10 days later ...

I arrived on the island of Ko Pha Ngan, more in need of the Betty Ford Clinic than another beach party.

In short my timing was perfect. I'd arrived 24 hours before one of the island's legendary full moon parties where around 10,000 people party until dawn.

I met up with Mel who was already ensconsed at the rather laid-back Cookies Bungalows on the quiet West side of the island. It had everything we needed - a private beach, and decent food with ice cold beer on a wooden deck facing out to sea.

Come the night of the full moon we decided against the overpriced taxi's, broken glass and thumping bass of Haad Rin beach, and instead spent the evening alone on the deck, sipping cold beer and listening to the waves lapping against the rocks below. It was the perfect antidote to the previous 10 days ...

For those who didn't quite get my recent post about Mel and me splitting up - thanks for all your messages of concern. I can assure you the split was only temporary and purely geographic in nature ...

My video from Mongolia - World's Biggest Ger - has just been nominated as one of the top 10 travel videos from Asia on the internet by weshow.com - when I checked this morning it was in 6th place - you can see the video and add your votes by clicking here