Very sad to leave Koh Phangan, and sad to leave Thailand in general. Had such a fun time i really will have to go back. But also looking forward to all the new things I will do in Australia.

From where i left off: Headed back from the cafe after my burger, got into my trunks and chilled out in the pool for an hour with everyone.

Got out and went for a nap ready for our last night out. On the way back i chatted to our 3 coordinators for a bit. They all had little books for us to write in and sign, so wrote a message for them all. Got very emotional and actually nearly cried. Become such good friends with them it was really sad to know i had to leave. They keep asking me to change my flight and come round with them on the next group, was so very tempted.

Went back and slept til about half 6, then got up and got ready for the 7 o'clock meeting. Headed out to Haad Rin afterwards for the last time. Some stayed at the hotel to eat, i opted to head to the seafood restaurant we went to a few nights before.

Headed out to cactus after this (our usual bar) and watched the fire dancers for a bit. A few nights before a girl had come round and given out free drink vouchers for another bar, so some of our group had converted. Went down to see if any of them were there, and see what it was like. Pretty good fire dancers here too, really interesting to see how they have different styles. But the music wasnt really great so headed back to the other bar. Played more games and had a really good night out, leaving when the music stopped at about 3. After organising the taxi, rounding everyone up, getting food and driving back it was about 4.

Had to check out for 6 so just grabbed a towel and chilled out on the beach with some friends. Maybe dozed for 10 mins before getting up at half 5 to pack up the last of my stuff and check out.

Got the taxi to the port and got our tickets for the ferry. Stumbled up onto the ferry and found a seat near a fan. Pretty much passed out for the whole ferry. Was actually a 2 hr boat trip but felt like 2 mins to me!

Off the ferry, quick snack at the terminal and a loo break before heading off on our fun 12 hr trip! Slept on and off for most of the way, waking up every so often for food and loo breaks.

Arrived back to Bangkok quite early at 9 o'clock. Finally gave in when i saw it and went and had McDonalds. Disgustingly nice tucking into a massive burger after a month of noodles and rice. After this we headed to Gazebo for the rest of the night (went here the 1st time in Bangkok and really enjoyed it) Everyone was knackered or had an early flight, so not many stayed out. I was in the last group to head back, and it was only midnight.

Slept soundly til 9, then got up and properly packed my bag ready to go to the airport that day. locked it up in a locker for the day and went and had breakfast. Chatted for a bit before jumping in a taxi and heading off to NBK. NBK is a massive shopping centre in Bangkok - over 2000 stores over 7 levels. Everyone had a few things they needed so strolled around for a bit before heading for lunch.

Easily the best lunch ive ever had - all you can eat sushi for 5 pounds! Gorged myself to the point where i was almost sick, then went and had ice cream. Everything was so delicious I could have stayed there all day! Headed back to Khoasan Road at about 3 for a bit of last min shopping. Only had an hour before I had to leave for the airport, so spent 45 mins browsing, then headed back to say a very emotional goodbye to everyone. Really really sad to say bye to such good friends, consoled myself with the fact that all of them live in the UK, and they will be at most a 3 hr train away. Really hoping for a big reunion party when we all get back.

Walked out to the minibus very bleary eyed, then hopped in and drove to the airport. One of my friends was coming to pick up her friend from the airport so was nice to have someone to chat to on the way. Got there at about 5 (my flight was at 8) and checked in really easily. Sat out and chatted for an hour before going to see where the arrivals were. Very confusing system, we started on the 4th floor, for some reason the lift couldnt stop at level 2 (arrivals) and there wasnt an escalator from the third floor down. Ended up having to go down to the basement, into the car park then back up 2 escalators, very odd!

Waited for about 20 mins, before meeting her friend and walking them to the taxi. Then headed back at about 7 to go through passport control etc... Remembered when i was halfway down the massive queue that i hadnt printed off my australia visa! Walked back out the queue and spent ages finding an internet cafe (it was hidden away) Paid a silly amount for 20 mins of internet, then got charged onto of that for printing out my visa. Headed back to the passport control and queued again, then went through security. At this point it was half 7, and my flight left at 7:50. Half walked half ran to the gate (which i amazingly found 1st time) Did relax a bit when i heard them announcing the final call at the gate, so knew that i had enough time. Got on the flight and sat down. Had about 10 mins to spare which was pretty close, think they would have waited for me though.

Was still massively full so couldnt eat my dinner til 9 (we ate the sushi at 1!) Then slept badly and watched the Simpsons til we landed in Sydney. Got off the plane and filled out my immigration card, looked pretty horrendous to be honest - of the 11 questions i had ticked yes to 5. (you shouldnt tick any) So as predicted i got pulled for a seach. (ever seen the program Australian border force?)

Anyway im in jail now for trying to smuggle drugs across the border.

Joking! Had a very friendly Australian guy who had a quick check though my bag, wasnt meant to have any food but had a pot noodle and a cereal bar (he let me off) and wasnt meant to have any shells or coral (picked it up on the beach) but he let me off with that too, as long as i cleaned the shell (not even joking!) then he checked my shoes for any mud, and let me go. Got sniffed by a couple of dogs on the way out and was finally free!

Found the free airport shuttle and got into the centre of Sydney. 2 of my friends from the Thailand trip are also in Sydney, so went to check out their accomodation to see which to book into, but found a really cool looking (and cheaper!) hostel on the way there.

So locked my bag up and paid for 5 nights, intending to leave Sydney on saturday for my trip to Melbourne. So sat writing my blog at an internet cafe and uploading some of my photos at the same time (see my facebook page) its telling me its 40 mins for 200 photos, so dont think ill get all 900 of them up today!

If you'd like (or have nothing else to do) you can re read the 1st few blogs along with the photos, and make it into a bit of a story book?

For now,

Josh xx

Photo is of the opera house, about 10 mins walk from my hostel! Very surreal. (gave up taking the photos so its a stock library image)

Steph - actually scanned my contract and sent it back so ha! You dont have to nag me! Pad Thai will be yummy by then, had enough of noodles for now.

Mum - Didnt even think of Jared Leto until you said it! Theres a bad photo on facebook, feel a bit weird taking a photo of myself, but im sure a few will crop up.

Grandma + Grandad - Was hot where i was! (our last day in Bangkok was a sweltering 36) but just got to Australia where its 12 degrees! For them it is basically late Autumn, so 12 is pretty good for their equivalent of late October.

Auntie Claire - same as mum, feel a bit weird taking a photo of myself, but will definately keep it like this until i get back, its so much easier to dry etc.. and looks pretty cool if i say so myself!

Claire 69A - Actually washed my hair 3 times before all the dye came out, still had it stuck on my scalp though. And my nails are still ever so slightly blue! Dont carry hair gel around with me, thats far too sad. Usually just spike it up for the evening and leave it during the day.