Thai-LAD

I contemplated calling this post "Samu-ee You Later" but then a part of me knew that this would be a pun too far, so I have settled for the more suitable, but still epic, "Thai-LAD" - a punder which we have been using to full advantage.

Our little foursome has finally split, with a possible one-night-only reunion on Thursday in Ko Tao. It's pretty sad, but we have had the best time.

Nick got out of hospital and is now completely and utterly fine, except for having to limit his alcohol consumption due to some pesky antibiotics. He is not missing Doris the Drip at all. We have had a really lovely few days just hanging out on Koh Samui together getting various bits and pieces done, doing lots of swimming and beach-ing and watching some sensational sunsets. There's a massive statue of Buddha which overlooks one of the beaches on the North East side of the island (where we are), and to see it every night framed against this incredible skyline which just bursts and explodes with reds and oranges in these shocking, dramatic patterns - it's really beautiful.

We have been relatively lucky with the weather, too, considering it's rainy season just about - it has been really, really, really hot. Did I mention it has been quite hot? I will just reiterate that it has been hot. There have also been some spectacular storms, though, which have considerably livened up our moped journeys home from wherever it is we've been going. I have forgotten what it's like to have dry hair, what with all the swimming and the storms, and my hair straighteners are currently lying dormant at the bottom of my bag, staring at me whenever I delve deep enough with big, accusatory "Why on Earth did you bother to bring me if you are not vain enough to use me?!" eyes. The sheer lack of time I spend on my appearance here is horrifying, in the best possible sense of the word. My morning routine at home is quick enough - I wouldn't describe myself as particularly over the top - but here it is literally clean teeth, take malaria medication on, put possibly-clean (but probably not) clothes on and go. 3 minutes, done. It's not exactly a standard I could keep to, for example, where employment is concerned, but not wearing make up is welcome relief to be honest.

We have had the hostel to ourselves for about three days now, and have used the opportunity to hold our own personal drum and bass rave in the foyer, drive a motorbike inside, cook a lot of really good food and make endless cups of tea (and rinse the free internet, of course).

Charlotte left early this morning to start a diving course on Ko Tao, while the boys and I went on a day-long kayaking trip around Anthong Marine Park. It was truly fabulous, we had one of the best days of my trip so far for sure. Nick and I made a moderately-successful kayaking-wise but highly successful fun-wise kayaking team, while Rob went solo, and we cruised about through lovely caves having the time of our lives. We went snorkelling, too, and saw some beautiful fish and marine life, and some far-less beautiful sea urchins which creeped us all out a bit. We then spent the afternoon jumping off the top of the boat, diving off the boat, swimming about, getting tanned and kayaking a bit more. To top it all off, we got photos of our faces put on plates - I'm not sure why, but this is Thailand so you just sort of have to go with it.

We have just gotten back to the hostel now. Nick and Rob are hitting golf balls off the roof (obviously), I am updating my blog, trying to find Charlotte's hostel so I can meet her there tomorrow, and keeping lookout for the hostel owners.

Tomorrow morning, I leave for Ko Tao to join Charlotte and try and scope out some options for diving, while Nick and Rob head to Koh Phagnan to go to the Half Moon Party. They arrive in Ko Tao hopefully on Thursday, so we may well all have one last night together before Charlotte and I leave for Phuket to catch our flight to Singapore, which will be very nice indeed.

And now I'm going to go and attack our pit of a dorm to see if I can actually find any of my things. I hate packing - not ideal for a traveller, but there we are.

Miss you, lots of love xxxxxxxxxx