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Wahey - guess who's in Malaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaysia :P
Right now, I'm sitting next to two buds from my group tour in an Internet Cafe in Penang. Weather's still pretty hot here, though afternoons can produce some rain. The town doesn't have many tourists (unlike the beautiful Krabi), but I find that that makes it much more appealing. Gives you the sense that you're getting off the beaten track a little. We arrived here yesterday afternoon and have since eaten at an Indian restaurant (where I enjoyed a marvellous Chicken Bryani - though obviously not as good as my Mum's) before going for a few drinks at a very snazzy bar downtown. The way the area was laid out with a strip lined with bars and clubs, you'd be surprised to notice you weren't in Central London! We watched three (yes, THREE) football matches consecutively at the bar - Chelsea vs Tottenham, Liverpool Vs Reading (whilst the Arsenal supporting barman switched over now and then only to see them lose 1-0 to West Ham by a fantastic goal in first-half stoppage time, in my opinion) and Manu Vs Pompey (which I pretty much slept through). Afterwards (at about 0230 this morning), we decided to go back to our hotels and crash.
This morning, we simply picked up some breakfast before doing a tour of the main sights around here for a few hours. It was pretty cool seeing the strong Chinese culture base here whilst also seeing the Indian influence. There's a really great atmosphere over here of harmony and it's just a calm place to be. Can't wait till Kuala Lumpur though! Gonna be there on Tuesday, after visiting the tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands tomorrow. I know what you're thinking - 'Steady on! Tea plantations?! You wild dog, you!' But apparently it's supposed to be amidst beautiful scenery upon the Malaysian mountains. Looking forward to it....honest!
Anyway, better continue on what has happened since my first day in Khao Sok, as I realise I'm running a bit of a backlog. Sorry about that but it has been pretty crazy over the past few days. Plus, fellow group members tell me they're running backlogs going back a month!
One minute in Thailand, the next passing through border control to Malaysia!
So, I was on my second day in Khao Sok (after the trek and card playing). This was Tuesday April 3rd 2007 (just realised I missed April fools day without pulling a prank on someone - gutted). I woke up that morning and discovered that the jungle "safari" the others had done whilst I and a couple of other guys played cards, only provided sights of a lizard and two frogs. Some safari! They were disappointed.
John, Paul and Alan - being the soldiers they are - decided to do another trek. This time, 7km each way. Only John wanted to go the full 7km to the final waterfall. Paul ended up going to the one before (as he feet ended up hurting badly), whilst Alan decided to go 4km of the 7km to the second waterfall. They all came back fine, having learnt their lesson from yesterday with regards to leeches! I, on the other hand, decided to do an elephant ride! The others had mostly done one already, as they'd been to Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) before the tour. I wanted to take my chance. Alone with a Thai guide, I was driven to the park and sat on the back of an elephant in a seat attached to his back, with the Thai guide sitting on the front of the elephant (above his neck). I was feeling rather bad sitting in a comfortable seat on the back of an elephant being forced to do the same journey every day. We also had an 'elephant guide guy' who directed the elephant (sometimes slapping it with a stick), but the elephant behaved. It felt not so good. It was a bumpy journey and new experience, but I didn't really enjoy the feel of sitting comfortably on a chair on a suffering elephant. So, once we arrived at another beautiful waterfall, the elephants were washed before we got back on. I asked to sit on the elephant itself (like my guide had done). He agreed. I had a fantastic time. I put my hands on his neck as I sat close to his back. The big fella even took a swipe at some plantation with his trunk as we carried on. It was amazing. I loved every second of it.
At the end, I fed my elephant bananas which was again incredible, and then went back to my guesthouse. I was definitely happy not to have done another trek. I felt like I conquered that feat. I've done a trek now and seen a waterfall at the end. To new things!
After the elephant trek, I met up with Vic and Fiona and they told me that they'd been waiting for me in case I wanted to join them on a walk in the jungle. 'Walk' sounded better than 'trek', so I did. Plus, I didn't have much else to do bar going on the net, but cafes in Khao Sok were very expensive as it is such a remote area. Still beautiful though.
We started the walk and saw a snake and a few lizards along the way. We also took a few snaps where we could as we enjoyed the views of waterfalls and greenery. Couldn't have been a better way to spend an afternoon. We also discussed random stuff (including Star Wars, which Vic happens to like but have points of uncertainty - so, I cleared her up). Twas good fun and more group bonding. We met Alan on the way back from his trek while on the way to the waterfall we were walking to. He survived. We got to the waterfall and had a good sit down by the river and on the rocks under the sun. Absolutely stunning. We then found a small restuarant serving cold drinks where we also met three young women who had ridden into the forest. One was an Ozzy while the other two were English. Once they heard about the leeches of the forest, they were discouraged to do the trek they had planned on doing the next day. I'm always happy to help!
Anyway, we got back and were later joined by Paul and John after their treks (both leechless). We then had an 'all you can eat' barbeque waiting for us down the road from our guesthouse. Everyone could hardly wait. We sat down and enjoyed the food as I made sure I avoided all seafood and anything with nuts. There sadly wasn't much meat, but we sufficed on vegggies and rice. After that, we simply dran, listened to music and chatted foe the rest of the evening. It was probably the best group bonbding session we've had. I've really got to know the group well now and have made good friends of them.
Later that night, a dude was sitting close-by. So, we invited him over and he told us he was from Oregon, USA. We then proceeded to pick up on that fact to discuss American Vs English law. Not that I'm one to profess my knowledge of the English legal system, but we somehow got onto jailtime for different offences. I won't go into much detail - I can save that for drinks in a few months ;)
The next morning and after having a horriblly sweet jungle pancake, we were setting off from Khao Sok. Although I wasn't too fond at first at the idea of staying in a guesthouse in a remote area near a jungle, it really grew on me. Okay, so the mozzies were bad and I got drenched in water many times, but it was such a great experience. The staff were so nice (as almost all Thais have been) and welcoming. They were a great laugh and went out of their way to make everything as super as possible. I'll never forget Khao Sok. I lived in a guesthouse in the middle of the oldest jungle in the world. I did a trek, I went elephant riding and boy, did I have a blast.
Hours later and we were in the paradise that is Krabi. With scenery you dream about, it has to be the most beautiful beach resort I've ever been to. The only problem was, this was common knowledge. Krabi also happens to be home to the beach where 'The Beach' was shot. Needless to say, it was FULL of tourists. This didn't stop me from enjoying what I could from the place though. Net cafe prices were still cheaper than the remote Khao Sok, and you could shop till you drop. From the single stall where you have a Thai family making handmade bracelets and necklaces, to the shop selling Citizen watches, D&G belts & Police sunglasses. I'm not one to know whether they were authentically branded stuff or not, but at 3 quid for a D&G belt, I was slightly skeptical.
There was also a McDonalds in town! I did drop in (where there's a statue of Ronald bowing with his hands together at the entrance) to just get a McFlurry on a boiling day. Then again, they were all boiling days!
First day in Krabi and we just chilled out and did a bit of shop browsing. After accidentally losing Paul and Fiona, John and I continued to the beach and did a bit of sunbathing and swimming. It was my first time sunbathing and I found it quite mundane. All that effort putting on sun cream, waiting for it to set in, then just laying there. Plus, I seem to turn browner just being in the sun anyway. Afterwards, we went swimming and that was awesome. The water is VERY salty over here though!
That night we went for dinner - can't remember where - and I think we played Uno later that night with the group and a few beers to quench our thirst. Another night of fun and group bonding.
Rest to be continued later. Gotta go for group dinner! 1858 here!
Still to come:
- I visit the Phi Phi Islands, Monkey Bay (and some other islands) and go snorkelling!
- Kayaking: I go kayaking with John and Rob. We feed monkeys - incredible experience.
- I arrive in Malaysia!
Until next time, may the Force be with you!
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