After a brief return to Bangkok, we caught a night train to Chumphon. The city lies about 15kms from the coast and is the main port for getting to the diving Mecca of Koh Tao.

As we hailed a tuk tuk to the hotel, everyone else that disembarked waited at the station for the transfer to Koh Tao. It seemed that Chumphon wasn't a tourist destination in itself. But we had a couple of days to explore before heading to the island.

Chumphon has some amazingly beautiful beaches of its own and just off the coast lay postcard perfect islets. The sea was clear, the sun was hot and all seemed good with the world.

Sand flies are a pain in the butt, both figuratively and literally. We got absolutely ravaged by the blighters. The first we were aware of them was when we saw balls of blood pooling at various parts of our bodies and of course by then it was too late. My insect repellent is Jan, if she's around, I don't usually get too badly bitten. We counted 3 bites on me and 36 on Jan, 1-0 to me.