To Samui: Wed 10 March

I decide to go out to breakfast, as its my last day in Chiang Mai, with the aim of finding some authentic Khao Tom Gai (rice soup with chicken). I find a local makeshift cafe and try their version. The chicken is very freshly cooked and shredded - it is very tender. The broth is light and flavoursome although I would have preferred a lttle more garlic and ginger. I then, unsually for me, go to a coffee house for a mocha. They have papers and I want to see what is happening outside Chiang Mai. The cover story is calling for peace at the demo in Bangkok on Friday - I hope it is peaceful.

I catch my first tuk-tuk of this trip to the airport around lunchtime and then have a quick and uneventful flight to Samui. I'm disappointed on landing that it is raining however this gives way to wonder at the airport which is the most beautiful tropical airport I've ever seen! It is all grass huts and green foliage. Even the baggage belt is housed in a wooden hut. The photo is of the ceiling in the baggage collection room.

I'm staying at Shambala on Big Buddha Beach. I chose it because it seemed more old style and authentic however my first impression is that Shambolic might be a better name. Or Ramshackle. Oh well, it has character and at night when all the fairy lights are on it looks postively magical.

Another plus is that their food is very good. I order Thai Fish Cakes and get seven! I also have a prawn and squid stirfry with chilli and basil which is also very good and the squid is super fresh.

Later on I walk up the strip in front of the hotel to see what other food places there are and see if there any bars that I want to go in. Most of the bars have girls to entice you in and one girl (called Tom) grabs my wrist and wont let go. I explain I'm going for a walk but she wont let go until I promise to come in on my way back - as she lets go she tickles the palm of my hand! I feel awful on the way back as I'm on the other side of the road and she spots me and starts yelling at me to come over. I shake my head and tell her I'm still walking, I can still hear her wail "You promised ... you promised!"