Well hello from Thailand!!! I am in Ao Nang in Thailand and i have fallen in love with another country!!! i disnt think it was possible after New Zealand but it has happened and it muct be love at first sight cos we only arrived yesterday!! ; ) had a fab time in Penang. Cute little city with plenty of culture, history and sights. Walked the 5km down Penang Hill and got hooked up with all the monkeys! Dined at local restaurants with more meals off of banana leaves and roasted in the crazy heat!! left yesterday morning and drove the 4 hours to the Malaysia/Thai border. Got stamped out and back into to Thaialnd and boarded our mini buses for the rest of the 10 journey.Travelling in a group of 12 always draws attention - especially when there are so many different nationalities but finally got all the formalities donw and went on our way. It was definately another experience and was pretty scary at times as they are so strict!! ; ( The first views of Thailand were exactly what you see on tv or in books...random roads with no rule driving, 4 people to a moped and palm and banana trees the whole way! little woodenhuts and houses line the roads every so often and there is always something new to look at...even if it is the lady boys! ; ) Finally got to Ao nang, about 40 minutes frm Krabi and dumped our stuff on our bamboo made beds!! ; ) Headed straight into town and went to a seafood restaurant right on the beach. Tried shark - lush! - and drank milk out of coconut s! ; ) 4 of us carried on to research the nightlife of our new destination and what an amzing night!! Found a bar with hammocks in and got talking to travellers going the opposite way to us. we all hitched on the back of a taxi and did a runner into the next bar...me and one of the lads were stunned by the view that we didnt think it was real...the bar is right on the beach and we looking out at the rocks and sea and voats. Such a stunning sight we had to go check it out!! we took our drinks thats cost around 80 baht each 0- divide it by 70! ; ) - and sat talking til 4am in a boat off the sea. took a midnight walk through the sea before heading back! fantastic first night and definately one to remember! ; ) today i just got back from an all day boat tour around the islands. went on a speedboat across to Phi Phi and where the film 'The Beach' was filmed. Visited a few more and tried to take in the amazing scenery! i love this place and never want to leave. That exactly how i feel today! Its stunning - definately one of the most stunning places ive ever been and in the top destinations! Going on a traditional thai long boat tomorrow for the day then trying out the diving on thursday. Im actually pretty scared about that but i regret not doing it in oz so im all set for it!! Plus i still have to see more of a Nemo in the wild!! ; ) So much to do - i also want to squeeze in an elephant trek on the last day here so fingers crossed!! Definately an exciting few days lined up and ever since The end of oz, the energy has been pumped right back into my trip!! Im loving every secind still and even more now that we are in Thailand - didnt think it was possible!! maybe its something to do with 80 baht drinks or the sun!! ; ) Guess i better go just now though cos its the Kings birthday out here today and everyone is celebrating. No alcohol allowed though out of tradition so will have to save that for tomorrow night...;) Hope all is good with you and will speak to you soon. Lots of love, Georgie x x x