Leaving Bangkok this afternoon for Ko Samui.  I don't think any of us are going to miss it here. The hotel was lovely and the staff was so kind to us.  Not to be negative because of course we had a blast and many laughs, the sights, sounds and smells can only be described as 'sensory overload.'  As Robyn summarized, 'this city is exhausting.'  And what she meant by exhausting was literally exhaust.  Between the tuk-tuks, cabs and buses we all felt like we spent the day inhaling gas fumes.  As well as the exhaustion you feel as the city envelopes your every sense.  

The tuk-tuk and cab drivers are all trying to scam you.  We guess that they are somehow paid to bring unsuspecting tourist to jewelry and other shops.  We negotiated before getting in the cabs, but they'd still try to take us somewhere we did not request.  I think most of you know the three of us pretty well so I'll let you guess who won that battle!!!  After we got out of one of the cabs, a local woman got us another one and in Thai made it very clear how much we will pay and where to bring us 'WITH NO STOPS.'  However, I will admit it did take its' toll because we all agreed that it would be a better idea to have drinks here at the hotel last night instead of having to deal with being brought to some seedy Pat Pong show.   If you don't know what Pat Pong is, just know you will sleep easy.  Do not google it.

I'll report back later from Ko Sumai.  The plan is beach, snorkel/dive trip to the surrounding islands, cocktails and many massages!