Cambodia

Cambodia rocks! Been here for the past 5 days and it's been great. Wasn't expecting it to be so touristy though. And it's certainly not cheap, compared to Vietnam or Thailand. Had expected Cambodia to be cheap and super dodgy, but noo. The fact that USD is the main currency doesn't help either.

Arrived in Phnom Penh by boat after spending one night in Chau Doc. It was a 4 hour ride with only 1 toilet stop, at the Cambodian border about an hour from where we left. Wasn't too bad at all though. Phnom Penh was, as I said, a lot more touristy and westernised than I had expected. It's even more westernised than Vietnam. And I must say that I felt safer crossing the road here than I was in Vietnam. At least there aren't as many motorbikes here.

The first day we were there we had lunch at a place called The Green Vespa, owned by an Irish guy. The food was pretty good and it was SO good to eat chicken again! Avril and I walked to the bookshop and around the Grand Palace afterwards. We were gonna go in but it was closed.

On the second day, we went to the S21 prison and the Killing Fields. I didn't know much about Cambodian history but man, what a sad country. The excursion was even more disturbing than when I visited Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria. It was absolutely inhuman what they did to the people here. And I hadn't expected the Khmer Rouge soldiers to be so young (between 10-20 years old)! It was definitely a very, umm, sobering experience. The worse thing is that a lot of them are still in power today. I don't know how the people here can accept it, but yet that's how things are in this country.

I had THE BEST dinner that night, at this restaurant called "Friends". It's a non-profit restaurant supporting the Cambodian youth and the food was absolutely beautiful. They did a lovely Raspberry and Vanilla shake as well.

Anyways, Siam Reap, where we are at the moment, is a lot more cheerful than Phnom Penh. We had an early start 2 days in a row. We had to leave the hotel in Phnom Penh at 5.30AM to catch the early flight to here, and yesterday we left at 5 to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat.

It's been awesome though. All the temples and ruins are amazing. Can't believe how many temples there are in this area! I found that Ta Phrom (the "Angelina Jolie" temple made famous in Tomb Raider) was particularly impressive, with the trees growing out of the temple.

Angkor Wat is massive. It was worth waking up early for, although I must admit that the sunrise was less dramatic than what I (and most others) had expected. Still, it's something you have to do while you're here!

There are a lot of kids here who always hound you and harass you to buy souvenirs wherever you go, and yesterday as we were walking to the restaurant from Angkor Wat, this little girl siad to Sue to "tell your daughter to buy postcards"- and she was referring to ME as her daughter! Because well, OBVIOUSLY we look alike. *rolls eyes*

Anyway, we went to the land mine museum afterwards (another sad place!), and went for a boat tour in the arvo which was pretty cool as well.

We had a pretty big night out last night. Went to a restaurant called "The Red Piano", followed by drinks at "Angkor What?". They served drinks in buckets and I only had few sips here and there, but still it was a good night. Some of the cocktails didn't even taste like alcohol. I suspect it was almost pure fruit juice.

I left at around 12.30ish (I think!) with Elise and Glen, and the others apparently followed only 5 minutes after because they were shutting the place.

Today has been a very easy day. I slept in until around 10.15 and caught a Tuk Tuk - I've become fond of the public transport, btw! - with Lesley and Avril to town for a massage and lunch. The traditional Khmer massage was really good. It's a bit like a combination between Thai and oil massage really.

We met up with Sue, Brian and Eimar for lunch just across the road afterwards at Blue Pumpkin, and man, what a cool place! It's a very posh restaurant and we could've been anywhere, really. We didn't feel like we were in Cambodia. Actually come to think of it, the "Angkor What?" bar last night also felt very western and packed with westerners that you could easily feel like you're somewhere else.

But anyway, Blue Pumpkin was awesome. All the furnitures are white, and we sat with our legs stretched out on this long, big, white couch with very comfy pillows and had our lunch on a folding table just like breakfast in bed. The food was lovely and they had a pretty big selection of ice cream (hmmm.. ice cream..) for dessert. I don't think they even have a place like that in Brissy!

After lunch we went to the market to have a look around. I ended up buying a scarf and a fridge magnet - had NOT planned to spend anymore money today for anything other than food! We then went back to the Blue Pumpkin and the girls bought some sandwiches for their long bus journey tomorrow. Popped over at the chemist - I LOVE going to chemists and looking at different stuff and buying stuff I don't really need. Anyway, I ended up with an Evian spritz for face and a loofah and a Tiger Balm. I had planned to buy a Tiger Balm in Bangkok anyway so at least it was a justified purchase.

We caught a Tuk Tuk to this internet cafe and are going to walk back to the hotel after this.

Can't believe this trip is almost over! The Thailand trip is beginning to feel like a distant memory and it feels like we've been on this trip for ages, although at the same time it's been really fast.

Vietnam

Can't believe how slack I've been with my journal. Haven't even written much on my paper journal since I got to Vietnam. Mostly because I get too tired by the end of the day and I just can't be arsed.

Vietnam is pretty cool. Have been having a ball here. The group is very different people, but we've been getting along fine. Actually we just lost 4 people and had 4 new people today going on the Cambodia leg of our journey.

My first impression of Hanoi was chaotic. Traffic was worse than Thailand. A lot more bikes and it's a lot more noisy. My cab driver did not stop beeping the horn the whole way from the airport to the hotel. Even at nothing. I was like, shut up I'm trying to get some sleep here!

But yeah, crossing the road in Vietnam is always exciting. Near death experience almost every single time, especially in Ho Chi Minh City. And crossing the big roundabout near our hotel.. oh my god. I was surprised I came out alive.

Well, let me try to put the trip in chronological order.

On second day we went to Halong Bay, which was absolutely gorgeous. Spent the whole afternoon on the boat, having seafood lunch and swimming in the sea. Awesome. We were lucky with the weather too.. it's been raining a lot in Vietnam, but we had one beautiful sunny day.

Spent the night in the town nearby and headed back to Hanoi on the third day. We caught an overnight train to Hue that night. It was pretty good actually, better than I'd expected. Certainly better than the Romanian train! I took a motion sickness pill and was knocked out by 8.30. Had almost 12 hours sleep that night. Bliss!

Hue was interesting. An old pretty town and less bustling than Hanoi. Our hotel was within the citadel. Spent the first day walking to the market, which was pretty dodgy.. had an awesome lunch of pancake and noodle soup at a famous restaurant on the way back to the hotel (apparently listed on Lonely Planet). Had a swim at the hotel pool in the arvo, went for a guided tour of the citadel afterwards. Our guide, Mr. Tam, was a very funny guy although I got a bit annoyed when he thought I was a schoolgirl. It was raining that arvo and everyone bought a raincoat from the lady in front of the hotel. Quite an amusing sight. Went for dinner next door to the hotel that night, which was really good too.

Our second day in Hue was one of the best days I've had on this trip so far. We did the motorbike tour around the city - thank God it did not rain at all that day. We've been lucky with the weather really. Anyway it was awesome. I was scared to get on the bike at first, but soon I was fine. We rode through the countryside and made a lot of stop. Went to the monastery and had a vegetarian lunch (it wasn't all vegetables - phew!) and did a little meditation course from a monk there. The whole trip lasted for about 6 hours, and it was so much fun. We saw little kids everywhere who were very friendly and wanted to give us high fives. It really was the best day. I honestly hadn't expected to enjoy it (being on a bike and all) but I'm so glad I did it.

Next stop was Hoi An. Ohh, Hoi An. I love the ancient little town. It has a really nice feel to it.. very quiet lanes, with old houses.. it was a little like Asian Cesky Krumlov. And the shopping! There were tailors everywhere and we spent the whole time there getting clothes made (and shoes, and bags..). I had not expected to buy so much but now my pack is full and last time I weighed it was over 16 kilos. Damn. I don't know how I'm gonna take all that stuff back to Indonesia as I've already left a pretty big duffel bag in Bangkok.

But how could I resist? Custom made tops for around $8. Pants for just over $10... shoes, jackets... Some of them are not of the best quality, but they're so cheap you can't really complain.

Anyways, moving on. We caught a flight to Saigon aka Ho Chi Minh City the next day. It was a pretty short flight - only took about an hour. We had a late lunch at a famous Pho place nearby the hotel (the one Bill Clinton went to when he was here in 2000), then it was free time for the rest of the arvo. I went to the market to buy sunnies (I lost them somewhere in Hoi An!) then headed back for a dip in the hotel pool.

We went for dinner that night at the "backpackers land" - quite a long walk. The restaurant had moved recently, and Huy (our leader) didn't know that. We walked for a good half an hour there, or just about. I wasn't too happy because I had a big laundry bag with me which I had meant to drop off before dinner. Huy told us there was a place closer to our hotel but when we finished dinner it was 10PM and they were closed when we got there (after stepping through the dirty water on the street - gross). Oh, and I had to wait for an hour for my burger that night. Wasn't my best night.

The next morning Nicole and I walked to the laundry place before we went on the tour to Cu Chi, but it was still closed. Duh. Was getting really annoyed. But anyways... the trip to Cu Chi was interesting. I must admit I didn't know much about the history of Vietnam, but I learned quite a bit that day. The underground tunnels were certainly not for the claustrophobic, but it was an interesting experience.

We went back to HCMC in the arvo, and after lunch we went on cyclo tour around the city. Some things to remember were the neon sign in the cathedral (including the halo above Virgin Mary's head). Funky. But the real eye opener was the visit to the War Remnant Museum. Very sad. I began to understand why they hate Americans. Rightly so. The stories about what the US troops did to the people in Vietnam, including women and children, were inhuman. I don't know if I'd want to come here if I was American. The worse thing is that the very same thing is probably going on in Iraq right now and 10 years from now there will be the same museum there. And it's always the bloody Americans isn't it. I mean, no offense to most Americans I know - they're great people. I just can't stand the government.

Anyways. Had our farewell dinner that night. It was a fun night. We went to this restaurant which serves weird stuff (goat's penis, anyone? Or what about scorpions?). We had BBQ and prawns. I mean, live prawns, grilled in front of us. Wasn't the best sight. But in the end, I ate it anyway.

Went to a rooftop bar afterwards for a cocktail (or for me, mocktail) and on to another bar at the backpackers place afterwards. The Austrian girls left early because they had to leave very early the next day. Amanda and I left at around 1.30. Was too tired. The rest of them kept going until 5.30ish, apparently. And most of them stayed in bed until past midday, with bad hangover. I went for lunch with Nicole, Luke and Amanda at an Italian restaurant. The food was beautiful.

Went for our group meeting at 6, and had dinner with Kerryn and Nicole (their last night with us) at backpackers place (again). Had western food again, which was awesome. Early night last night.

Today we had an 8 hour bus ride (well, almost 10 really since we wasted 1.5 hours going back to the hotel because someone had left his passport), including a short ferry ride. It wasn't too bad.

Had dinner at a restaurant nearby, and some of the guys went on cyclo ride around town. I'm here with a couple other girls.

Time for bed. Early start tomorrow. Cambodia, here we come!

I Hate Goodbyes

I think I must've said it before, but it's still true. I hate goodbyes.

Everyone left today. First was Bonnie, at 2. Then Lou, at 3. The last one was Emma, at 5. Am sad. I was nearly in tears. In fact, no I'm lying, I did have tears in my eyes when Lou left. Didn't really have time to cry for Emma because her cab came straightaway and stopped in the middle of the road blocking everyone else, and she had to rush.

It's funny, because I am used to being alone. I mean, I spent a lot of time in Italy on my own, and I was perfectly fine. I think it's because I've been having others around for the past two weeks and all of the sudden they're taken away from me. I think if I had been on my own the whole time I would've been OK. That's why I don't really like group tours. I hate saying goodbye!

Anyways... spent most of the day shopping. Had a massage with Emma this arvo. Bought a big duffel bag, just like the one Lou had bought last night, to pack up the stuff I'm going to leave at the hotel until end of this month.

I've asked mum to change my flight date for me to 30th Nov. Which means I'm going to have to cancel my hotel reservation on 1st Dec. I don't want to go through this all over again.. watching everyone leave before I do. I'd rather leave first.

Well. I'm heading back to my room soon. Gotta pack.

Back in Bangkok

The trip has pretty much finished. Mollie left this evening, after the last dinner. Lou, Bonnie and I went shopping on Khao San Road afterwards, then Bonnie and I headed off to Shamrock Irish Pub where we were supposed to meet Noot and Emma. Lou went back to the hotel to drop off her newly purchased bag.

We couldn't find everyone else there at first. Bonnie finished one drink, then as we decided to leave, we found them right by the door. Hung out there for a while. Had a few sips of beer, and I don't know why but my stomach started feeling funny so I decided to leave.

I'm pretty much next door to the hotel and after a quick walk I'm feeling better so here I am.

We went shopping this arvo at MBK (I think that's what it's called) - a big shopping mall here in Bangkok. Spent hours there (and thousands of bahts). Were gonna go to Wat Po to check out the reclining Buddha, but when we got out the rain was pouring so we decided to stay inside and go there tomorrow before the market.

I surely had a hell lot of fun bargaining. One of the lines I used was: "I come from Indonesia, a very poor country.. I don't have much money.." LOL. And it actually worked!

Bonnie later on said "I could've said my mum comes from China, the rural area.. and she works in a paddy field. Well, she used to!"

Anyway, we got a lot of good, cheap stuff today. Bangkok is awesome for shopping. Oh, and pizza for lunch. Mmmm.. how I'd missed pizza....

I've been meaning to write more but somehow I'm just not in the mood. My body has been all sore since the bungy jump.. I don't know if it was the bungy jump or the canopy ride earlier that day though. I mean, there was too much excitement in one day...

I've just realised I haven't mentioned the canopy ride on my earlier entry. Everyone except Mollie went that arvo. It was about half an hour from our bungalow, and we had a lift on a song thaew (one of those pickup trucks with no shelter) and the driver was a "maniac, maniac...".

I think everyone would agree that the car ride itself was more exciting than the actual canopy ride. The road to the jungle (or forest, whatever it was) wasn't the best. We nearly fell off the truck on a few occassions. And it was stinking hot. At one point the car couldn't make it up the steep hill, we had to get off and walked. Everyone preferred that anyway.

The canopy ride was fun. I'll post pictures when I get around to. It was an hour, over 6 different treehouses, and the last one was the best. The longest and the fastest. Totally cool.

The bungy jump that night though... it's gotta be one of the craziest things I've done in my entire life. I didn't particularly enjoy bouncing around at the end of the rope after the actual fall - and I think I've mentioned before that I've got a big, horrible bruise on my arm from that - but the adrenaline rush was being up there on the crane, getting ready to jump.

And the free fall. Oh, the free fall. It was awesome. I didn't have much time at all. Mollie spent a hell lot longer up there telling everyone who shouted at her to jump to fuck off. Ha! Well, the guy who was up there basically told me to count to three and jump. Oh and not to look down. I didn't because I knew I would absolutely shit myself if I had. Mollie did though. And she did shit herself.

She actually went first. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go until after she did it and told me how great it was. She actually went for a second time - the rocket. I was already feeling queasy by then no one could persuade me to do anything more.

Anyways. Long travel day yesterday. Bus, another bus, ferry, another bus, and overnight train. What a waste of time. To think that for about 3000 bahts I could've flown from Koh Samui to Bangkok. Oh well.

I'm sad that I'll have to say goodbye to everyone tomorrow. Am flying to Hanoi the day after.

PS: Got a fake student ID from Khao San Road for 250 bahts tonight. That'll come in handy! I was actually thinking of getting a TESL certificate as well. *LOL* What an awesome country!

Koh Samui

OK, I've only got time for a short one here.

Arrived in Koh Samui two days ago. This island is definitely more happening than Koh Phangan. I don't know which one I prefer though.

Anyway, I'm proud to say that I finally did bungy jumping last night!!!!!! Yes, that's one thing crossed off my list. It was awesome, although I felt sick for the rest of the night. Motion sickness? I threw up my dinner, and basically felt queasy the whole night. Not to mention the red spots under my eyes (burst blood vessels or something?) and a big bruise on my left arm, where the rope scraped it.

We partied last night, and I was so annoyed because I wasn't feeling up for it at all. Had dinner at The Deck (where I threw up my lasagna), then to the Ark's Bar, a very happening place right by the beach. The girls bought 3 cute guys who were sitting on another table drinks. They turned out to be Australians. It was hilarious.. but anyway, gotta keep this short so will write more when I get a chance.

We went on to another bar across the road afterwards to dance. I only stayed until 12.30.. was too tired to go on.

I have a rash on my tummy (not sure where I got it) and it was so itchy I couldn't sleep last night. Ended up having another shower at 3AM. That's around the same time Isabel got back.

Well I haven't got much time left. Will write more later

Ko Phangan

The girls just got back today. All been eaten alive by bugs. Molly was the first one who approached me and said "I sort of wish I was you". The other girls seemed to think it was worth it though. I'm still glad I didn't go. Don't think I would've enjoyed it.

But anyways, I've been having a great time these past couple of days. I met this Austrian girl, Verina, who comes from the same town as Renee, the boy I met on the beach. Anyway, she's staying here for a few months and will be flying to Bali next month. She's a regular actually, been coming here for the past three years.

I got a free ride to the Thongsala on the back of her scooter. It was pissing down, and am glad I at least had my raincoat on. I couldn't keep my eyes open because the heavy rain kept getting in them. But still, we had a good chat and been hanging out quite a bit since.

Renee is a poor bugger. This hasn't been the smoothest holiday for him. First he got bitten by the bungalow's dog. Then he got sick for a couple of days. And just last night, he twisted his foot on the slippery floor and now it's all swollen.

Oh and I met a couple of other guys too. Older guys I should say. They're regulars. Barry, a Canadian who runs a fishing resort back in Canada and spends six months in Thailand every year. He's even got a house here down the coast somewhere. What a life. And I briefly met Neil, an Aussie from Byron who's been living here for 7 years.

It's been raining and overcast a lot, which is a good weather for sleeping in and lazing around reading and hanging out. I had a Thai massage yesterday, which was excellent. And it only cost 200 bahts.

I've started to feel at home at Seaflower, and I told them I want to come back here. Boy, the son of one of the girls who runs the restaurant there, has gotten hooked on my O2.

The sun finally came out this morning, and I spent sometime lying on the beach, reading my third book and listening to Jack Johnson. Paradise, I tell ya.

It's rained again since, but I didn't really mind.

Anyway, I came to the internet cafe to find Bonnie and Emma, and they're gone now. So I better go.

Thailand So Far

Haven't updated for a while. So much has happened since the last time I wrote.

Well, that morning we caught a local bus to a small village near Khao Sok National Park. It was interesting. They had tiny seats and ceiling fans. Oh, and interesting ornaments in the front of the bus. There was no aircon but fortunately the wind was pretty cool. We got off the bus at a petrol station/7-11 and separated our bags for our stay at the rafthouses.

After that we got on the back of a pickup truck (sheltered, thankfully) and caught a longtail boat to the remote rafthouses on the lake. It took us about 45 minutes to get there and the view was unreal. Absolutely gorgeous.

The rafthouses were really cool. They were floating on the lake, at a very secluded spot, surrounded by mountains. They were mattresses on the floor and the bathroom (or happy rooms, as we've gotten used to call it) were pretty far from the houses and the path there I must say was pretty dodgy. I slipped once, nearly fell into the lake and broke my toenail.

But anyway, we were just so excited when we got there and jumped off into the lake pretty much straightaway. The water was beautiful, and it cooled me down straightaway.

We had lunch afterwards and it started raining. Somehow I didn't mind the rain though, because it was just so peaceful there and I was happy to sit there and chill. We spent the afternoon just chilling and doing nothing, which suit me fine. A group of Germans came in the afternoon. Some of them were wearing speedos (eww!). Anyway, that night we had dinner together and hung out and played cards.

I must say, the only downside was the fact that there were a lot of bugs creeping about and I was too paranoid to sleep. There was no electricity there, and the generators were switched off at midnight. Believe me, you do NOT want to go to the happy room after midnight.

We were told that there were frogs and rats around as well, which didn't help at all. I set up my mosquito net, slapped on my heavy duty insect repellent (which made my skin feel all funny and sticky) and just lay there hoping the rats wouldn't come into the room.

I could hardly sleep that night. The mattress was so thin I could feel the uneven wooden floor underneath. I tried to stay inside my sleeping bag to avoid being attacked my the bugs, but it was too hot and I was sweating like a pig. I spent the night hardly moving, and no it wasn't a very good sleep at all.

Anyway, I woke up very early the next morning and had a shower. There was no hot water (I haven't had a hot shower since Bangkok and I've gotten quite used to it by now), had breakfast and at around 9 we went for a jungle walk about half an hour away from our rafthouses and visited a pretty amazing coral cave. The walk was pretty slippery and the path was all muddy and I nearly slipped once. I was all sweaty and sticky when we got back and we just dipped in the water again.

Washed our pants and shoes which were covered in mud in the lake (my shoes STINK now - must've been the water), had lunch, and chilled again for the afternoon. We had dinner that night and played card game called "Spoon" afterwards. It was a lot of fun.

When I went back to my room, I found rat droppings on my pillow and the bottom of my bed. I freaked. I thought, there was no way I was gonna sleep there that night. Anyway it was my fault. Should've set up my mosquito net earlier. I went back out and told some of the girls who were still there. I was going to sleep at Emma and Bonnie's hut (Bonnie's got a much thicker mattress anyway), but Isabel didn't look too happy and I felt bad so after much contemplation I decided to stay and just asked for another pillow.

I borrowed Bonnie's inflatable sleeping mat which helped a lot, and slept a little better that night. Just a little bit though. Woke up very early again the next day and had shower straightaway.

We left that morning and headed to the jungle lodge at the national park. Our room was so much better there. We've got happy room inside, comfy beds and all. And there weren't as many bugs. So yeah I was happy.

All the girls except Molly went river tubing but I changed my mind at the last minute. I had a shower instead and just chilled at the restaurant area, reading Cosmo. It started raining then, and the water in the river became so muddy I was actually glad I decided to stay. It was great just sitting around doing nothing without a care in the world. Oh and I got to do my laundry. Been wearing the same clothes over and over again at the rafthouse, because I was worried I wouldn't have enough clothes to cover me until Friday.

Some of the girls had Thai massage in the arvo. We had dinner and hung out for a bit afterwards. I met Ben, an Australian guy who's been staying there for a while (he's been to Thailand so much he actually speaks Thai). He's doing his PhD in Anthropology about border relation between Thailand and Cambodia or something. Anyway, that night we all decided to go to a bar in town. It was quite a long and interesting walk, with the huge potholes and stuff.

Anyway, there were a few other people when we got to the "Poor Bar". We sat and played games (they had dart board there) and left at around 11. Isabel and I got a lift on a scooter from one of the Thai guys who worked there. It was quite an interesting experience, the three of us sitting on a tiny scooter swerving through the potholes. I was a little shocked when the guy kissed me on the cheek before he left. Isabel said she thought he liked me. Hmm. Definitely not my type. Anyway I had a MUCH better sleep that night.

Too bad I had to wake up early that morning for the elephant ride. Only Bonnie, Emma and I went for the ride and I must say I did NOT enjoy it. First of all I felt sorry for the animal, and I got elephant-sick. Yes, motion sickness from riding an elephant. When we got to the waterfall I just lay there recovering while Bonnie and Emma went to the water. Emma sat on the elephant's neck on the way back and I was again feeling sick, even after popping the seasick pill. I think it was too late for that anyway. I threw up all my breakfast when we got back. So no, I did not enjoy it.

I had a long nap afterwards and woke up at about 1.30 to have lunch. Was feeling much better than. Had an oil massage in the arvo.. it was soo good. We went out to the temple cave in the evening then dinner outside before heading back.

I had a fortune reading while we were at the temple cave and mine was surprisingly VERY good. In fact I'd never had a reading that good in my entire life.

According to Noot, it says that I was very lucky and I would be lucky in whatever I chose to do. If I was sick, I would be feeling better soon. If I was to open a business, I would get a lot of money. If I was after a boyfriend, I would meet a very good-looking guy. You know, perfect. It just says that I shouldn't "lose myself" despite all that and all would be sweet. Who wouldn't believe such a good reading? Especially since not all the readings were good. Lou, for example, was told that she wouldn't find a boyfriend for a very long time. Ha. Oh well, it was all in good fun.

Anyway, after we got back I finished off packing and went to bed early. We were to have a very early start the next day.

Woke up at 4.15 (before the alarm went off. Was too worried I would be running late that I couldn't sleep) and got ready and got our bag out by 5. I needn't have woken up so early as the other girls (apart from Isabel, who shared a room with me) didn't come out until way after 5.15. We got on the back of the pickup truck again in the dark and left. It was 1 hour and 40 mins ride an it was windy and cold and yeah, uncomfortable. But I fell asleep anyway.

We had breakfast at Surat Thani (the same place we had one after we got off the train) and caught another pickup truck to the city to catch a bus to the ferry station. The bus was big and comfy and air-conditioned and we were all excited to have such "luxury" after the kinds of transportation we've been having so far. Sad huh.

Anyway, I took a seasick pill and was knocked out. We got on a big, comfy ferry and again I fell asleep pretty much straightaway. Couldn't keep my eyes open. That drug really has made me drowsy.

When we got here in Ko Phangan we were picked up by another pickup truck (this time with no shelter!) when we got there and it was stinking hot at first. But then it started pouring down and everyone was absolutely drenched. I was not very happy. The rain was so heavy and it felt like our backs were being stabbed. That would definitely go on my feedback form. Transport with shelter, please! At the very least!

I got my own bungalow here because there was only 1 big bed in a room and Isabel didn't really want to share a bed (well, works for me!) so she had a separate room. I went to change clothes straightaway and had lunch. Went to the supermarket with Bonnie and Emma afterwards and bought sarong, beach towel and snacks.

Went to internet cafe afterwards (here) but the internet was down just as I was sending a LONG email and I lost it. Emma and I were pissed off and she was going to refuse to pay the full 20 baht because, well, we didn't do anything! But the guy was very rude and said "I don't want no baht and I wish never to see you again" so I rolled my eyes and left 20 bahts on the table and left. Lou said "it's just pennies for us, guys", which was true, but it wasn't the money. It was the principal!

Anyways, was gonna go to the beach with Bonnie afterwards but it was dirty and the beach wasn't that great so we hung out at the patio in front of my room instead. I didn't feel very comfy on the hammock so before too long I decided to have a shower (my bathroom hasn't got a roof so I have to wait until the rain stops before I can go! Not fair, because the other girls have indoor bathrooms!). We hung out for a bit afterwards in front of Emma and Bonnie's room. Took pictures of sunsets on the beach and had dinner.

It was then that I decided I wouldn't go with them on the sea safari. I mean, they were only going on a tiny boat (which surely would make me VERY sick - remember the elephant ride) for two hours, and there would be no shower there. I could go for one day without a shower, but two days is just too much. Especially if I'm gonna be all sweaty and sticky from the heat, the sand and the salt water. Then Noot said there would be a lot of mozzies as well, and that we should wear long pants to sleep (which I haven't got). To top it all off, she said that if the weather is not good by the time we're supposed to head back, we'll have to stay there for as long as necessary until it clears up. Hmmm sounds fun.

She said it would be very inconvenient and if you didn't want to go you had to tell her then. Some of the girls were hesitant too at first, but I was the only one who ended up deciding to stay.

Would be lonely for the next two days, but I could spend hours on internet and go to Thongsala to shop or something.

Anyways. Isabel, Bonnie, Emma and I decided to go out last night. We walked down the beach with Noot to check out the Pirates Bar, but it was deserted. We ended up following a loud Black Eyed Peas music and walked up the road to a bar (and bungalows). It was quite funny when we all screamed when we saw two big dogs on the way. There were quite a few people there. We stayed and played bricks. Met an Irish guy, a Scottish and English. It was quite a fun night. Emma and I left at around 11, and Bonnie and Isabel decided to stay longer. I heard they only got back at 1 this morning.

I slept really well last night. Had breakfast this morning and saw them off. Met an Austrian guy on the beach and talked to him for a bit then I came here.

Well it's been a VERY long entry.... will write more next time I get a chance.