We landed in the UK on 3 January 2013 after a night flight from Bangkok . We had left the UK on 25 August whilst it was still warm, green and pleasant. Since then, it has felt like we have more or less followed the sun around the world. We of course expected to arrive back in the middle of winter, nevertheless, it still felt surprising somehow to see the bare trees, mist, cloud and the shortened days. However, we can now enjoy the novelty of a European winter and...

Having finally acclimatised to hot weather, we felt ready for the sauna of Bangkok. Typically though, the temperature and humidity had now dropped to comfortable levels. Our first visit in the morning of our last day was to the tailor to sort out our suits. We then headed on to Khao San market. Resisting the temptation to eat scorpions on a stick for lunch we indulged in some much needed last minute shopping (retail therapy). This used up the remaining hours of ...

On our island search we were looking to spend the last remaining days (where did those 4 months go?) of our trip somewhere quiet, away from the tourist bustle. This being Thailand though you might think this perhaps a ridiculous idea, especially also as our coffers were greatly depleted and so didn't afford an exclusive stay somewhere. After extensive Travelfish and Wikitravel consultations we decided on Koh Kood. Sun, sea and not too many tourists yet. Koh Kood ...

Trat, oh Trat. How I love thee. Let me count the ways. Er...let me come back to you. We arrived in Trat from Chanthaburi. Trat is a common stepping stone for those heading to the eastern part of the Gulf of Thailand or to Cambodia. Trat was to be our departure point for Koh Kood. We had but one night in Trat and during our short time there we saw a night market on the peculiarly named 'Food Safety Street'. Therein we found fried duck heads, chicken legs and who...

We had pre-booked accommodation in Chao Lao Beach but didn't realise that it actually lay quite a way out of Chanthaburi. The resort itself was lovely, little bungalows directly on the bay, very much off the banana pancake trail as hardly any English was spoken. This was confirmed by menu's offering of 'Cellophane noodles barked in crap' and 'Steamed crap'... Just one night here before we headed on to Trat. *Steph