Feeling rather ropey we arrived at Bangkok train station with over an hour to spare. Once we boarded the train, I decided 2nd class was not very comfortable, particularly in comparison to how I had travelled from Chiang Mai to Bangkok a week earlier (1st class). Nevertheless it was an experience. Our seats were switched to beds and curtains put up around 8pm, but was relieved to be able to relax. The journey to Koh Pha-ngan took a long time. Following the tr...

I was really excited to meet up with Gabby and Natalie after such a long time without seeing anyone from home. I left Koh Samet bright and early, arriving at the hotel on Koh San Road by 2pm. It was absolute luxury in comparison to the other places I had been staying. The girls arrived just before 9pm and after dumping their stuff we went for food and a couple of cocktails to welcome them to Thailand. The next day we relaxed by the roof top pool for a couple o...

After a great week in Chiang Mai I was missing the beach, so I decided to travel south-east of Bangkok to Koh Samet for a few days of relaxing before meeting Gabby and Natalie. I caught the overnight 4pm train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and was plesantly surprised when I found I was in a comfortable cabin with two other women, on a bed much more comfortable than any others I had slept in whilst in Thailand!! Although, the air conditioning was on so high the Thai...

I didn't have much time to think about leaving Lanta the day I left. I was up at 5am and really awake after my nice cold shower! I vowed it would be the last of my trip (it's not the nicest way to shower first thing). I made my way to Krabi airport (Nud, a local travel agent and taxi man took me), flew to Bangkok and then from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. I had hoped to get the train from Bangkok, but it had been fully booked, due to Chinese new year. The bonus was I...

Arriving back on Lanta with Ben we took the opportunity to relax for the next couple of days, along with a little shopping in Saladan. On the 8th I took Ben on the Palm Beach boat (the company I have been diving with) for a snorkelling trip to Koh Ha. On the 9th I did my first ever night dive. It was somewhat eerie, particularly as I was the last one of everyone diving. I tried not to look behind me too often, as my torch only penetrated the water so far an...