Wow, we realised we have done so much since our last update so we'll try and fill you in, trying to keep it short and sweet (like Tim!)

26th Feb we flew from Chiang Mai to Phuket via Bangkok. Our flight from Bangkok was slightly delayed due to the fact it took all the aire crew to fathom out hoe they were going to get a man in a wheel chair on to the plane, we had to stand in an aireport bus crammed in like sardines and watch it unfold. Aventually they realised it would be easier to take him out and carry him on to the plane, wow that took some thinking!!!

We arrived in Phuket to find that the guest house only had us down for one night when we had booked 2 nights, fortunately we didn't have to sleep on the streets as they realised it was there error. We spent the next day on Patong beach after a long search for a pair of boardy for Tim which didn't have Billabong plastered all over them!!! Billabong have definitely cornered the market here! Pantong beach was very much like the Med, very touristy! That eveing we went in to town for food, thought we were in Blackpool as there was that much Neon, although much warmer! It was a very entertaining evening, we went to a bar with a live Thai Dire Straits/ Eagles tribute band, we had to chuckle! There were also lots of old men with there Thai brides, thinking the still had it. Tim found it hilarious as he thought one looked liked the spit of Oliver Reed! Then a little old flower lady came in and strutted her stuff, it has to be said though she was actually quite a groover for a 60+ year old!

After all that excitement the next day we headed for Phi Phi, we were on a old boat that stank of mildew and was really damp. We walked to our bungalow as there are now cars on Phi Phi, only push bikes. We were only a short walk from the beach, which was absolutely beatiful. The sea is so warm and clear and you can go out for miles and only be waist high in water. We spent 3 days in Phi Phi, in that time we took the long tail boat to Phi Phi Leh (where the Beach was filmed) and did loads of snorkelling, although the best snorkelling was the following day when we got the long tail boat to take us to Mosquito Island and Bamboo island, the corals were so much bigger and the bright coloured fish swam all around us, it was like being in a tropical fish tank. It was a dream of mine that i fullfilled! Tim in good old Tim fashion put his snorkel on above his nose! and also like to wear it when we we travelling out the water on the boat! We also went to Monkey Beach in Phi Phi, where Tim said he would ask for a refund if there were no monkeys, unfortunately for our Long Tail boat driver (who was trying to tell us they only go on the beach in the morning, we guess he was trying to get another trip out of us!) 3 monkeys put in an appearance! The sand on this beach was pure white and so soft!

We had some good meals in Phi Phi in some cool bars, on being a Reggae bar on the beach. We discovered Banana shakes here, made with fresh Bananas they are gorgeous! That and Pineapple shakes or pinapple juice is definitely our drink for Thailand. The Pineapples are so sweet here!

Although there wasn't any memorials to the Tsuanami in Phi Phi, we went to a cafe where the man there had been saved by somne travellers and kept a scrap book with Newspaper articles about it, it was very moving. There is still building work going on to build new resorts etc.

Moving onto another island Ko Lanta, further east, it seemed a bit strange to have cars on the road again! Our bungalow/chalet where we stayed looked straight out onto the beach, but the inside was 'interesting' - we had to put up with MASSIVE cockroaches scuttling around (which I manfully dealt with - Tim now writing by the way!, whilst Emili shrieked and said S@%* quite a bit!), and geckos as well! From them on the DEET was upped and every nook and cranny was thoroughly sprayed by Emili, and any visible gaps were filled with toilet paper!

Lanta was really chilled as well. The beach was lined with lots of really relaxed beach bars made out of driftwood. there were plenty of hammocks to laze around in, which we did!

Apart frm chilling on the beach, we took a speedboat out to another smaller island Koh Rok Nok to the south. the snorkeling wasn't as good as on phi-phi, but we DID find Nemo (and his Dad!). The beach where we had lunch was beautiful and made the trip really worthwhile.

The staff at the chalets were generally friendly, we played some volleyball with them. But the owner was a bit of a smart-arse, and wouldn't seem to give us a straight answer to anything. He also told us the wrong time to get up on the day we left for Krabi, so we missed breakfast one day. Gutted!

THe coach ride from Lanta to Ao Nang, onthe mainland was an epic 5 hour affair, involving 2 ferry crossings over very short stretches of water, which could probably have done with a bridge!, and a change onto a local bus in Krabi.

Our bungalow - the Mild Bungalowes,at Ao Nang was excellent - really friendly helpful staff. we only stayed here 2 nights and one full day, as it was a stop-over on our way to Samui, the day we did spent there we went kayaking in the mangrove forest and a swim in the lagoon. it was a really good day, we saw plenty of monkeys that threatened to jump on our canoe, a monitor lizard was also spotted and some of views were amazing. Our guide Ick was really good, he even pinched a few freash pineapples from a farmers field for us to try!

we left ao nang 2 days ago, for another long trip across thailand to ko samui on the east coast. on the bus we met up with a really nice english couple from london, nick and leah. they were the first english people we'd met since changmai, so it was nice to swap stories. we met up for food and drink last night in samui, and had a really good night with them, although we narrowly lost the game of pool!

today we plan to visit the Grandfather and Grandmother rocks (need we say more - you'll see the photos!), and then see the BIG BUDDHA at sunset all being well.

tomorrow we're off again to Phang Nan home of the full moon party, where we might hire a scooter to get around. Phang Nan you have been warned!!!

Then Friday we head off for Oz (this trip is flying by!). We're looking forward to meeting my family! Jo and lily - strange request but do you have fresh milk in Oz? we're getting sick of UHT and craving some fresh milk on our cereal!

Take care everyone!

Love to you all,

Emili and Tim xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ps, we have one or two strange fluffy white things in the sky today, if anyone could let us know what they are!!!!