Our last couple of days in Koh Samui were good - just more relaxing etc!  the family we were staying with were really nice, they gave us a gift (a cup and saucer saying Bo Phut beach, May 2007) when we left, which was really nice!!  They were asking when we're coming back, but I don't think we'll have time!  I wasnt too keen on the dogs in Samui - I got trapped in the sea for half an hour!!  I was minding my own business lying at the water edge and 3 stray dogs came running towards the water - I decided it was safer to swim out a bit further, but they started coming in towards me, so I had to go further and further out to sea - Jack thought it was hilarious, and every time I tried to come back in they would come further in towards me!  They got bored after a while and I was able to come out!

Got the boat from Koh Samui to Koh Tao on 14th May - been here for a week now, and have had an excellent time.  We met up with Jacqui's friend Mark who is a diving instructor on the island, and then Jacqui and her friends arrived on 16th May.  I had been debating whether or not to do the PADI Open Water Diver course, and decided to do it.  Both me and Jack, and Jacqui's friends all did the course (Jacqui is already qualified) so we are now certified PADI divers!!  We both got on fine, and really enjoyed ourselves.  Now we will be able to do diving anywhere in the world.

Mark was great, and made it really easy if we were feeling nervous or anything.  I had a little problem with my ears to begin with (i thought i would because i'd always had problems) but then on the 3rd and 4th dives they were fine, no problems.  You had to do some theory work aswell, and an exam - Jack passed with 94%  It's a really wierd but great feeling being under water, you get to experience a lot more than when you are just snorkelling.

Tonight we went out for a nice meal because Jack and I are leaving tomorrow for Bangkok.  We all ordered food and when I was half way through mine, I noticed that there was a cockroach in mine!!!  I was looking at it in disgust, and everyone was like 'oh my god, its a cockroach!!'  I called the waiter over to ask him what it was - he went pale and then took my food away.  About 5 minutes later the cook came over to tell us it was a cardamom - which is a type of spice!!!!!  I felt pretty stupid after that, but at least it wasn't a roach!!!  It was identical to one though, and even the waiter thought it was one, so i didnt feel too bad!

So, we are leaving here tomorrow at 2.30 and then getting the night train to Bangkok, where we will stay for a couple of days and then head to Cambodia - need to be out of Thailand by 27th so dont want to leave it too late.

Hope everyone is well,

Linsey and Jack xxx