Ko Phi Phi

We arrived on Ko Phi Phi on Sunday. It's fab here, found nice rooms over a restaurant and we have our own terrace and view of the Irish bar opposite! Lively town with lots of shops, glad we're staying 6 nights. So much to see and do, we rented a longtail boat for the day and visited the other island. Swam in the lagoon, sunbathed on the beach where 'The Beach' was filmed... it was beautiful. Don't want to leave here!

Ko Lanta

Ko Lanta was lovely and chilled out. We stayed at Diamond Sands right next to the beach. Spent 5 nights here, sunbathing, having dinner, playing cards & relaxing... bliss! Also got to play with some cute kittens & puppies, can we take them home please?! Kim has a name picked out for her pup already!

Krabi

We stayed in Krabi town for 2 nights. Not much doing here so moved on to Ko Lanta. Did visit the night market for dinner which was fun, and cheap too - we like!

Ko Samui

We spent 5 nights on Ko Samui. It's a lot bigger and busier than Ko Tao. Our accommodation was just outside Lamai next to a lovely quiet beach. Spent most days sunbathing, reading and chilling out. We went to Chawen for entertainment! Had a few nights there, it's popular resort and the nightlife centres around the Green Mango - lots of bars together in one area. Crazy.

Koh Tao

Our first island stop is Koh Tao. We got here by overnight bus then catamaran. We arrived the day before Songkran, the Thai New Year. It's a water festival so we got soaked by water fights! The heavens opened too, they must have been praying for rain! Koh Tao is lovely, staying at the Buddha View Diver Resort. Kim & Laura are doing their PADI diving certificate while Helen and I soak up the sun and play bat & ball in the sea. We went to Sairee Beach yesterday and today caught the boat to Nangyuna which is 3 islands joined together by beaches. It was perfect there! Spent the day swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling. Saw some cool fish in the sea, all different colours.

Bridge over the River Kwai & Tiger Temple

We took a day trip to a floating market in the morning, it was fab, went round browsing the stalls by longboat. Resisted buying anything as we still have a bit of travelling to do in Thailand. After the market we went to the Bridge over the River Kwai. Went round the war museum which tells you the history of the bridge then walked over it. Was pretty warm that day and we were all feeling the heat! We were looking forward to the air conditioned comfort of the bus when we were told the bus needed repairs and we had to go to the next stop by tuk tuk! This was an experience! All 11 of us piled in the back of this 4x4 and sped off to the Tiger Temple.

We loved getting close to the big cats at the Tiger Temple. Laura and I had to buy T-shirt to cover up our bright tops, the tigers don't like warm bright colours! They were lovely and we got to pat them. Vegetarian tigers too, or that's what they told us...

(notice how all the staff have bright yellow t-shirts on!)

Bangkok

We arrived in Bangkok on Saturday, on Sunday visited the Chatuchak weekend market. Loads of bargains to be had, as you can imagine I enjoyed! It's so humid here but we're getting used to it now. Had a brill time in the city, rode in a tuk tuk, saw the Reclining Buddha. Celebrated Helen's birthday in style by going to Bed Supperclub. Cool place with great music.

Bye Bye Oz

Yesterday we went to the Pylon Lookout on the Harbour Bridge. Great views and good exercise with the stairs! Last night Kim, Laura & I went to see the Sydney Symphonic Choir perform at the Opera House. They were fantastic! Helen had other things on her mind, she was on the phone home to her family after finding out she had become an aunty! Congratulations Joy & John on the birth of your beautiful baby boy, and congratulations Aunty Helen and the new grandparents Val & Norman! Sending our love to you all.

We have 1 last day in Oz before we head off to pastures new. Had an absolute ball here, looking forward to the next part of our trip in Asia.

Last 2 weeks in Oz

It's been great having Clare out for a holiday. We've did loads over the last few weeks, saw a Bob Marley Tribute band at the Van Guard in Newtown, sunbathed, ate, had drinks at Darling Harbour, ate some more, had drinks at the Opera House bar, played Pokies, ate.. generally had fun and acted like we were on holiday too! We miss you Clare! When are you joining us again?

Bondi & Coogee beaches

We sunbathed on Bondi beach last weekend, it is fab! There were tunes on and the sun came out to play. On Monday we were back at Bondi to catch some rays. After a Tsunami warning from the lifeguard ("if the water goes out, start running!" - we were all fine! They just had to issue a warning on all of Sydney's beaches after there was an earthquake in the Solomon Islands) we did the 2 hour coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee. Really enjoyed the views and the exercise! Had dinner in Coogee as a reward. An eventful day!

Manly & Palm Beach

After spending a night in the city after our trip to Uluru, Hels and I caught the ferry to Manly to meet up with the girls. We stayed in Manly Guest House with friendly night manager Jim providing banter! We made a trip to Palm Beach, where they film Home & Away! Saw the surf club with Alf Stewart's name on the sign and even saw some flaming gallahs! (they're pink parrot-like birds on were on the beach next to the Surf Club!). Took lots of pics then played cards on the beach. Afterwards we went for a drink in a restaurant next to the harbour. We had dinner on the way home at the Newport Arms, a lovely pub overlooking another harbour. Had a great time!