Hi every1 again, sorry for the lack of updates ive been so busy plus, the internet prices were 4times the price on Ko samet than the main land. Neway im gunna b e quick bcause it pretty late.

Like i said i arrived on ko Samet on the saturday afternoon after spending 34 hours continiously on 3 different buses and 1 boat from Luang Prabang. Buses over ere certainly dnt run 2 schedule (abit like me in a way lol) and have an habit of braking down as did mine twice. But had a gud laugh about it with the other ppl on the bus and we had a bit of a sing song etc.

Ko samet is a lil island about 4hrs bus journey and 1 hr boat ride from bangkok, which surprisingly went smoothly (thailand's transport system is much better than its surrounding neighbours) which is full of sandy white beachjes, turquoise waters and coconut palm trees dotted along the beach. The only downside to the island is it is very touristy (although i was told whilst there, that it is not as touristy as the islands down south, and it manages to escape the monsoon season., which is an added bonus)

However the tourist factor did had to an increase in daily budget and accomodation was double that on mainland, but soon found out this was due to the time i had come, which coincided with the queens birthday.

Yes over here, wen its the queens birthday every thai person goes on holiday to celebrate, most businesses close for the day and escape to the nearest beach (well those that can afford to) However i Still managed to bargain with 1 accommodation place and got 4days fortotal of 15 pound instead of 20pound they originally wanted.im gettin quite an expert on this bargaining lark.

In Thailand, the thai's take their monarchy very serious, The current king is the longest reigning monarch in the world with 61yrs under his belt. Some interesting facts include

It is illegal to step on thai money in Thailand because it bares the kings head on, it is also illegal to mock the royal family, as did one guy find out when he mocked the king on a video on Youtube, which lead to youtube.com being banned in Thailand.

Also whenever going to watch a film at the cinema, before the film starts, the national anthem is played and everyone must stand and salut, ( i have yet to expereince this yet.)

n eway bk to Ko Samet, i really enjoyed meself ere, n again met loads of different people and made friends with the locals who taught me few more thai phrases and played football wiv a load of them, had a gud laugh. Nightlife was ok, but didnt really stay out long, as was really wantin not 2 spend 2 much and if i wanted a nightlife id go 2 ibiza.

On the day before leeaving Ko Samet i went on a boat trip and went snorkeling and fishing, n i eventually managed to catch 1 measly fish after 2hrs of trying, whilst every 1 else was catchinmg like 8 plus, and meanhile i got well n truly lobsterfied i forgot 2 reaply thelotion after goin in water. so-called water resistant.

So that nite i didnt really do much other than keep applying after-sun on and damp towels on me legs to cool them down, watched a couple of films they had on in the bar, with Joanne, heinz, n lek who also got sun burnt.

Then that leads me to today where Ive arrived bk in to bangkok prior to starting the tour 2moz, so will let you kno as soon as possible, and again il try and get them pics up pretty soon, butit just talkes forever so ive been saving them on to me ipod, and tehn wen get a decent internet connection il put them online. spk soon haylz xxxxxxxxx