Hello from paradise!

So we last blogged in ko chang - a groovy little paradise island close to cambodia. On the last day there we went elephant trekking.Absolutely incredible - mo got to sit on the elephants neck and kezz was in a chair behind. We wandered through the jungle spotting lizards and poisonous spiders for an hour or so!
After the hike we got to feed them then wash the elephants in the river- amazing!

From the island we headed back into bangkok, where we partied on khoa san road for a few days- the mecca of all backpacker streets where you can get anything from a fake drivers license to a samuri sword.
We did the sights of bangkok - the palace, the markets, temples blah blah - busy and noisy but good for a few days.

From BK we headed west to kanchaburi - a small town with a chilled atmosphere by the river kwai. Its well known for the railway that was built from there to burma by thousands of prisoners of war.
Some of which were australian and british. Its also the story behind the film "bridge over the river kwai". The museaum about it all was really moving, especially when you read about the hundreds of scottish soliders that were there.

The other highlight of that town was the tiger temple. A buddist temple that until 10 years ago cared for any small/farm animals that were found nearby. Then a rescued tiger arrived! Now it has about 20 tigers (i doubt they were all rescued) that are played with all morning by volunteers and in the afternoon are fully fed and exhausted so tourists are allowed close to get some photos.
What an experience! walking around so many tigers like they were dogs! Got some great photos and it was good to see they were well cared for.

From kanchaburi we had to go back to bangkok to get our india visas (bit of a nightmare but it all worked out in the end). The visa application is hilarious - its more about the status of your family back home than what your intentions are in india.

By this point we only had 2 days left on our thailand visas. We had the choice of getting to a border or paying the embassy 40pounds for another 30 days. Border won! So kezz and mo went to burma! Just for the day!

It was a crazy adventure that took us through some off the tourist track towns and it was lovely talking to locals there - they were curious rather than wanting money which is lovely! We even managed the river crossing to burma on a little fishing boat rather than the tourist ferry! woo hoo!

From the border we crossed back into thailand (nothing much to report on burma - just a dusty town wanting your money) and headed to Ko tao - a small island dwarfed by its sisters ko samui and ko pagn nagn. It takes a rough sea journey to get out here but its worth it! The first night we spent in the main town - full of english two weeker lager louts, most hired mopeds and hurt themselves within the first 24 hours - idiots.

That wasnt very pleasant but the next morning (kezzs birthday) we hitched over to the other side of the island to find ao tanot. Its a small bay, with 3 companies of bamboo huts and diving schools, a white sand beach and the most amazing snorkelling we've had yet. Its paradise. And kezz had a wonderful birthday swimming with tropical fish in the coral and being allowed to eat anything on the menu (a treat).

Mo also managed a chocolate muffin type birthday cake, a card and a present from 7 eleven! It was hilarious!

So the last couple of days have been spent in paradise, on the beach, snorkelling the amazing reefs or lounging around eating too much. It just doesnt get any better than this.

Next step is to a national park which i cant remember the name of then to the west coast (where its wetter but lots more to do and see). About a week later we'll head to malaysia - for another adventure!

Think thats about all with us - great getting all the emails about how everyones doing- missing you all so much!!

Lots of love

Kezz and Mo xx x