After a long ferry ride we found ourselves in Koh Lanta in torrential rain. We decided to stay in the 'town' area of the island. You would think that the town would have plenty of places to stay right? Well we walked up and down the 2 streets of this so called town trying to find somewhere for a good hour with our huge backpacks on and in this years supply of rain falling on our heads. Eventually we came across a wooden hut jutting out into the pier, we would not have known that this was a guesthouse if someone wasnt outside asking us if we needed somewhere to stay. The only reason we wanted to stay in the town was to get supplys of medicine, and use the internet and phone as we had been on a near deserted island for 5 days.

The following day we headed for the beaches, Long beach (not from Koh Phi Phi) is the main one with all the bungelows on and is ment to be the nicest. Well if thats the nicest I wouldnt have wanted to see the others. It might not have been that bad, it might be because we came from a paradise island, or that the sand was wet through with all the rain from the previous day.

After walking along the beach about 2km with our rucksacks and after trying various bungelows we came across a resort, it looked expensive but we were tired and fed up and hot so we thought we could stretch to 800 for a night. The place had a lovely restaurant on the beach front, swimming pool and a tour agency within the complex. We thought we were splashing out a bit and why did we come in here as it'l be way above budget, but no... we were told they hd bungelows for 400baht! After taking a look we were so pleased. We were taken through to the back where all these huts were gathered in a little semi-circle, like our own little community. Inside was a bathroom and bed and dresser with a what to do in a tsunami manual inside. There was a mosquitoe net over the bed which we weren't too sure about as we have never been under one before, but it was quite cosy and not at all claustrophic.

The only reason coming to Koh Lanta was to go to Koh rok, which is an island 20km off the coast. It is ment to be great for snorkelling and a beatiful island. We booked a tour for the following day by speedboat which was quite expensive but the only way to do it. In the morning at 7 oclock it was raining, and at 7 in the morning lying in bed, the last thing you want to do is go on a snorkelling trip in the rain. Anyways after a bit of thought, Richard went to reception to see if we could change it for the next day. No problem, we spent the day round the pool. The next day we got up excited about the trip. Waited on the beach for a pick up at 8:30 and when 9 o'clock came round we were getting slightly worried. Theres no chance we could have missed it as we had been there since 8. Richard went to reception again, while i waited on the beach incase it came.

On return Richard didnt look at all happy. Apparently they cancelled the trip becase of bad weather. Looking up all you could see was a blue sky! bad weather??? They didnt think to come to our room to let us know, or if we wern't there surely it doesnt take a scientist to figure out we could be on the beach waiting for the boat. WE had booked and paid for another night, so we were so annoyed. We just wanted to move on, we went to reception and claimed our money back for the trip and pleaded to let us have our money back for that night as we would pack up and go now. After a little comfusion, they finally understood what we ment and gave us our money back. Finally we could get off this island.

We got a taxi bike to the pier where we could catch our ferry to Ao Nang.