We left Bangkok on a 7:45am flight to Phuket. I don't think I've ever had as many early morning hops. Got to Phuket where we were met by our private transfer company. To say this was handy would be an understatement. The bus journey took roughly three hours so we arrived in Ao Nang at midday which wasn't the worst.

We did very little after we arrived and then made our way to the town and then found an Irish bar to watch the Ireland v England six nations rugby. It's amazing how you have so much more of an interest in games when your bit at home. Their losing didn't dampen our spirits and we managed to continue on to a number of other pubs. ;) We struggled through!

The next day we chilled by the pool and then made our way to the beach where we got to see the most amazing sunset. I know at home you wouldn't take the time out to enjoy something like that or even see it but sitting on the beach on your own was brilliant, although it would make you a little homesick. Silly I know!!

Our last day in Ao Nang we decided to book a day excursion which included kayaking through caves and elephant trekking! The elephant trekking had always been on my to-do-list so I was delighted when we decided on this one.

We started the day off with Kayaking. We had a small group of 8 people so we got to kayak under and through some caves. Emer and I were in a kayak together and made a bloody brilliant team. We manoeuvred through the tight streams and didn't once get ourselves stuck or into hedges. Kela and Claire on the other hand were absolutely brutal. The two of them were paddling against each other and just couldn't manage to get into sync.

We'd kayaked for over three hours but it absolutely flew by and I'd really consider doing a bit of kayaking again. This could become a new hobby of mine! We stopped afterwards to have dinner which was absolutely fabulous. Tempura prawn, tofu &veg, chilli chicken, squid& veg and shrimp soup.

Once feeding at the zoo was over we went to where the elephant trekking was. It was a forest area with a stream etc so it looked the part.

We started off with feeding one of the female elephants. Oh boy do they love cucumber and bananas go down pretty well too. The elephants skin feels really rough as if they could do with a good moisturising. They put their trunk around the cucumber and threw it into its mouth or you could put it directly into their mouth which was a little freaky.. The unknown!

Kela and I went on one and Emer and Claire went on the other. Ours was the bull elephant in the group and oh boy was he big. We started off at a nice pace and made our way through the stream. The elephant goes at such a slope all you could do was hold on to the little seat and hope you weren't going to fall off.

We got through the stream safe and sound and continued up the hill when the elephant trainer asked if I wanted to change seats with him and sit on the elephants neck. Of course I jumped at the change sure ill never be doing this again. When you put your feet behind the elephants ears, they feel so soft and really warm.

We were walking along perfectly when all of a sudden two elephants behind us started congregating to have a chat or whatever and of course our fella wanted a bit of the action. He turned round that fast and ran down towards them sure I was absolutely s***ting myself because I didn't know what was happening. The three elephants started roaring and I must say our guide even looked a little worried and kept asking was I ok. I had images of our fella wanting a bit of 'how's your mother' with me going flying either over his head or off his back. I've never seen Kela look as worried because she had a hold of my arm that would stop the blood flowing. I'm looking back at it now, laughing my head off about it but at the time... Jesus!!

After the elephants had their little chat and calmed down we continued on around the track which was pretty much smooth running from then. Our guide man even hopped off at one stage and left me on control of the elephant. The elephants understand the few commands and appear to do what they are told, well for most of the time.

On the way back Kela and I switched places. She got such a shock when the elephant started moving that she swing her arm back and he hand landed on the bar between the guides legs. To say he got a shock was an understatement. His face was hilarious.

We had a fab day and its definitely up there with the National Park tour in Vietnam, where we swam through the dark cave.

We're making our way to Koh Tao tomorrow which will be a long enough day of travelling, so we're going to be good tonight and have some food and into bed early.

We're on the move again!