Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Two Chicks & a Climber Reach New Heights
First night in Bangkok wasn't exactly what I thought it would be as left stranded at Bangkok airport for the night. Kipped on the uncomfortable plastic seats with the Sabah crowd who luckily happened to be on the same flight as I was from Kota Kinabalu. Yes, I know you're thinking 'D'oh, get a taxi to a nearby hostel or go to Khao San Road', but you see, I landed in at like 2am, got a taxi but the driver was clueless, had no sense of direction and kept constantly saying 'Baaaa paaaa' in his Thai tone followed by chuckling as he couldn't say Backpack Planet *rolls eyes*. Was losing patience here so ended up turning the taxi round and settled for a night at the airport. Plus, had no contact with Amy as relied on e-mails (Amy completely lives in the jungle so no internet access for her) and she was getting in Bangkok the following morning. So, now you see why I had no choice there. I actually felt like Tom Hanks in The Terminal for a night.
At last (well it felt like it), Amy arrived and in no time, we nattered away (6 months worth, makes me think what am I going to be like when I see you lot back at home). Mind you, that girl can talk for Ireland, ha! Loving it though. A2 airport bus to Khao San Road, which is technically speaking, a backpacker ghetto extradinaire. I suppose it is all it claims to be, there's a lot of chaotic shopping and a lot of cheap, seedy guesthouses. There's also a lot of suspiciously Queen Street tinged attitude, to be expected I guess.
It was time to desert bizarre Bangkok after 2 days and onto the south, Krabi. Krabi Province is blessed with some amazing scenic karst formations. Seeing that it was the low-season, we could afford to blow out on mid-range accommodation in Ao Nang at Sabai manison (5 quid a night for a twin room and pool) with its friendly staff who lent a helping hand in booking our eco-tours.
First eco-tour was the four-island tour that visited Ko Poda, with its lovely white-sand beach, Ko Hua Khwan (Chicken Island), which had decent snorkelling but gianatic jellyfish floating about *shrugs* and a rock formation that is shaped like a chicken's head. The smaller islands of Ko Tup and Ko Taloo had a sexy S shaped beach and once the tide came in, the ridge of sand became the sea. Last stop was a detour to Tham Phra-Nang (Princess Cave) at Railay.
Elephant trekking at Nosey Parker's was great. Amy's elephant (Scratcher as we like to call it) stopped every 100m to park its bum or foot on a tree to scratch itself, you could hear the skin grinding on the wood *spine shivers*. Quite funny to see Amy on top shaking about every now and then *chortles*. It was a trek through beautiful forests and streams and we got the chance to watch the elephants bathe themselves as well as feed them mini-cucumbers. It was then followed by a fish farm *shakes head* (not going to go into detail here but basically it was a dumpsite for fishes that Amy and I were sarcastic the whole fish farm visit) and a Thai riverside restaurant.
Last but not least, the pristine Phi-Phi islands. About an hour and a half boat ride offshore from Krabi are the scenic two limestone islands of Ko Phi-Phi Don and Leh. Ko Phi-Phi Leh is surrounded by an impregnable wall of limestone cliffs and has two strikingly beautiful lagoons, Pilah and Maya Bay (the Beach film location) and snorkelling in the warm waters around the emerald island with brightly coloured tropical fish was incredible.
After a long and tiring journey from Krabi town to Ko Samui by bus and boat, we got frustrated with the lack of appealling accommodation. So whim, we decided to splash out (a little bit more this time) and treat ourselves to an actual bed and not just a dodgy mattress on an even dirtier floor! Bliss indeed at Seascape resort.
The main street is jammed with shops, restaurants, massage parlours, internet outlets and plenty of pumping bars and clubs. You kind of get the picture now? As some say, its Bangkok with beaches. Ko Samui provides similar getaways such as Bali and Goa, hippy island paradise.
We decided to have a night off from Thai food, mainly because we were tempted by an exotic looking Brazilian restaurant called Zico's. A right entertainment we got during our meal with feathered up Brazilian ladies in sparkly underwear strutting their stuff. Moments later, as we strolled along the street, we came across rather fabulous ladyboys all dolled up. The divas wore way less clothes compared to us and even higher heels than Hamish *titters*.
Although we enjoyed pampering ourselves and hunting for bargains in the bustling streets of Ko Samui, we were glad to escape to the seclusion of our very own private beach at Laem-Thian in Ko Tao, which had way more of an island feel. When we chose our accommodation (which didn't take very long to decide) and this time, we really did budget ourselves. We sat in the truck, totally oblivious to the journey that lay ahead! We severely underestimated Pingpong's (our very happy and heavily pregnant host) warning about her 'bumpy road'. Quite a ride we took there, a vertical drive/climb up a very rocky track and over huge boulders, at least we made it alive!
On our arrival, we found ourselves really remote but just what we needed seeing as the whole of Thailand is becoming a backpacking scene. We encountered quite an odd selection of travellers, from a pyscho guy who tried to give us poisonous beans to a full-on lesbian couple (don't get too excited here boys). Not to mention, the skinned-headed woman who was in a world of her own and the strange man who had an obsession for coconuts. Despite this bunch of random backpackers, there was one Californian couple, Tiffany and James who were on their honeymoon were the only sane people (as well as us of course) at our cosy hideaway.
Although we spent a few days at Laem-Thian, these isolated and very rustic bungalows provided a memorable experience! With picturesque surroundings and a tranquil atmosphere. We departed the idyllic island longing to bring the hung up relaxing hammocks on the beach with us.
Seeing that we had a day to spare in Bangkok, we used the time wisely and took a day trip to Kanchanaburi, 2 hours outside Bangkok. Here we took a longtail boat ride to Damnoen floating market where we saw wooden canoes ladened with multicoloured fruits and vegetables, paddled by Thai women wearing indigo-hued clothes and wide-brimmed hats.
We then drove on a bit further to Tiger Temple. 300B (4.30 quid) entrance fee had to be paid but all of it went towards rebuilding a new sanctuary for the tigers. Our guide led us down to the tiger cave. Here we had to dispose of our belongings so as not to upset the tigers. As we waited for our time to touch the tigers, we were assigned someone who led us round by the hand (incase someone panicked!) We were allowed to stroke each of these beautiful alluring animals one by one. They were very placid as they are nocturnal and like most cats sleep in the duration of the day. It was an unforgettable experience.
On Amy's last night, we hit Khao San Road for the one last time, only to find the crowd in yellow and holding a candle to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the King's crown. One minute we were buying t-shirts, the next everyone stopped dead to sing the National Anthem. Shortly after we noticed huge fireworks erupting above us. Following the excited crowd, we found ourselves in the middle of a celebration. This was the biggest on-going 5 day festival in history in Thailand (I was there for the first two days). The Thai's sure do highly respect their King.
On my last day, after Amy flew back to Borneo, I checked out the 'money-melting' Chatuchak weekend market. This was it, the big one we've all heard about. Everything imaginable was for sale, from handmade silks from the provinces, extra-small fashion for the art-school fashionistas, fighting c*** and fishes and more. I sure did try out my bargaining skills and left with a handful of bags.
As Becks mentioned, in the book of 100 things to do/visit before you die, one of them is one of the bigger attractions in Bangkok, Wat Phra Kaeo and the Grand Palace. Not so easy to miss. Visited the pretty palace on my last morning, at about 8.30am where you could see monks in orange robes walking about. There was a lot of impressive architecture, gold leaves, spires, mother of pearl and the Emerald Buddha that claims the place of honour there.
Thailand has virtually irresistable combination of natural beauty, fantastical temples and robust cuisine. You also tend to find a world so infused with Buddhism. From the atomspheric Khao San to the stunning islands of the Andaman Sea, this charming country offers something for every traveller.
x
- comments