Next day we both left about 7ish for a night boat from koh tao across thialand then a public bus to the national park. The night boat was literally a matress between two (small matress) and a pillow each. Which is great if some morron doesn't steal you pillow and matress and be difficult about numbered seating... basically we went to the seat numbers and this girl complained, and says it doesn't matter... guess what it does, so we both had the worst sleep ever then got to the cafe stop where you swap busses an hour early then got the public bus to the park. It drops you off 3km outside and people wait for you and try and sell you rooms.
Infact the room we were sold was the best ever, very posh nice sheets like the treehouses, but cooler as down below. Opposite the restaurant which is a 2 minute walk down a path you have a river with some small caves to which you watch wild monkeys playing...or the locals depending what time of day. Not sure what the monkeys are, but that was ace... every night about 6 we would watch.
That afternoon as we arrived at 9 we went on a night treck which was awsome... except it was then my torch ran out of batteries, so i inevertantly stuck by gavin till i got the guides spare, then blinded gavin with it.
It had rained that afternoon and the amount of frogs, lizards and spiders we saw were amazing. Basically you shine a torch into the blackness and it reflects the eyes. Not very comforting when iyt does this with spiers as well and you see hundreds of them in the jungle. We also saw bats, 2 cat like creatures and a small mountain lion type of cat, which i cant remeber the name of whith her two cubs and a sleeping bird and chameloen. I have to thank our stoned guide for that who smoked joints all the way there and back 6km).
I forgot the elephant ride we did that afternoon as gavin hadn't done that before. It was over two hours to a waterfall which we sam in and back. Best elephant ride i have done in thailand (now totalling 3). Oh and the fireflies at night are amazing... hundreds plus the one in our room which wouldn't let you get to sleep.
Next day we went treking by ourselves... lets put it this way it starts off on a road, then a dirt track, then a hidden path, then through complete jungle (while hearing whooping gibbons) then to alex and gavin swinging on vines shouting like tarzan (ahhh e ahhh) well me actually. Being fair this was after nearly complaining and giving up that we hadn't got to the waterfall at the end of the trail, and it was nearly 3 and i was scared of swinging on vines in the dark. Plus was exhausted the hike was 7km each way plus 1k to hotel. There were a few swear words in there which Gavin had to contend with. We got to the waterfall and had a swim... so did my camera so had to buy a new one...was anoyed about that. Cameras dont swim, damn!! Yes there was more swearing.
We got back before nightfall hurting and aching had dinner tried the jungle juice cocktail... better than tomb raider and kamakasi and then passed out as nackered.
Next day we both hurt, but we go kayaking. Actally our stoned guide from the night before takes us kayaking. Was great in the middle of national park and jungle looking at mangrove snakes in trees (occaisionally they fall on the boats), listening to the gibbons (not actually seen one), saw swimming toads and herons and I think a hawk or eagle type of bird.
3 hrs in the canoe we were ready to move on so we got a bus back to bangkok yes again... last time there thank god.
In bangkok we just shopped and ate. Next night I go back to Koh Tao as am doing my divemasters in 3 weeks which is really pushing it and gavin got the plane home. Wont go into that, as this goodbye was painfull... wont see him for 4 months.
Anyhow night bus again to koh tao for study and homework and work on the boats... hey what am I doing, I am on holdiay. If you dont hear much in the next three weeks its becuase this is my day..
get up/study/breakfast/dive/dive/lunch/study/night dive/dinner/study/exam/repeat/get up/study/breakfast/dive/dive/lunch/study/night dive/dinner/study/exam/repeat
get up/study/breakfast/dive/dive/lunch/study/night dive/dinner/study/exam/repeat/...for 3 weeks then singapore!
John Landis! ring a bell. didn't 4 me. until now. Ooops budup big, go the sig @ the eastman kodak.
Oh buy the way, we made a piece of art for u from eastman. we have it waiting 4 u
zo
Glad you're having a great time, but want more pictures to put up... Vicky has had a sore neck and hasn't been well, but Benjamin is doing great. Clearly you won't recognise him when you get back, but you'd hardly recognise him now he's grown so much. Sorry I've been lax about updating the site for you, but I've gone over the last month now and it looks like you're having a ball; wish we were there. thinking of you
Nick, Vicky and Bendy Bum.
Posted by: nickh at May 1, 2004 10:19 PMHi Alex,
Glad you have decided to do the course. Robert will be interested to talk to you about it when you get here, as he did a lot of diving when he was in Cairns - a long time ago!! You will also love diving when you are in Oz - particularly around the Barrier Reef.
Looking forward to reading about how it all went when I next log in.
Am feeling very jealous as it's suddenly turned cold in Melbourne and I am hibernating today!
My sister was down from Sydney last weekend, Robert's mother comes to stay next weekend, and then Mum and my sister are coming to stay the weekend after that. This is why I am taking it easy today!
Am about to rug up and go for a walk.
Keep having fun!!
Love Tink
Hi, Glad your experiencing the wonders of the world.
we had a great time in usa was good to catch up with peeps.
Kerry & Holly got the shock of there life when we walked down the stairs, Kelly said "did someone try to call me" the house came down with cheer.
Kelly opened up the prez a WOW came out Then There beautiful. She thanx u v/much.
I'm trying not to waffle 2 much, i'l keep um sort n sweet.
take care's u 2 love ya's
zoe & kelly