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Published: January 8th 2007
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One deserted beach
This was the last island we went to on our day tour. Crowded eh! So after our second night in Koh Lak, we took a bus on Christmas morning to Phuket air port to meet up with big Gerry, the Lush father. It was very strange to be in such a warm climate on December 25 and away from home. This would be the first year in a long time that I wouldn’t wake my parents up early in person. Being 15 hours ahead of the west cost, I meant to keep the tradition of waking them up alive by calling home later this night but as you will read later, I had a little trouble.
So after surprising Gerry at the air port the Lush family was finally together. We took a taxi van to a tiny port where we bought our tickets on a long boat ferry to the island of Kah Yai Noi. James Jodie and I claimed the bow of the boat and lounged in the sun the whole way. At the Yai Noi peer we caught a tuk tuk which took us to our beach front bungalow. This was the first time we all fit into one bungalow. It had a huge porch and beds to sleep us all.
Jordan and I had a little touch of Christmas when we opened our presents Gerry brought from back home. The warm clothing we received in the presents is going to be well needed when we get to China where the weather is colder than the south. When dinner time rolled around, we went to the restaurant where the meal was placed in front of us almost immediately. Apparently the Lush brothers ordered for us earlier that afternoon. Delicious fried fish and huge prawns were quite a change from the traditional Grandma McClean turkey, but we enjoyed it as Christmas dinner should be enjoyed.
As it was getting later in the night, it meant that it was getting later in the wee hours of Christmas morning back home. I wanted to time a call home so I would wake my parents up just like I have done every year before. At dinner I asked our waiter for a taxi but he informed me there weren’t any because all the drivers were at a party down the street and not working. I was choked. I ended up renting a scooter and taking it into town at 10pm along the half paved
Jord's good side
From the bow of the ferry back to Phuket Jord poses for the camera. thin road. Fifteen minutes later I was outside the only 7-11 on the island with a phone card I bought inside. Unfortunately, the phone card didn’t work and my plan to wake up the Chamberlain house was foiled. I drove back to our bungalow full of shame and went to sleep. The next morning Jord and I took the scooter back into town and found an internet phone where I tried every one of their cell phones after not getting an answer at home. And of course there was no answer. It would have been late on the 25th and I knew they were at my Grandmas place but I didn’t know the number. Long story short, I got the number off Canada 411 and managed to get a hold of them.
The main highlight of the Koh Lak island experience was the day tour of near by islands. We rented a huge long boat for the day and our guide took us to some beautiful beaches on near by islands. At one point, we had an entire beach peninsula all to our selves. As the day wore on, I started to get a bit of a head ach
This was our New Years party
Deep into a game of Mario Cart on my Nintendo DS on New Years Eve... The candy cane keeps me focused. and I had lost my appetite. When we got back to the bungalow I went immediately to bed and didn’t get out until 14 hours later when Jord and I left for Bangkok. I still had a head ach and couldn’t eat but it was tolerable.
So after our short stay at Koh Lak it was time for the big split. Jordan and I left the Lush family behind and headed for Phuket airport where we flew to Bangkok. The one hour flight was much more appealing than the 13 hour bus ride alternative and for 50 dollars Canadian, well worth it. From the airport we took a taxi back to our bread and butter hostel in Bangkok, the Green House Guest House. Ryan flew in the next day a new man after going home for the holidays. He was refreshed and looking good in his new wardrobe and to top it off. He even had a new day pack, which was well needed considering the state of his old one. I didn’t think it would make it home in one piece. Our reunion was brief as Ryan was going to Phi Phi to meet the Lushes while Jord and I made a little stop at the hospital.
By this time, my head was pounding and I had the chills and a high fever. With a little inspiration from Ryan and Jord, I went to the hospital to get checked out. Jord was gracious enough to come. We said our good by’s to Ryan and then took a tuk tuk to the hospital. I was feeling progressively worse as time passed up until the point when the ER doctor was examining me. After about 45 seconds of talking to him, I vomited into his garbage can. Needless to say they were a little worried and admitted me. They took blood and checked for dange fever and malaria that luckily both came back negative. I was put on an IV and given saline for the next two days which I was happy about because it was extremely hard to get an appetite for the hellish food they serve there. Thanks to BCAA insurance I sprung for the deluxe room that came with a fridge and TV. I was living the high life except for the fact that I felt terrible.
The first night was brutal and I managed to get very little sleep. The nurse came in every couple of hours to take my temperature which hovered around 102 deg with a spike to 103. My fever didn’t break until the second day when they let me go. I was a little upset because they started me on antibiotics and alcohol doesn’t go to will with those. The worst part was I got out on New Years Eve and didn’t get to drink. Jord and I just chilled in our room until just before midnight when we went out to the main street. The police presence was huge and they the street entrances gated to funnel people through a small opening. There were tons of people but unfortunately the count down wasn’t coordinated and people weren’t sure when the hour actually did hit. Most people celebrated a few minutes after 12 but I guess that’s fitting for Thailand where everything is a little behind.
On January 1st, Jordan and I left for Cambodia which I’ll talk about later.
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