~thailand/koh_pha_ngan/rocking

Knackered from previous post - phew! Keep this one short.

Arrived at Koh Samui, beautiful airport - series of bamboo huts for departure lounge, check in, arrivals... just great! Didnt stay long (about 1 hour actually) as Koh Samui is apparently more touristly that is neighbour Koh Pha Ngan. So i hopped straight on a speed boat for Koh Pha Ngan, where i am now, staying on a beach called Haad Yao, if only you could see the photos! Breath takingly beautiful, and surprisingly quiet, hardly anyone around, esp in the mornings.
I have an lovely air conditioned bungalow ON the beach costing me 7 pounds a night, and i have spent that past 2 days lying on the white sand, swimming in the crystal clear warm waters, reading my countless books, tasting the local cuisines, getting Thai massage (note, not oil massage) on the beach, lying in hammocks listening to the ocean..... oh and watching people beat the crap out each other at the weekly Muay Thai Boxing night!!!

What an evening it was last night. Just incredible. 7 fights, 5 knockouts. These guys are just incredible, so quick so hard! Atmosphere was buzzing. If there is one thing you must do in Thailand, it must be this. Highlight of the evening was when a very small Thai dude took on a massive, and i mean Sumo sized opponent. The fat guy's fighting style was to run at his opponent with momentum on the ropes could stop, arms out and give huge bear hugs hoping (it seems) to squeeze the energy out of the other fighter. Fat man lost, obviously. But he did wow the crouwd with he celebratory Roly Poly, and a demonstration of how he cannot do press ups because his belly extends out further than his arms can reach... oh we laughed!

Then the rain came down, tropical storm styleeee. So so hard, scarey almost. I had to ride back on my motorbike. I decided it was far too dangerous. I didnt even know the roads, and it was 20 km away! So i convinced a taxi guy to put my bike on the back of his trailer and drive me home. But he asked for a ridiculous amount of money to do it, so i just decided to ride back. All the locals seemed to be ok(ish) at it. It was an adventure, let me tell you. During an electric storm, the crickets go insane! I couldnt hear my engine over the sound of the insects, deafening. The rain beat down so hard, and i spent the whole journey in 2nd gear. 2am by the way. Inevitably, i went the wrong way. Long story short, drove 20km in the wrong direction, got drenched, feared i would have to sleep on the road, but got home safely after a quick prayer! Phew!

Huge news also: Got an e-mail from Tory (good friend from uni), and she expressed a desire to join me in Thailand seeing as i was alone, and she wanted a break. I said sure thing (thinking it was a good idea, but a little far fetched and impractical seeing as my holiday ended in 10 days), but then 2 e-mails later, and she has her flight booked. She will be here with me in 3 days! Woah! Crazzzzzy! I hadnt told Sara even... there was no time, it all happened rather fast. Sara, i hope you dont mind. Sorry i didnt warn you sooner, i only found out today it was actually happening. When are you arriving? Are you arriving? Where do you want to go? As mentioned in am in Haad Yao on Koh Pha Ngan, come soon while the beaches are fresh! Cant wait til Tory arrives on Sunday hopefully, havent seen her for a while. Havent thought beyond then, other than i extended my holiday til 16th to match Tory. Will be back in London 16th Sept in the evening. Crazy days.. living the dream!

[Family, e-mail me if there are any problems with my return date.]