While waiting for our Vietnamese visas to be processed we spent about a week in Thailand primarily on Koh Samui. Steve had dreams of long, white, secluded, sandy beaches lined with coconut trees where we could lay back in hammocks and sip cocktails. We started off on the island's second most popular beach, Lamai Beach, where the sea was rough and the beach was overcrowded with disgusting, leather skinned, overweight sunbathers all on a beach lined with trashy pubs and loud music. Deciding this wasn't for us we moved to Mae Nam Beach where we found what we were looking for. The beach was perfect and we made full use of the expensive resorts next to our bungalow. Sonja also got inventive with some cocktails and added rum to a fresh, ice cold coconut - the result was delicious.

We didn't spend a lot of time in Bangkok as it was just a means to an end, while we were there we did get to see a lot of the "political unrest." It was incredibly organised and civil, the roads were all blocked off and the streets were filled with tents in a perfect grid pattern. People were posted at the entrances checking bags and handing out free water. Inside free food was being provided for those that were willing to line up for a long time and many stands were around selling food and souvenirs.

On our last night in the country we did a Thai cooking class because the food in Thailand is amazing, this was a lot of fun and the food we created was fantastic. Steve will now have to make some Phad Thai when we get back, now the only trick will be remembering it.