Today marks day 14 down here on the Islands in the Gulf of Thailand. And it has just been really relaxing that I have to think really hard what day of the week it is!!
I got over the sunburn, and learnt my lesson. From Koh Tao we went onto Koh Samui for 5 days. We stayed for 3 nights at the southern end of Lamai Beach which was nice and quiet - just lazed around on the beach (in the shade), and saw some local sights. The most noted is the "Grandfather and Grandmother rocks". These are rocks that have been shaped by nature into male and female body parts. This is where I saw the most Thai tourists too. And for 2 nights we stayed at Big Buddha Beach...don't recommend this unless you really enjoy the sound of aeroplanes flying in and out of an airport!!!
From Koh Samui we did a day tour to Ang Thong National Marine Park. More snorkelling with lots of funky looking fish! We also did kayaking which was hard yakka, but enjoyable. The tour guides were great, one caught a fish with his bare hands which was pretty impressive. And look out....never got sunburnt!!! Was fairly chuffed with myself!
Now we are on the chilled out island of Koh Phangnan.It has been more time just relaxing and hanging out by the beach. Rented a motorbike and went exploring as far as the paved roads will take us. One day went to the beach made famous by the full moon parties, Haad Rin. This beach had actual waves coming in..and the road here from where we are staying in Baan Tai was a doozy. Really steep inclines in the road; thankfully it was paved. And today while riding out to a waterfall got drenched by a tropical rain storm! But in these 5 months in Thailand I think Ive seen rain only twice, so I wasn't complaining!! But there was no water falling from the waterfall...im having bad luck with waterfalls!
All and all, just really relaxing time here on the islands. My favorite would have to be Koh Phangnan. The big high rise resorts and high flying tourists found on Koh Samui haven't hit this island (yet?) so it makes for a nice laid back atmosphere.
Tomorrow we start our journey at 8.30am to head back up to Bangkok!!! I'm dreading the noise and polluted air already!
PS> Photos coming soon.....
