Arrived in the city of Angels at 5am in the morning after a journey and a half.

We were determined not to be beat by the touts and Rip off merchanges this time (see earlier Khoa Sok to Koh Phangan). Having bought separate tickets for the boat (leavingat 1pm) the bus to Surat Thani (leaving at 4pm) we got off and were accosted. Still we persevered and got in a tuk tuk with a thai/english couple and demanded to be taken to the Government bus station- agreed 20bt per person and off we went - round the corner to another set of touts and travel offices!! No we insisted the government bus station - it helped to have Lin a thai girl who firmly and calmly talked to the guys. The cost of the journey went up to 100bt but 20 minutes later and what a relief the government bus station. We were almost persuaded to get on one bus by the driver but it was 2nd class - no toilet and lots of stops. 1st class for us - recling seats and hostess service. It looked ok until we saw the VIP buses next to us with pink frilly curtains, 3 seats across instead of 4, blankets and hostesses in short neat business suits! Oh well we paid only 488bt and were at the back of the bus so after the music and film were over and LM finally went to sleep at 10pm we put him on the floor behind the seat wedged in with a bag. Kids got plenty of sleep CT and I virtually none!