Well what a start!

Sunday 27th December 2015 started off with a mad rush ( a bit like the Home Alone franchise, rushing to the airport ) Isla' parents picked us up and we headed to The Black Dog, Waltham Chase for a farewell lunch with the family and Lisa-Lisa.

Once goodbyes were handed out we headed to Heathrow to catch the first flight of this magic journey. Heathrow was awesome, decorated stylishly with Christmas decorations. It felt that extra bit special travelling so close to Christmas.

We treated ourselves to our customary cup of tea whilst people watching in the departure lounge. No doubt someone was looking at us thinking "look at those wannabe backpackers".

2120hrs flight to Bangkok was delayed by about 30 minutes, no big deal really when you've got 3 months of time to use up. After hearing some unthusiastic comments about EVA AIR, air chosen airline, by Richard Baker, we anxiously waited to see what it would be like. Thankfully they pleasantly surprised with their friendly Taiwan smiles and thick cozy blankets. We were also blessed with having an exit seat so adequate leg room.

We land in Bangkok after a 10 and a half hour flight. Immediately feel the humidity when exiting the plain. The airport terminal had a funny smell, pollution maybe, not really sure but lots of the locals were wearing face masks. Bangkok airport was easy to navigate and extremely busy with fellow backpackers. It felt like home when I'm stood at the departures board looking for our desk number when an English guy, also travelling with his wife says desk F at the same time and we look at each other and giggle like little school girls.

Whilst waiting for the flight we treated ourselves to some Thai food and made fun of the Brits queuing up at Burger King. The 1920hrs flight to Ko Samui was also delayed, not surprising really when this was clearly a very busy taxi service transporting thousands of travellers all heading for the New Years Eve beach party eeeeekkkkkk.

This flight took 40 minutes but the worker bee Thai stewards still had plenty of time to serve a drink and a meal, which was gratefully received as Isla and I were discussing whether to eat or just go to hotel room.

We walked out of the airport and went into our first contact with a taxi driver thinking in the back of our heads that we can't be ripped off. Jodie and Ella had landed slightly before us and advised they had paid 500 Thai Baht ( £10 ) to travel to the hotel. As soon as we were offered 400 Thai Baht we snapped it up as we were to tied to try and fight for less.

We arrived at the hotel, Oasis Hakuna Matata, curtesy of Isla' midwife colleagues who bought us 5 days for a wedding gift and one first sight it was a great present. Big room with a lounge and patio leading out to swimming pool. We unpacked and headed down the road to see what we could find. Immediately we stumbled on the hustle and bustle of a busy high street, mopeds and motorbikes everywhere, taxis driving past honking their horn trying to get your attention, Ladyboys handing out flyers to a Caberet show. We decided to just have a quick drink in a roadside bar and watch the busyness fly by.

Again a strange smell occasionally hit us, this time almost enough to make us gag. We couldn't work out whether it was sewage or what but it seemed to appear when motorbikes/mopeds went past so maybe they run on crap fuel ( pardon the pun ) or vehicles just aren't maintained to the standards of the West.

Back to the hotel for 2300hrs to get our first nights sleep which was well deserved. Off to sleep and dream about what exciting excursions to do whilst in Ko Samui.

Pictures to follow.