from Thaintro, really cool guy, I love being with the guy's, full of banter, and Boo, who had sadly been in hospital told us the last 3 weeks of Eastender's that we missed out on ( he loves eastenders, did I say he was a cool guy?!)lol.

That night we decided to go out though since it was the last night on Koh Phangan. We stayed in the hotel for a bit and had dinner there and then head down to the beach again for some more fire skipping and table dancing.

There was also a foam party on the beach, foam party's are for kids, as far as im concerned, but I LOVED it! I then decided it was time to introduce the new Thaintro group who were a group of 21yr old new Yorkers, to mellow mountain….lucky for them it was closed… not suprising at 4.30am.

Date: 27th April 2011
Place: Koh Phangan to Koh Tao
Weather: hot and sunny

I was woke up with 10minutes to pack and get to the taxi. Luckily we were all just about ready at 11 to be picked up by our taxi to take us to the ferry port.

The ferry took about 2 hours but most of the time we slept on it so it flew by. Just before we got to the Island I went up to the roof of the boat with Lucy to hang my legs over the side.

When we arrived there were loads of dive centre reps trying to get us to go with them. We stuck with the one that Neils had heard good things about which was called Big Blue. They gave us a free lift to the resort and showed us around the accommodation. We all decided to stay in air con dorm rooms which were only 200Baht a night (£4 ish). But for me FREEm because by this point I had made up my mind that I was going to do my Open Water Diving course 

The resort is amazing, right on the beach with a restaurant looking out to the sea. We sat there for most of the evening and chilled out; read a book, listened to music and had a bbq. They have performers on the beach who play with fire sticks and throw it about which is absolutely amazing to watch. Chilling out for the night was really nice, and we went to bed nice and early , oh and I had homework! 

Date: 28th April 2011
Place: Koh Tao
Weather: sunny and hot

I had to get up nice and early today because I had my diving course. At first I thought what have I let myself in for….i am not the brightest spark as you may know, but I was determined to make the most of it and to do well, as well as enjoy every minute, this sort of thing was something I grew watching on the Discovery channel, thinking WOW!

I did well on the homework (to be honest it was just copying from a book) but as you have read its been pretty hectic, brain has not been functioning at all.

First day of diving was AMAZING, I was on a natural high as soon as I got off the boat, and all the guys ( who didn't do it) were rather envious that it could make you feel that good, I only went down about 8metres that day, if you've ever heard of narcosis, I felt like I had that, but clearly not as its something you get when you go deep diving, about 30metres.

I cant wait to dive again 

That night was agoan an early night based on food and a Chang or 3 and once the meal was over we walked up to crazy pancake mans stall who makes pancakes ridiculously quickly. Then it was another early night.

Date: 29th April 2011
Place: Koh Tao
Weather: a bit overcast and it actually rained!! But still hot

It was another early morning and a fiull day of diving, yes!

I went down to 15 metres today, saw barracuda, butterfly fish,angel fish,clown fish and so on and TURTLES!!

This keeps getting better!!

Afetr another amazing day diving we then had the BBQ from the resort, which is always incredible. Whilst eating Emma mentioned she was getting a tattoo the next day which gave Ness a craving for one. We all went with her and she ended up getting a bird on her ankle. Next day she left but she emailed us saying thanks for a great trip and she will think of us all whenever she sees the god awful tattoo!

Whilst waiting for her to have her tattoo we sat in a bar that was attempting to 'save Koh Tao from bad music' by not playing people like Lady GaGa and Akon. After a few drinks, I headed back to the dorm, I had diving again the next morning at 6am!!

Date: 30th April 2011
Place: Koh Tao
Weather: Sunny sunny sunny 

The last day in Koh Tao! More Diving, deeper today 20 metres.

All I can say is……I SAW A WHALE SHARK 

Yes I sure did, it was amazing, I didn't reslize how much I loved it, until that moment, I want to do more and more…donations please, Keep Carmen Diving 

Once I returned and told everyone, god they were jealous and very shocked, its quite rare apparently, some people had done hundreds of dives and it was 1st or 2nd time to see one, I feel very lucky!

We all got together and then watched my diving video. I had actually swam with a Whale Shark which is sooo rare so there were loads of people watching it.

Early night after an overwhelming and exhausting day.