JOINT MESSAGE FROM PENNY & LINDA

Hi everyone! We've arrived safely and are settling in to Thai life. We almost didn't get seats on the plane (long story) but ended up with great ones with loads of leg room- HURRAH! Hotel lovely, Bangkok bustling & full of life. We're still on UK time so last night found us both waking up at 2.30am hungry and alert - not much sleep happened as a result.

We saw some amazing temples and the Grand Palace today, as well as having a painful but very worthwhile "jet-lag foot & leg massage". We also booked the next 2 weeks of our lives as follows:

5th - Aircon bus up to Chiang Mai which co-incides with the end of their annual flower festival. Spend time there and also trekking in jungle area staying overnight in a Karen tribe village, riding an elephant, rafting, swimming under waterfalls etc before heading to Chiang Rai the next day for a day trip into Laos and Myamar(!?). After returning to CM we get the overnight 1st class sleeper train back to Bangkok arriving early on 11th.

We hope to then visit an orphanage overnight on the outskirts of Bangkok before getting the bus and ferry down to the island of Koh Tao on the following day - great for diving (woo hoo from Linda!). After 3 night there we get the ferry to Koh Samui for another 3 nights,which happens to coincide with the Chinese New Year. After that we make it up as we go along, and will kepp you posted.

We hope that makes you really jealous & causes you to drop everything & come and join us!!

No pictures yet cos it's late and we need to go to bed, but keep checking and see what comes along soon. Love to you all & bye for now.