So, we had planned to come to Thailand for a week or so and now its week 3 in Thailand!! We were well warned before we left that Thailand would be fab but didn't think we'd get this sucked in.
The last post was a quick overview, we were in Ko Lipe for 3 nights, the most southerly island in Thailand. Took the culturally scenic route to here via the 'dont go there zone' according to the government websites but sure 'twas grand, although it was hard to find a public bin, something about them expoding according to a vendor. We didn't see any other tourists there and the bus conductor (on a psycadellic bus) thanked us for visiting this section of the country, the reason why became obvious a few days later but after a noisy overnight train we were oblivious!!
Ko Lipe - view from our accomodationKo Lipe is lovely, really laid back vibe. Nice beaches, 6 euro hour long thai massages, nice food, we didn't do much on Lipe to tell the truth but relaxed after the hectic first few weeks in Malaysia. The most activity was when a longtail boat sank when the boatman was loading bricks into it!!
Then onto Bulone Lae island for 4 nights which was really really quiet, we were amongst about 50 other tourists, as you can see from the police station photo, not much happens here. We kayaked around the island, went for walks, swims, massages, read books on the balcony of our hut, etc. You get the drift!!
\Decided to move to a livelier spot - Ko Mook (Ko means island in Thai) which was gorgeous. It wasn't as busy as Lipe and more busy than Bulone so a good balance. Met some great people here who we celebrated Chinese New Year in fancy dress with in Mookies bar.
Chinese New Year with Paul, Susie, Jim and Brian the barman (aka Mr. Wong)
The main highlight at Mook is the Emerald Cave, a beach within a cliff that is accessed by swimming through a 80m cave - in parts in the pitch dark. We went with Paul and Susie (pirate and cowgirl in photos!!) before the crowds arrived one morning and it was fab. Thought our guide Yong was joking about swimming in with the seasnakes, turns out he wasn't!! but they aren't big enough to bite us - thank god!! The cave is fab, has a beach, trees etc and was where locals hid during WW2 and pirates hid loot in the good auld days of pirating.
Also went snorkelling on Ko Kradan that day, beautiful spot, where they have an underwater wedding ceremony every Valentines day with pink oxygen tanks etc. Unfortunately we heard about a young groom who took off his mask to kiss his bride and didn't survive a few years ago.
Ko Mook sunsets
Spent a week on Ko Mook and now are on the mainland in Krabi where we are planning our next few days with Eimear and Helen who arrive tomorrow.
Keep up the emails - its great to hear news from home (even if its about Ireland loosing in the rugby!!)
ps. My phone drowned in the Andaman Sea so didn't work for a week, it seems to like the mainland and is back working so if anyone sent me a text last week that i didn't reply to - sorry but i never got it, its with the fishes!!! J
