We were up ridiculously early for our journey to Krabi. We checked out, were collected by the minibus, and in no time at all were at waiting Don Sak Pier. We grabbed some breakfast from 7/11 and after a 40 minute wait got on the 'fast' boat back to the mainland. In reality this boat was only really about 20 minutes faster than the ferry but we got off the other side and were pointed to the right bus.

I needed the loo so went into the building to find it - but I was quickly shooed out by the bus organiser man as the bus was about to leave! Thank goodness that A. I had managed to go to the loo before he turned up and B. the bus didn't leave without me! I ran out and along with Neil who had refused to get onto the bus until I did we hopped on. The funny thing is the bus then drove for about 100 yards and stopped. We were then told we could get off for a break - hilarious!

We started on our way to Krabi Town and I slept most of the way. 2 ½ hours later we stopped at a café type place, a toilet stop we thought, but no this was Krabi Town we were told. We were one of only two couples going into the town as everyone else was on through tickets to Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi or the other way to Phuket. We paid a further charge (luckily not much!) and got a mini bus into the town.

We got into Krabi Town and it was chucking it down so we had a look at the guest house where we had been dropped off. It was lovely but a bit out of our price range so we thanked the landlord and got our packs on again ready for the search. Thankfully the rain had slowed down so we walked on to another hotel. We looked at a fan room, and took it - after Koh Samui it feels like we have been thrown right back in at the deep end but I think it's just what we needed!

After dumping our stuff we went out to investigate Krabi Town. It isn't a tourist town at all, it has lots of guest houses and tour places but it seems to be more of a transit town for people making their way to the islands. We mooched around for a while liking the local feel of the area. We went down to the river front which was beautiful, and we saw the stunning islands jutting out of the water. While here we were approached by a Thai man offering the service of his long tail boat. He was not pushy at all - really just let us look at his information and didn't expect anything.

We went back to the room for a while deciding on which boat tour we wanted to go on and when we wanted to move on. We went to book these things, but were gutted to find out we couldn't do the boat trip we wanted due to low season. We booked a different one instead touring Koh Phi Phi as well as our bus to Penang in Malaysia for the day after. There really isn't much to do here so we decided to move on sooner rather than later.

Happily booked up for the next two days we walked to one of the night markets where I bought some fruit before we went to the other night market for some dinner. We ordered a dish each (and I had my first and only Chang beer!) but while we were waiting for them we noticed the locals getting ready for the rain - we were sat outside! Eeekk! Luckily we were given a big umbrella to sit under but still got wet as we ate our dinner, which was delicious. The downpour was fast and hard but fairly short thankfully. Neil grabbed a pancake as we walked back to the room for a fairly early night ready for our boat trip tomorrow.

We were up bright and early for today's boat trip to the Koh Phi Phi Islands - I was excited! We were collected from the hotel and after the usual other collections, we were dropped off at the Barracuda officer in Ao Nang. Here we were given the statutory coloured sticker to indicate our tour and waited for our entire group to arrive. It was then into a pick-up truck bus to the docking area - the entrance to the national park. Here we were briefed by our tour guide about safety instructions and where we would be going throughout the day. As we stood and listened my feet were being bitten by a million tiny ants - they may be small but the bites really stung and I was glad to get on the boat!

It literarily was a speed boat, and we were crammed in! The ride over to Bamboo Island was manic and my tummy turned more than once as we bounced over the waves! I didn't feel sick like some people did (the guide even gave out plastic bags!) I was simply just scared for my life! We thought about Carly a lot today - Happy Birthday Chick - I knew how much you would hate today on the boat! Hope you had a great day xxx

Bamboo Island is simply stunning, it has the kind of beaches that you dream about and see in films. Soft white sand and turquoise waters were dotted with long tail boats - it was picture perfect. It was busy on the Island as a lot of tours were here, but by walking a short distance along the beach and we had it all to ourselves. We took lots of photos of this bit as we tried to capture how perfect it looked.

We all got back on the boat, Neil and I put our bright pink life jackets back on and we were on the move towards Hin Klang where we could snorkel. Neil got off the boat first being ribbed by me about his lack of grace as he did so. Then it was my turn. I made my way over to the steps, bright pink life vest on and snorkel in hand, and tried to sit down at the edge to lower myself into the sea. As I did so I slipped a little and not used to all the paraphernalia I was carrying I almost fell in. The only thing that stopped me was my bikini bottoms being stuck on the metal steps - I was mooning everyone and to make matters worse I screamed as I fell so everyone was looking! The deck hand had to free me! So after laughing at Neil I managed to moon to the entire boat, slap a fellow tourist as I fell and screamed stupidly loud! That's the last time I make fun of anyone else. I would have been more embarrassed if it hadn't have been so funny!

We snorkelled in this area for about 30 minutes and saw three different types of colourful fish, people were throwing bread into the water which drew the fish in. This was really nice but a little scary when it was right next to you. It was nice for Neil to rediscovering snorkelling and learn that he really enjoyed it.

Back on the boat and another bumpy ride ensued to get us over to one side of Koh Phi Phi Island for some more snorkelling - this time we both managed to get into the ocean with more grace! It was so lovely being in the cool sea with such lovely scenery all around. I did however find it hard to swim in my life jacket that was a bit too big for me.

Back on the boat again we sailed past monkey island where people were feeding the monkeys who lived there, and then onto Koh Phi Phi for lunch. A lovely buffet lunch was provided where we sat and chatted to some other travellers. I didn't eat too much though as I was all too aware of the bumpy speedboat ride ahead.

Back on the boat for the final time we sailed past the Viking cave, Pileh Bay and Chicken Island. We also saw Poda and Tip Islands which have a causeway running between them. It was then another fast, bumpy, and frightening ride back to the docking area. There were a few people looking green around the gills when we got off - luckily Neil and I were ok. One highlight of the trip (which certainly kept my mind off the fear of it all a little) was a little boy of about 18 months old who smiled inanely at the beginning of the ride (as his mum cowered behind him) but then soon got tired of it and started crying.

Back on the pick-up truck bus back to the office where we waited for some more people and then returned to Krabi Town absolutely exhausted! We both showered and then went out for dinner via the shops. We bought a little elephant for our Thailand souvenir, a bangle and a pair of earrings for me and a dry bag for Neil. We went back to the food market area for tea and both had pork dishes as these are supposed to be a speciality in Thailand - both were delicious!

Back in the room, via the shops for an ice-cream, we packed up ready to move onto Malaysia tomorrow.

We were up very early for the mini bus to a new country - Malaysia. We were collected only 10 minutes late which is early by Thai standards, but as usual we were all packed in very tight! More and more people got on, and with the bags taking up two seats there wasn't much space at all. The driver asked Neil to move to the back seat with 3 other people, but me being smaller I moved and sat closely between a local Thai man and a fellow traveller. It was so uncomfortable and I was so cramped it but I was so tired that I fell asleep for a good hour and Thailand flashed by. As soon as one person was dropped off a couple of hours later I moved into their seat and felt like I could breathe again!

We arrived at Hat Yai, a border town, and people were dropped off at different places for where they wanted to go. One couple were dropped off at the bus station as they were heading for Langkawi. A solo female traveller also got off here. I was worried about her. She was aiming for the Perhentian Islands but wanted to travel down the coast of Thailand to get there - southern Thailand has a lot of unrest and it isn't advised to travel there. It was also more worrying because she was very homesick and seemed jaded with travelling so many not be as wary as normal. Fingers crossed she got there ok and is back at home safe and sound in Holland - she was going to the Perhentian Islands for a last 'holiday' before returning home. Another couple were dropped at a bus office in the town as they were heading for Kuala Lumpur and we were last off at another bus office as we were heading for Penang Island.

We sat and waited at the office. I got a little bored and thirsty so went out on my own for a walk to 7/11 for a drink. It felt so weird being out on my own, as Neil is always with me. I couldn't decide if I liked it or not, but I was pleased to see his friendly face when I got back to the office after my wander.

We got on the near empty mini bus when it arrived and headed towards the border crossing watching the last sights of Thailand pass us by.

I have really enjoyed Thailand and would love to come back, but next time not in the rainy season (and I would bring lots more money so I could buy lots and a spare suitcase to take all my new things home in!).

Lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx