I'm Brown Sugar!!!

Glorious Beach!
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After an arduous 27 hour journey from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Southern Thailand...we couldn't have been any happier to reach the land of the sun! The island of Koh Tao was absolutely brilliant!! We stayed in a cozy little bungalow that overlooked the ocean. Great porch for reading. Imagine a week of sunbathing...i'm so dark that i've self changed my name to Laquisha.

To get around the island, Rach and I rented a motorbike...and i drove!!! (I know Jessica is probably the most proud and jealous!) Now the rest of you are probably thinking, 'so what.' Well there are two reasons why i was excited to drive us around. First, i was never allowed to ride my brother's motorcycle as a kid on my own. I'd always wish i had. Second, the last time i drove a motorbike was on an island off of Spain last summer. Well, we wrecked and my friend had to get stiches. God love Italian men though because he was a sweetheart about it.  Don't worry, Rach and I left the island completely unharmed.  She made me swear that I wouldn't kill her. I told her that I could only promise to try my very best not to bring her undue harm. With a smile she agreed :)

Shopping in the markets of Bangkok and enjoying donuts on a stick! Tasted more like cake really.
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I also did some more diving in Thailand. I have never seen sooo many fish in my life. Incredible. There were huge schools of fish (like Tuna) all around me, a few trigger fish (scary and incredibly dangerous because its their breeding season), sting rays (blue spotted), and we even sought out sharks but had no luck. I was absolutely blown away with the two dives that i did. I wish i had the money to get my advanced license but i'm going to need those extra dollars here in London. After a four days we went to Koh Phangan (an island about 2 hours away). We stayed here for another three days. Now this island is known for its incredible full moon parties. We purposely didn't go to the full moon party. Call me crazy but I wasn't in the mood for some drunk guy on acid dancing up on me to a great song that has inevitably been ruined by techno.

Hanging off the Titanic at the cinema!
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Say no to drugs! We just read, 'Forget you had a daughter.' Which tells about a British girl who spent 8 years in a Thai prison for smuggling 29 grams of heroin. She got lucky with 8 years because the King of Thailand pardoned her. She was originally sentenced to 25 years...some people get life. The story is amazing and scares the hell out of you too. We did go out though another time during our stay. Danced until the wee hours of the morning. They have amazing bucket cocktails and you meet tons of fun people! Fire shows are a good past time too. The social scene is quite unique. Who doesn't love a good beach party?

View from the porch.
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Anyways, Southern Thailand is incredible. If you want a tropical beach vacation for very little money...go here!!! I'm definitely coming back one day with my boyfriend/fiance/husband. ( :P for those of you laughing at the thought of me getting married...have a little faith in me!) There were so many moments when i was just floating in the water thinking, 'how am i this lucky?' It is such a serene feeling to have the sun shining from above, crystal blue water below, green mountains to the left and right, and sandy white beaches in front of you. The view, the people, the weather...perfection. All tourists though, so don't kid yourself about getting a cultural experience.

Swim time!
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With much sadness, we left the islands and went back to Bangkok for a day. We had way too much fun shopping and chomping on sushi. If you're a recovering shop-a-holic...don't come to Asia. We even went to the movies! They love the King so much that you have to stand up (like the star spangled banner) before the movie starts to honor him.

I am going to miss South East Asia. It was very kind to us. I don't know what i will do without steamed rice, cold showers, squatting toilets, and crazy tuk tuk/motorbike drivers. In all seriousness, i will remember it with a smile.

I'll put up pics later....its time for Buckingham Palace!