i've arrived on Koh Samui - sleeper car for the train ride down here, then bus/ferry to the island.

spent the last day before leaving on a tour to Ayuthaya - it was the former capitol of Thailand. it was invaded by the Burmese more than once (because they were jealous of Thai wealth, the tour guide told us). In 1763 the king moved the capitol down river to Bangkok.

Scott and Heather, a lovely couple from Canada, got me hooked up on the tour through their hotel. I met them in the Tokyo airport and we kept in touch via email. I even ran into them one night on the street, if you can believe it (the city is only 8 million people or so).

here are a couple more learnings for ya:
1 - i like tuk-tuk rides (motorized rickshaw sort of thing) more than I should. In a future lifetime i might have the nerve to drive on ein Bangkok.
2 - Thai people are so thin for loving food so much!
3 - Humidity is *great* for my hair!
4 - If it is raining really hard, go get a massage.

thanks everybody for the last set of blog responses. By the way, Cliff is great travel support - he set his alarm to wake up at 1:30am PST to IM with me. What a doll!!!

Per Sandi and others that have commented - I am *definitely* being careful with my posessions. Good thing I'm hyperaware with my personal space. it's very hard to sneak up on me, unless you are a very crafty monkey indeed!

will post more soon!
lotsa luv
Susie