Blissfully unaware of any mix ups, we treated ourselves to a cheeky snooze on the ferry, expecting to wake up with fresh faces in Ko Lanta. The reality however was somewhat different to our little fantasy. When we awoke on the ferry and checked the time we realised we had been sleeping 30minutes longer than anticipated and that we should have arrived at ban saladan pier, rudely awoken by the sound of the ferry's horn. Amy decided to therefore enquire what the hold up was and to find out when the boat should dock.Instead she came back pale faced announcing that we were on our way to krabi having got on the wrong boat. Bloody brilliant! Well they say that backpacking is all about the unknown and being spontaneous and this situation really did prove that! We decided to reassure ourselves that we could just head to ko lanta from krabi however this bubble of ours was burst after the tour operator at krabi informed us that the only boat from krabi to ko lanta left every morning at 8am - 7 hours ago and therefore did we want a nights accommodation in the mean time. Did we heck! We did what all backpackers do in a crisis - we spent a fortune on a private taxi which ferried us across krabi's mainland to the dodgy car ferry which happened to be in use throughout the night. When I say a fortune it cost us £25 each for a 2 hour taxi ride and a ferry ticket but when breakfast costs you 25p a bowl you can't help but feel violated when your handing out the big notes.

The only way to describe our cargo ferry to ko lanta is to call it a floating platform. Despite spending ages trying to find out from our taxi driver how long it would take (his answers ranging from 2 hours to 12!) it actually took us 15 minutes to cross and we barely noticed the floor move. It was an experience to say the least. Emma and I also had to pleasant experience of using the ferrys public bathroom which I would describe as a breach of human rights - even for a prisoner!! Despite all we couldn't help but laugh throughout especially as Emma had decided to adopt our driver Naan, asking him as many personal questions as she could whilst telling him all about our trip with added sound effects and charade movements. My personal favourite moment was when she asked him where he liked to take his vacation and he simply replied with "40". To say that the conversation was cut short is an understatement however I can confirm that he is an avid supporter of Liverpool football club and he now knows the lyrics to the yellow submarine by the Beatles after Emma decided to give him a brief history lesson on Liverpool whilst trying to persuade him that there was more to England than just "Stevie Gerard".

When we finally arrived in ko lanta we decide to spend the night on long beach as it was the most touristy place I had heard of and therefore it felt like a safe option. The next morning we headed to Lanta New Beach hotel which was based right on Klong Khongs beach. This bungalow was a thing of beauty - we had a pool which overlooked the glorious beach which we had right on our doorstep. There were hardly any people around which meant that it felt more like a castaway experience than a holiday in benidorm. There were enough sun loungers to keep even the die hard sun worshipers happy and for the hippies amongst us there was the option to experience a bang lassi also known as a mushroom shake. I can safely say that since I can barely manage a glass of wine I didn't indulge in a psychedelic trip on the beach front like the beloved Bridget jones but it was nice to have the option there.

Since we had one of the worlds most beautiful beaches at our front door it seemed almost rude not to partake in some sunbathing / burning for the next two days. The guilt of not having seen any of the island encouraged us the next day to rent ped bikes (sorry mum but it was the only mode of transport of the beach, we effectively had no choice) and to go on an adventure. Our fear of crashing encouraged us to have a practice run before investing in the bikes, since if we couldn't drive the things it would be pretty pointless hiring them. Although saying that it cost us 2 pound a day and only 60p for a full tank of petrol!! so it hardly broke the bank. It was just as well as Amy's first attempt saw her almost drive through one of the locals living room. We know that you parents worry and understandably so but I'm just sorry we didn't film it as we would be £250 richer courtesy of you've been framed. My embarrassing driving experience occurred the next day when I jolted forward and a fearful German who I shall give the benefit of the doubt and say was trying to be helpful asked me if I had ever driven alone before to which I responded with (in my best British accent) "I shall have you know I have been driving by myself all day long thank you very much" before swiftly and thankfully smoothly driving off before she could add any further comment. I don't think she was very convinced by my apparent experience because quite frankly neither was I. Anyway, back to the story. Whilst test driving our new wheels we met a lovely german girl called Luisa who also had a fear of bikes / her mum and so we decided along with our helmets she too should join us on our trip as it would both be safer and funnier. She did however fall off her bike and grazed her knee but not to worry she was okay and we strapped her on Amy's bike to keep her safe for the rest of the day. Silly Germans - that's what happens when you drive on the wrong side of the road.

On our day of adventure we explored the entire island. We saw the sea gypsies (who thankfully didn't steal my shoes) stopped off at a few beautiful view points, shopped in the old town and visited a hand selection of gorgeous beaches. Unfortunately we didn't make it to the national park or the emerald pool but we still had an amazing day and I would highly recommend Ko Lanta and if possible, I would definitely come back here. I hate to admit but I wasn't too shabby on the peds (despite my one awkward moment mentioned above) and whilst I haven't bought myself a leather jacket and signed up for hells angels - who knows.... Watch this space. One thing is for sure though,I had never slowed down to let a monkey cross the road before until today.

The highlight of my day was our visit to the animal rescue centre which treats ill and injured animals as well as rehabilitates abused stray dogs before helping get them adopted throughout the world. Some of the animals stories were devastating (especially one involving animal abuse and hot oil
- I will say no more) but it was so lovey to see volunteers help give the animals a second chance at finding a happy an loving home. The sanctuary is run purely off the profits from the cooking school "Time for Lime". If you ever go to Ko Lanta try a cooking class at the school and support the cause or if you don't have as much tine you could always go walk some of the dogs to help out or even just visit for a cuddle.

After another beautiful sunset and a tasty meal in our bellies it was time to say goodbye to ko lanta. The lack of sleep clearly went to Emma's head as she tried smuggling the hotels cat into her backpack. I'm slightly concerned how regular an occurrence this is becoming and her mum should be weary of any souvenirs she has bought. We should have been shocked when our pre booked taxi turned up and it was a mere ped with a bench attached but tbh after two weeks in Thailand it's what you grow to expect. Even when the driver (the only cowboy in ko lanta apparently, what an honour to meet this celebrity) told us he had smashed and broken his pedometer after one crazy party and he woke up to find it like that we couldn't force a shocked face since Thailand is the land where anything is possible. Never thought I'd be safer driving a motorbike than taking a cab! Still, we made it to the pier and we are on the boat! Lets just hope it's going in the right direction this time......