Koh Chang Thailand

Leaving India.

A short two and a half hour flight lands us into Bangkok airport at 10:30pm with the easiest visa we work have to deal w with on our travels, just complete the short form and hand it to the immigration officer, have your picture taken and all done.
Our bus from the airport to the Thai island of Koh Chang however was not due to leave until 07:50 so we found a restaurant and had a bite and a few beers to help pass the time.

As it was so early when we boarded the bus the heat had not kicked in yet so when our first toilet stop came about two hours in, stepping off the bus was like stepping into an oven, the heat just slaps you all over much more so than India but the landscape surrounding us was so different and so peaceful compared to our time in India.

We arrived at the ferry for Koh Chang island some 6 hours after leaving Bangkok, tired hungry and again incredibly hot having to get off the bus to walk on the ferry when it arrived. An hour later and the ferry approaches the dock at Koh Chang with high hopes of a nice shower, food and an ice cold beer. As we were herded into the back of pick-up trucks grouped by the resort's we were staying at it became clear we were the last stop on the island, long two days getting longer as minutes now felt like hours it had to end soon (yes I know pretty whingy start to our stay on a paradise island and it even gets worse before it gets better!!)

When we arrive at our resort we see the lovely little bungalows we had seen when booking and started to relax as we checked in but as we were led to our bungalow this changed quickly as behind the beautiful little houses consisting of a bedroom and bathroom we were led to two timber shacks! These were our bungalows, made with timber lats spaced roughly a quarter inch apart for the floor and three walls, at least the roof seemed watertight however it seemed that any small wildlife in the vicinity could join us if the wished!

As they were literally just big enough for a double bed and the path beside it to the bathroom we dropped our bags on the bed realising as we looked around that their was no curtains on any of the three large windows or presumably meaning we were entertainment of some kind for other guests! There was a fan on the ceiling but obviously no air con, fridge or TV as advertised! These may seem to readers as an utter luxury when back packing however after three weeks in India this was meant to be a little chill out on the road. The manager although seeming confused initially with our issues explained that they were full and this was the only option, ah........... no, was the response. When we explained our position to him he very kindly agreed to refund our deposit (apparently very unusual in Thailand) and even allowed us to use the Wi-Fi to book another resort. Having booked another on-line we got a taxi (another pick-up truck with two benches on the back).

Our arrival at the next resort was met with some bemusement by staff as they were not expecting anyone today as they were full!! (At this point I was screaming obscenities in my head and very close to throwing all my toys out the pram in a massive tantrum!!) After some chatting and pleading they eventually confirmed that they could accommodate us, hallelujah! So after nearly two days we had a shower, meal and a beer.

The whole idea of our stay here was to just chill out so this is what we did, eating good food, drinking and chilling by the pool or the beach (lonely beach). We even managed to watch Ireland win the six nations and the swan song of an Irish sporting legend, Brian O Driscoll.

Paddy's Day.
We booked a snorkelling trip headed for the boat at 08:30am we boarded the boat ready for a day's activity and the scenery just leaves you short of breath even with the hazy sunshine just feels like paradise. Given the gear we jump off the boat and are immediately blown away by the colour and life beneath the gorgeous blue line defining the sea from the sky. We were introduced to many creatures big and small with the clams bigger than football's and spikey sea urchins looking rather dangerous but it was the really vibrant colours of the many different types and sizes of fish that stole the show.

Our party again seemed to intrigue the staff on the boat with the question "which one is single?" being asked many many times throughout the day and they did not seem to care whether it was one of the girls or me as the compliments kept coming and more and more direct as threatened on!!

We had 5 stops on the trip at various small islands for snorkelling, swimming and Sun bathing on small perfectly white sandy beaches each as beautiful as the last. On the trip back we realised that we may have gotten just a touch of sunburn here and there despite using sunscreen regularly we summarised that the sea breeze and salt water had obviously played their part! Delightfully cold showers and lots of aloe Vera before making it to the bar for dinner and given the day that was in it, a few sociable drinks of the alcoholic kind. Planning to head to the other end of the island to the Irish bar for some festivities after dinner the weather of Ireland decided to los honour the day with a massive thunderstorm and rivers of rain!! This halted plans for moving as traffic tends to pretty much stop when this happens after high temperatures as the decent but insanely hilly roads just become far too slippery, stay put and drink on it is.

Apart from this day we carried on the doing nothing but eating and drinking which after 3 weeks in India was exactly what we needed before we moved on to Cambodia or at least two of us did which soon became three again just not the same three!