I haven't updated for ages because I've been really busy and then in the last few days really ill. I know what happened the furthest and most recent couple of days but in between will have to summarise.

So the 1st June; I went to the beach after lunch and sunbathed for a bit. Then I decided to do something more worthwhile so went for a jog (which soon turned into a walk because of the heat) to one end of the beach and back which was about 5km in total. Lots of Vietnamese said hello, most of whom were in the shade! Tried to take some photos to show how the Vietnamese hate the sun. When I got back I had a drink and talked to the people who rent out the sunbeds for a while. I then bumped into 2 South African girls who were on my last bus so talked to them too. It was National Children Day so all the little kids were out in the streets playing with their new toys. After dinner that evening I went back for another of the chocolate mousses because they're so good! I asked for the recipe too but they wouldn't give it me :-(

Next day was up at 6.30 to go diving! Had some quick breakfast before the bus to the pier. I don't think the diving here is as good as where I've been before but still enjoyable. It's cheaper though, only US$25 for a day trip with 2 dives. There was lots of different coral and starfish, as well as different fish though not as many as previously. Saw a few zebra lionfish which I really liked, and a black spotted porcupine among other things. In between the two dives we had fun diving off the boat and pushing each other in the sea. When I got back I went to the shop I had been a few times already, talking to the girl learning Vietnamese. This time I met her sister who spoke better English and we talked for about an hour. Bought an ice cream and stuff there too. It's good talking to the locals, not only do you make friends, you also learn the language and about the culture. A lot of Vietnamese don't like to do anything except work and/or study, especially the girls. I found it weird that this girl didn't like beaches when she has such a beautiful one right on her doorstep, you can actually see the water from her shop.

This is where I pretty much forget what happened. I basically booked my bus out of here for one evening and then in the day managed to find a job in a bar. So I decided to stay and cancelled the bus. As my line sometimes goes in order to promote it; "it's a really nice and relaxed lounge bar owned by two really cool canadian dj's, with comfortable seating, a nice garden area and a great layout!" It's called Guava, top of the list in the Lonely Planet. There's another English girl working with me called Abs and then all the barstaff are Vietnamese, theres one guy and about 15-20 girls.

It's really good fun working in the bar, mine and Abs' job is to basically talk to people and make friends who will hopefully come to the bar, then make them feel welcome and get drunk with them so they will hopefully come back! So every night is a party night, the bar shuts between 12 and 1 and then we all go to the 'Sailing Club' as does most of the rest of the town. It's pretty much the only place open late, closing at 3am every morning. Now is the quietest tourist season though, so sometimes it can seem a little empty.

I've met so many people here and made so many friends. It's difficult to remember all the names, especially 15-20 Vietnamese names but I think I've remembered all the bar staffs names now which I'm quite impressed by. This is on top of all the other Vietnamese people, whether from my hotel, a restaurant, a shop, a dive school, whatever. And then there's all the people living here, either working in bars or dive schools, of which there's about 20. THEN there's the visitors, of which theres about 10-20 new names to try and learn each day! Think you get the point. But I really enjoy it, I only need to walk a little way down the street before bumping into someone I know for a chat.

Some days I go and play football on the beach with the locals which is fun though very tiring in the heat. We normally play about 5pm so not as hot as the middle of the day. This is when all the locals go to the beach, to watch the sunset, play football or fly their kites. The last 2/3 days however I've been quite ill with what is believed to be sun-stroke and a throat infection. I was in bed from 11pm Thursday to 4pm Friday in pain and too weak to move. I only managed to get out because I knew the World Cup was beckoning! So I watched the Germany - Costa Rica game last night, the bar was quite bust for it which was good. We have 20% off drinks until the first goal is scored which no-one was able to take advantage of last night! One of the owners got really drunk and it took 15 minutes of hitting him to wake him up!

Today I was at the br for a while, had lunch there before going down to the beach. Did the usual, chatting to people and giving them a flier, hoping they'll turn up tonight. Saw a few friends who I also chatted to, then came here. Really looking forward to tonight, of course the England game and then it's the FULL MOON PARTY! Obviously not as big as in Koh Phangan but should be really good. I'm still a little ill, especially my throat, but I've just been informed the best thing for it is sambuca so we'll see...!