So we took a minibus from penang (there were no big buses!) and this prooved to be very squashed - with 10 people in something the size of a previa. However thankfully 6 people were refused entry into thailand and so stu and i got 3 seats each and stretched out for a nap after our 4am start.

After far too many toilet stops (i think our driver had a problem) we got to Phuket where Steve and Cassy were there to meet us. We are sooo lucky because they have an apartment here which is beautiful and overlooks the marina, the ocean and little houses on stilts.

For our first night we headed, with cassy, steve, julie and lisa, to surin and had dinner on the beach. We then hit patong which is the main tourist town and was filled with iguanas and their owners, lady boys, lap dancing clubs and lots of girls trying to sell anything!

Mel enjoyed her second singapore sling of the holiday in a lap dancing club. The girls were far too skinny and should have worn more clothes however the glasses were cool and shaped like naked ladies - one happened to fall into our bag. Lisa got a fright when a huge iguana came right up to her face. We also saw the laser light show but no ping pong show! Thankfully!

We managed not to leave their beautiful apartment the next day and were treated to a beautifl chicken salad and then bbq seafood for dinner on their roof top dining room. We also had mussels - which mel liked. She is getting very good at new foods!

Today we went around phuket town and mel managed to get skirts that fitted for 3 quid each. We drove past asign that said '''wilkom fokes we spik ingish'which made us chuckle. we decided we couldnt afford to dive the similans and so headed to fantasea for out 3 year anniversary treat.

The 6 of us had a fab time. We got to hold a baby tiger, see elephants, have a go at fair stalls (stu and i lost both times) steve won all three of his dart games! The buffet was great and had chips - luxury!

The show was excellent with glow in the dark acrobats on the ceiling, elephants (one of which did a huge wee on stage), magic tricks, dancing, fighting and - the highlight - chickens running acroos the stage!

Tomorrow Steve takes us island hopping on his (boos') boat,

Love from the country where they dont undertsand your questions and so just give you any answer in english whther it is what you asked or not!

Mel and stu x