I am now in Kao Lak, a little village 1 hour north of Phuket, on the west coast of Southern Thailand. It is kind of remote in the sense that it is very small and relatively undeveloped. I wasn't sure if I should come here or stay in Phuket, but I am glad that I did come. However, I have no internet access again and the phone is expensive (only cell) and no calling collect, cash only ($15 CDN for 5 mins!), so I fax. I will stay here until Sunday night and then go down to Malaysia to meet Don and Kathie in Melaka. My bungalow here is nice and clean. Today I spent the day swimming in the Andaman sea. I saw about 10 other tourists on the beach at any one time. Total probably 50 tourists staying along the entire 8 km stretch of sand, behind the beach/village is undeveloped jungle. Last night I could see every star. I met two other nice backpackers from Switzerland but most of the rest of the tourists here are older, well off Germans. Tomorrow I start a SCUBA diving course. The dive centre here is very good and the staff very nice. Mom and Dad, thanks for the birthday card. It is hard and expensive to call from Thailand (most phones do not allow overseas) but I will call from Malysia. Till then know that I am happy and safe here. I miss you all and love you very much. Leigh, love you and that cat! Tree xoxoxo