Stage 14 - Thailand

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Bangkok, Koh Chang (both islands), Koh Phi Phi, Khao Sok National Park, Koh Taratuo, Koh Lipe: 5 February to 28 February

After Burma we headed to Thailand and found it quite a contrast - so many more tourists. At first Bangkok was quite an adjustment (especially Khao San Road, heart of the backpacking district). But we were glad to finally make it to our main destination after all these months, the country we'd first talked about visiting so many years ago now.

Highlights
- Peaceful little Koh Chang Island where we relaxed for a few days.
- Diving in the Similan & Surin Islands, Andaman Sea. So many colourful fish and coral. Luminescent group of cuttlefish watching us and approaching us, like something out of the Abyss movie. We were mesmerized.
- Visiting "The Beach" - Koh Phi Phi Le (remember the movie with Leonardo DiCaprio). Had to share the experience with hundreds of other people but even so was not disappointed. The cliffs surrounding the lagoon are stunning.
- Spotting civets hiding in the trees at night in Khao Sok National Park
- Stayed at quiet Koh Taratuo marine national park. Laughing as we were chased away from an isolated beach by monkeys who didn't want to share it with us.

Lowlights
- So many more tourists than we'd been used to.
- Not getting the chance to explore Bangkok as we were too busy catching up on working (lack of internet access in Burma for one month didn't help)

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Photos

THE Beach
From the movie 'The Beach' with Leonardo DiCaprio - stunning limestone cliffs surround this 'hidden' beach on Phi Phi Le island. Had to share it with a few other hundred tourists but well worth the visit!

The Beach
Beautiful cliffs surround the lagoon of Phi Phi Le ('The Beach').

Diving Down
Valerie snorkeling between Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le islands.

Chameleon
We saw this little guy in Khao Sok National Park.

Gorgeous spider
Again, this was in Khao Sok National Park.

Similan Islands
Steve having fun underwater.

Similan Islands Diving
Night dive. I am looking pretty cheerful. Not bad for someone who had massive panic attacks underwater. Thanks Steve for encouraging me to dive.

My Beloved Cuttlefish
Otherworldly. Seen diving in the Similan Islands. For a moment we forgot where we were as we watched them. We then had to hurry to catch up to the rest of the diving group.

Ornate Ghost Pipefish (Similan Islands)
How exquisite is this? My heart skipped a beat when we realised what it was.

Similan & Surin Islands
Little seahorse trying to camouflage himself...

Similan & Surin Islands
We went past this island by boat.

Koh Taratuo National Park
On our own ... (except for the naughty monkeys who were reluctant to share their beach with us). We loved it here - it was so peaceful.