Ok so lots to catch up on as I haven't had a chance to write for the last week and a half! Bare with me as I have a slight hangover - but more of that later......

So we arrived in Bangkok and Chris arrived on the 18th and this was where the introduction to the most lethal alcohol, I've ever consumed, began!!! ......

We spent a pleasant day shopping in the Ko San Road (where I'm afraid Mum and Dad I have brought a few more clothes to add to my new wardrobe!!) and why stop there when I could get a dress tailor made!! The guys decided they wanted to do the traditional Bangkok experience of getting a suit tailor made, and after sitting and looking through several catalogues and eyeing the gorgeous material I decided to have one of my dream dresses created for me - a strapless red dress. (see pics on facebook)! Luckily this was all possible as Chris will be picking them up when he leaves for Bangkok tomorrow to go home.

That night we had our usual traditional Bangkok meal - Pad Thai from a street vendor, at 50pence you can't go wrong! And set out to the night market to explore, avoiding all ping pong venues that seemed to laden the side streets along the way. The boys having literally shopped till they dropped - and yes this time I purchased the least! - were in need of a drink or two so we headed back to the Ko San where Chris decided to purchase his first bucket and try the local Whisky - Sansong!! To give you an idea this alcohol is 80% vl - and clearly not made for the delicate British digestive system. If you need a clean out this does the trick! After finishing a bucket, and heading back to our rooms about 2am, Dan went to get some water whilst I took a quick shower only to suddenly have Chris knocking on the door wanting to continue the drinking. Several JD and Coke's later, or more like JD with a splash of coke, we were all starving and the golden 'M' was calling so we trapsed to the local McDs about 5am.

2hrs later we were waking up to get out of the hotel, and boy was it a struggle! With the heat of Bangkok, and our heavy bags my stomach soon began to flake and I wasn't the only one!! That night we were travelling south on the overnight train to the islands. We actually had a pretty decent night's sleep as we each had a bed on the train, minus any snorers or anyone wanting to puke near us! Though as usual the time keeping over here was poor, waking ourselves up at 4am (as this was when the train was meant to come into our station) the train didn't arrive until half 5 - Dan managed to fall back to sleep, no change there, whilst the rest of us patiently waited worried that we may miss the stop. We then had to wait till 8am to get the bus to the pier - a 2hr drive, and then a 3hr boat trip to Koh Paganan - so a total of 20hrs!!!!

Koh Paganan, was a mixed bag for us really. Dan and I had a lovely little beach hut, which meant we fell asleep and woke up to the sound of waves - AMAZING! And the island had some amazing sunsets, and great food - the fish was great. However the Black Moon party was a huge disappointment, having missed the famous Full Moon Party we thought this would be similar but on a smaller scale. Having paid around 6 pounds to just walk onto the beach - where it was being held - and paying to geko painted on my arm to get into the spirit, we were not impressed with the Techo House music, and there seemed quite a divide from those who were "on something" dancing like madmen, to those who were bored and sitting on the beach watching the fire jugglers. We were that bored that after a bucket we decided to call it a day and go home!! Then there was the countless hospital visits we paid, as a few nights previous we were worried that Alex may have had Malaria and spent the night down the hospital getting him tested - thankfully all was clear. Then the morning after the full moon, Dan and I woke up to Chris knocking on the door with bandages over several limbs. After we said goodnight he had a bout of food poisoning and for some reason took himself down to the hospital. On departing he got on the back of a ped which literally turned the corner and crashed, leaving Chris with several abrasions, the worst on his knee where the skin came off down to the bone and 6 stiches in a gash on the back of his calf. That was his holiday over!!!

We arrived in Koh Tao on Wednesday 25th and I have to say this is paradise. Sairee Village just a 10 minute walk from where we are staying is beautiful, outdoor/indoor restaurants and bars that could win awards for their food and architecture, sit either side of a path lit by fairlights! Sitting on a bean bag on the beach sipping cocktails, surrounded by romantic fires burried in the sand, trees drapped with fairlights and candles flickering in the breeze - you truly sit back and think "This is paradise, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!"

We took a boat taxi out to Koh Nang Yuan, a beautiful place where nature's wonders are there in full view. The island is famous for diving, and therefore there are strict rules that no plastic, paper etc can be brought onto the island so as to preserve the marine life. The white sands and crystal clear waters were too much of a tempation and donning the snorkel we dived in, within seconds we were surrounded by fish - little nemos were swimming around my shoulders!! I've never seen anything like it. When we got back to Koh Tao Alex and I decided to book our Discover Scuba Diving course, so yesterday we had our first taster. Dan and Chris stayed on the boat and caught some rays, Dan had a little snorkel around - as he's still trying to get use to it. After all the academics, we finally took the plunge into the water, having only had a practice dive in a pool a few years back, I was keen to get back in. Luckily Alex and I had our own instructor, and we practised a few skills underwater such as what to do if you get water in your breathing apparators, how to swap breathing equipment under water etc then once the instructor was happy we started to go lower. The first couple of metres I found it hard to equalise, but then it seemed to happen naturally the lower we went. We swam to the depth of 9metres, a truly surreal experience swimming around the corals and seeing the fish interact with each other. Alex was told to keep his distance as he swam very near a large trigger fish, which are apparently like terrorital dogs and have been known to bite. After about half an hr we rose to the surfice full of stories to tell Dan and Chris.

Last night we hit the town, and consequently this is the reason for my hangover today! After consuming a glass of wine, 3 Kamakize shots, 1 tequila, 1 vodka pineapple and a bucket to myself of some vodka, rum, red bull connuction I was smashed and the guys had to carry me home! Not sure when I was that last drunk, but thanks to a good fry up I am feeling more like myself now!!!

Leaving Koh Tao tomorrow to head to Koh Samui for a few days. So will update soon xxxx