Greetings from Au Nang!

I thought it was about time I added my own bit to our blog, as you all know how I love to have my ha'penny worth!

Well, we're currently in Au Nang, near Krabi, and it's blummin hot. My weakling English skin is a little on the frazzled side - i'm like a raspberry ripple ice-cream (all pink and white), whereas Mike is a disgusting shade of brown. Darn his genetics. After vowing he'd never wear a sleeveless 'muscle-vest' or flip-flops, he's currently wearing both, so is looking like a real traveller. I did have to fight him off a cowboy hat this morning though - just what have I taken on here?!

The journey here was a bit of an eye-popper - first we had 10 hours on a double-decker bus, which dumped us in the middle of nowhere at 6am (see attached pic - Mike having a coffee, and trying to stay awake). Next came a 3 hour wait, followed by another 2 hours on a bus to Krabi, then a taxi to our resort. 18 hours later, we finally arrived - and for the first time since we'd left, we felt like real travellers! The local 'taxi's' are great fun, as they're basically pick-up trucks with a bench either side. You just hop in, and hang on! The owners of the resort are very friendly, which makes such a nice change from the hustlers in Bangkok. They call me 'Miss Soooosaaaan' which has a certain ring to it...

Au Nang itself it pretty touristy - lots of eating places, and small shops selling 'I love Au Nang' t-shirts, but it's good fun anyway. The beaches are very beautiful - all turquoise water, white sand and palm trees - and there is a constant stream of locals hovering by our towel trying to sell us pineapple/ local beer/ pad thai/ dodgy hats etc etc. Mike has got scarily good at bartering them down, so I pity the bar-tender who tries to take him on when we get home.

Despite the touristy side of Au Nang, we're having fun. Our chalet is basic to say the least - picture a shabby white room, with nothing more than a fan, and a cold-water shower and you've pretty much got it. We watched in horror last night as a colony of ants descended on our bin, so the bin has now been booted out onto the balcony - i'm a bi of a wuss where iggly-wigglies are concerned. Anyhoo, despite the extra visitors sharing our room, it's set in a seriously stunning location - down a dirt track away from the hustle and bustle of the town - and our chalet is surrounded by coconut, pawpaw and banana trees.

There's not a lot else to report at the moment, as we've just been having fun doing not alot - drifting from beach to bar is an exhausting life dont'cha know?! Mike is just uploading some photos, but it's taking forever so he'll add the captions at a later date. I seriously think the power here is generated by a large rodent on a wheel, as the lights seem to flick on and off with great regularity.

Anyway, it's getting late, and i'd better take Mike for some food before he starts gnawing on his keyboard. The boy sends his love, and said to say hello to everyone, and congratulations to Sarah and Greg on the arrival of their little man - aaaah!

Big kisses to you all,

Suzie & Mike (aka - the unemployed Cheethams - yikes!) xxx