Last stop - Bangkok

After the long journey on my birthday we arrived in Bangkok around 3.30am and annoyingly we couldn't check into our room until 10am. So we set up on the sofas for the long haul after Nath picked up a Macdonold's breakfast. 

But it appears luck was on our side and they let us in at 6am, we then proceeded to sleep until 11am as we were so tired. 

Our room was definitely one of the best we stayed in although my picture doesn't do it much justice.

Once we had woken up, we got a quick breakfast/lunch and hit our rooftop pool. The weather was pretty cloudy, although the sun peaked his head out a few times.

We spent all day here until our hunger pangs took over and we had a quick shower before heading for dinner. We had dinner at a restaurant we ate at during one of our first nights in Bangkok.

Finally it was time to retire and we headed to bed to watch a film and get an early night. 

The following day, we got up reasonably early in order to get our included breakfast. Nath had a full English and fruit and I had fried egg on toast and fruit. We then went back to the room to pack up our things ready for the airport. 

Midday came round quickly and we were soon on the transfer bus to the airport as our journey came to an end. 

Next stop Dubai for 9 hours.. 

Koh Tao (Freedom Beach)

After a scenic hour long boat, we arrived in Koh Tao. On first sight it was obviously paradise, however my first picture below doesn't show it.

There were so many colourful long boats and the water was crystal clear. We caught a taxi to our accommodation on Freedom Beach, which is on the South of the island. 

After reading a bit about Koh Tao, we learnt that Koh Tao translates in English to Turtle Island as the island used to be inhabited by turtles. The island's shape is also though to resemble a turtle when viewed from Koh Phangnan. 

Anyway, back to our accommodation, we stayed in a cabana (wooden cabin) over the beach however annoyingly a large tree obstructed most of our view of the sea.

After a few hours at the beach, we headed back to the cabana where we were able to capture this lovely picture of the sun setting behind some palm trees.

For dinner we went to Chalok Harbour where we had some Thai food, I ordered a Massaman curry and Nath ordered White Snapper which we shared between us. Nath also had Coconut Milk as his drink.

The following day, we rented some snorkels and snorkelled around Freedom Beach. We saw so many fish, none of which we could identify offhand but after looking at a guide book we recognised them as Longfin Bannerfish, Tailfin Batfish and a Titan Trigger Fish. However when one fish came straight for Nath 'viciously' (as he described it) we decided to call it a day. 

Here are some pictures of the beach.

That evening after a refreshing mixed fruit shake,

We headed to Sairee Beach, which is the most populated and busy area with many bars, restaurants and dive schools. This was also where the Scottish girls and their friends were staying. 

We went for dinner and then met them at Lotus Bar, which was situated on the beachfront. There were fire dancers who performed to the crowd who were incredible and we all had an array of different flavoured buckets.

It was a good night and a lot less crazy than Koh Phangnan. 

The next day we had breakfast at the resort before heading to Sairee Beach again, where we booked a taxi boat to Koh Nang Yuan. This island is said to be one of the most beautiful in the world 

It was beautiful. 

When we returned to Sairee Beach the restaurant we wanted to eat at for dinner wasn't open yet so we went to a cafe for a Very Berry Smoothie, which was ridiculously delicious.

For dinner we went to an Italian restaurant which was recommended in the Koh Tao guide book and we had the most humongous Calzone.

The next day was Monday and it was my 22nd birthday. We spent the morning by the beach.

By we then had to head to Mae Haad around midday to travel back via boat ad bus to Bangkok, which meant it was the end of my very short birthday and the end of Koh Tao. 

Koh Phangnan (Black and White Bungalows)

So Nath and I are seeing this part of our travelling adventure as our R&R phase (rest and relaxation). For those reading this, you are probably thinking how ludicrous that sounds. However, getting up earlier and trying to see and experience everything in 4 countries in just under 7 weeks is tiring. 

Anyway I am writing this post from this position on the beach. 

We are spending 5 nights in Black and White Bungalows, which is located in Haad Rin, the South-West of Koh Phangnan and only 5 minutes from Sunset Beach. The famous, but also infamous location of the Full Moon Party (which is where I am sitting right now).

So far we have spent 2 days at the beach and exploring the town. However the weather has not been great with it mainly been overcast, yet as Nath has discovered after me warning him a few times you can still get burnt. 

Yesterday we hired a moped again but this time to explore the North-East side of the Island. The main place we were hoping to locate being Bottle Beach, which is very remote and only after visiting it we annoyingly discovered that the main form of transport to get there is via boat taxi. We eventually had to ditch the moped as the road became treacherous and decided the walk, at this point we still didn't know whether the beach would be down this road. However, luck became on our side and a pick up truck came past so we hitched a ride. 

Finally we made it! 

Unfortunately we didn't stay long as it started to rain slightly and we the roads as bad as they were and with us walking in flip flops we feared that we wouldn't make. The walk back was ridiculously tough and I couldn't breath by the time we reached the top, but I blame that on my lack of fitness. 

On our way home we headed to a restaurant that was recommended in the Koh Phangnan guide book, called Fisherman's. By this time, it was really raining so Nath and I were pretty drenched having only been in shorts and tshirts. The food was amazing, I had mussels in a Thai sauce and Nath (shock to all) had Baracuda with a trio of sauces.  For drinks I had a Mango Daiquiri and Nath had a pineapple and mint shake.

That night we headed out with the girls we travelled around Vietnam with and 2 of their friends from home. We drank the local rum again, Samsong, which is not too good. We all headed out to the beach, with bits of UV paint on.

On the way down, we meet the most adorable little puppy.

The night was spent drinking buckets, dancing on tables and watching drunken idiots burn themselves on the fire skipping ropes and rings of fire. 

The following day we were blessed with fantastic weather and because of it being the night of the Full Moon Party, the island was packed and so was the beach. 

That night, we all bought some UV paint, Full Moon clothing and a variety of accessories. We met outside Nath and mine's bungalow and painted each other and drank some more Samsong. 

Finally we were ready to head down to Sunrise Beach. It was crazy, there were so many people all dressed in the brightest clothing and covered in UV paint. 

Full Moon Party was all could be expected plus more. 

The following day was again spent at the beach, before leaving on the midday boat to Koh Tao, to be continued... 

Koh Phangnan (Hacienda Beach)

The bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok was quick and uneventful. We got to our hostel, K.S Guesthouse which very basic and small but it was only for the one night so it was fine. We got showered and headed out to Khao San Road which was a short 5 minute walk away. I had the hottest Green Thai Curry ever and Nath had some spicy Thai dish. The next day we got a taxi to MBK, a huge shopping complex, maybe the biggest in Thailand and just had a bit of an explore but left empty handed. 

That evening at 6pm we left on our night bus which took us South, to the Thai islands. We had to get a bus and then a boat and we finally arrived in Koh Phangnan around 1pm. We decided to walk to our accommodation, Hacienda Beach Resort. It was overcast but hot so the walk meant the both of us sweating profusely but we finally found it and it was worth it and we had a hammock.

The cabins were basic but perfect and the resort also had a pool overlooking the sea. 

So we spent our first day here in the pool, relaxing and reading.

On our second day at the beach resort, we hired a moped. Yes everybody says don't and you see more than enough travellers wrapped head to toe in bandages. However for those of you that know Nath and his family, bikes are just part of life so I pretty much trusted Nath and I can be quite bossy when I need to be in terms of speed etc. We basically hired one to explore the island of Koh Phangnan. 

Our accommodation was located on the West of the island, so we travelled up to the North where we were told the best beaches were. We got pretty lost as the maps are pretty basic and sketchy but we soon saw a sign for a Secret Beach so we parked up and walked down. This was were we stopped for a quick lunch break. 

Post lunch, we headed on our way towards Koh Ma (the cream of the crop in terms of beaches) but we got pretty lost which worked well as we found a view point over looking it. 

Finally we found Koh Ma, which was beautiful. However it would have been even more perfect with a bit of sun, but you can't have it all. 

We stopped for a while here, attemped to get a tan and swam! Then before we knew it, it was time to get back and we planned to go for dinner at Fish at Thips. It was so worth it especially for the location and the fish was delicious. 

There was even a swing in the water! 

The following day was equally as cloudy so we explored the beach at the resort as the sand went out quite far, which meant we were able to walk out far. 

On our return, we took our big backpacks and caught a taxi which took us to our accommodation in Haad Rin for the next 5 nights which is on the South of the Island.