Groundhog Day in Tao

Vish had to leave early in order to complete his visa run to Myanmar, he got a 15 day extension, which would just be enough to see him over the border to Cambodia. We met each other in Chumpon with the intention of catching the night boat to Ko Tao. Unfortunately we missed it because of my mega slow bus and had to stay the night. It was a strange feeling makiing my way back to Koh Tao, the first place I have actually seen twice throughout my travels (though, Bangkok and Ko Phangan are gunna get to see me again too).

Everything was so much easier this time round for obvious reasons. We got a great place to stay with fridge and t.v, 2000 baht for 6 nights.

We had a daily routine in Koh Tao, which basically included. Waking up about 2pm, grabbing a mango shake and eating at our favourite sandwich shop, doing about 2 hours training at the thai boxing gym, resting for 1 hour, freshening up, eating dinner, buying a bottle of Hong Thong, consumimg Hong Thong, partying the night away and getting in for sleep between 6 and 10am. And repeat. Times 6.

It was a tiring week, let's put it that way. On one day I did pass on the thai boxing to go on a night dive with Maxine, Katie and Zayn (a guy we met at thai boxing). Not the best idea when hungover. I was pretty clueless about my equipment, but luckily Zayn was a diving instructor and so he was my saviour. The dive was cool, very different from your standard day dive. We saw a 6ft barracuda, a huge hermit crab, and some sandy coloured sea bed dwelling fish thing. With it being an adventure dive it would help towards my advance diving qualification if I decide to do it in the future.

That was basically Koh Tao. Oh, I did begin to realise that I had a very, very short time left travelling too. Maj was in the process of buying our return flights home. Seems like I have been writing this bloody blog forever!

Ko Tao Photo Link:
http://www3.snapfish.co.uk/snapfishuk/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=5505941011/a=2264773011_2264773011/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfishuk/

Khao Sok Monsoon

In order to break up the time we were spending at Thailands amazing beaches we decided to go to Khao Sok National Park, located between Phuket and Chumpon provinces.

The clan had now depleted to 2 remaining vets, Vish and myself. We booked our accomodation in advance at the bus station because we would need to be picked up to enter the park area. We stayed at Khao Sok Island Guesthouse, with our host (and now our own Thai fairy godmother) Ratana. She has definately ranked as one of the kindest and friendliest people I have met on my travels. She used to give us money off our meals, free bottles of water and helped us so much with our onward transportation.

For our first day in the park we went for a trek to see Thailands oldest rainforest. I reckon we a did a good 5 or 6 hours walk, but we were pretty restricted from seeing most of the park since the monsoon season was in full flow and flood warnings were in place. We had some chill time on a rock right in the middle of a river only reachable by crossing a uprooted tree trunk. Chill time was cut short when a sudden downpour kicked in and we were forced to find some shelter. After the rain had done its damage, we made the slow and sludgy route back to base.

We did plan to go to a nearby lake the next day to do some caving/potholing, but again the monsoon made this impossible. Instead we planned to do a traditional Thai cooking class with Ratana. We were shown the ancient recipes for chicken Thai green curry, pork pad thai, seafood tom yum soup and a papaya salad. To no surprise we had a blast with Ratana, especially learning some extra Thai words that she found hilarious. Farang and cak dam were her favourite (meaning white tourist/black tourist). Vish now had his nickname for the blog.

Khao Sok Photo Link:
http://www3.snapfish.co.uk/snapfishuk/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=7666244011/a=2264773011_2264773011/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfishuk/

Residents in Phang Agn

Only me Vish and Beccy moved onwards to Phang Agn since the other girls wanted to see the hot springs in Krabi (how gay). Not to rub it in or anything, but our overnight stay in the Muslim village off the coast of Phang Agn was incredible. We hung out with a group of locals who made us some 'special' ice tea, mixed with cough syrup and coke. They enjoyed our company and wanted us to meet them again the following day. It would have been rude not too.

We had a kayaking trip arranged for the following day but that got postponed because of crappy weather. Which meant we got to hang out on the island for the day. We visited the evacuation point for Panyee island, which was basically an upturned table. The rest of the entire day was taken up with a game of football with some local kids. We must have been playing for a good 3/4 hours barefoot of course. The kids loved us being there. We arranged them into teams and did little racing games with them. Oh, and bulldog also, hopefully an island favourite now. I reckon one of my favourite parts of travelling is being welcomed and respected by the locals. They were sad to see us leave.

We met the elders again that evening and hung out by the islands pier listening to music and being told stories about how life was for them living here. Most worked as fishermen, some worked for the kayaking rental companies near-by. A really great bunch of guys, they took great care of us and even treated us to ice tea and biscuits.

The boat trip took us through a mangrove forest in the sea, a bunch of caves within the karsts and to 'james bond island'. Named after 007 for appearing in the Roger Moore movie 'the man with the golden gun', the island was the location of the bad guys hideout, I aint seen it, so I was a bit clueless to all the fuss. Nice looking rock I guess?

Phang Agn Photo Link:

http://www3.snapfish.co.uk/snapfishuk/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=7666561011/a=2264773011_2264773011/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfishuk/

Rock Climbing In Railay

The 6 of us made the boat ride over to Railay Beach on the Friday, we also regrouped with 2 girls we had met on the snorkel trip earlier in the week, Katie and Maxine.

I had been looking forward to Railay since we first passed through Thailand as it is a world renowned rock climbing area. The whole group except Maj got involved with the climbing. Some enjoying it way more than others. The most memorable climb was our final one, where you had to start off by using upper body strength to scale a hanging stalactite. Maxine 'hench gal' represented the ladies by completing the climb with myself and Vish. I had a great day climbing, and I may have possibly found a new hobby. The Peak District better watch out!

The next day Maj made a deal with us that he would be 90% sure of coming to the next full moon party in Ko Phangan, which would be absolutely awesome, if........ me and Vish escorted him to the lagoon and view point in the morning. Fair deal we thought. The view point was tougher than expected to reach, with no actual pathway, just rocks and tree roots to clamber over. The lagoon was another thing entirely. It was so sludgy, wet and steep that made this a real ball ache to descend. Vish pussied out of the challenge, so it was left to me and Maj to finish our final task together. After much hard work (and Maj getting stuck with a rope between his legs, got video evidence for ya) we hit the bottom and walked round the hidden lagoon. It made a great final adventure for the two of us to witness together. We made the hike back to the hotel in time for Maj to say his goodbyes to the gang and get some grub down himself. He later reported that he had a nightmare of a journey back to Bangkok, he had to walk to the opposite beach with his bags, over the rocks, then he and his bags got drenched on the boat ride to Au Nang, and was boarded onto an aircon bus to freeze the 7/8 hour journey back to the capital. You think he would man-up after 10 months of this shit ehh?

Me and Vish ditched the ladies later that day to check out a cave (weak) a penis temple (you heard correct) and another cove area with great scrambling and cliff jumps to reach. We met up with everyone later to watch some fire dancers doing a show (best I've seen yet).

We had a similar dilemma with our boat ride, except I was at the back and made it out dry as a bone. The sea was really choppy that day so we were hustled into paying double for the boat ride to Au Nang. Whatever. I have lost my bartering motivation these days.

Railay Photo Link:
http://www3.snapfish.co.uk/snapfishuk/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=7665691011/a=2264773011_2264773011/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfishuk/

Phi Phi Phu Phu

Ko Phi Phi, another place blessed with the karst mountainous scenery jutting up from out of the sea. Many guesthouses and hotels and bars and nightclubs make up the rest of this tropical island. Much time was spent soaking in the sun and sea here, awaiting the arrival of Majid and company. We did take a snorkel boat trip around the islands close by to check the coral situation, hidden coves and picture perfect beaches. The most famous being Maya Bay, the beach used in the Leonardo DiCaprio movie 'The Beach'. The infestation of farang (tourists) took away all of its magic personally speaking.

The reunion with Maj, Vish and Tam was quality. It didn't seem 2 minutes since we had seperated in Borneo. Vish would be joining me for the rest of time away, before moving onward to Cambodia. Tam planned to join the girls on a mission to KL and Singapore. Maj would be heading back to Bangkok for his final 3 weeks of intense ballet dancing.

Phi phi remained a piss-up for the rest of our time there. Except for our final day, when we made the climb to the view point and over to another beach. We had a small bonfire on this beach before hopping a long tail boat back to the other side. It was night-time boat ride too, so it was another new experience.

Ko Phi Phi Photo Link:
http://www3.snapfish.co.uk/snapfishuk/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=7665227011/a=2264773011_2264773011/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfishuk/

Phuket About It!

In Phuket I stayed at Patong. Another beach side resort area with plenty of nightlife and water sports available. I got a good deal on a room, then went to get my first cheese and ham toastie from the 7-eleven, it felt good to be back in Thailand. My thai chicken green curry was the highlight of my day, no little philippine portions here. The following day Becci and Ellie arrived and we had a chill day since they were both shattered from there journey from Bali. Other than taking a big walk about the beach and eating some great food, I bought a bunch of dvd's for real cheap. There wasn't much appeal in Patong so we wasted no time in moving onwards to Ko Phi Phi. With the '04 boxing day tsunami, all of the places on the west andaman coast now have evacuation areas. The map to the evacuation area in Patong was very confusing. At one junction you have the choice of two different routes, not ideal for the indecisive.

Philippines Summary

Days travelled - 14 days (2 weeks)

Distance travelled - Approx. 906 km (563 miles)

Hours travelled - 41 hours (1 day, 17 hours)

Destinations - 7

Top 3

3 - Bohol - after Boracay, I would say this is the 2nd biggest tourist destination in the Philippines. Plenty to see plenty to do.

2 - Puerto Galera - the northmost island of the visayas. Clouded by Boracays reputation, this beachside resort is fantastic for chilling, snorkelling and having some fun nights out too.

1 - Siquijor - I wasn't even going to go here when I first planned my itinarary, but I'm so glad I did. Even though I spent only 1 day here this really small island has everything. Beaches, jungles to explore, caves, waterfalls and some lovely people to top it off. Watch out for witches though.

Final Advice
At first I was a little dubious of the Philippines, since everyone was saying 'be very carefull' and 'its very danegerous'. I managed to survive the fortnight without any problems and I had an awesome time there. Asia is bad for people pointing, staring and laughing at you, but the Philippines took the piss a little. It was constant, wherever I went. Maybe moreso since I was alone. That was my biggest downfall with the country, so not a biggie.
I loved the food, many pork dishes, but also beef and chicken to go round. The countries transportation services were excellent in my opinion, and even if you do miss the final boat or bus, they let you hang in the terminals over night.

The big cities of manila and cebu are whack compared to the rural islands between them. Don't waste your time there.