Back in Bangkok just three week after I left. Staying this time in Silom with a great view over the river from my 15th floor hotel room. A late flight Friday evening so I have a whole day to do some final exploration of the city. There is a big rally here on Sunday so apparently lots of troops are being moved into the city, although I haven't noticed any. Spent today wandering around and visited the park. Lots happening down by the river. It's like Picadilly Circus on water with all the comings and goings.

Spent yesterday travelling around the Island and seeing the sights. Saw the Mummified Monk who died in 1973 bu5t his body didn’t decay so they put a pair of sunglasses on him and propped him up in a glass case. I must say he is a bit past his prime but not to bad for being dead thirty years. Got a trip up top the top of the mountain and had a tremendous view out over the coast of Koh Samui, or rather would have done had the weather not closes in a bit obscuring the view somewhat. Met some very friendly Gibbons. How anyone can deny that man had a comment ancestor with Monkeys when they meet Gibbons is unbelievable. They are so human it could almost be a man in a furry suit. There are a few wild ones left on the island but not many. Finished the day with a climb up to the Big Buddha who presides over the bay. Wonderful views from the top. Flying back to Bangkok this morning and it is very wet with the roads flooded. The airport is amazing. It’s all outdoors with just some shelters. Quite bizarre waiting for your plane and seeing aircraft thundering along the tarmac just a few hundred meters from where you are sitting.

Yesterday came over to Koh Samui on the ferry. Its one of the islands in the Gulf of Thailand, set in a beautiful location. The ferry took an hour and as we left a dolphin swam around the boat. Getting to the hotel at Boput was an experience as I ended up on the back of a motorcycle taxi. With my rucksack balanced on the front and me clinging on at the back it was a thrill a minute as we darted around the island. Today visited the Ang Thong Marine Park and did some sea kyacking around some of the islands.

Up before dawn for an early trip out onto the water to try to see some animals. Saw some monkeys high in the trees and a Great Hornbill way above us gathering food for its chicks. After breakfast went kyacking around a couple of islands and saw more monkeys. It was a pity to leave the lake but we had until lunch time so time for a bit more swimming. Feel like we had been there for ages. After lunch got the boat back to the mainland and a bus to Surat Thani. Finished the day sitting by the river.

Today moved on to Cheow Lan Lake, a massive body of water created 20 years ago with the building of the Ratchabrapa Dam. Its stunningly beautiful, with deep crystal clear turquoise coloured waters dominated by karst mountains thrusting skywards. Am staying on a floating raft house. Apparently there is 35 meters of water below me so i'll try not to drop anything in. In the late afternoon took a trek through the jungle and into a massive cave, seeing several types of spider, several bat snakes and thousands of bats.

Up early in order to set off for an elephant treck through the jungle. Elephant isn't the smoothest way to travel, but after a while it is quite soothing rocking your way through the undergrowth. The worst bit is the going down into the river beds as you do tilt forward an a rather alarming angle. Not so hot today so in the afternoon went for a hike into the national park up to a waterfall. Didn't see much wildlife though. Saw more back in camp when my cabin roof was invaded by monkeys, my bathroom by ants and later when swimming in the river when something bit me on the toe.

Left the island and travelled up the peninsula into the jungle at Khao Sok. It was a four hour bus journey not helped by the fact the bus got diverted and dumped me by the roadside 50km from the park. Eventually another bus came along so all ended ok. Staying in a treehouse right next to the river. As dusk set in the place was visited by a troop of monkeys who performed various antics in the trees above. Some idiotic tourist attempted to feed them with bananas, despite being asked not to. However the monkey got his knife as well as the fruit. So now we have an armed monkey in the vicinity. Went for a very relaxing swim in the river and tried not to think what I was sharing the water with. Must be getting used to the heat, its 32 and feels reasonably cool.

Spent the day cruising around the islands of Phi Phi in the Andaman Sea. The islands are about 50Km South East of Phuket or about an hour by speed boat. Visited quite a few of the islands including Bamboo Island for an attempt at snorkling and Monkey bay, where the boat was boarded by Monkeys after bananas. They soon jumped off when we drifted back out to sea and yes Monkeys can swim. The highlight was a visit to Phi Phi Leh, the uninhabited island where The Beach was filmed. The scenery was stunning and the water was wonderful. Got sunburnt though. Off into the Jungle tomorrow so will probably be out of internet contact for a few days.

Left my car at Chiang Mai and travelled down about as far south as I could go without entering a war zone, to Phuket on the Andaman Sea. It was either a two day trip by train or a two hour trip by plane, so I opted for the latter. Staying in the main town on Phuket Island which is full of holidaymakers and motor bikes. Over 1000 are injured each year in motorbike accidents, a figure I'm not the least surprised at, given the speed they wiz around the streets. Spent a lot of time pounding the pavements today, took a walk up to the Butterfly Centre and then down to the coast. A lovely bay rather ruined by the horrendous development over the other side. It's like someone has plonked the South Bank Centre down in paradise. Probably the best place to be is in one of its rooms looking out.