Hey Everyone,

Last time i wrote to you we were in Ko Samui preparing ourselves for
heading
on to the full moon party. well...this is what we have been up to....

That night we had some drinks down on the beach in a nice bar called Ark
bar. We met a couple of irish girls and a American guy who we had drinks
with (and for those who have seen the pics for full moon, met up with again
at the full moon party). The next day was the day of the full moon which
was
amazing. We got a speedboat over from Samui to neighbouring Island Ko
Pagnan
whch took around half hour, then walked up to the full moon party which is
literally 20 big bars along the coast playing all kinds of different music
(dance, trance, R&B and funky or hard house). Once we arrived we started on
the beer, put progressed slowly onto the sandbuckets full with half a
bottle
of smirnoff, coke and redbull for around 4 quid!! there were fire jugglers,
UV paint tattoos that you can get done to glow in the dark and just 1000's
of people dancing around (a few watching Chelsea Spurs....i dont need to
say
anymore although the reading spurs game will have pleased those chelsea
fans!! haha)

We stayed at the full moon until around 7oclock when we caught our speed
boat back. I would highly reccomend it to anyone thinking of coming over
this way...we had a good night :D

since then we have flown out of Samui on a propeller plane owned by Bangkok
airways which was interesting. The flight was fine, and busy, but we had
never seen a commercial airline use propeller planes!!

Once we arrinved in Phuket, we headed down to Patong (which is where it is
all meant to be happening in phuket) only to be faced with a fairly tacky
place full of prostitution drunk guys and touts that just wouldn't leave
you
alone. We were very dissapointed.We stayed for one night in a hotel, then
moved on to a neighbouring resort in Kata where it was more quiet. After a
short taxi ride and a look for accomodation we settled in for 750 for the
night all in (inc aircon) and headed to the beach. This was a nice resort,
but more geared towards familys, and not much to see or do during the day.
We spent a couple of days mostely on the beach, and nights spent searching
for other backpackers (in vain) so had to reveiw what the next step was
going to be.

We decided that maybe we should give Patong more of a chance as we took our
first impression, stayed in the hotel all night then left,so we headed
back.
We had one good night out, where we set up in an irish bar for some good
live music from a band guy taking requests. There was also a bit more
traditional fiddle music played and a few drinks later we were having a
good
night. After this we had a quiet one before deciding that we have had
enough.The next day we headed for the paradise islands of the Phi Phi Don
islands where we arrived two nights ago. We arrived in the rain (which i am
sure you will all be pleased to hear) but since then it has been high 30's
and clear so jokes on you!!! ha. Yesterday we spent the hole day on the
boat
looking around all the tiny islands that are close to here including the
one
that featured in the film "the beach" We had a really good day, snorkelling
around colourful coral and tropical fishes (one of which i swear tried to
take a nibble out of me!!), kiyacking, sitting in the sun and visiting some
of the most amazing islands you have ever seen. We also managed to see some
Dolphins swimming near to the boat when we stopped for lunch! its a tough
life!

We havent managed to do much cultural stuff for the last week or so, but on
the plus side i am getting an excellent tan and thoroughly enjoying
myself!!
The whole island is full to the brim with backpackers so we are really
enjoying ourselfs meeting new people and taking it easy. There is a really
cool bar that has a mhai thai ring (dont think its spelt like that, but
have
a temporary mental block!) where some of the thai guys did fights. I think
that they were only sparring, but still some of if looked pretty brutal (i
have a vid on my digital camera which i will try and post to "you tube" as
its class!

Today we have just been doing the rounds trying to work out where to start
my diving course. I think i have found one that has english instructors, is
busy and all PADI certified so i am happy to sign up, i cant wait. The guys
that i am travelling with are leaving in the next day or so, so i will be
on
my own for the first time since arriving. I am actually kind of looking
forward to it, not because we haven't been getting on, but because i wanted
to come away on my own so it will be nice to have that time to myself to do
whatever i want all the time, and meet lots of new people. They are heading
on to Oz tho so its a few more people to add to the list (which is rapidly
growing) of people to party with over xmas and New year!

Anyways. check out my blog site as i am going to post a few more pics on
there of the islands (just because they were so damn nice, i couldn't wait
to show them off to you all..sorry!!)

I am very well, and as you can see from the pics, eating well so things are
good...

Looking forward to seeing a few of you at xmas, and missing the rest in
between busy times.