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Published: April 21st 2009
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We arrived in Ko hi by ferry from Ko Lanta under a dark stormy cloud and we knew the inevitable was going to happen.
Ko Hi is a very small island lined by one long thin stretch of white sand. The water was a similar turquoise blue of Ko Phi Phi and we were looking forward to getting out and snorkeling. We knew that finding some budget accommodation was going to be tough and expected to pay a little more, however after walking the beach from top to bottom we were surprised how nasty the budget stuff was. We took the plunge and treated ourselves to a room at the Fantasy resort, with its huge international open restaurant touching the beach, swimming pool, and luxury bungalows surrounded by beautiful gardens. Our room was in a small block around the back facing a brick wall!
After checking in and get drowned in the meantime we waited patiently in our room for the rain to stop. After an hour we were bored, so we decided to hit the long awaited pool and go for a swim in the rain.
The rain didn't stop until 7 that night, so we took advantage
and went for a stroll along the beach to catch the sunset .. that never came. The tide had completely gone out and revealed a rocky beach. We both were wondering what was so special about this place! (maybe the rain gave us the wrong impression) Walking back to our resort Lee suddenly felt something squidgy under his foot. Curiously pressing down harder he suddenly realised that it was a jellyfish... arggghhhh!!!! Quickly running away and then back again revealed a huge dead poisonous monster lying on the sand (maybe our last blog about sea monsters has cursed us!) Luckily Lee didn't get stung but it was a close shave.
We had a gorgeous Matasan and green curry in the restaurant before retiring to bed. The next morning we awoke to ants. Millions of them, it seemed that word had got out in ant land that we had muesli in our bag and they decided to move the whole ant population into our rucksacks and eat the yummy cereal - nice.
That was probably the final nail in the coffin for us and after dark clouds again the next day and confirming more rain for the week with the
receptionist we both decided that maybe the rainy season had come early and our beach hopping adventure was over. Sadly we booked tickets for the same day to the mainland and hopped on the boat. With gloomy faces we both looked back and as the islands got smaller the clouds got darker still and we knew we had made the right choice.
TRANG
Trang is a transit town were tourist arrive from Bangkok for a night and depart the following day to their island of their choice. Its packed with ticket shops selling onward travel all fighting for business. We stayed in Trang for 3 nights and granted its not the most picturesque place but it does have a certain charm about it. Seems that anyone who stays more than a night is classed as a minor celebrity and once again were summoned by random locals asking where we were from. We managed to find a bar with a huge screen showing the Liverpool Blackburn match which was soooo boring which led us to sink a few bottles of Leo (local brew). We also had a 3 course meal with the locals on the street which consisted of
- Pad Thai (egg noodles), Fried rice and veg and a very rich but very eatable banana pancake.
Staying in our room watching DVDs due to the rain for 3 days confirmed our intentions to halt our beach hopping and head to Malaysia via the border town of Satun. The day we left was Songkran which is Thai new year. Throwing water in the street and smearing talcum powder over peoples faces seems a good way to celebrate and hey what do you know.. that's exactly what they do!
Satun
Our bus took us through some local villages so we found ourselves soaked in water after 10 miles or so!! people would try and get the bus driver to pull over so they could climb aboard and soak us with their water guns, the driver stood strong and managed to get through most of the road blockades! Rumours of Thaksin Shinawatra re-entering Thailand were rife (today reds shirts are surrounding government house in Bangkok) and police checks were every 5 miles or so.. peeking in cars and vans to ensure the former prime minster was not smuggled in.
After arriving at the jetty in Satun (
we needed to charter a longtail boat across to Malaysia) we were told that there was no more boats would be leaving today and we would have to come back the next day. Undeterred and aware of the many scams we sat and waited for the next boat... much to the amusement of the staff! they took it in turns to come and tell us that there was no more boats... we held strong.. but after an hour and the pier looking rather empty we accepted defeat and tried to secure some transport back to the main centre. Everyone wanted to charge us double the price. We eventually found a motorbike driver and asked if he thought there would be any chance for him, me, Michelle, 2 large rucksacks, 2 day sacks, and a mozzy bat to fit on his motorbike and get us back to town!!?? It was something out of the Guinness book of records! - the most amount of things squeezed onto one bike!
To make things slightly more difficult the moto driver, unlike our bus driver earlier.. failed to pass the celebrations. We suddenly were surrounded by locals keen to put their mark on farangs!
Michelle took a few splashes of water, excessive talcum powder rubbed on her face.. Lee a smidgen of talc and a bowl of water poured down his back!
After being dropped off in town dazed confused and very tired we found a place that was owned by a guy from Bristol and his Thai wife. He kindly dropped us off at what appeared to be his home, and we checked into a little wooden room! A quick shower and change in true superman style we were back in town,at the bar owned by.. the same guy. As it was Thai new year a free buffet was on!!(which included yummy mega big prawns) result. We rewarded our long day travelling with a few beers, as we knew this would be our last night in Thailand... that's if a boat go's to Malaysia tomorrow...!!!!!
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anonymous
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you look realy well all ok at home lots of love mum