Dear All

Well this is the last one! We will be off from Koh Chang in an hour or so. It has been lovely. This is the next must go to spot if you ask me. In the "low" season it has proved quite hot enough, and sunny, no rain to bother about and very uncrowded. I have had a Thai massage almost on the beach - well within hearing of the sound of the waves breaking on the shore. She pulled me into shape and covered me in Vic - they call it Thai balm! We have both swum in the Gulf of Thailand. It was as the tide was coming in over the baking sand and was lovely and warm. We have also used the pool a lot which is delightful. We had a super meal here the second night when we could take our pick off the fish counter and they BBQed it for us. The Tiger prawns were enormous - like lobsters. About 4 times as big as any I have seen in England - about 200 gramms/ half a pound each! We had squid and rock lobster and scallops too.

And yes we did do an elephant trek! It was yesterday morning for two hours. It was easy to get used to being in the houdah, but it was really through forest and we had to push branches out of the way. We passed gum trees and grapefruit? trees and eventually got to a river. the boys spoke no English but we were presented to a platform so we got off. The elephants rested by enjoying the water while we watched. Going back Phil was invited onto the neck of his and Lisa's bull elephant. He decided to have a go. peter wasn't going to do that but I fancied it for a photo, but once on there was no way to get off again and there I had to sit all the way home - terrified that at any moment I would fall off. there was no where to put your feet or hold onto. I just spread my hands over her hairy head. She kept stopping to pick fruit, but I mamged to stay on. A little too hairy but I recovered after a nap.

Anyway we are all packed up now and ready to go.

Car and ferry to Trat airport, short flight to Bangkok, 6 hours at the airport, and then 10 hour flight home We arrive at 6am Sunday morning. I wonder how we will feel!

See you all soon.

Love Ruth and Peter