Waves are crashing on the sand just outside of the window of this internet/book trade cafe where I'm sitting now. I'm at Koh Chang's Siam Hut guesthouse on Lonely Beach. We've been here since Thursday evening. It's a great place - very affordable ($8/night for A/C room), basic accommodations, and they throw a fantastic fire dance party on Friday nights! We didn't make it for the "Full Moon Party" but I can say that the three quarter moon was pretty fabulous last night to be swimming under. As the moon rose during the fire show last night, it was framed by a mountain, five or six idyllic palm trees, a glistening beach, calm sea, and a million+ stars. It resembled a postcard... but much more beautiful. Our guesthouse is right on the beach, and I can hear the waves crash as I fall asleep each night. We have had beautiful sunshine here in Koh Chang, thankfully, after the tail end of Typhoon Mirinae cloaked Bangkok in clouds and drizzle on the day we were leaving for the island. Life here consists of snoozing, swimming, eating, and getting massages on the beach ($10/hour). Not bad, right?
Tomorrow, we head back to Siem Reap via Bangkok by bus. Traveling by bus is extremely affordable, even though it takes a big longer, but its the most popular way to go around these parts, with bus trips to and from all major travel destinations in Southeast Asia. Off for now to do some reading in a hammock at the Treehouse Restaurant. :) Sad to be leaving, but glad to get back to Siem Reap.
