so Koh Lanta we were to enjoy, a tropical island paradise that just screamed "relax..... you've most likely had a tough trip in my country, and now you should just calm yourself".
We spent a day travelling in bus, with horrible slow back breaking seats, to the bus terminal on Koh Lanta island, two barges (transported with cattle - you dont feel like a cow unless you travel with one) and one psycho driver later (he dropped his girl off, and they must have had a fight because he just snapped, with his foot floored and the blind corners were for nothing but over taking)..............
we arrived in Koh Lanta and were loaded onto the back of a truck to be transported to the hotel, i couldnt help but think what if i jumped off - then you would have an escaped human to deal with!
We arrived at the hotel which couldnt help but claim itself as a world within another world. The fast paced hustle and bustle of a life left living was out doors, and in here you paid to relax, and in here thats what you should do.
We spent the first night eating on the beach and i instructed the waiter to bring me out "something Thai"........ he brought me something that looked like a cow had eaten another cow, then passed this onto a plate, meanwhile the cook had sprinkled spices on top of it, masking its true smell. It tasted better than it looked but Naiyer look down her nose at me and my pile of............. and said "well eat up, you've learnt your lesson".
We booked a tour from this resort and after a day of R and R we met on the beach to depart. We boarded the burn mobile (the sun was unforgiving on this), and sailed for over an hour across seas and passing light houses to a snorkling spot that surrounded you in coloured fish as you entered the water. After this we continued to our next destination - emerald cove.
We arrived and you entered the water where you swam through a cave which opened up into a hidden utopia. It was like some child had made a clay mould of a beach with mountains that surrounded it, stuck their thumb in the middle and gone oh i forget how people get in......... lets make a cave to it with my other thumb. With foiliage large and green, waters blue and clear and sand that glisten white while it radiated heat, you couldnt help but think you had stepped onto the set of some ridiculous hollywood film... it was so perfect..... why were so many coming here yet so few had decided to ruin it - maybe there is hope for us yet? Im calling Mcdonalds - they forgot a spot.
We continued visiting beaches you see in postcards and although i enjoy photographing, my camera sat unused as i struggled to take all of the scenery in.
We traveled to Krabi island after spending 3 days on Koh Lanta.... The trip back was an ease we desired and the taxi to our hotel was pre-arranged for our bon voyage a day later.
That day in Krabi we took a boat to Raleigh Island but this trip was not without final failure as the boat waited until we were halfway through our journey before dying. Sitting stranded halfway between here but not there, the chipmunk sailing the boat tinkered at the engine (purely for our viewing pleasure) until instructing us we must jump ship..... What mate? I didnt pay for this, he waves another boat over and tells us "you on boat, here no"........ yeah yeah ok bumpkin - i moving, Geez.
We board the boat and leave Jethro to fix his floating bath tub, with 21 hopefuls on board we sail onward to Raleigh island.
We arrive and it is yet again another beach with gorgeous hills and beautiful white sand with clear blue water lapping the shores..... as i lye on one beach mat and use the other to cover my back i cant help but think of the passers by who look at me and think - oh that special white kid doesnt know how a beach mat works..
We returned to Krabi to watch the sunset and dine on prawns as big as cray fish and swim the evening away in the hotel pool....... That night i closed my eyes with a sense of sadness, this trip was ending, this heat would be over, its still winter right?!?
We awoke to wait for our pre arranged taxi on the following day.... hes only 10 mins late, i mean 20 mins late, i mean....... 30 mins where the hell are you son?!?! God damn island time! An hour later and an alternative taxi comes to our aide, "what time you fly?" he asks "what time you pick us up, you despicable excuse for a taxi company" i thought.
at the airport i bid farewell to Naiyer, and leave her with her K pop stars as i begin my return to the cooler climate of Japan...... On the plane i see the setting sun, i think to myself that the whole time being here i have desired the comforts of home but now that is likely i do not want to leave this place of fond memories. Goodbye Thailand, dont forget me.
beautiful photos
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