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Next stop Koh Samui. Found somewhere to sleep and caught taxi to Samui Airport (also known as a bunch of small shacks in the middle of the island) to meet Em and Becca. Was sat so close to the runway, could actually have got run over if I'd put a bit of effort into it. SOOOO lovely to see them both, until they were actually there, I wasn't totally sure they'd be on the flight - quite surreal having my big sis there. Unfortunately, the weather was pants, rain and cloud, not quite what they had been hoping for. But still we lay on the beach hoping for some sun and in the evening had a wander round the shops (So many shops selling so much cool stuff) and did a bit of spending. The next day the sun arrived so a full day of tanning was had. In the evening we went and watched a Thai boxing match. All quite brutal, with very few rules and a lot of kicking. Interesting to watch though, especially when two tiny boys attempted to fight, this wasn't brutal at all, just quite sweet.
We next headed to Koh Tao and after a
great deal of wandering around in the boiling sun, found some very nice accommodation. We sampled the beach and then headed for a night out which involved sitting on the beach right next to the sea drinking buckets and attempting to avoid being burnt by the flame thrower who was doing his thang dangerously close to us. Night ended with an extremely drunken Katy and us dancing in the sea with a few random boys who thought me and Em looked 19 and 20!! Fun had by all. One day we went on a snorkeling trip round the island, having hired our own long boat and little Thai man to drive it. After a rather bumpy start, and nearly getting run over by a very large boat, we moored up at a beautiful bay and after a short while in the water saw two sharks. One was really quite big and it was so cool to watch them swim past. Next we stopped at this amazing cove and walked up to this cliffside beach cafe. The view was just spectacular, probably one of the best I've seen since coming away, so so beautiful and unspoilt. We did a bit of
swimming, and Lou made the mistake of feeding the fish that would then not leave her alone until she got back on to the boat. We stopped at a few more spots and saw soft coral, colourful clams and loads of pretty fish. It was a really good day and the weather was prefect.
The next day we were travelling up north to Kanchanaburi. A day on the beach and then caught taxi to port. From there it was a very rough ferry ride back to the main land, bus to train station, overnight train up to Bangkok, taxi to a different station over the other side of the city, few hours wait before train to Kanchanaburi and then walk to find somewhere to sleep. Rather tired and sweaty by the time we found a bed, but after a quick shower we headed out and walked over the Bridge Over the River Kwai and went to a museum all about the tragic story behind the building of the bridge which was extremely moving. After we wandered round the cemetery with very large lumps in our throats, very interesting but very sad also. The next day we went to Erawan National
Park to walk up the 7 tiered Waterfall. The falls were really pretty and the higher we climbed the more impressive and inviting the water looked. Arrived at the top dripping with sweat and dived into the pool. Tier 5 had been our favorite so we headed back down and spent a good while bathing in the pools and enjoying the natural showers. A really good day and an extremely worthwhile walk.
Left Kanchanaburi very early the next morning heading for Pattaya to see Sally (a friend of mine from home who had moved out to Thailand with her husband, Simon to train to become scuba diving instructors). Several bus journeys later, met Sally at the bus station and were taken to our accommodation. Said quick hi to Simon before we hit the beach. Was really lovely to see Sally and have a proper catch up. Her and Simon are so happy out here and we later met all their friends on the beach who were all good fun. In the afternoon Sally took me to the local doctor (what I might have failed to mention is that for the last month I have had very odd toes, they initially
just tingles a lot and felt quite weird but after having been stood on loads at the Full Moon Party they have become really sore, and possibly a little infected (yes, gross I know, don't judge!!!) so after a bit of pushing from Em, I finally decided to get them looked at). Anyway, doctor took one look and told me I needed to go to the hospital and see the dermatologist. So off Me, Em and Becca went and found ourselves in what we decided must be a 5 star hotel, until we saw signs about diseases and realized that no, we were actually at the hospital. A ridiculous number of leather couches later, we were taken by golf buggy round the Dermatology and Beauty Care building where about 5 women in spotless suits faffed around for ages until finally they pulled me off a beautiful cashmere sofa to see the doc. She confirmed that my toes did not look normal and prescribed me a variety of pills to sort them out. 2344 Baht later (about 30 quid) I had pills and was a little dubious that most of the money would be going towards more swish sofas, but at
least my toes might stop looking so manky. That night we headed out with Sally, Simon at all their scuba diver instructor friends to sample the very seedy nightlife of Pattaya. Thai girls in very little clothes everywhere selling themselves for as little as 2 pounds, and old, fat men loving it!! We went to a couple of bars, classy ones with only a few prostitutes, before rocking up in Living Dolls, a bar full of naked Thai girls standing on stages attempting to dance/sway. It was pretty nasty, with ugly, pervy men everywhere with girls easily young enough to be their daughters. It was defiantly an experience, but one I don't really want to repeat. Sally's friends were all really good fun and it was so cool to be out with her once again. Unfortunately, we had to catch an early bus the next day, so it wasn't a particularly late or drunken one, but we were escorted home by Sally's friend Chad, who was a real sweetie and bought us all roses.
Up early the next day, caught the bus to head to Koh Chang. A longer day than anticipated but only short boat ride over to the
island where we eventually found a nice room and laid down by the pool. Katy and Lou arrived later than evening and an early night was had by all.
After a lazy day sunning ourselves by the pool, the next afternoon we went on an elephant trek. Me and Becca mounted Cindy, our lovely Ellie and off we went. We were a little scared at first, not sure what it would be like, but apart from a few little nervous moments, it was actually quite relaxing and very good fun.
Off to Bangkok tomorrow for some sight seeing and shopping...
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Lynne
non-member comment
Sounds fantastic
Hi Bec, Becca has just directed me to your blog - it's great to be able to hear and see more of what you're all up to - sounds as if you're all having a wonderful time. Thailand is going to have to go on our list! Hope your toes are getting better. Enjoy the rest of your trip Love, Lynne