Goodbye Ko Tao - Hello Thailand

Hi Everyone,

After much denial, Mike and I realized that it was time to leave our beach life to see the rest of SE Asia. We had 6 glorious weeks in Ko Tao, vegging, diving, meeting wonderful people, beaching, snorkelling, singing Grease songs in the back of taxis, etc. Although there was the odd negative occurrence, i.e. the cockroach that invaded Mike's personal space (I'll let him tell you about that one when we get home!), the trigger fish attacks under water (the males are very aggressive during breeding season - one guy we were diving with got bit in the head), and the drunken head shaving incident (see picture below), Ko Tao will be a treasured memory.


Snorkelling at Mango Bay on a day long trip around Ko Tao

Mike and I ready for our last dive.

The gang at Buddha View who helped us with everything - Gee, James & Joline. Thanks guys!


Our dive instructors who made us into the divers we are today. Our last dinner was with them - Jasper, Alex & Rene!

Kimberly & Scott - thanks for the great memories


Before....

After... Hee Hee

Travelling to Bangkok in style (Catameran high speed boat, then A/C double decker bus) for $12 CDN we arrived in Bangkok on April 2. We found New Siam II Hotel, highly recommended by Jay & Denise. Air conditioning!! Hot water shower!! And a TV to watch BBC news - now that was luxury. However after paying only 200 B per night, the 790 B charge for the room was quite the shock. The next day we toured Koah San Road and met with Tip the travel agent to get our visa's organized for China and Vietnam.

Funny thing, on the Bangkok tourist map, it tells you to beware of the tuk-tuks who will try to scam you. Mike and I were well prepared or so we thought. We wanted to go see the grand palance and temples. We took a local river boat to a pier (highly recommended). A gentlemen speaking very good english advised us that the palace was closed due to a private service and recommended us to go to a couple of other temples in the area until it reopened to the public later in the day. He arranged a tuk-tuk for us for 40 B to go to 2 temples and back to Koah San Road. After the first temple however, he wanted to stop at an "Exchange Market". Once we saw the store, we realized that we had been had and refused to get out of the tuk-tuk. He finally left the store and then took us to another temple called the Golden Mountain, which was actually quite extraordinary. When we got out of the temple however our driver had dissappeared. Thinking back, we're pretty sure that the palace was really open and we were scammed, but at least no harm done.


Picture of Tuk - Tuk for those how have never been to Thailand

Once we found out that it was going to take a week to get our China Visa, we decided to leave Bangkok and take an overnight bus to Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand). We just arrived this morning and found a decent room for 200 B. We are looking forward to seeing the villiage people, treks, elephant rides and taking some Thai cooking classes so that we can charm you with our cuisine cooking when we come home. Speaking of coming home, Kei you are right, we are hoping to stay abroad for a bit longer... maybe coming home in November??? We'll see....



Hugs & kisses everyone,

Kendra & Mike