After catching a boat across from Phi Phi, we spent 3 or 4 days in Phuket, wandering round looking at all the places that we'd been to 4 years back, even though quite a bit had changed since last time (it was before the tsunami). We stayed the first night in a small hostel that had a pool table and jacuzzi on the roof, which was quite a bonus, so we had to take advantage of them.

We spent our days either on the beach or round the hotel pool (where we didn't see another person all day - quite strange), and one day we went out sea kayaking around the caves of Panak Island, where you can kayak through caves that are full of bats at low tide. Needless to say, that wasn't the highlight of Ellie's day. In her words, 'it smelt and it was dark.'

We also went to James Bond Island, where one of the movies was filmed, and it was absolutely hammering down so we got soaked, which was a bit annoying. Not that it made any difference because the long-tailed boat we were on was taking on water anyway...

One of the 'highlights' was Bangla Road, which we didn't remember from before, we think mainly becuase of all the new development after the tsunami. However, it is much more built up and westernised now than when we were there last. Bangla road in particular was really westernised and also quite full on. Every night it's absolutely packed with people, mainly tourists and single western men!!!! There are hundreds of bars and clubs, with touts trying to get you in to enjoy the go go shows and Thai girls shaking their stuff on the bar (needless to say I had to keep my eye on Chris). There were also people on the streets trying to persuade you to buy a photo of yourself with a huge lizard on your head (and yes, we were persuaded). However, the main "attraction" were the very obvious ladyboys (very freaky)!

We also went to a show called Phantasea one evening, which was supposed to be excellent, but was more 'interesting' I guess would be the way to put it. It was supposed to be a history of Thailand, but ended up being more of an animal and magic show, interspersed with music and acrobatics. Rather strange.

Anyway, next stop will be the islands off the east coast, so we'll update then.