Thailand

We are in Krabi now and we are preparing ourselves for the journey to Koh Samui by mini bus tomorrow, which is always interesting not knowing who your random travelling buddies are going to be for the next 6 hours.

The first day we got here was eventful because we needed a new camera after the events on Koh Phi Phi,(that we won't go into)we were sent on a wild goose chase for a phantom shopping centre in Ao Nang after we were told by the staff at our bungalows was here. When we realized that there wasn't one here we were resigned to looking in the Kodak and Fuji film shops, that have a limited stock at best, we did find a big shop and settled for a sexy little number that I think was well worth what we paid for it and Rach has struggled to put down since she bought it so she must be happy with it.

Yesterday we embarked on an interesting trip kayaking, that I was a little apprehensive about as I am not that best of swimmers and I did not fancy the kayaks chances with us two heffalumps on it! As it was the trip was very interesting filled with seeing historical parts of Krabi, enthusiastic and very informative guides, and of course struggling to get in and out of the kayak. Although no-one fell in, Rach did manage to cause a stir by slipping up on some very wet rocks and hurting her hand, but there was no real damage done. For those who have not been in a kayak it is not that simple, as Rach and I found out. I was in the back and was in charge of steering, that I did to the best of my ability but I was still rubbish at it as Rach was quick to point out. After the first cave however I did sort of get the hang of it but I won't be going to the Olympics any time soon. After lunch we went out again to a lagoon which was absolutely astonishing to look at as when we got there the rain was lashing down into the lagoon and looked just stunning. After floating out into the middle and getting soaked we were pulled into cover by one of our guides and Erik the surprisingly eloquent Dutchman who was on the trip with us. We had to head back to the camp and the rain was still bucketing down and we had to kayak back as quickly as our oars would let us (which was pretty slowly) and we were in the dry but drenched and in our wisdom both of us totally didn’t even think that it would be a good idea to bring a spare set of clothes or even a towel so we had to wring out our shirts as best we could and set in the back of the mini bus like drowned cats.

On the way back we stopped off at a natural bath. I really wanted to jump in but I was told it would be best not to as I would get soaked...again and I was drying off at this point, so I decided not to. We both got our Lloyd Grossman eating badges when we tried BBQ'd banana and coconut in grass leaf. Sounds wonderful I know but it really was. We were unsure how to unwrap it but we were shown by Tracy a New Zealander who was very eager to see our reaction as she had already eaten it and I think was disappointed because we both quite liked it.

We had to take a trip to the pharmacy because Rach had picked up a throat infection and is nursing it as we speak so I had to look after her last night.

The weather is no good here today but hopefully it is better on Koh Samui.

See you soon.

The night train from Bangkok took us to Surat Thani or to be padantic, a very small town approx 14km outside of Surat Thani, and there we boarded the bus to Phuket. I say boarded, it was more like packed in like Sardines for the first hour, Thai style travel, stood up until people got off and seats became available. It was very like the bus we took from Bangkok to Pattaya. Constantly beeping at people walking along the road to see if they want a ride to Phuket, for a fee of course. Still you can't get cross as you watch and listen to the driver and "conductor" laugh and joke with passengers, and it certainly gets interesting when we stop for a toilet break and the police come on and take off a passenger.

Phuket was nice. Our hotel was beautiful and the people there made us feel very welcome, it was quite posh compared to the places we have stayed in prior to this. We had welcome drinks and cold towels! Our room had a brilliant view, well worth the 100 steps you have to climb to get to it.

We spent the afternoon wandering along the beach. Patong beach, though very touristy, is lovely and clean. Barrie went para-sailing which he says was brilliant. I'm thinking of having a go myself when we get to Koh Samui, thats if I don't chicken out.

So today we arrived on Phi Phi Island. It's possibly the most beaauuuttiiiffullll place we've ever been. Though my experience has been somewhat soured .. I fell out a boat with my camera around my neck and now it is not working. Laugh you may .. I am distraught, and have had a good boo about it. Hoping the memory card hasn't been effected as I did take quite a few photos as we were approaching the island ferry point. Still, I must try not let this ruin my holiday. Barrie says it was very amusing. I still don't see the funny side. Not just has my beloved camera broken but I also turned up to the hotel looking like I'd swam to Phi Phi Island and the polite lady at reception asked "Is there something wrong?".

I don't have much else to say right now being as we have only been here half a day. The water is crystal clear in most places, looking forward to a swim tomorrow and have considered going on a snorkelling trip. Most places we passed getting to our resort show no signs there ever was a tsunami, although near to the ferry point there is a bit of washed up rubble and such. Clearly they have done very well in rebuilding their island and it hasn't lost its natural beauty.

For now no photos, I'm afraid.

I have managed to upload some photos on to my photobucket account. The link to see them is as follows ..

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v432/lladro_doll/

Click on the Thailand Travels album.

I'm having trouble naming them and editing them, you may get a stiff neck looking at some of them. Also after uploading them, they are in mumble jumble order. And there was a smear on my lens .. you may notice. =o(