Christmas 2012, definitely one to remember! As the day comes to an end we sit here before a camp fire on the beach lined with candles; listening to the sea and the occasional 'bang', 'crackle', 'fizz' from the fireworks going off around the island.

We started the day with a hearty full English down in the town, cooked by an ageing, tanned English hippy with bright blue eyes and a grey ponytail. He greets us with a 'Merry Christmas' and although it didn't feel remotely like Christmas we appreciate the kind words and return the gesture. The monster of breakfasts was served- complete with English sausages! Mmmmmmm. It was a great start to the day. We sat there for half an hour afterwards as we had no other choice! We couldn't physically move... Thank god we weren't going to over indulge later, or so we thought!

We strolled back to the beach when we thought we could move without being sick! Slapped on the sun cream and lay on the beach, where we spent the rest of our Christmas Day, frolicking in the sea, sunbathing and drinking Leo. When that got tiresome we retreated to the beach bar where we lazed around on the pillows scattered around the deck and watch the most impressive sunset we've seen so far. Whilst the lovely Thai ladies prepared a banquet on a table adorned with banana leaves, candles and flower decorations. the christmas BBQ consisted of marinated beef and chicken kebabs, fresh spring rolls, mountains of fried rice, salad, various Thai sauces and the most impressive freshly caught barracuda that was cooked and laid on banana leaves.

We waited patiently as they prepared all the food, lit the candles etc and for the first couple of people to descend on the table, we didn't want to look too eager. We needn't have worried as a middle aged German woman pounced eagerly the second they finished setting it up. Armed with two polystyrene plates and a bumbag she helped herself to the feast not once, not twice, but three times before anyone else joined her. As it was all you could eat we naturally helped ourselves to seconds...and thirds until we again couldn't move, just like this morning! That's how we spent the rest of the night, unable to move just like at home, yet drinking cocktails by the sea and skyping loved ones!

It was hilarious when I finally got to speak to my mum and Aunty and clan as philippa had hold of the iPad once again and proceeded to squeal and pass me around to each relative. Naturally my Aunty was crying as she missed her favourite niece! ;-)

It's always bitter sweet talking to people back home but all in all had a great day and couldn't have asked for a better Christmas....that said we have both agreed never to have another one away! Well not without everyone else.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Hope Santa brought you everything you wished for xxx