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Friends, family, fellow travellers. Alas, the time has arrived for me (Els) to write my last blog entry before I leave this enchanting part of the world and return to England.
The last week has flown by and we spent the majority of it in Ko Samet, a small island four hours souths of Bangkok. The mini bus journey down was fantastic as it only had four people in it, so leg room was taken advantage of. The other two passengers were Rad and Dan. Dan from Oz and Rad from Scotland but living and teaching in Bangkok. Once arriving at the port, we found out that it cost 400 baht to enter the island (it was only 200 B a couple of years ago, so not happy with inflation there). The four of us decided to get a speed boat and get there the illegal way. So off we sped with the sun going down infront of us. We circled the island until we reached the desired beach, feeling like James Bond! After walking around for ages trying to find accommodation, we eventually found some nasty huts with bathrooms on the outside, a thin matress on the floor for a bed, a ridiculously tiny fan and mosquitos swarming. We stayed there the first night and upon waking up the next morning, we realised we had to move as we were both covered in about 20 fresh bites and there were also red ants everywhere as well and I didn't particularly want to return home with another elephant foot.
We spent the morning searching for cheap, but nicer accommodation and found it as well, about a 10 minute walk along the sand from the last place. It was the heat of the day when we decided to move and armed with our rucksacks weighing now approx 18kg, Hols thought we shouldn't walk across the sand as it was a bit too hot that way. So, knowing that her sense of direction was far better than mine, we lumbered off in to the back roads with a vague sense that we were going the right way. After about half an hour of walking, we came out on to a bit of sea, at which we got very excited as we thought we were there. Not quite. We arrived at the port, just in time for us to pay the soldiers there the 400baht to get on to the island. Luckilly, we had the key in hand of our new room to show them that we had already been on the island so in theory had already payed. They laughed at us and told us to go through. Another half an hour and a coke stop (not the sniffing kind), we finally arrived, caked in a sweat screen that stung out eyes.
That evening, Hols, Dan, Rad and I went out for a few drinks that turned into a good few more drinks. We went to a bar that tossed a coin and if you guessed what side it would land on, your drink was free. Hols declared to anyone that was listening that she was incredibly lucky because she was a libra, don't you know, and then lost three times a row! I managed to win three times and also won one for Hols who had decided by this point that it was because she was born on the cusp of the month, so the luck comes and goes... About 3am, we all decided what a great idea it would be to go for a late-night swim, which was good fun until the next day we noticed all the washed up jelly fish on the sand!
We spent most of our time on the beach as it was perfect weather for sunbathing. Hols and I are rubbish sun-bathers, though, so we bought a bat and ball and played like it was Wimbledon; if the sweat blurred our vision, we would simply move in to the sea. We weren't sleeping too well in Samet, mainly because the heat was too much and the mozzies on this island were everywhere. One morning at 6am, we heard this terrible wailing sound that woke us both up. We then heard this man living next door shouting 'Get off me! Don't touch me!' We thought it could be a woman perhaps having a fit and the bloke not knowing what to do, so we became nosy neighbours, peering out of our window. It wasn't until we heard hard slaps and hits that we became a bit worried. The man then walked out of the room to call the plice or something and as he came back, we opened our door and he told us she was a crazy woman who was in love with him and even followed him out there from Sweden. Apparently he'd tried to split up with her a few months ago but she attempted suicide so he had to take her back. Now she was hysterical and was slapping him about. After we had heard the story and went back to bed realising we probably shouldn't get involved, he locked her out of the room and she was banging and crying and screaming for a good hour until he let her back in. So again, not much sleep!
While relaxing on the beach another day, an enormous procession started up at one end and moved along the beach. There was a big band playing and loads of people all dancing and covered in talc powder. Apparently the New Year lasts a bit longer out here! We got a bit caught up in it and were also covered in powder but it smelt nice and was alot nice on the skin than the oil, grease and flour they used in Laos!
On our penultimate night on Samet, 2 other guys we met, Hols and I went down to watch a fire show on the beach that was on every night. When they stopped, a couple of members of the audience got up to play with the poi, so I thought I would also join them. Apart from I couldn't resit lighting them and I pretty much did a whole show infront of a big audience without meaning to! When I finished, everyone was clapping and the other people that were supposed to be playing with me had sat down without me realising it. Quite embarrassing really...yeah I loved it!! Hehe!
So now, we're back in Bangkok whiling away our last few days together on Khao San Road. It's been the best 3 months ever and speaking for us both (although Hols has a while longer), we have had the best time and I'm incredibly sad to be leaving it all. Thanks so much for keeping in touch and leaving messages for us. They're so lovely to read when you feel a bit homesick. Hope to see you all shortly.
Lots of love, Els xxxxx
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