It's been weeks and weeks since I wrote a blog, in fact I had half given up on the idea but something inside kept nagging away telling me I'd regret not keeping some kind of journal, so as usual, I've given in to my conscience and have decided to try again!!

On 11th January 2011 I left Koh Phi Phi, travelling alone to Phuket. My plan was to stay in Phuket Town for 3 days and make a couple of trips to various beach areas, including the most famous, Patong Beach. I was told when booking my boat ticket in Phi Phi that Phuket Town was a 10 minute walk from the pier. So after being harassed by several taxi drivers when getting off the boat and successfully "fending them off" I was surprised when I had been walking for 20 minutes, with my 25 kilo backpack, in 32 degree heat, and I was still in the middle of nowhere!! Luckily I spotted to white girls in a little café who advised me that it was a "very long way, much too far to walk!!" Right ok, so now I need a taxi driver and there are none!! Finally I get on the back of a little moped, my backpack balanced dangerously in the foot well and me wearing a little yellow helmet that resembles a Bob The Builder hard-hat (sexy!!) and set off for Phuket Town. 15 minutes later I'm there and the driver has dropped me outside a hotel he calls "cheap-cheap" - I can't imagine why he would think I wanted "cheap-cheap" Possibly something to do with my un-brushed hair, make-up less face and non matching outfit - Standard Backpacker attire!!

So it turns out that the hotel I'm staying in, called "On On" is the hotel from the opening scene of the film "The Beach" - 2 days ago I visited the island from the film, now I'm staying in the hotel. I probably should make a point of watching that film!! Anyway, the room was pretty rank with the usual "budget" aromas and rock solid bed and, as usual, I did my best to ignore the brown, greasy looking pillow sticking out of the side of the grubby pillowcase!! In spite of these "annoyances" I had a wonderful night's sleep!! Probably wouldn't have been so comfortable had I known that in the morning I would wake to find a clearly visible bed-bug taking a stroll on my pillow and spots of blood on the bed where the little so-and-so and been feasting on me - To be precise, on my bum!!

So now I'm in a different hostel (see above for reasons!). It's more expensive than the last place but more "Backpacker Friendly" I've decided to move tomorrow as there is very little to do in Phuket Town. In my opinion (and it's only my opinion!) the place stinks!! It's made up of a few main streets lined with numerous banks and 7-11 stores and loads of little side streets with stalls selling weird-looking food, 80's style clothes and souvenirs - That's it!! So tomorrow it's onto tourist central - Patong Beach! A couple of nights there and then it's Muay Thai Boxing Training Camp for me - Can't wait!!

PS - I am having camera "issues" at the moment but fully intent to upload photo's ASAP!