I'd trained every day last week and I was pleased with that so I decided not to train on Saturday and go out and do some sightseeing instead. I walked across to Super's place opposite the hotel and asked how much a taxi to the Big Budha would cost. Super wasn't around but after a mass panic Super's sister Li (May have got that wrong) turned up in a Toyota Land Cruiser and said 1000 Baht (about £20). I had the Kindle and camera in the bag so the idea was to have a look around and maybe get something to eat and read for a while. Anyway I should know by now that's not the way things work here. The people are pretty helpful so as we drove Li explained the food there was expensive and it would probably only take me 40 mins to have a look around. I expected her to drop me off and then I'd have to ring her to come back and pick me up but she said she'd wait and take me to Chalong temple afterwards.

I had a good look around and took a few photos then when I was ready Li took me to Chalong Temple. That was good of her. She could have just driven me straight back to the hotel but instead waited almost an hour while I did the touristy thing around the temple. It's funny because when you talk to anyone local out here they all have Scooters, Cars, bungalows or whatever to rent and will try to sell it to you at every opportunity.
Consequently I now have a push bike I rented from Li on Sunday morning

I really had planned on going off somewhere and just relaxing and I didn't want to go straight back to the hotel so I asked Li to drop me off at Rawai beach. This is where all the fishing boats are moored and there's a market where you can buy fresh fish then take it over to one of the restaurants to cook however you like. I bought a Kilo of tiger prawns and with steamed rice and 2 cans of Coke Zero it came to 540 Baht (£11). Happy days!

From there I walked along the pier then along the beach for a bit before stumbling across a British bar that I felt drawn to. It turned out to be a good move'ish. I got talking to someone that had their own Villa nearer the beach at a third of the price I'm currently paying. The pool is nowhere near as big but the electricity is all included and guess what? He's got a scooter, bike or car I can rent too

We arranged to meet up the next day at that same bar to go and take a look at the Villa. Anyway I was having such a good time I stayed in the bar until it closed. When I woke up on Sunday I thought how the hell did I get here? Then remembering I had to meet the guy about the villa I started to think shit, what did I do before I left the bar? I really can't remember but I know I was one of the last one's there and I've got to go down there and face any embarrassment because I need to find somewhere cheaper to stay. As I walked out of the hotel gate Li was practically waiting there for me with a push bike to rent so I hopped on and rode down to the bar not knowing what reception to expect There's only one thing for it under those circumstances and that's to walk in as bold as brass and take it on the chin. It turned out I had been driven back because I was so pissed They wanted to close the bar and were worried about me getting home (This place is class). From now on I am not drinking any more Chang! Some of the younger lads at the gym ended up getting tattoos after a night on Chang. One of them got "My Fathers Son" Tattooed on his arm and has been taken the piss out of all week. I'd also lost my debit card in the ATM as I hadn't removed it quickly enough after taking cash out. All in all it was a reasonably good night and I'd been introduced to quite a few people who are over here long term.

Everyone seems really friendly so far. It has rained a few times today but it never lasted long and it is really hot over here so it dries up pretty quick. Sweating buckets and off to bed now ready for an early start

You can follow my progress or spectacular failure through this site. What’s the worst that could happen? 3 months on the beach in a beautiful country or maybe not. Have you seen the weather?