So many Thailand tales to tell already! Our flight eventually got called at Sydney airport so we boarded etc. Once we were on the plane and settled I realised that my chair wasn't reclining. I mentioned this to one of the stewards who took a look to fix it but unfortunately they couldn't and the flight was full so I couldn't even move. It wasn't an overnight flight so it wasn't too bad but the free, expensive bottle of champagne they gave me to say sorry certainly helped :-)

So we arrived into Bangkok and it was 29 degrees when our plane landed at 11pm. We headed to our hotel on the Khao San road and by the time we got there were very hot and tired so we just settled ourselves and headed to bed.

The following morning we set out to explore. We walked towards the Grand Palace which isn't too far from Khao San road, but en route got stopped by a lovely old Thai man who told us that the Grand Palace was closed in the morning due to the cremation of someone in the royal family. He worked at the university and was waiting for his wife for lunch, when we walked past. He then helped us plan a route of other attractions (temples and buddas) for the morning and even spoke to a tuk tuk driver for us.

We headed on our merry way off to see the old Rama's (king) home, the big Budda and a few temples, and while on our way reading up about them in the Lonely Planet. Which is when we read the section about not listening to well educated Thai people who say an attraction is closed and so get you to take a tuk tuk ride instead. Oh well, we still saw some good sights in Bangkok and only cost £2!

After our possible dodgy sightseeing tour we headed back to the Grand Palace and then to our hotel for a rest. The heat was exhausting. That evening we decided to do a river cruise for dinner so after cracking open the fizz from the plane, we headed to the pier to pick up our boat. It travelled down the river to the Rama VIII bridge and back, passing the Palace and other temples all lit up along the river. We also had a cabaret singer during dinner. A good way to see a different part of the city.

After the cruise we headed back to our hotel, doing a bit of shopping on Khao San road along the way. That road is the main backpacker area but also an amazing night Market with every kind of stall you can imagine. Authenticity of some of it is questionable, certainly if it isn't Thai made but you can get some good bargains and is fascinating to see. We then headed to bed.

Wednesday, and it was back to the airport to fly down to koh Samui. Bangkok airport is only a few years old and is massive, a stark contrast to Samui airport which is open air and looks more like a botanical garden! A very nice welcome. We hadn't booked accommodation so after sorting that we headed in the taxi to Chaweng beach, the main (and prettier) beach on Samui.

Our hotel was fantastic. Right on the beach front, about half way along, so near the shops and bars, but not too close. It also had its own setup for Thai massage right on the sand. We walked along the beach exploring a little and then back along the streets and more shops to tempt us. I have a feeling Nicci's bag will be pretty full on the way home! It was then time for a massage....amazing! Such a good feeling afterwards and about £5 for an hour! You can't get that at home!

On our exploration we had seen posters for a beach party so we decided to have dinner and then check it out. Dinner was sat right on the sand, just near the water, at one of the different restaurant/hotels. Nicci had a fantastic thai red curry and it was such a great setting. We then headed to the beach party at one of the bars. Another really good evening including us both getting to cuddle an iguana!

Thursday and we were moving on again. This time to koh Tao and on a ferry (high speed catamaran). Feeling a little tender from the night before, fortunately the crossing was very smooth and we got to our accommodation just after lunch. Another last minute but great pick and also right on the beach with a restaurant etc we had a bungalow looking out over the pool. The entrance to the hotel was a set of stepping stones taking you under a waterfall! So cool.

That afternoon we just chilled a bit and wandered up the main road and along the beach. Dinner was by the beach (not on it this time) and then after the night before we were grateful for a quiet evening so called it a night.

Friday we were up early-ish for a days snorkelling. We went all the way around the island, snorkelling at five different sites and saw some great fish and coral. Unfortunately we didn't get to see the reef sharks that are sometimes around the island but hopefully some of the pictures I took will come out of the fish.

We got back from snorkelling, had a quick turn around and went to join the koh tao pub crawl. We went to five different bars, starting with one in the mountains to see the sunset. We then headed to a bar near the dock for dinner and then to a cabaret bar where we had our very own Lady Boy show. I must admit, I was very impressed with how convincing they were!! Look out for the photos!

The fourth bar was for some live music and then we finished up with another beach party at a bar (conveniently) close to where we were staying. This included a fire show down on the sand and then scaringly, fire skipping and fire limbo for anyone who wanted a go!

It was a really good night and chance to meet some new people including some girls who had just done one of the tours I am heading on soon, and someone else who has just finished volunteering in Nepal. If you are heading to Koh Tao check out the pub crawls on Mondays and Fridays at Choppers bar, 5pm.

The snorkelling had taken it's toll on Friday so most of yesterday was spent doing very little and nursing the sunburn we had unfortunately acquired. It was a more overcast day anyway and we even had some rain so not sitting on the beach wasn't a problem. We did pick up our washing (great laundry service in Thailand), and look in a few shops, trying to resist souvenir buying until the last possible moment before Nicci leaves. We headed to a different restaurant for dinner and then watched a film before heading to bed.

Today is a travelling day again. We got the ferry this morning over to koh phangen so are now on a different beach trying to keep cool in the very hot weather. Just a few nights left now until Nicci leaves and my next chapter starts. It now feels like it has gone quickly but has been amazing so far :-)