Hey Everyone,

So we have arrived in our last but by no means least destination of Thailand. And its hot, hot, hot. We spent our first few days exploring Bangkok. On my second visit here, it doesn't seem so crazy but I think that that's because we have just come from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam where it's totally mental! It is still so hot, busy, smoggy and a little crazy though! We explored Koh San Road which was really good for buying gifts and eating lots of street food. We also discovered that I had contracted a form of scabies in Vietnam, which was so itchy and disgusting. After applying head lice cream to my whole body the symptoms subsided and I was back to normal.

Whilst here we took the opportunity to visit the impressive Grand Palace and lying down Buddha which are well worth a visit. We also got a tuk tuk which scared the crap out of us and put us off ever getting another one again!

We also discovered that a few days later it was the Thai New Year and the Songkram festival (which is a massive week long water fight) so every bus, train and hotel was booked up..bring on stress! After paying through the nose we managed to get a bed on a sleeper train to Chang Mai. On our first venture out in town we realised that we had to get kitted out for this Songkran fest so we bought some water guns and waterproof pouches for our all important baht. The next day we were prepared and ready to attack! Bring on hours of getting absolutely soaked, chucking water in people's faces, having kids chuck ice cold water down your back, and having and having an all out war with the bar next door! It was so much fun and a sight to see- the town literally shuts down for the week and groups of people go around on pick up trucks with huge barrels of ice water to chuck at the sitting ducks at the side of the road. It was so much fun! The best was hanging out in a gay bar with some lady boys who were so OTT and hilarious! After a few days of water fighting we decided we should try and see some more of Chang Mai (still with water gun in hand!) so we visited some beautiful temples and went on some day trips. Unfortunately I got a dicky tummy from swallowing dirty water (no surprise there) so Vic went off on her own.

Her first trip was to a local traditional village, bamboo river rafting and elephant riding. Unfortunately it wasn't very good so I won't spend too much time on it!

Her other trip on the other hand was amazing and probably one of the best things that she did when we were away. She paid to be a 'mahout' for the day which is an elephant trainer. She visited a place where they rescue elephants from the entertainment and logging industries. So some had been rescued from a life of pulling logs all day long and being fed amphetamines in order to work faster. Yes, that happens!

She got dressed in the proper uniform and met some of the elephants. She fed them, learnt the commands and practised giving the elephants the commands whilst riding them (bare back- no silly contraption here!) Then they were given their own elephant to go on a hike with. Vicki was given the affectionately named 'mental one' which she was, of course, very happy about! After the short trek she gave the elephant a little bath-so she was in the water scrubbing her down. The whole day was an amazing experience and the money that she paid goes towards the care of the elephants and into rescuing even more unfortunate nellies out there.

So, having been in Chang Mai and looked around the amazingly massive night market buying gifts for all you guys it was time to head back to the bustling city of Bangkok (cue nightmare with transport issues and having to stay naother night in Chang Mai!)

After a couple of nights in Bangkok sorting out our next trip we were on a night train (a seating one this time- so no sleep!) to the coast, followed by an effecient bus link, then on a cat maran for 2.5 hours to get to Koh Tao- our last destination on our 9 month trip. Time for some sun, sea, sand and relaxation. We stayed on this island for 11 days and loved it. Koh Tao is beautiful and had the right mix of tranquility and night life. The restaurants are all really nice and offer a range of world foods and everyone is really nice. The snorkelling is good too. We moved accommodation 3 times here - the last place was a little bungalow 1 min from the beach. All of the places had no air conditioning though so it was quite uncomfortable at night but that's the price you pay when you're on a budget and you want to stay as long as possible! We had some brilliant nights out here watching fire poi and drinking and dancing until the wee hours. I had my birthday here which turned out to land on the same day as a big environmental awareness festival (how fitting!). Although, this meant that none of the bars were open so we went to the festival and had fun playing dunk a lady boy, trying to win teddies and watching Thai music entertainment. It was really good as it goes.

We also went for a wander to another part of the island which was an exclusive, secluded, beautiful place to relax and go snorkelling. I did spend some time recovering from a bad back but ploughed on through to enjoy our last few days away.

Koh Tao was a beautiful place to end our trip and relaxed us for the whirlwind of coming home. We really didn't want to leave and was gutted when that day came- cue return journey but this time with a sleeper train!

Back in mental Bangkok we spent time shopping, eating loads of street food and emptying our rucksaks of stuff that we didn't need to get all your gifts in!

We couldn't believe our 9 month trip had come to an end- what an amazing time we have had! We've seen and done so much and created some of the most precious memories together. One thing is for sure, that after being in each others pockets for 9 months, we realised that we are made of strong stuff!

Next destination- London, UK.

See you there everyone!

Love Katie and Vicki.xxx