We were up early and given a breakfast of bread, cream cheese, and salad (not that appetizing, but it was free), before being picked up by a bus and taken round the houses as it picked everyone else up. Then it was off to the boat.

The boat was near enough full, and after a while we set off for one of the three islands we'd be visiting. It was rather quiet on the boat as we travelled there, and once we were there we were told that there was a coral reef closer into the island and there was snorkel gear available if anyone wanted it.

Dave and I clambered onto the roof of the boat and dived in (Dave doing the run and jump, I just stood and dived as I knew that if I didn't I'd catch my feet on the rail). I got one of the girls to throw me a mask and snorkel and had my first try at snorkelling. It wasn't good. I was still breathing partly through my nose, and as soon as the nose guard covered my nostrils I had to come up for air. I left off the snorkel and just used the mask. After a while we just messed about diving off the roof of the boat.

We set off for another island while a lot of us were sunning ourselves on the roof. When we came down the middle seats had all been lowered to make a large table. We pulled into a quiet cove and the food came out. Rice, chips, noodles, chicken, fish, prawns, french bread and plenty of it. It was one hell of a meal. There was a lot more talking on the boat now.

After the food was cleared away the band set up. The band consisted of a guitarist/singer, a drummer on a set of improvised drums (upturned plastic bucket and a few tin lids on sticks) and an old guy with a tambourine. They banged out a few songs (including Hotel California, the national athem of SE Asia), before we all went back into the water. The boat captain came in aswell in his 'floating bar'. He was serving some dog-awful wine (as long as it gets you pissed!). There was a drinking game being played, if you said 'no' you had the wine pour straight down your neck, so everyone was trying to trip everyone else up. Anna was particularly bad at it (she shouldn't be, she's a school teacher and should be used to games). When we got back in the boat we were well on our way.

We stopped off at another island where we did more jumping, diving and swimming before coming to our last stop.

The last island had a lot of activities available, but you had to pay to get onto it. So a group of us sat on the boats roof and played drinking games, Jodie and Anna getting us more wine. Then we sat around talking.

When we got back a group of us decided to meet up for drinks. Dave and I wouldn't be able to stay long as we were on the night bus to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon to you).

On the way to the bar Anna and I got talking. She started talking about her disastous relationships, "But you don't want to hear about them" (Hell no), "I don't mind" (Doh!). I did my usual 'nice guy' stuff of making her feel better about herself. Half way through the conversation she came out "It's not just me though, you've got issues yourself" (Thanks for that, dog knows why that stuck with me). We carried on talking about stuff (no idea what) while chucking back Vodka Red Bulls.

After a while Dave said he was heading off, I'd follow when I'd finished my drink. I said my goodbyes and set off to the hotel. After a good long wander I found myself outside the bar again! Bugger! Missed the bus now! I had another drink, and then remembered I had nowhere to stay! I flagged down a bicycle rickshaw and set off again. Near the hotel Dave saw me, apparently my bags were on the bus and he'd been holding it up so as to find me. We ran for the bus and I got on. Apparently the bus needed a push start, but I can't remember that as I near enough feel asleep as I found my seat. I awoke at 3am as we dropped off some people at Muine, but then dropped off again and slept until we reached Ho Chi Minh City.