I'm back from my visa run! Actually, I didn't make it to Laos because being the dizzy b***** that I am I managed to get on the wrong minibus and ended up in Burma rather than Bangkok. But at least I extended my visa for 14 more days and have rebooked the trip to Laos on the 22nd April, what a dope. (Just to add here that my friends at the dive school thought this was the funniest thing ever to happen and I have had it ripped out of me all week...if they only kne...

So the pork noodle soup was a bad idea, as once again I was struck with food poisoning :( Before I realised the extent of my sickness I completed my rescue training and day of hell on the dive boat. This mainly consisted of French guys jumping off the boat and pretending to drown and me struggling to tow them back to the ladder while pretending to give rescue breaths! It was really difficult and I was starting to think it was a bit too much for me, especially wh...

Me again! After learning the first aid basics in the classroom all day yesterday, today was spent back in the water putting it all into practice. The dive school has a pool which was good and the 'victims' were all fellow diver masters so I had quite an audience! Pleased to say all went well and I managed all of the scenarios from panicking divers at the bottom of the pool to unconscious divers floating face down. It was scary and exciting and I loved every minut...

After a brilliant couple of weeks together Beki left Ko Tao this morning to go back to Hawaii via Bangkok. We have had the kind of blast you can only have with a friend of 20 years. Snorkelling, sun bathing, eating, laughing and the occasional cocktail has been the perfect way to start my new adventure. I always thought travelling alone was my favourite (apart from you Kate!) but I've changed my mind now and sharing the numerous sunsets and funny things that hap...

Sorry for the radio silence folks. On the morning I arrived in Bangkok I received news that my uncle had passed away. It has been a shock to all of the family and was very unexpected. Being away from home is difficult at times like this, but I am taking comfort from the strong and close family I have back in Manchester. A few words about Uncle Kev; He loved to travel and always had one trip or another in the pipeline, Australia, USA, and most recently New Zealan...