Koh Samui - Koh Tao

Having missed the last ferry of the day to Koh tao we decided to stay in Koh Samui for the night and get the first boat in the morning. We asked the taxi driver from the airport to drop us at some cheap accomodation. We quickly realised that Thailand was expensive, well compared to Laos and Vietnam anyway, I suppose 5 to 7 euro a night for a room each a night can't really be classified as expensive compared to back home! Anyway he dropped us at 'Sandy Resort' which was very fancy , in Bophut, near the ferry and we couldn't really believe this was what he classified as cheap. An hour later we were settled in our fan bungalow having moved from the one with ghcko poo on the bed sheets and on our way to the pool adjoining the beach - what we like to call a 'flashpacker' type of accomodation!! We decided to get straight into island life and ordered a Pimms, sat by the pool and played 'Jackpot'.The final holiday of the holiday had truly begun!! Or as we've heard some people say 'We're on holiday from travelling'!!

Next morning we joined the hoards of day trippers off to Koh tao to go snorkelling and the island just beside it which had some amazing coral reeefs. Koh Tao is famed for its diving and snorkelling and has some amazing bays but really only one sandy beach. We had arranged to meet Ben at his accomodation on Sairee Beach and a short taxi drive later (the back of a yute) we arrived to find there was no bungalows left here.However next door had the exact same set up for 100baht more. Bartereing was a no go but for a bungalow with a western toilet 50 m from the beach for just over 10 euro who's complaining! We spent our first evening sipping a very watered down bucket of cocktail on cushions on the beach while watching the local guys do their thing with fire sticks and poys. When we started to get gasoline on us we decided it was time to go! We have spent the last couple days on the water enjoying the best of Koh Tao. Ben and myself rented stand up paddle boards ( if you haven't heard of these they're like a giant surfboard that you stand up on and paddle like a gondalier). Took a little time to gain my balance and once we'd reached deep enough water not to worry about hitting the coral if we fell off. We got the hang of it and paddled our way around the bay towards the next island. Passsed some beautiful exclusive cabins up on the hill, pure honeymoon spots and Ben even spotted a shark. About 50 m from the shore on the way back Ben decided to make it Extreme Paddle boarding and while trying to manoeuver around an incoming long tail boat managed to fall through the perspex panel at the front of his board used for reef observation. Woops! Some perspex removal and a bandage later and he was good to go , but unfortunately 500 baht down as seemingly this perspex was the original from Hawaii - how true that is we're not sure!

Next day we rented kayaks and the three of us headed to Ngan yuan , which takes about half an hour to kayak to. It was really beautiful, has an amazing view point after a hot climb up through the trees and rocks and some really great snorkelling. We hung out on the isalnd for a few hours and then paddled back home. That night there was a huge storm, got completely soaked running to the restaurant so much so that I could wring my underwear out. Today weather not great , still warm but overcast from storm and a bit windy and showery. Locals seem to think there's more to come! Spent the first half of the day doing a one day thai massage course which I'm sure Adam will be happy about as I will need someone to practice on. Jo very kindly came as my model and endured 2 hours of Thai massage! Then it was my turn to have it one on me to see what it should feel like and then I had to do it one more time on the instructor. It was funny seeing people's faces as they walked by and saw a western girl giving a Thai woman a massage! I'm sure they were wondering what was going on! Anyway it was a lot to take in but enjoyable and look forward to practising my skills on loved ones only though!Think it will be a while before I'm ready for anyone who would be paying to have a massage!