Bangers and Beyond

So off to SE Asia, a few days in Singapore then Bangkok to offload a few dollars while shopping, watching movies, and fine dining. A bus took us to Trat on the Gulf of Thailand where we caught a ferry (below) to Koh Chang as the storm gathered around us. The first of many games of charades got us to White Sands Beach where, for $6 a night, we spent our first three days, wading in the warm azure waters, looking back at the steep jungle behind us. Fruit shakes, pancakes, noodles and Leo beer made up our set menu for those first few days - a trend which was hard to curb.

After the third day, it was time to get a bike and find somewhere further down the island. After a day riding up and down the mountain passes, we settled on this bungalow in Bailan Beach for $10, with flushing toilet and hot water.

View towards the Bungalow, with lazy westerner on the balcony...

View from the bungalow with lazy westerner on his hammock...

On one particularly hot day, we rode the moto all the way around the island, stopping at different spots for more food. For lunch we rode along a rode that Lisa didn't enjoy, sections of the road had disappeared off the cliff into the sea. The ride was worthwhile as our destination involved a tree house lunch with more fruit shakes.

On one trip up and down the coast, we stopped for a swim in a little stream. Fresh water is Lisa's preference so this island has something for everyone.

The days had begun to revolve very clearly around food. A bit before eight one evening, we wandered over to the restaurant at Bailan and the girl at reception told us the cook had gone home. Before she knew it, the vivacious Lisa had muscled her way into the kitchen and began cooking up a storm, Aristos style. The meal was superb though the staff were a little more wary of us after that night.

In an effort to 'save the elephants' we joined a ride where so many dollars go towards habitat conservation. I much prefer walking. Lisa somehow talked her way into exiting the safety seat and sitting on the poor thing's head. We were invited to swim with the elephants at the end. I declined after watching the elephant poo rise to the surface. I don't know how she does it.

A few more days hanging around Bailan - reading, a four island snorkeling trip, rides to Long Beach, Lonely Beach and back to White Sands Beach. It was time to move on. A series of taxis, ferries, buses, and motorbikes saw us on our way to Cambodia with little more than a plan to go and have a look...