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After exploring a lot of the island ourselves on our scooter we decided to book a tour to go Angthong Marine Park.
Angthong is almost 250 sq km and includes 50 sq km of limestone islands which rise from the sea as dramatic rock cliffs and bizarre rock formations. Caves, hidden lagoons and white sand beaches are there to be explored and snorkeling among the shallow coral gardens makes it a fascinating day trip.
Angthong National Marine Park is a protected nature area consisting of over 40 islands, and is famous for its natural beauty. All of the islands are uninhabited and undeveloped except for one. This island, Ko Paluay, is inhabited by sea-gypsies who still earn a living from fishing.
The day started been with us picked up from our hotel in a nice, air-conditioned mini-bus at 7:45am (was supposed to be 7:15am). This took us to the tour boat where we met the other 40+ travellers and our eccentric tour guide. Due to our late arrival we missed the majority of the do's n don'ts for the trip including all health n safety rules but couldn't of been that important as he never repeated them to us late comers. We had a light breakfast n proceeded to the Marine Park.
On arrival we were split into 2 groups n our group was up 1st for kayaking around 4 of the islands (pictures already up). We spent the entire time squabbling as its a teamwork activity and some of us expected the other to do all the rowing while they enjoyed the scenery and moaned 'we're too far behind' or 'ya goin too fast' and 'ya gettin my mane wet'! Lol
After the kayaking we enjoyed lunch back on the boat which at the time we enjoyed and was very grateful for. I don't really like chicken leg so traded my fried chicken piece with Laurah for some extra chicken curry -this would prove to be a smart move for me and not such a good one for Sol.
We were taken to another island where we climbed what I believe to be the steepest stairs known to man enabling us to reach the viewpoint at the top which overlooked the beautiful lagoon n also some of the nearby islands (pics uploaded). We went down to the lagoon only to be told we were prohibited from getting in the water due to previous tourists jumping in and seriously injuring themselves on some of the rocks, which was a bummer as we had to climb back up the Everest stairs n back down the other side! A good leg workout tho! Not sure I would have wanted to get in the water when I saw the massive sea urchins on the lagoon floorbed urgh.
The final island we were taken to was fantastic and we were given the option of bummin it on the beach or goin on a hike up the mountain to another viewpoint. Luckily for me there were snorkels to use on the beach and a small coral area so it gave me an excuse as I was knackered from the previous viewpoint lool. Snorkelling was amazing! Clear waters, coral area overflowing with sea life - fishes of diff sizes, colours and shapes...swear I saw a Solofish lol ( Daniella ;-) )
We soaked in the sun the remainder of the time on the clean, white sand beach with the other travellers only moving to take pic of the monkeys in the trees that were just lazing around. Well they were until they realised they were been watched and proceeded to show off jumping from one tree to the other each more acrobatical than the last lol.
The journey home wasn't the best as I was feelin ever so slightly sea sick but Laurah was havin a full on episode or at least it seemed. We did however bond really well with some of the girls n guys on the boat n surprisingly two of the girls were police officers in Brixton. As I'm reading a book on a Brixton gang PDC this was very interesting to hear what they thought about the problems with inner-city areas. You'd never think in a million years these petite, young girls took on some of the most dangerous young gang members on a daily basis. They were so fragile lookin and completely normal in just about every way. Hearing their views on serious social issues and perceptions on police mentality was an insight. Think this travelling has already started to change us slightly as we realise you really can't tar everyone with the same brush.
Anyhow on returning to Chaweng it seemed odd that most shops were closed or in darkness and it only fully occurred when we reached our bungalow that there had been a power cut. We'd had a few previously but this one we had been told was going to be for the nxt 3 days between the hours of 8:00am and 5:30pm - if only. As it was half past six and the electric still wasn't on we realised we were in for a rough time. The main problem was that where we were stayin the water was dependant on electricity to pump the water through (stupid on an island where they have regular power cuts!). We knew it was serious when the owners came round with 10litre drums of water for all guests, a torch, a lighter and some candles.
As if things couldn't get any worse it transpired that the sick feeling Laurah was having on the return journey wasn't infact sea sickness but food poisoning from the fried chicken on the boat!!! Oh I did say there was now no running water - meaning our toilet couldn't flush without lots of water been poured down after I had manually filled the cistern (tank). With Laurah the food poisoning in full effect it was coming out of both holes constantly all night. Needless to say we didn't get much sleep. The next few days weren't as bad for her but the sickness was still present and made the fact of no running water and electric even more harder. We jus prayed that things would be back on intone for her bday and that she would feel better.
Luckily all did work out as the electric came on at 4:30am on the morning of her bday and she was a lot more perky and able to eat more than just toast.
On th day of her birth we decided to go to the Jungle Club which is a small hotel consisting of only 8 bungalows and villas situated at the top of one of the highest mountains on the island. It's a secret place not heavily advertised but views are absolutely stunning (pics uploaded).
We spent the entire day up there having breakfast, lunch and cocktails whilst lounging around the infinity pool or sitting in the huts overlooking the town of Chaweng. Surprisingly this place wasn't expensive and we only paid £4 in total to go as you have to ring them to collect you in their 4x4 cars....I did try ride our scooter but as the angle of the road got steeper n steeper we decided today wasn't the day we died!
We left, went and got ready at the bungalow and went to have dinner at this brilliant Brazilian restaurant called Zico's. I regretted eating so much throughout the day as this was a meat eaters paradise! You have a card one side red and the other green, green means you want more and red means stop. Scores of Thai waitresses come Shen you have the green side showing bring a selection of just BBQ'd meats incl lamb (sholuler/joint/chops), beef, buffalo, chicken (breast/thigh/wings) pork (sholuler/joint/chops), sausages (all kinds, chicken wrapped in bacon, stuffed chicken....I really could go on forever as I have a food orgasm! Everything else was buffet style, potatoes (all styles), chips (I know they're potatoes), pastas, rices (all styles) and the best salad buffet I've ever seen! They also had a desert buffet but I couldn't walk after my 2nd plate - 2 plates sounds like a small amount but I must remind you the meat doesn't stop coming so I only refilled on salad n stuff haha. Laurah was more subtle having one plate n a selection of mini deserts. They also do a little show while you get your eat on - its two Brazilian girls shaking their booties on a stage dressed in the full carnival costumes. Told Laurah she could pass as Brazilian and should work for tip also but she wasn't amused lol. After eating we were encouraged to go to the lounge upstairs where a Thai band were singing timeless cheesy songs while people indulged in the happy hour 2for1 cocktails. We ended the night with a romantic stroll on the beach under the star lit sky pretending we knew what the constellations were n enjoyin one another's company.
The following days after were filled with Laurah been ill (again) n inbetween going to the beach as we'd done all there was to do without spending ludicrous amounts of money - although we both are so tempted to go to a shooting range and fire some heavy artillery...Xmas wish list ;-)
Well we leavin this island now and can't say we weren't gettin itchy feet but a well deserved holiday had and now ready to get on this adventure proper backpacker style!!
Wish us luck :-D
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