Christmas Festivities

Dancing elephants? Fire spinners? Lady boys? Sign us up.

It was a condition of staying at the hotel over Christmas - but now 14 strong with the South African contingent and US and UK reinforcements, we've the critical mass to get what we want even amidst the Russian tour busses. We snaffle the elephant's paintings, enjoy his massages, and have hats put on and off, on and off. Not a quiet family. . .

The rest of the day on the beach, baking, varying things up with the occasional. It's beautiful - white sand, mountains dropping to the sea and clear clear water. So much for the lonely planet who describes Koh Chang as "girl-next-door-pretty not glamour-girl-gorgeous". We are offended on the beach's behalf.

Really good to catch up with the cousins. It's been years. And it's really the first time to meet this lot as adults.