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Published: February 21st 2007
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They say travelling is an occupation and like any individual hard at work, those of us 'on the road' deserve some annual leave...so we decided to leave the backpacker trail behind for a couple of weeks, and head to the islands of Southern Thailand for some much needed rest and relaxation!
Our first, unexpected, stop, was Koh Lanta (there was no room in the Inn on Koh Phi Phi). Koh Lanta was...how should I put it...forgettable. As tropical islands go, it certainly languishes at the bottom of Division C but an enjoyable 5 days was spent soaking up the rays (it was hellishly hot), reading , swimming, and touring the island on a moped. We had a 40+ Canadian Nurse called Elly who adopted us as her friends for the week - no offence to those amongst you who are over the hill, but at the age of 23, I didn't really have much in common with her and I was glad when she departed! She did give me a book, however, which I am now reading, so I shouldn't be so dismissive of her! Matt and Natalie (who we met in Vietnam) joined us for our last two nights
on the island - but the night life was tame so we were very civilised. We were hoping Koh Phi Phi would liven things up...and it didn't dissapoint!
Our days on Koh Phi Phi Don were very much the same as on Koh Lanta - soaking up the rays, reading, swimming, and lounging about poolside. Niamh and Ealmon joined us on Phi Phi a few days later so the Halong Bay crew were reunited once again.
Our evenings, however, were much more exciting thanks to the infamous Whiskey/Vodka/Red Bull Buckets we consumed by the ... excuse the pun ... bucket load. We spent our first two evenings out at Carpe Diem ... a lounge bar by the beach. They were raising funds for the victims of the fire which had swept through part of Ton Sai Village days before (having only just recovered from the Tsunami). So the more we drank, the more we were contributing to a good cause!! We were entertained by fire throwers and people jumping through fire rings - we were nearly tempted to try it ourselves but somehow I don't think that's covered by my insurance. The infamous drinking game, Ring of Fire,
had it's Thailand debut much to our enjoyment. We were also introduced to a new drinking game courtesy of Matt which makes me laugh even thinking about it! "Let the hooola hooola games begin begin...."
A midnight dip in our resort swimming pool proved costly ... two very corrupt police officers were sitting, waiting for some unsuspecting foreigners to jump in the pool against the resort rules, only to threaten us with handcuffs and a night in Phi Phi High Security Prison if we didn't pay up...2,000 Baht...a small fortune! I could see the criminal trial flash before my eyes..."Her Majesty's Advocate of Koh Phi Phi v. Sargent and Others." Don't think it would have done much for my legal career.
But anyway...the seven of us enjoyed a day out on a Long Boat snorkelling and taking in the rest of Koh Phi Phi Don, Bounty Island and Koh Phi Phi Leh - home to "The Beach."
Sadly, it was time for Margaret Ann and Jo to leave me behind as they headed up to Bangkok for a few days shopping and pampering before flying home. I wasn't on my own just yet, as the other four
were hanging around Phi Phi for another day so the five of us took ourselves off to Long Beach for the afternoon and started early before hitting Downtown Phi Phi for a great night out...the evening went from one bucket to the next, from one bar to the next, and from one stupid drinking game to the next. The night drew to a close at about 4.30am when we all collapsed in a heap on the beach.
The other four left on Sunday leaving me with only a hangover for company. I spent my last two days on Phi Phi recovering and finishing off my book - I've become a bit of a bookworm!
I'm now in Bangkok - spent yesterday kitting myself out for South Africa - don't think I can turn up to work in shorts and t-shirts! Last night, I visited an old haunt of mine from when I was here 3 years ago...the Reggae Bar (Veronica - it has doubled in size!!). Spent a pleasant evening enjoying a few beers with a fellow solo traveller. I think I said I'd rock up again tonight for a few more beers but with a 4.00am start,
I think I'll give it a miss...I'm off to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
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Auntie Trisha
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The pool....
Glad to hear you haven't been locked up! Corruption seems to be the name of the game there. Perhaps your mission... should you decide to accept it!!!...is to clean it up. Ther's a thought for when you're fully qualified. Wonderful photos as always. Am concerned about the state of your liver!!! Speak once you get to SA. Keep safe.xxx