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Published: February 22nd 2009
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Sunset Bay
This is where we stopped for 4 days We arrived in Bangkok on Saturday - nearly a week ago now. Bit miffed on the flight that our online check in had been disregarded and the seats given to a BABY. I mean come on. We were far more entitled to those extra legroom numbers than a baby. They bumped us to the back - the worst seat on the plane - next to the emergency exit - where some germans felt a need to stand and speak shit about where they had been on holiday - very loudly. So in summary - CHINA AIRLINES - YOU SUCK.
We stepped off the plane into the tunnel and it immediately felt cosy as Melissa would say. After a healthy 60 min wait at Thai immigration we realised - Hey this is Thai time - we are in Thailand!!
We made a beeline for Th Ko San and hit a bar for an introductary beer chang and fried rice. But it was hot - I mean boiling. We took a while to find the hotel - but when we did get there I think we were both impressed with the standard. Headed out for some suitable footware but unfortunately while
Beer Chang on Kho San Rd
6.4% of cooling goodness Gareth was wearing his brand new flipflops managed to jab his little toe on a paving slab that some thai workmen had thoughtfully placed at the side of the pavement - just at exactly the right height for some unfortunate soul to get a serious injury. I bet they were watching from a distance for the first person to injure themselves and were pissing themselves when it was me. Maybe it was a Thai Jeremy Beadle - we'll never know.
Anyway - we took it easy in Bangkok - just walking up and down Th Kho San, eating Pad Thai, spring Rolls and Drinking Changs. I rate Beer Chang highly - its 6.4% and very drinkable. We sunbathed on the Sunday morning but decided to call it a day towards mid-day when I clocked a temperature of 36.4 C on my snazzy watch. Time for something different - we went to Dursit Park and wandered about there. We saw a mansion that King RAMI V built in early 1900's - entirely made of teak (see pics).
We flew to a town called Trang in the far south of Thailand on the Monday. The plane was painted like a
Jimmy the Frog
Our room mate on Ko Lipe duck interestingly enough. And the man sat next to me videoed the entire flight from stepping on to the plane to landing. I suspect his family would have to sit through that video later in the evening. Trang was a one street town sort of place - a little like Omagh. It was a nice change from the capital though. It was cheap as well - we paid 220B for a hotel room and 60B for a big chang beer - 4.50 & 1 pound respectively.
We headed out to Ko Lipe which was a dead relaxing time. Its a pretty little island but is somewhat more developed than the guide book makes out. This edition of the lonely planet was probably written by someone sitting in a bar in London. We stayed at PORN resort on Sunset beach. That is the real name of the place - i'm not making it up. Our days here consisted of getting up earlish - skipping breakfast, sunbathing til 12.30 or so when it got too hot, then taking an extended lunch and trying to find ways to stay cool. Then hitting the beach again late afternoon.
We did a fair
bit of snorkelling as the water was crystal and the fish were very friendly and colourful. The things that I noticed about lipe (pronounced leepeh) were you only got 12 hrs electric a day (from 18.30 ish to 06.30am) so there was no way of cooling in the afternoon. The air was really still at times and you thought the heat might make you go out of your mind. I dont think we are acclimatised just yet. According to the sage at the Lonely Planet (propping up a bar somewhere) that process takes 2 weeks usually. In the evenings we went out mostly to the village - which was on the other side of the island. Along a very dark road - with friendly stray dogs to keep you company. I was glad of my HEAD TORCH.
Anyway all good things come to an end and we are off to Malaysia on Saturday 21st. We wont be back in Thailand for 2 months which is a shame as its a really great place. The beer is good, the food is good, its boiling hot and the sea is just cooling enough.
Best Bits
* BEER - Chang
Melissa and Duck
Its fair to say this plane has seen better days * CURRY - Penang
* EXPERIENCE - Swimming with the fish
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Ali
non-member comment
Nice one. Sounds like you two are having a great time over there. Some time you should try some of the beer there, it is very good :D Ali