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Kath Goes Walkies
We are now in Ko Pha Ngan, awaiting the ferry to Ko Tao. From Chaing Mai, we flew to Krabi via Bangkok airport, an airport I have realised that I will spend a total of over 10 hours in over the course of this trip - and its not the most interesting airport in the world! We arrived in Krabi airport which was quite amazing as it was just our plane in the whole airport, felt a bit more like pulling in at a bus stop. Inside the airport is brand new complete with moat to separate the baggage reclaim from the waiting friends and relatives. We stayed in Ao Nang for 2 nights in a very comfortable hotel and unpacked in anticipation of a 4 night stay (our longest yet). The next day was quite cloudy but we lay on the beach for a while anyway, then investigated day trips to Ko Phi Phi and finally decided that we'd be packing our bags the next morning and heading for there for the night. Got the bus to the ferry next morning with some fascinated local school children, and then enjoyed the sunshine on the voyage to Ko Phi Phi. On arrival we set off ignoring all offers of help to find accomodation and followed our trusty lonely planet directions to a nice group of bungalows complete with swimming pool - but at 800B (12 pounds) we were really splashing out! 2 minutes later a man arrived with a trolley full of rucksacks and a group of not so sweaty backpackers - maybe we should have accepted the assistance at the pier after all! We loved Ko Phi Phi - so beautiful - especially the sunset boat trip we took to Phi Phi Leh - where 'The Beach' was filmed. Despite the torrential rain on the way there which stopped us from swimming through the gap in the rocks to the beach - watching the sunset from that beach is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. We swam in near darkness back to the boat and I managed to get stung by a jellyfish so was doused in vinegar when back on board which quickly took away the pain - I think a generous helping of fried rice and a beer also helped. We had a good night that night listening to live music and enjoying a fire show in Hippies bar. Next day we packed up to head back to the mainland and then hit the beach for the morning. We wandered across rocks to have a look at the more remote beaches and having arrived at the one we deemed paradise realised we'd got the ferry times wrong and would have to leg it if we wanted to get to Krabi that afternoon. Having decided to forget jogging back and just to get a later boat further up the coast and then taxi it to Krabi (how laidback are we??), we went in for a swim - next minute Kathy was leaping around in pain, her foot bleeding - I thought she'd stubbed her toe for the 50th time this holiday - but she'd stood on a sea urchin!! Memories flooded back to me of having the spikes of a sea urchin picked out of my feet by Mum about 10 years ago, and given that we were homeless and in a hurry, we sought advice from the locals who signed to us under no circumstances to pick the spikes out, cleaned her feet and squeezed lemon juice on it, they said to buy a lemon and continue the treatment and the spikes would work themselves out. Happy with this non pain treatment, we headed for the later boat. (For Mum and Dad's sake, I'm happy to say that now both injuries are now merely distant memories!! so not to worry :) - Kath) That night we ate with the locals at the food market in Krabi and had lovely Pad Thai. Bright and early next morning bags packed again and onto the bus for Surat Thani to go to Ko Pha Ngan. On the ferry ride over to Ko Pha Ngan we could have been on the ferry from Belfast to Stranrear the sea was so choppy and skies so grey. From the port, we got taxi to the North of the island and then anxiously boarded a long boat to take us to the isolated 'Bottle Beach'. The waves were huge, the boat was tipping and we really feared for our rucksacks. I was weighing up in my mind whether it would be worth diving in after it if it went in. Very relieved we set foot on dry land again into the rain and took up residence in a basic little beach bungalow. That evening in the restaurant/bar, we met a very friendly group of Irish people and Americans and a man from Diss - so we agreed to spend the day with them exploring the island next day and several evenings drinking Chang with them after that. On wednesday night, it was the Full Moon Party, so the island slowly filled up. We were transported to the other side of the island in 4x4s to enjoy a night of dancing, fire shows and drinking. We bought some glow in the dark paint and I made it my mission to cover people in nice waves and flowers. At 6 when the sun came up, we could have kept partying but had to head back for our lift. When we returned to bottle beach we had a quick dip before heading to bed to catch up on our sleep. The next day needless to say was a bit of a write off! Finally feeling very relaxed after the last couple of days of sunbathing, reading and swimming in our very friendly 'resort'. (Kerry/Mark - I am reading Are You Dave Gorman? and you are right it is hilarious - think Kathy's embarassed to be next to her hysterical sunbathing partner!) Also we bought hammocks and I'm desperately trying to think where this most comfortable additon to my life could be hung in my flat?? Any ideas??? We board the boat for Ko Tao in half an hour - hopefully for more sunshine and maybe a dive or two! Jo xoxo
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