Chang head.

Day off the beer today, Chang is lethal stuff (only 55 bhat rather than the 80 bhat we paid in Bangkok). Didn't drink that much, but my head is banging, probably all the nasty chemicals they stick in it. Left Sam in bed, wandered down to use the internet. It's raining outside, a nice break from the heat. Not as bad as the down-pour we had in Bangkok the night before last, that really bucketed it down. Never seen rain like it in my life. It was interesting to see that before the rain came, that the locals all knew it was on its way and started to bring out umbrellas and protect their stock on the market stalls.

We had a really cool night last night. Wandered down to the night market and had soup and noodles (30 bhat for 2 of us). The exchange rate is roughly 67 bhat to the pound, so that make a meal for 2 less than a quid. We then went back to Guy's (150 bhat a night for a double room). It was packed with travellers, so we wandered down to a bar just round the bend, the Cool Corner. Sat and chatted, had a couple of Chang. The place was very chilled. Sat in the open air listening to the sounds of St. Germain wafting through the quite streets, a stray dog ran past with a flip-flop it had nicked from an unaware traveller. The whole place is covered with little geckos, cheeky little lizards that seems to be stuck on every wall and ceiling.

We made our way back to Guy's, it was a bit quiter by then. As we got there we bumped into Jake (almost literally), an American guy who lives in the south of Kho Chang. He's bought a boat and is doing it up, and wants to sail it back to the US one day with his wife and kids on-board. It's a long way from Thailand to Oregan, but hey it's an ambition worth having. An open invite was offered to go down and stay with him if we were ever in Kho Chang. While we sat a passed the time with Jake, a Spanish guy called Rhoan joined us. He lives in Trat and said we could crashed down on his floor when we next pass through Trat on our way north. He did explain where it is he lives, just got to remember... Across the main road from Guy's, look for a gym, ask around and we will be sure to find him! Or something like that. Its' great to meet and talk to people from all over the world, you realise no matter how cultured and worldly you think you are living in Hull, that you are really little more than a hick from Hicksville UK.

Off to Kho Maak (or Kho Mak as some spellings have it) today. Taxi booked for 2pm, ferry leaves at 3pm. Looking forward to some hardcore tropical beach time.

One addition I forgot... I can't believe we have only been here a few days, it seems like a lifetime. And we still have another 9 months of travelling ahead of us. What a life, I wish I'd done this all sooner. We miss our friends in Hull, but not the city. Everyone! Grab a bag, book a flight and get yourselves out here. You will not regret it.