Okay, here goes

First of all, many many thanks to all the people on this site who helped me put my holiday plans together.

Day 1 - BangkokArrived into Bangkok on Sunday 23rd Sept and get a metered taxi to the Davis Hotel for around 300bht. The Davis hotel is an absolute gem. I have stayed in many 4-5 star hotels around the world but for the money we paid, it was unbelievable. We paid £40 a night for a studio room. When we arrived (4 adults/2 couples) I asked if they could upgrade us to the ambassador suite and then sell our rooms as it would be easier to sell the studio rooms. THEY DID. The ambassador suite had 2 massive bedrooms, very modern living area and kitchen, but best of all, had a 8 berth huge Jacuzzi in the middle of the living area"¦"¦normal price for this suite was £250 a night!!!

Did some shopping at the emporium (near the davis) and the siam paragon. Both very up market but no cheaper than the UK in terms of prices. We found the MBK centre a lot cheaper and better 'atmosphere'. Also loved the kho san road for its madness.

Day 2 - Bangkok
Thanks to whoever suggested the 'stickmans' tour of Bangkok. We followed it to the letter. I found wat po (huge gold reclining Buddha) more interesting than the grand palace, but that is just my opinion. Even helped a young lady who could not reverse park her car outside very funny..

Day 3 - Flight to Koh samui.
Stayed in a grotty but well placed hotel called chaweng gardens, very close to the green mango street. Chaweng is very lively, but has a good atmosphere.

Day 4 - 7 Koh samui.
Transferred to the hotel Impiana, about 5 mins in a taxi to chaweng (around 200 baht for the 4 of us). Brilliant hotel. Open plan reception area all made out of mahogany. Infinity pool overlooking the sea, very very comfy sun loungers (mattress type) amazing breakfast with lots of choice, all for 1800 baht per room per night.

Went to the full moon party"¦what was I thinking!! Only joking, it was a memorable experience. I am 37 and my other half is 32 and although there are people a lot younger than us, we did not feel out of place or intimidated. There were people older than us. You do have to wade into the beach once you got off the boat at koh panyang (SP?). We had a great night lying on the beach on a huge beach towel (recommend taking one to lay on) watching the fire shows and taking it all in. The total cost for return transfers from our hotel and a return on the speedboat (not a longboat, thank god) was 600 baht each. Good value I thought.

Hired a car and drove around the island, big buddah, fishermans village (very nice - will stay around that area next time), got lost in the mountains trying to get to a 'scenic viewpoint' on the map and had to be helped out by some builders!!!!, Hat rin waterfall (around 2km walk up hill through the jungle in the midday heat and not really worth the view), the famous 2 waterfall (cant remember the names 1 and 2) better than hat rin and only 2 mins walk!!!. Did some elephant trekking for 1000 baht each. Never done anything like it but really enjoyed it. My elephant was called Honda after the car, he was great, did some dancing, running etc. The guide even got off and allowed me to sit on Hondas head and steer the bloody thing lol. Went to the snake farm but the show was not on, but they let us in for 100baht. Not really worth seeing if the show is not scheduled.

Day 7 - Flight from Samui to Phuket. BEWARE OF BANGKOK AIRWAYS!!!!!
Booked the flight on line (as I have with all my Bangkok airways flights and completed all the information ) Arrived at the airport only to be told that THEIR system had failed and although we had a confirmation number the system had not transferred the booking. The flight was full as were the next 3 days of flights!!! They did not care that we were now stuck on the island and we could do nothing. We went on the internet and found a travel company from Nathon who could take us to Krabi for 400bht each. We got a taxi to Nathon and booked the trip. After a 30mins coach ride to the ferry port, a 1.5 hour ferry ride, a 60mins coach to surathani, a 60 mins wait for a mini bus, a 1.5hour mini bus ride to krabi and a 40 min longboat to railey beach in the rain and choppy sea, we finally made it !!!!!!!! (although we did have to carry our suitcases from out of the longboat and wade onto the beach for around 50m!! Very funny watching me take my girlfriends bright pink suitcase on my shoulder whilst walking to the beach!! Railey beach was very nice but spoiled by the fact that a tropical monsoon was overhead!!! We stayed at a hotel called Anyavee which was very nice, clean and comfy for only 1200 bht a night. But the rain spoiled everything as there is not a lot to do on railey beach if its raining cats and dogs. So we decided to move onto Phi Phi"¦

Day 9-12 Phi Phi
We arrived in Phi Phi at around 10.30am after taking a ferry from Railey beach, only after wading out to a longboat again, then the longboat taking us to the ferry and transferring mid sea. We staying in a hotel called Phi Phi Cabana, close to the ferry docking area and right in the middle of the 2 seas. For anybody that has been, you will know what I am talking about. The hotel was destroyed by the tsunami and has only recently re-opened 7 months ago. It was amazing. We had a pool and sea view (not the sea where the ferry docked but the other sea). We got a promotional deal for 2000 bht a night for the room and this was a 4/5 star hotel. I absolutely fell in love with everything about Phi Phi, the people, the beach, the scenery, the little shops, hippies bar selling chang beer for 30 baht etc. It was my birthday as well whilst we were there and I will never forget the 4 of us, dancing in the sea at 3am outside hippies bar, drunk, singing along to the Killers song 'Mr Brightside'
I would recommend Phi Phi to anybody. It has everything and if far from 'tacky'
We did an around the island snorkel trip and visited many good snorkelling sites and saw a baby shark and a sea snake. Went to 'The Beach' but it was too busy although very beautiful. Bamboo island was my favourite. I cannot stress enough how gorgeous Phi Phi island is.

Day 12-14 - Travel back to Bangkok via Phuket
Stayed in the one hotel for 3 hours in a village called Nai Yang as it was near the airport. The hotel was called Nai Yang beach resort and they charged us only 100 baht each to look after our luggage and give us access to a shower etc. This village was hit hard by the tsunami. An old lady approached us on the street and made polite conversation before asking if we wanted a drink in her bar. She was so lovely we could not refuse. I am so glad we did. She was a charming wonderful old woman who showed us pictures of before and after the tsunami, her pictures of renee zellwigger and hugh grant who stayed in this village when they filmed bridget jones diary and ate and drank in her beach side bar. It was called MammaMia. We had the most delicious green curry and rice for 60 baht and they even took us to the airport. Throughout my whole trip I never felt at home as much as I did in her bar and we where only there 3 hours!!!

Last day
Stayed in the Davis again. No upgrade to the ambassador suite this time .but the executive suite!!!!! Went to a steakhouse called New York Steakhouse in the Marriott for our last night and feast on a T-Bone. It was pricey but well worth it for the food and experience. They treat us like kings. The 18oz T-Bone was around 1500 baht.

Flew home with Qatar airlines who I have to say were very good for both inflight entertainment and service.

That's it. (thank god I can hear you say). If anybody has any questions, newbie or otherwise, please feel free to ask me.

Thanks
John