A Month in Thailand - Koh Samui

I realised I have been in Thailand a month as I had to go on a 4am visa run to Malaysia. Very unpleasant but Ill get to that later.... I arrived in Bangkok on a flight from Hanoi, stayed the night and then caught an overnight train to Surat Thani. I should have known this was going to be a problematic trip when I saw a guy under the train pick up a stone and start bashing the train. Awful trip... the train stopped an hour into the journey and we sat there for 3.5 hours, no air conditioning.... finally just when I had given up hope of moving anywhere that night the train started again, but only went for about 20 min before stopping again, luckily it was a quick stop and we were on our way again half an hour later. Unfortunately all that stopping meant we were 4 hours late for teh connecting boat to Koh Samui... This didnt stop the bus picking us up and taking us to where their boat should leave from, it just meant that they asked for more money to take us to another pier where we had to buy another ticket for another boat going to Koh Samui.... love being fleeced! They did exchange our tickets to Koh Samui for the return journey, however I said I wasnt going back so managed after a lengthy discussion to get them to pay for my ticket on the other boat. Basically everyone else just lost their money.

At the second Pier I had a few beers with an Australia/English couple I met - She was originally from Young - where my father lives! On the boat we had a few more beers. We arrived in Koh Samui and got a taxi to Dennis' work. He was a little busy so sat us beside a fridge full of beer.... The other guys finally headed to the Jungle Club - where they were planning on staying a night before heading over to Koh Phangan. Dennis drove me up there later while he continued to work. We had a few drinks, I had a swim, I cut open my big toe - lots of blood everywhere - and thought I had lost my passport.... thankfully Dennis arrived to rescue me and took me to dinner! I spent 4 days on Koh Samui, drinking, dancing, swimming, meeting heaps of people and occasionally eating some really wonderful food. However, on Monday when everyone was going to work I decided to head over to Koh Phangan, to head to Had Yao and see my boys!

Been celebrating!

Thesis was passed so I have been living it up! I might get around to updating my adventures soon, but Ive been enjoying myself too much lately! Here are a few photos from the Ang Thong national park - where we had our picnic the other day. Absolutely stunning!

Warm Salty Beer....

Dennis kindly had the speed boat pick me up from Koh Pha Ngan at 9 am yesterday on the way to the National Marine Park near Samui. The water was a little rough so the ride was exciting for those of us who didnt suffer the ills of sick-sickness, the poor Thai boys!! We immediately cracked a few beers, however drinking them was a little difficult, so the beer was generally warm by the end of the can and the spray gave them a salty character. We headed to a deserted beach, passing a few seals swimming along the way. On the beach we had a wonderful lunch, although no one was very hungry for some strange reason, a few more beers and some champagne. I spent much time floating in the water, resting beers on my stomach while I paddled around. Some of the boys went snorkeling, but the water wasnt all that clear thanks to the rough conditions. We then headed to another beach where I lost my sunglasses while going for a swim and proceeded to cut up my hands and feet and bruise my legs trying to find them.... I should take a photograph! We the headed back to Samui minus my sunglasses, showered and headed up to the Jungle Club. The Jungle Club is as the name suggests a bar in the middle of the jungle, on top of a mountain with wonderful views of Chaweng Beach. We had a couple of drinks, a little food and I of course swam in the pool they have there. We left when they shut the bar and Luke promised to try not to hurt me as we drove away - very kind of him! All is all a wonderful day! IT IS A HARD LIFE!