Ko Samet

Wow.. I do not even know how to start to explain this last week.
Ko Samet was a little frustrating to say the least.
We had a very long day traveling to Ko Samet on Monday. It nears the east side of Thailand.
Unfortunately the group i booked through is very very unorganized. To anyone who is thinking of booking a trip with Real gap by the way--RETHINK RIGHT NOW. Anyways, we had a bus ride from a hotel a little outside Singburi at 8 30 in the morning. Now, normally, it would take about four hours to get to the ferry that takes us over to the Island of Ko Samet. Instead, we wait on the bus to fill up for gas and for people to switch their travellers cheques (which are completely pointless haha) which put us back about an hour. We waited at the ferry for about another hour and then yet another hour on the other side once reaching the Island. It seemed that because we were traveling with a massive group of about fourty people it took twice as long as it should have to get to our "resort". We were so relieved to just arrive to beds and an ocean awaiting us. Real Gap had informed us before leaving Thailand that we would be staying in "Resorts". Well. what they took us to was just about a 1 star hotel. I wouldn't even call it a hotel. Maybe more of a hostel? One clunky old fan and a sewage smelling room. Anyways, perhaps i am so negative because of what follows next.
We have to eat at this restaurant called "Joes" because all our food is included with the overall package. The food wasn't bad! we were so happy to have fruit shakes of every kinds possible! But our excitement didn't last long. The next three days consisted of pure sickness. I am not just talking a few of us.. in the group of 40 that came there were about 10 that were lucky enough NOT to get sick.. me included. I was feeling a little sick one day with the runs and stomach pains but nothing like the others had to experience. Some couldn't walk and one girl actually lost her eye sight for a few hours. Most of them were taken to the clinic for injections and a few had to be taken to the hospital in Bangkok.
I think that this past week has kind of taken us of track in a negative way. We are feeling discouraged and frustrated. Nikki, Elyse and I are just looking forward to being on our own. We are looking into traveling to Malaysia for about five days and then off to Khao Lak to work with the Tsunami Volunteer Centre.
The Beach was beautiful and we got one full day of wonderful sun. Nikki got pretty burnt and Elyse is just as tanned as our Thai friend Palm haha. Unfortunately i didn't get to go in the water much because my mosquito bites got infected and they have been pussy. Ive been taking antibiotics.
I apologize for my negativity and maybe after this next week with volunteering at the Orphanage we will feel rejuvenated and ready to experience some more!