So where did I get to .. the rains after the Full Moon. Well they continued all of our last day on Koh Phangan. The next day I got up early, packed and ready for the off to Koh Samui with Chris and Joe. I'd been feeling pretty ill with cold and flu for a few days but things seemed to be getting worse. We made our way to Haad Rin pier and eventually piled onto the most basic boat yet! The journey was only 40 minutes across to Big Buddha bay but it was by far the roughest journey of them all. We made it to the otherside just about in tact and completed an obstical course getting off the boat, from there we took a taxi to Chaweng, Samui's main resort. Accomodation is much more expensive in Samui but we eventually settled for an 800 bart a night place .. at least we got a hot shower, air con and tv, and I had my own room complete with double bed! We headed straight out to explore the town, markets and shops and wander along the beach. After a nap and a shower we headed back out for our final meal in Thailand together - I still wasn't feeling great, hot and cold sweats all night long. We ate in a fish restaurant, for 1000 barts between us we had a whole red snapper, 1 crap, 2 squid and giant (but not JUMBO) tiger prawns, salad, rice and even wine! We headed to a bar after for a few cheeky drinks and after a trip to Boots I decided to call it an early night with the plan to rest up and enjoy my last day on the beach/shopping away my final few barts. Unfortunately that night I took a turn for the worse, I managed to snatch a few half hours of sleep before everntually getting up at 6, packing my valuables and heading out to find a doctor at the hospital. When I got there they immediately assessed me and told me I had a temperature of 39.5! Once the doctor had been I was told I'd need to stay in for the day on fluids and antibiotics but provided my temperature came down I'd be let out that night. After a day of tv and bed rest my temperature was still fluctuating, I agreed to stay the night as long as I made my ferry at lunchtime the next day. The hospital were great and took me to the hotel to pack and collect my things. The next day I was feeling much better and managed to pay and collect my medicines just in time to get to the port at Nathon and on the ferry to Suratthani. From there I took an overnight train back to Bangkok. It was obvious I'd chosen the cheapest option as the train was nowhere near as good as those that GAP booked (I now feel like I actually got value for money from them given that we always had air con etc.). The way it was being driven as well it doesn't at all surprise me that train derailed along that line a few months back. Back in Bangkok I found a cheap room to dump my stuff and rest my head for the day and after a short nap headed out for some food and to check my emails etc in order to complete my insurance claim. This is when I found out about Alice. I was already feeling very alone and far from home but the death of a friend made the distance even greater to me. My thoughts are with everyone at home, our friends and especially Alices family, she was a beautiful person, great friend and Guiding sister and she will be missed dearly by everyone who knew her. Fortunately given how down I was feeling I bumped into Jonny outside MBK and we spent the day wandering the malls. Early evening I head back for a shower and a rest and with my last few bart that I hadn't had chance to spend beforehand I got a manicure-pedicure as a treat. We went for dinner and by then it was time for me to grab my things and head to the airport for a lone long wait!! We left on time the next morning and the flight went fairly quick given that I was able to sleep and had my own personal screen to watch whatever tv or movies I chose. And so I arrived in Sydney Monday 9th November 8.45pm!

Sydney ... I was met by a friend at the airport who's place I have been staying at for the last couple of nights. It's been really good allowing me to rest and get organised .. already I've sorted out a bank account, tax code and phone! They live in Bondi so yesterday I explored the beach before heading to Bondi junction to see the mall. Today I checked out a few hostels ready for the weekend before heading into the city to see Harbour bridge, the Opera house and the Botanic gardens. I wandered slowly back towards the train station before taking a bus back out to Bondi. There I toured the restaurants, cafes and bars handing in a few 'resumes' in the hope of finding some work soon! So far I love Sydney, it's spring so the weather is warm, people are friendly and on the whole hopefully and everything's a real mix of people, places and cultures. It's not cheap mind, most things are the same price as at home if not more! I look forward to meeting some more people, catching up with old friends, exploring the coast and city some more and also finding a job and then a place to base ourselves until the New Year. Get a bit more normality in life again!