Jim and I left Kecil along with Jenni and Anthony. We crossed the border and got in a minivan that also seemed to be delivering a tropical bird and a bag of small fish. Used this as a good opportunity to catch up on some sleep... We decided to stay the night in Hat Yai as a mid-way point to Krabi.This was definitely an experience - the hostel can only be described as a former lunatic asylum. The corridors were huge amd contained lots of boxes of random items. We all shared a room, and spent a good while laughing at it. the beds were like concrete- i think superman would have broken out in a sweat trying to loosen up the mattresses, and the toilet was raised on a small step high enough for people in the building opposite to look through the window and see you squatting over the porcelin. Ive truly never felt more attractive. After a less than comfortable nights sleep we managed to procure another minivan. This time with a small fluffy puppy to play with. I really think that London cabbies should introduce animals into thier taxis as entertainment. Would keep me entertained anyway.... Arriving in Ao Nang, we opted for a mid-range room as a bit of respite from the basic amenities we had lived with for the past two weeks as we thought we'd only be there for one/two nights before heading to Phi phi. But then the rains came down, and came down, and came down. There was no way we were getting on a boat in that weather so we stayed put. There really is not much to do in Ao Nanag when the heavens open. Jim , Jenni and I did a lot of aimless wandering and began to find facination in the various bric a bracs on offer in shops, e.g nubchucks, knucledusters and other offensively lethal weapons, various vile insects mounted behind small glass boxes and a selection of beach wear that had to be Oxfam castoffs from the mid 80s. Anthony, however, disappeared after day 1 and we didnt see him for a while... So after our afternoon naps we would get up and head onto the little street of 'lady' bars. Its quite disconcerting at first when you walk down one of these streets anywhere in Asia. I dont know if all of the women there were prostitutes, but they all wear really small clothes and are extremely tactile. With girls as well as guys. Within first 5 mins of being in a bar, i was groped and dry humped by a dirty dancing girl wearing what looked to be a very small belt. Bet a few drinks later and I just ignored it. Kind of started to feel a bit insecure if they didnt come up to me! Also the constent compliments are quite nice too.. 'YOu very beautiful.' 'I like you face.' 'ohhh you have good nose'...etc On our first night there we ended up in a bar where we got talking to the bar people. They were all Connect Four freaks and could beat any of us guys as soon as we placed our first counter. I beat Jim several times withthe help of the barman. They must play A LOT. A few more cocktails down and we were being taught Thai, none of which I could remember two minutes later. Then a barmaid dragged us of to the back room. The bar's token dog was having pups, and she was not impressed at having several people standing around and gorking. b****. So that was random! After that night we didn't see Anthony at all until a few nights later. Jim, Jenni and I were in a bar having some drinks after meeting up with Jenni's mum and stepfather (who paid for all of us, all night- result!). In walked Anthony at about 12:am looking completely battered. And hanging of his arm was a ginger 'flesh mountain' (Jenni's stepdad's words, not mine). the most offensive looking, offensive accented Canadian girl. Ah, funny. Despite his beer goggles, he looked fairly sheepish when we called him over! Poor guy. SO in the end we stayed for four days, doing nothing but sleeping, eating and staying up most of the night. Was definitely ready to hit the beach again!