Where do I start.

We had a lovely stay on Koh Samui and also visted Koh Phangan a few times - another island. We just had a relazing time mainly after lots of travelling and being busy. We havent felt rushed or like we have missed out on anything just been busy busy. We hire a jeep and drove around Koh samui to lots of lovely beaches. We went to Koh Phangan to celebrate Songkron - the name for the thai new year. Its known more now as the water fetsival because everyone soaks everyone with water. All the thai people were out on the streets, old, young everybody dancing and throwing buckets of water, water pistols etc at everyone and putting talcum powder with water paint on your face - its meant to ward off eveil spirts. There was a big parade through the street, even the pensioners were joining in. Its funny to see thai poeple going so crazy as normally they are so nice, calm and polite! We got in the back of a pick up with a thai family, they had a big vat of water with ice blocks in and when we drove down the street we chucked water at everyone - they had a shock as it was so cold. It was SOO much fun.

As everyone may already be aware I burnt my foot on some fire when at the full moon party on koh phangan. As it happened at night i couldnt do much about it and so it got sand all in it. The next day I had to clean it up - very painful.

We moved on to Koh Phi Phi - the island where the beach was filmed, really beautiful there. We went snorkelling and Lily and Ben went diving - they saw two sharks when they were down there. Scary but amazing!
I couldnt go because of my foot. I thought my foot was ok and was cleaning it and dressing it every day. After a few days in phi phi it was really hurting and swollen so I though I would just get it checked at the hospital and it had gotten really infected. They had to scrape the open wound with a metal thing to get the infection out. It was agony. They gave me two anesthetic injections to help but still unpleasant. Lily the nurse to be nearly passed out at the sight of it and because i was crying and in so much pain! I had to go back the following day for the same procedure and the next for a new dressing and a dose of iodine! They had given me crutches to use but only managed one day as they were the old style wooden ones that go under your armpits and they gave me a blister on each hand and rubbed under my armpits!

We then travelled to penang in malaysia. Here i went to the hospital to have my foot checked as because it had swollen up so much again the doctor insisted I had to stay in over night to get antibiotics through a drip. I had to pushed everywhere in a wheelchair and spent that afternoon, the night and the next day til 3 in hospital. The nurses were really lovely and my foot looked and felt a lot better the next day. I have some strong antibiotics and its slowly getting better, I just have to walk slowly everywhere!

We have been to the cameron highland (in the picture) since then to see the tea plantations, very beautiful place - thanks Tamsin for suggesting it to us. We loved it. We are now in Kuala Lumpur - spending a few days here before heading to Singapore for our flight to Australia. We are going to watch the royal wedding with some other people we have met. Perhaps get a cup of tea and act all english!

We are all sad to be leaving Asia and its strange ways - Its just been amazing here and we dont want it to end. Oh well I am sure we will love Oz even if its going to be pricey.

Lots of love,

Em, lily and ben