Beach time

Thai Buddha - skinnier than the Chinese ones
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We booked the overnight sleeper train to Surat Thani on the East coast and from there took a ferry to the Island of Ko Phangan. After 17 hours travelling we arrived at Thong Nai Pan Noi beach in the North East of the island and it was idyllic. We stayed in a beach hut set amongst a beautiful landscape garden and our intended three night stay turned into nine. Thong Nai Pan Noi beach is set in a sweeping cove with soft white sand and clear blue sea. We decided to partake in some exercise at sunset or sunrise (the coolest part of the day) and jogged along the beach. It was nice to get a little fitter and burn off some of the ice cream and pancake calories. Neither of us are real beach bums but it was amazing how the time flew by. We also enjoyed a Thai massage, David's was won in a table tennis competition we entered (beating me in the third and fourth place play offs, much to my annoyance- M).

Dave contemplating 10 days on the beach
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Eventually we moved round the island to Haad Rin, the main town, home of the famous Full Moon Party. We stayed on a beach south of the action in a prime location, our hut on stilts set amongst the rocks overlooking the ocean. Complete with our own terrace (perfect for sunworshipping and sunsets) hammocks and the best view from a toilet window we've ever seen. Thanks to David's mum and dad for that treat. While there Michelle did a one day Thai cookery course which David came along to just in time to sample the dishes. Delicious.

Had to include- classic long tail boat
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Our final base on Ko Phangan was Had Yao on the West coast as we escaped the crowds heading to Haad Rin for the big party. This time we had a hut just twenty yards from the beach for under five pounds a night. The temptation of wonderful homemade ice cream, oh, and some recommended snorkelling sights further north inspired us to hire a motorbike for the day. It wasn't the best of starts when David's first manoveurve was to crash into the other motorbikes outside the hire shop, actually accelarting as he hit them. Fortunately no damage to man or machine, just one nervous passenger watching about to get on the back! No further mishaps just a great day checking out some other beaches, some excellent snorkelling and topped off (as usual) with a banana and chocolate ice cream.

The small village street at Thong Nai Pan Noi
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After two and a half weeks of blissful beach time we dragged ourselves back to Bangkok en route to our next adventure in Cambodia.