We have both been ill with some kind of bug for the past couple of days. Joanne had a really high temperature this morning which worried me so I told her to stick an ice cold bottle of water under her armpit and keep out of the duvet until I came back from the shops (I know, Nurse Rached could learn a thing or two from me!). We’ve been having such a good time that sometimes I forget what Joanne has been through. She’s been very stoic but I think things have got the better of her today. She’s not well and her psoriasis is playing up and I can…

There is a beautiful seafront bistro on Patong Beach Road called ‘Hern’. Me and Jo were in a ‘go slow’ mood today so we escaped the heat and entered this beautiful, cool establishment. I ordered a Watermelon Rose Tea which was utterly delicious. We sat and chatted and people-watched which is sometimes all you can be bothered doing when you’re on your hols and we’ve been pretty much non-stop since we landed in Thailand. We liked the cool, luxurious surroundings so much that we ordered two more drinks and lunch. ‘It’s probably going to cost a fortune,’ we mumbled to one another but Joanne’s favourite saying is, ‘Dunt matter, we’re…

There is the most beautiful infinity pool on the roof of our hotel and every morning I go for a swim there. I find swimming really therapeutic, almost a form of meditation, especially when you’re swimming in the heavens towards a view of the ocean, so I shook off last night’s icky feeling and prepared to start the day with a fresh outlook. Joanne needed to investigate her boxing classes, leaving me to my own devices. I had a wander around but couldn’t find my groove at all. The beach was too hot and crowded so I decided to go shopping for some cooler clothes but none of the dresses…

We travelled to Phuket via Koh Phi Phi on yet another mode of transport today. We took a ‘ferry’ to Koh Phi Phi, though this was little more than a speedboat. After quite a rough journey, the boat stopped in the middle of the ocean and Joanne and I were told we were transferring to another boat as we were the only travellers going to Phuket. So we (along with hand luggage and suitcases) has to hop onto another, larger boat, in the middle of the sea. It was all rather exciting. I’m undecided about Phuket…. it’s the biggest and busiest place we’ve visited so far. I loved the craziness…

Well, the heavens opened today. Warm, heavy rain plastered the streets of Klong Nin as the majestic sea whirled moodily in the background. We were stranded in Rasta Baby where we’d popped in for some breakfast after Joanne’s Muay Thai boxing session. She’s a rum girl is that one: come rain or shine, hangover or dodgy tummy, Joanne never misses her boxing session. She’s a lesson in true grit and I admire her immensely for this. I met Jo at Rasta Baby for breakfast and that’s when the rain and thunder came. I ordered Pad Thai again, because I love it and it never gives me heartburn and Jo ordered…