Run to the Border
Hello again, its been a while since our last update but even so there isn’t much to tell, not that that’s a bad thing. We’ve been enjoying our little island here in Thailand, which basically means, SCUBA, lying on the beach, kayaking, snorkeling, swimming…you get the picture. Well just in case you don't this might help.

The countdown is on, though, until we leave this paradise and head to the bustling capital city of Bangkok. Our last day is either Sunday, or Monday this coming week depending on how far our month rent lasts.
One thing of note was our 18 hour VISA run from here to Burma and back. I know I've mentioned it before but for those of you unfamiliar with the Thailand VISA run, every foreigner that comes to Thailand gets 30 days to visit before they have to leave the country. If you are staying longer than 30 days ie. Kendra and me, you have to cross a border somewhere and re-enter the country to get another 30 day visit. This little loophole allows some people to actually live and work in Thailand for years without having to immigrate, or apply for a work visa, all they have to do is get to a border and back every 30 days and they’re good for another month. Handy eh? You might think so except the Border runs are long and after several months quite boring for those that are live here. For Kendra and I, though, it was another mini adventure that came with added bonus of more VISA stamps on the Passport.
It starts with a boat to the mainland, we ended up on the cheap night boat that leaves at 11:00pm and gets in at 5:00am. We actually had to get there at 9:30pm to make sure we had a place to sleep which basically meant a spot on a bench and a spot on the floor next to the bench on the top deck of the boat. Needless to say sleeping didn’t come easy although when I couldn’t sleep I could enjoy the moonlit ocean and was able to see several flying fish jumping out of the water around our boat, pretty cool. The next Leg is the Mini Bus leg, which meant that several of us are crowded onto a minibus that takes us to the border. This took 2 hours and was especially uncomfortable for Kendra as she got stuck in the middle front seat, crappy! Kendra also had the misfortune of having a birds eye view of the driving techniques of our driver. It’s a harrowing experience sometimes when you are passing a car on solid double lines around a blind corner. My favorite was when our driver and another guy in front decided to pass a car both at the same time, we were 3 cars wide on a double line with oncoming traffic, crazy. Kendra learnt faster than the rest of us to simply ignore what was happening and try to sleep. We survived the ride to the border and went to Thai customs to receive the first stamp of the day. Next we had to get back on a boat to cross a rather large bay/river into Burma. We spent a grand total of 15 minutes in Burma and headed back to Thailand to get our new 30day VISA. Then 2 hours on a mini bus, another boat ride and we're back in Koh Tao. In total about 18 hours non-stop. Not much sleep was had, but hey, at least we got more stamps...I love stamps. Check out some of the photos.

Starting out on the Boat Ride, thats Burma in the background.

The pier at Burma, there was also a large market that we explored where you could buy live chickens...Kendra didn't want one.

Burmese immigration office...interesting.
OK, Till Next Time.
Mike
6 Comments:
Kenny-SO jealous seeing that picture of you lying on the beach - brought back fond memories of our adventures in Mexico together.
Congrats to both of you for creating such a fabulous blog; I am officially addicted, and urge you to keep the updates coming!
All the best...enjoy your last few days 'in (this) paradise' (until you find the next one...).
xoxo
J.
Hey guys,
I am enjoying your blog immensely... however, after not checking for a week or so I expected scores of updates to sift through while procrastinating at work.... but alas, I had only missed one. I understand you guys are too busy lazing around on the beach, but come on... I am trying to live my boring life vicariously through you!
Just kidding of course. Have fun in Bangkok, but be careful of any sweet "deals" the locals might be offering you.
Cheers,
Bryan
Guys,
It's end of March already and you are still on a beach soaking up the sun and water sports. Almost half way through your trip and you guys really have become beach bums!! Maybe one year of travel is in the cards? I'm so jealous.
Kei
Hey guys!
I've really been enjoying your entries. Yes, even the leech story. Note to self: always carry salt if I ever go to Thailand. Ugh!
Speaking of salt...thanks for rubbing it in my wound by sharing the pic of Kendra on the beach. I'm glad you're having such a great time. And by "glad" read "bitterly jealous".
Keep the blogs coming!
Tracy
Hi guys,
I have just read yet another entry from your blog and now I am ready to quit my job, pack up our stuff and be a beach bum. Pablo and I are so jealous when we see all the amazing pictures. Keep the entries coming so we can vicariously live through your experience!
Sue
Kendra...it looks like you may actually have a tan! I am sooooo jealous!
Car
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