The Beach - Installment #2

Thai Island: Ko Tao

Our journey to Ko Tao was, well, a bit on the horrendous side... or, rather Thai, I'll admit! We left Ko Lanta by minibus at 12:30 pm - basically, a large minivan, as always loaded to capacity. My wonderful seat for the journey slanted inwards towards Marc, with an uncomfortably awkward lump in the middle. The supposedly two hour journey to the mainland was extended due to our wait, at several locations, for two Thai females, joining us for the ride, undoubtedly a few extra Baht directly in the driver's pocket, if you follow! At least at the first wait I legged it to a 'nearby' 7-11 (love Thailand for that!) for chips and ice cream for the ride. Off we go, only to realize we've detoured significantly (As in, 'ahem, driver, we just passed a sign with our destination in the opposite direction') to drop off these two stowaway Thais! Marc and I weren't surprised but some of our fellow travellers were right upset. We're finally dropped off in the middle of nowhere at this outdoor restaurant when we were expecting to arrive at the pier. So we eat... and eventually are picked up by a sort of pickup truck, 12 of us hop in the back with our bags on top and we're taken - directly - to the pier. It's now about 9 pm and our cargo boat to Ko Tao doesn't leave until 11 pm. What to do? Nothing but sit at an outdoor restaurant and wait... Just before 11 we climb aboard a very desperate looking wooden boat, which, thankfully, has a roof. Our sleeping quarters are basically one big room (the boat) lined with mattresses. Fifty-five of us, happily crammed on a loud, damp boat. Oh, how well we slept!

At 7:30 am we had completed the 50 km journey (if I hadn't seen the boat workers sleeping on the hard wooden floor of the boat I would have thought they'd paddled us to the island... that loud motor would've been difficult to explain though) and we'd arrived on Ko Tao. The resort we're staying at is great, quite comfy and very clean, but there's basically no beach, so we have to venture elsewhere to truly sunbathe. Of course, given we'll be covering up any sort of tan as soon as we step off the plane in Toronto there isn't too much worry over getting some even colour, is there?? Today it rained and was relatively overcast all day, so we relaxed... Tomorrow, should the sun deem us worthy to grace us with its presence, we'll be heading to a nearby island for the day... nothing to do but soak up the rays!

The island is really chilled, can't comment on the beach or the water but the people are friendly! Still can't seem to escape the 'Taxi?! Taxi!' requests though...

On Sunday we hop on board another boat to the mainland - it's a day boat though, should be so much better... one hopes! Our last train journey in Asia will be up to Bangkok on the overnighter, arriving at the ungodly hour of 5 am! At least we'll be better rested than our most recent overnight journey... And other than final shopping and sightseeing, the best part is we're meeting up with Kelsey, our little Londoner from our tour through China!

I'll find a spare moment amidst the Bangkok madness for the final post from Asia... Hard to believe it's almost arrived!