First and foremost, a big Happy Anniversary to Gill and Graham. I hope you enjoyed all those cakes. Second and postmost, a jolly happy birthday to all those whose birthdays I've missed this month, you know who you are. (Unfortunately, I don't, because I neglected to bring any such dates away with me...but I still love you). Right now though my friends, I am sitting in an internet cafe just off the infamous Koh / Kao / Khao San road, Bangkok, Thailand. I think it was on this road that the first scenes of the Beach were meant to be taking place, but I could be wrong - it's a real hustle 'n' bustle place though, rammed wit backpackers and scamming Thai junk/fake goods vendors, plus the occasional decent person. But before we get into any of that, what have I been up to? The Full Moon Party on Koh Pangan was absolutely incredible - finally getting back to my little chalet (Rainbow Bungalows...good name) at 11am, having partied all night and well into the late morning - the atmosphere was awesome, the djs were "down" and the crowds at every beach bar were crazy-off-their-heads-mad-happy - alot of fun was had. The build-up to the main party was just as hedonistic, if only slightly tamer, and the following week and a half was also filled with partying - mainly thanks to the arrival of Graham and Tim on the scene (anyone who knew the Warwick Uni Rugby team - Tasha ;) - will know these two shady characters). They came out for a two week holiday, to meet Jeremy/Happy and Gehan, and the fun (read "drinking") did not stop for 2 solid weeks. I am now both mentally and physically drained, and I'm sure your hearts bleed for me. After enjoying scooting (injury free, unlike a few other holiday-makers...T&G) around Koh Pangan, we all headed for Koh Tao to get in some more diving and perhaps relax for a few days - no such luck though - the diving was fantastic but unfortunately so was the nightlife, and despite the disappointing weather we were all lovin it lovin it lovin it... (I'm now either a fully fledged Adventure Diver (which really means nothing) or 3/5ths of the way to completing my Advanced Scuba Diver qualification...round of applause please). Koh Tao also landed us with a couple of fantastic groups of Canadians, (Lissa, Erica, Jen, Laura and Marsha - you're all excellent) who we've been bumping into ever since, and long may it continue! From Koh Tao we journeyed north to Bangkok, with we hardcore backpackers slumming it on the buses as per usual, while Graham and Tim decided to enjoy a lie-in and take a flight up, arriving in time to check into their Shangri-La accommodation (one of the nicest hotel chains around - on a par with the Ritz and the Hilton etc. etc.). S'alright for some. Bangkok has been a bit of a mix of pleasures and pains, and I'll leave you to decide which is which... - more drinking; river boat tour around the canals and main river; visiting the largest Buddha in Thailand at Wat Arun, made of gold and something like 70 metres long (the reclining Buddha); visiting various other temples around the city, and the incredibly impressive Grand Palace, which is ornate beyond belief; having my bag complete with watch, camera, wallet and 1 bank card stolen, knowing who had done it but not being able to do a ting about it; having my golden locks transformed into natty dreds by a street-side stall owner on Koh San Road (only 1 hour of pure, unadulterated, eye-watering pain, for a result which is less than excellent...still, had to be done); getting a cashmere suit tailor-made for the whopping price of 57 squid; and finally having to say goodbye to yet more awesome people with the knowledge that it will most likely be years before ever seeing them again - definitely the worst part of travelling. Divide the above list into two columns, and have it on my desk by Monday morning. Pheweeeeeeeeeeee. Finito. Next stop is Chiang Mai, to do some elephant trekking and some further detoxing - I've enjoyed the last three days of teetotal relaxation... one thing left to do here in Bangkok and that's go for a Thai full body massage....hope it has a happy ending... ;) I hope you are all incredibly well, sorry for the lack of photos - I did have some absolute crackers, but alas now my Thai friend has probably made himself a whopping 20pounds by selling them, along with everything else, onto some fortunate backpacker...not that I'm bitter. Ah wellllllllllllll, poor Lissa lost her passport in her bag that was stolen at the same time, so I shouldn't complain too loudly.... Love to one and all from your favourite white, blonde, dredlocked rasta-wannabe. xxxxxxxxx