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Greetings all,
Our last blog was from northern Thailand in Pai and since then we have travelled a lot further south to the islands off the east coast, Koh Samui and Koh Phanyan.
We did look at flying south but the overnight trains are cheaper and count as a nights accomodation in the budget. The first one was from Chaing Mai to Bangkok. The train looked old and tired, inside it was dated but clean and practical, the two seats we booked could be turned into bunk beds. Our carriage was completly empty for the first of the 14 hours which seemed odd because we got the last two tickets avalible. This soon changed as shortly it began to fill with people at one end, sounded like french and then more came in our end, also french. Turns out our carriage had been mass booked by a tour of middle aged frenchfolk. Their guide was friendly though and thinking we were french also because Bex said bonjour to several of them, gave us a share of the Hong Thong whiskey being shared out, nice litttle night cap actually. Bedtime was at 10pm though and our bunks were pretty cosy and even though we got broken sleep it was much better than a upright seat on an overnight bus.
We arrived at Bangkok 2 hours later than scheduled and booked our next overnight train to Surat thani were we had to get tranfers to the islands. but the next train wasn't untill the next night so we had another night in Bangkok, which was great because we really enjoyed it the first time. Staying at the same hostel as before for convinience we just explored a local park, where we saw a massive lizard just roaming round, and then explored a different more local part of the city were we had some very cheap but excellant curry and soup. The next day we had to kill abit of time before our train so we just went to the cinema and after trying to stop Bex giggling whilst we had to stand for the national athem we watched War Horse. Although Bex forgot to bring a tissue and for someone who crys at Donkey sanctuary adverts this was a mistake. The next train was similar to the first, although some more French people had stolen our seats, we arrived at Surat thani and got the wrong transfer bus!! It was going to the right port but we got charged extra, Doh!
The first island we got to was Koh Samui which was scortching hot and we were a hot sweaty state when we finally got to our hostel on Lamai beach. The beaches are great but the island is very touristy and you can't walk ten steps without being asked if you want a massage, a new suit, a taxi, a meal.........no thankyou, no thankyou NO!!!! the beaches were the same day and night, people trying to sell you ice creams, swimwear etc It was good to chill out on the beaches but we felt we should try the next island. A short ferry journey and we have arrived in stunning Koh Phanyan. Alot more laid back and a lot less people. We got a sidecar to the our beach hut, they call it a bungalow but its got a bed, fan, cold shower and toilet and thats it. But you don't need anything else here. The views our amazing, thick forests and white beaches with blue seas. We rented another moped, Yamaha Mio this time and went to the diving part of the island were we picked up some snorkling gear and ventured out to sea! Both being novices we looked quite ridculous walking in flippers and goggles. But once in the water we found it relativley easy and wow! The reef we searched was incedible. Ive seen programmes on television but seeing it for real was something I wont forget.We must have seen 7 or 8 different types of exotic fish including the 'nemo' type, Schooling fish, bannerfish & big grouper. There are also barracuda and whale sharks around but we needed to have headed out a bit deeper to see those. It is quite tempting to go on a scuba diving trip here but sadly the cost is just a big too expensive. We are keeing the snorkel gear for a couple of days longer to explore other reefs off the west coast of the island.
We were planning to do more the next day (today) but last night we were woken by the loudest thunder i've ever heard! It chucked it down for about half an hour and then on and off untill the morning when we thought it was beginning to clear up but its raining again now and doesn't seem to show any signs of stopping. So we are stuck here. Don't fancy venturing out in the rain on the moped especially as we left our helmets on the bike, upside down!!! What did I say about not needing anything else here, no TV or wifi in our room and my time slot on the computer is nearly up, so a beer and a game of draughts for us.
We are here for the next 3 nights and then we move on to Kaho Sok National Park on the mainland.
Hope all our well
Chris and Becci
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