Ahh, the tropics with a beach

Well we survived the first train back to bangkok (even though it was 2nd class) and spent the day at the cinema...well it was airconditioned and a great way to kill a lot of time. The certainly know how to do the movies in Bangkok - great seats, cinemas and sound, and the best bit (and I am tipping this for the next big thing) cheese flavoured popcorn - mmm. James and Simon, you might want to pack your stuff and move there now ;)

It was then back on the train for anthoher overnighter, finishing at 4.30am and then killing time until our 7am ferry. The ferry trip was lovely - surprising with Josie and her track record on water !! So we arrive on stunning Kao Tao pretty much jetlagged - and damn it is hot here too ! We were hoping it would be a little cooler. This place is pretty much set up exclusively for tourists and it shows - it lacks some of the authentic thai feel, prices are a little steeper and there are hoards of westerners... as we have arrived 2 days before Songkran (the Thai New Year) that means 3 days of waterfights and partying - except for most of the locals who had to keep working to look after all of us :(

We went crazy and hired another moped - well it was at Josie's urging. Me shitting big bricks again, especially as Koh Tao ahs the highest death rate through driving accidents in Thailand. But seeing as the bike was automatic, and much of the road was paved (between the potholes) we survived in tact...I am not sure but I might even look comfortable on these things now, comfortable and dorky of course - it is a scooter!

All of the bays on this island are lovely, we didn't manage to get around to all of them, but covered more than half. They all have some reef, some of which is actually very nice and with plenty of fish. The water is crystal clear and goes that lovely green colour in the shallow water.

I started my Padi course the next days - I won't bore you with the details, but I wasn't sure how much of a kick I would get out of it - hvaing grown up with snorkeling, reef, water and fish etc... but it was very different being under there and floating about weightless. Very zen... While I was studying away, Josie had established herself on the beach in some style... commandeering some deck chairs, befriending the local dogs and also the passing sales people (curses) ! She immediately got to work on her book and her tan....and I can tell you now, Josie is BROWN ! No bollocks - from a distance, I barely recognise her. But wait, there is more...

We both bought masks and snorkels....and now Josie can not only swim about on the top, she can dive, clear her snorkel and even swim out over 15m deep water. But wait...there is still more ! Yes, Josie is now a swimmer... I have given her the basics on freestyle and she has been doing laps up the beach !! You are probably thinking the same thing I was at this point, Where is the REAL Josie ? I contemplated getting DNA and fingerprinting done - but it seems our little pale Irish flower has become a full on water baby !!

The next day, we hired a sea kayak - and through a little bit of deception on my part, we paddled about 1/3 of the way around the island. Stopping at mango bay for a lovely lunch and the best snorkeling to date, even seeing a baby shark ! We then paddled across to another island off the way for some more swimming, and stopped for a nice milkshake in the heat - before heading back. It was bloody hard work in the end, 2 days later we are still sore from the effort - but it was just the two of us and a great way to see the island.

Our remaining days are spent at a fairly chilled routine...breakfast on the beach, back for a swim, a bit of a read, watch the dogs chasing fish, get a lemon ice tea, head somewhere for a lunch, and then repeat...we then watch the sun set over the water in spectacular fashion, head up for a shower, and then out to dinner (yep, on the beach) watching the fire jugglers, or a movie on a big screen and looking at the stars. Oh yeah - we are doing it tough !!

But now its time for another change - we are heading down to Trang. Supposed to be beautiful, but less touristy, we will let you know...