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Published: February 22nd 2006
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Me on the beach
I've been converted to beach holidays I know some of you might think that I don't deserve a holiday considering I've been to 10 countries in the last 3 1/2 months, but that's where you're wrong. The amount of brain power required in daily planning and watching my back, and being a tourist is bloody exhausting. Every book will tell you that you need a break every 3 months...so I've taken their advise, and I feel like a million bucks.
I took a bus from Bankok, to the ferry terminal heading towards Ko Chang Island. I chose Ko Chang as it's in the right direction for Cambodia, and known to have a few beaches. Everybody seemed to be heading for White Sands Beach, which confirmed that my choice of Lonely Beach was certainly what I wanted. We piled into the back of the pickup with all of our luggage towering high on roof. The driver wanted to put me on the roof rather than having to lift my pack up, but I assured him that wouldn't be the wisest choice. We set off and a few conversations started amongst the passengers. Before I knew it, my worst travelling nightmare came true. I saw my pack
Welcome to Koh Chang
As the ferry pulled in... fly over my head and then continue to roll down the hill as we continued to drive up. Lots of yelling and pounding on the sides resulted only in the driver saying he couldn't stop on the hill. I finally decided to just jump out, and hope they might wait at the top for me. Just my 'stinkin luck eh? My heart rate peaked after running down to the bag and immediatly back up again where he had actually stopped. I'm lucky the bag didn't go off the cliff, just collected a few new layers of dust making it look a little more used. And as far as the excercise? My first steps towards bikini training!
I made my way down to the beach from the drop off point, and the choice of bungalows began. I opted for the Siam Huts based on the social center for food and drinks. After chasing the 5 fist size cochroaches away from my bed I began unpacking a few belongings and having a quick cold shower. I'm lucky to have lived in London for a few years as for each large critter I've seen here, there were 5 smaller ones in
The Fishboat
The one sight other than a beach my flat! Here I'm just a few steps away from the beach, so I've not got any issues about the four, six or eight legged kinds of roommates! Soon after settling in, I ordered a beer and the best barbque'd meal in Thailand. Siam Huts was certainly the right choice. I then met Scotlands' finest; Roland and Fraser. Conversation was an interesting mix as we strolled over to the neighbouring bungalows to have a few drinks there. We sat on cushions with low tables spread out over a wooden platform. When Fraser's foot went through the floor it was further confirmation that the Siam Huts were a wise choice!! Several beers later and we stumbled back to our own abodes and slept to the sound of the rolling waves. A good first day on Ko Chang.
The next few days are slightly a blur, but only for the reason that each day was pretty much the same as the previous. I've never been a huge huge fan of doing nothing on a beach for too long, but this changed my views a little bit. Big decisions for the day started off with choosing where to enter the water.
Fisherman
Where ther's fish, there's always a fisherman Then a few mini laps leading into 'the bob'. Sitting in the water and chatting for a couple of hours can be such a pleasure when there's nothing much else to do. I had a massage once, I read my book often and then I would just swing in the hammock and look out to sea. This is the life!
Don't get me wrong, I did get a bit of action (no no no, not that kind of action!) walking down the beach to the fireshow one night. Performers strutted their stuff with the ring of fire and 'juggling' of the burning poi. It was a perfect start to a night of many slurred conversations and unco-ordinated dancing. And then I found my bungalow and cozied myself under the mozzie net until early the next afternoon.
Another night the lads and I were joined by Dean and Shaun from the UK. This became the latest night yet (for me only!) as the instruments came out and the tunes were sung. It's always interesting to see a persons' performance side as it's often so different to their personality. Roland sang Led Zeppeling tunes as Dean matched his
The Drink
No comment on how many there were efforts on the guitar. And then the style changed when Shaun came in bending a few notes on the harmonica. What did I do? As with the rest of my time on this island, sat back and took it all in!
Hhhhhhmmmmmm, what else? I had planned on going to a fishing village on the southcoast of the island, but didn't make it. I had planned on renting a kayak, but didn't make it. I had planned on doing so much more, but changed my mind towards doing nothing much at all. I finished reading Geore Orwell's book 'Burmese Days' and began another (kindly given to me by Dave from the elephant farm!) also concentrating on Burma, 'The Burma Road' by Donovan Webster.
Every night had a beautiful sunset of which I managed to photograph a couple. Funny how I've taken nearly 500 photos per week until I arrived in Ko Chang. I'm quite proud of the 25 I have as it's just a reminder of the time spent without my camera in hand. Doing nothing much meant I studied the pattern of the waves...and I promise you it changed daily! There were often thunder and
The first sunset
As I have a few sunsets, this is just called Ko Chang Orange lightening storms through the night, resulting in a more vigourous bob the next day. Then the weather would settle, the sun would return and we would be able to walk out into the Gulf of Thailand for what felt like miles.
So there you go, my relaxing adventure on the beach. I've left Thailand knowing that I will be returning in a few weeks. I spent the next night in Trat taking in the splendours of the night market. A great meal of which the cook was so proud to ensure I ate every last bite, followed by a stroll around the many different venders. It couldn't be too much of a late night as the bus for the border into Cambodia leaves at 5am in the morning!
Hope everybody is super good. And planning your next holiday.
Fiona
PS- I all ready miss the watermelon shakes and the playful kittens from Siam Huts. MUST RETURN!!
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john Reilly
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sooooooooooo jealous
hi....looks good to me and i love beaches! Liam and i leave on Oct 7th for New York for a week, then i go to St. Louis to see family aned he goes to L.A. to meet with lots of movie people....cant wait...keep having fun...miss you....love Pleash