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Great day today in sunny Koh Samui. We did the touristy thing and joined a daytrip to Ang Thong National Park which is a group of beautiful islands about an hour and a half off the west coast. It has been a glorious day and very very hot. The islands are famous for inspiring 'The Beach' and it's easy to see why. Shortly after boarding the boat Darren bumped into an old buddy Chris who used to work with him at Amex Sydney, small world it seems. We visited Mae Koh island first which had and amazing lagoon and a viewpoint which was a bit dissapointing actually seeing as their were 3 million tourists trying to make their way up a thin rocky path.
Second stop after lunch on the boat was Wua Talap Island which is beyond stunning. Crystal blue waters and a wonderful beach but what I was most interested in was the viewpoint which was reported to offer one of the most sensational views in Thailand. Sounds great right? Problem is to reach it you have to climb 500m up a rocky limestone forest route with the assistance of a guide rope. Now we were warned it
At The summit
Chris, myself & Dean enjoying the moment was an arduous journey buut were told 30 minutes up and 30 minutes down, easy. It was bloody difficult. In the 40degree heat it was almost impossible. Dazza had made the sensible decision to stay on the beach and snorkel so myself, Chris and his mate Dean took on this little challenge. As well as the unremitting heat, you had to try and avoid twisting an ankle in the craggy limestone route trying as best possible to stay close to the guide rope. At 400m and tackling a very steep rock formation a couple of guys came down past us with the wonderful news that the worst was yet to come, a virtually vertical sheet of limestone to getover before reaching the top. I enquired with increasing concern 'is it anything a vertgo sufferer should be concerned about?' He gave me a stern look and said 'Err YES!'. After completeing the tough section at 400m I was having serious doubts I would be able to continue. I really don't like heights but I could already see through the trees the unbelievable views beyond. Chris also briefly expressed doubts but pushed on and so did I. I just had to make sure I didn't look behind me at the awe inspiring but frankly shit scary backdrop. Slowly slowly slowly we made our way up and eventually made it to the platform and boy it was worth it. I had borrowed Darrens camera for the ascent seeing as mine has suffered some sort of system meltdown. I do believe the Canon IXUS range are not completely designed to withstand midnight frollicking in the Gulf Of Thailand, surely a design oversight? Well I managed to take just 2 shots on Darrens camera before receiving the message 'Change battery pack', charming. Chris saved the day with his camera so big thanks to him for that. We made our way down OK and took a well deserved bathe in the crystal waters below before the departure back to Samui. Great trip. amazing place!
Tommorow we are supposed to be flying to Bangkok but we are trying to extend a day here in Koh Samui. With the problems in Nepal (Maoists have effectively closed down Kathmandu) we may have to delay arrival there and in Bangkok movement will also be limited with the Red Shirts still out in full force thus 4 days there will likely be unnecesary. On that basis another day on the beach makes some sense. All being well next update from Bangkok..
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richard
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heights
hey rich, these blogs are well funny...parachute jump next ? cant believe youve broken your camera already, so how long did it last...sensible decision staying on the islands..