Day 10 (Thursday 26th October 2006)

After sleeping like babies we awoke for brekkie. After scoffing our American breakfasts we strolled on to the beach. Marc snorkelled off in search of the reef whilst Sarah soaked up the Ko Pha-ngan rays. There was a reef just offshore but apparently due to the time of year, the visibility was poor. However Marc did spot yet another large puffer and several gobies on lookout as their shrimp friends tirelessly dug out their hole.

After a photo-shoot on the beach, we bumped in to Rob from London who was casually lounging about his pool down by the beach. "Nice photo that mate", he said in a cockney voice and we hit it off straight away. Rob is a big lad and owns his own business back home making 'big mens' clothes. He comes out to Ko Pha-ngan at least three times a year and after telling us about all the best spots to visit, he soon re-appeared shouting "If I can get the lazy b**** out of bed, do you guys fancy comin' out in the jeep to find a waterfall?". The 'lazy b****' was his Thai girlfriend Oa and together the four of us headed off to Than Sadet Falls (the royal stream). King Rama V so liked these falls he named them himself and we found a plaque and several shrines along with his name inscribed into the rocks. The falls were beautiful and we took a refreshing dip in the water whilst our new-found-friend Rob took charge of the camera. Just through the trees from the falls, Oa led us to Sunrise Beach where we paused for a few seconds to take in the scenery.

Back in the jeep we bounced back along the roads (aka mud tracks) as we headed off towards Thong Nai Pan beach...Oa finding every one of the bumps hilarious...gotta love Thai people!! Here, the ever increasingly generous Rob treated us all to a nice lunch by the beach. Our left overs were quickly snapped up by the minor birds as we strolled on down to the beach.

As if the guy hadn't done enough already, after taking a swim in the surf, he rented out a jet-ski (well wet bike) for us both because we said we'd never been on one before...what a guy! We rode off, zooming across the bay and bouncing right up over the waves. It was great fun, the 15-minutes went really quickly...well perhaps not for Sarah who screamed the whole way clutching on to Marc for dear life!!

But this terrific guy wasn't done yet. He took us on to the popular Haad Rin where we strolled the famous northern beach (home of the full moon party). After our stroll, he first treated us to cake and mocha lattes at Nira's deli and then cocktails at the chilled-out outback bar, whilst cruising the shops in town.

After the most amazing day out, certainly one of our cheapest, he dropped us off back home. In return we've promised to visit Oa's parlour for a Thai massage and join them both for dinner on Sunday at their friend's 'Big Mountain' bar down the road.

So here's to Rob and Oa...the best tour guides in Pha-ngan!!

Day 11 (Friday 27th October 2006)

Got woken up by a short shower and had to run outside to grab the washing. When we got out of bed a little later, the sky was cloudy and Marc was feeling a bit sorry for himself. Determined to make the most of it, Sarah got out the hiking boots and decided to plan a day out jungle trekking near Haad Rin.

We jumped in a taxi and began our trek from the beach. The 'Green Dot Trail' is a 4km trek through the jungle terrain from Haad Rin to Haad Thien. The green dots are painted on the trees that lead the way...but we still managed to get lost!! The first part of the trail was steep and hard-going enough, without the macaques throwing coconuts at us!! After taking a minor detour and getting ourselves rather lost, we crossed a small stream and got ourselves back on track, only soon to be mortified by a sign saying half way point (we thought we had nearly finished) and then by another reading: Haad Thien Resort 3500m - no road - no cars........we decided to turn back!!

It was a good decision. On the way back Sarah spotted a pathway leading to a fantastic viewpoint where we enjoyed spectacular views of Haad Yuan, Haad Thien and Haad Why Nam bays, whislt a magnificent sea eagle soared above the trees in front of us. We sat and scoffed some lunch, whilst ants the size of small rats made off with Marc's crisps!

The fun had just begun...when returning to the stream we wandered upon an incredible white-lipped pit-viper (that is according to our google search) chilling out, basking on a log. It was an amazing green colour with a blue tongue and had a brown tail which we guess he uses to mimic a little worm. Google also told us that these little chappies are found throughout Thailand, mostly active at night, aggressive and very poisonous!! Without getting too close we snapped away before he finally got bored and slithered off into the trees...how cool!!

Before returning to the beach for a well-earned and well-needed dip in the sea, we also spotted some frogs, butterflies, large colourful pill-woodlouse looking things and a beautiful multi-coloured caterpilla......even the mosquitos (and there was f*****g loads of em') were pretty!!

We returned in time for sunset, before grabbing some tea in the tranquil Seaflower restaurant by the beach, where we were served by Thailand's very own Bob Marley!!

We're now on the world's slowest ever computer (yes mummy Ferroni, even slower than your laptop), there's a bit of a thunder storm outside and we're just off to go to bed!

Night all

PS Mummy Ferroni we have all photos on disc thanks very much - we'll send a package home probably from Australia!!

Daddy Cool congratulations on your job offer!!!

To our dear Kiki, does that mean you do have an intelligent side somewhere????

As for 4P ya big wuss...you wouldn't last 5-minutes out here.....the food's a bit spicier than a pack of flamin' hot monster munch mate!!

And Uncle Gary, regarding our distinct lack of navigational skills, it just gets worse....we couldn't even follow a loada' trees with green dots on them!!!!

Miss you all loads

xxx