The longest bus journeys of our lives... we travelled overnight from Luang Prabang back to Vientiane (12hrs), where we jumped in a tuk tuk straight to the bus station. The Thai-Laos international bus to cross just over the border (1.5hrs) left half an hour later, and following an easy crossing, except being a bit ripped off when changing our left over Kip (although since there worthless outside Laos we weren't too upset). This bus pulled into another station, and then they pulled our bags out, asked if we were going to Bangkok, and rushed us onto another waiting bus- which after leaving we realised was another 12 hours!! Oh well, we survived and arrived in Bangkok on the eve of the king's birthday celebrations which meant lots of fireworks!

On arrival Bangkok is massive, much bigger than any of the other cities we've been to, probably since China. It reminded us of arriving in London- bustle everywhere. We managed to find a room just off Koh San road- which was full of its night market, bars, people and lady boys!! Will was very excited to see a burger king right near our guesthouse, which obviously we had to visit (very cultural!!) We spent the weekend in Bangkok- only in the area of Koh San road, as we knew we're back there for Christmas- lots of shopping had to be done, Will found even more tunes (which was a long 2 hours for me)- except sneaking off to the nearby stalls!! We were happy not to be hassled by tuk tuk drivers as much as we'd expected- I think Cambodia really prepared us for this! We also enjoyed eating at the street food stalls, avoiding restaurants at all when poss- there's so much variety and most of its yummy!!!

On monday morning we took a taxi to the bus station, and a bus to Trat (the town where you can get to Koh Chang)- we decided to stay the night- which in hindsight was a mistake- there wasnt much to do, and we ended up going to bed ridiculously early as we were too excited about seeing the sea!! We took a very slow ferry to cross to Koh Chang, an island close to the border of Cambodia. So far our time here has been very relaxing and lazy! The sea is so clear and the sand white! We took a booze cruise (yes very european holiday style) but was controlled boozing, so we had time to get to know people, snorkel and have a good lunch before the beer and sang son came out! Lovely people, enjoyed a private beach with water that looked as clear as a swimming pool. We arrived back at Lonely beach (where we're staying) just at sunset which was gorgeous, and decided to swim back from the main boat, rather than get in the little one- was lovely swimming in the dark, but did realise when we got back that the tide had been so far out that we could have just walked all the way!! oops!!

We've spent the last couple of days chilling, often with people from our cruise, and then on Friday eve was full moon. Went to a beach party- Koh Chang style- much smaller than Koh Phangan i should imagine (and hope!!) and less of our type of music, but great fire shows, which have made me get the pois out to try and teach myself new tricks!!

Anyway, if we don't update again before, have a very merry Christmas!! Lots of love to all xxx

p.s sorry new pics are rubbish quality- but it took ten minutes instead of hours!!!