So, another change of plans, we're not in Krabi, we're staying on Koh Lanta, an up and coming tourist island, but still cheap, cheap, cheap and not very busy.
BTW, the Malay's *LOVE* their cake and other desserts. There are cake houses all over KL, and desserts (cake, baked goods, ice cream, etc.) are easily found everywhere.
Another thing I wanted to mention was when we took the bus to the waterpark that one day, the bus we got on, they bus workers (two of them, one driver, a 2nd rounding up passengers and collecting the fare) had installed a huge stereo system in the bus, and had really old classic rock music blaring on their stereo. It was hilarious. As weird as it is, when we returned from the waterpark, the same bus was waiting for us for the return trip!
Anyway, quite a bit to talk about since our last update. We had purchased tickets to Hattyai, which is kind of a sourthern Thailand transportation hub, from there, we had plans to go to Krabi (as recommended by Darren). We took a taxi to the bus station (Jalan Duta) (did I mention how insane traffic is in KL?), and got on our 10PM bus to Hattyai. The bus was *COLD*. The air condiioning was really working well, all night long. Courtney was so cold, she wrapped toilet paper around her ankles to try and keep warm. We had to make 3 stops to cross the border, the first was to get our Thai immigration cards filled out, then we had to stop at the Malay border and "check out" of Malaysia, then a third stop to "check in" to Thailand. No hassles or anything, this just all happened at about 5:00-6:00AM in the morning. The bus was so cold, we didn't sleep at all.
Driving to Hattyai once we crossed the border, there is a huge difference between Malaysia and Thailand. I expected Thailand to be a lot like Malaysia, but you can sure tell the money in Malaysia versus Thailand. IN Malaysia, everyone drives new cars. In Thailand, all the cars are old rickety things, or old motorbikes, or walk. A lot of Buddhist temples and monasteries along the bus ride. Saw some Buddhist monks walking along the highway. (95% of the Thai people or Buddhist). Chickens and cattle roaming around the streets. The Tuk-tuks are cool.
Anyway, when we got to Hattyai, Court and I needed money, but there was no ABM near the bus station, so I got directions to the nearest ABM, and tried to find it, but couldn't. I walked and walked and walked, and tried asking directions, and walked some more. Not very many people in Thailand speak english. Everyone in Malaysia speaks english. Finally, I had some old guy point to a big building a short distance away, with two huge exhaust fans on them (they looked like to big eyes on the building), and indictated to me to walk toward the building with big eyes. So I did, and sure enough, there was an ABM there, so we could get money to actually to somewhere. When I got back to the bus station, everyone was so relieved. I was gone so long, they all thought I was lost, and one guy was out on a scooter looking for me. I knew exactly how to get back, I just couldn't figure out where I was going, that's all.
When I returned, Courtney told me we're going to go to Koh Lanta, that's where some other people on the bus (two from England, two from Norway (I think)) were going there too. So, on a tuk-tuk we climb, which takes us to a bus (minivan!), which takes us to another bus (minivan), which takes us to Koh Lanta island (need to take two ferries to get the island). The whole ride, which was about 3 hours, I think, it cost us 290 Baht, which is just under $10 CDN.
When we arrived at the bus stop (minivan stop), we were bombarded with resort salesman, all trying to get us to stay at their resort. They all had colorful brochures, some had photo albums with pictures of their reosrt to we could look, they all offered free rides to the resort, and if we didn't like it, they'd take us to another resort, and they were all trying to undercut each other on price. It was hilarious, and you feel kinda bad having to pick one and saying sorry to everyone else. We had decided on one that I thought looked nice, and we were ready to go, when buddy from that resort came back and told us he was full, and couldn't take us. Carly and Ryan (the two from England) decided on Lanta Sand Resort, and they got a good deal, so we went with them to that resort. Price: 500 baht for the room. That's about $16.00CDN, or about $8 each. Our bungalow doesn't have air or hot water, but big deal. It's so cheap. Air and/or hot water would have upped the price to maybe 800-1000 baht. We're not complaining.
Courtney is in heaven (so am I, actually). This is a totally awesome place to be. Actually, I'm sure most of the resorts along the beach are just as nice, but this is soo nice. The beach stretches for miles. And it's totally not busy. This is nothing like Cancun, which was so busy and packed. This is so relaxed, and easy atmosphere, slow, quiet. Why people would go to Cancun, over this is beyond me!
For supper I had a filet mignon. I was kinda unsure about what kind of steak I'd get, or the quality, but it was awesome. Nice, big piece of steak, thick, juicy...one of the best steaks I've had anywhere. They have a great kitchen here, they have everything. My filet only cost me about $8 CDN.
We hung out with Ryan and Carly for the rest of the evening. The bar on the beach had happy hour last night (Saturday night), and drinks were 100 baht, about $3.25 (alcohol is not cheap here), except Chang beer, which was 35 baht, which is about $1.50, which is pretty cheap.
This place is totally like heaven. It's amazing. There's a lot to do on the island, caves, snorkelling, elephant trekking, motorbike rentals, canoeing, etc. EVERYONE MUST COME HERE!!!!!!!!
We slept amazing last night. We got woke up about 8:20 from a rooster cockadoodldooing. First time for that! We got up, and hit the internet to let everyone know how much of an amazing time we're having!!! We've decided to stay at least two more nights here.
To flush the toilet, we have to fill a bowl with water and pour it down the toilet to flush it!!!
Anyway, we're gonna go for breakfast. BTW, they have three computers here for internet, and they are all open-air computers! We got a picture of Court sitting at one of the internet terminals in her pajamas. That's how laid back it is!!!
Anyway, hope you are all having fun! We are!!!! :-)
P.S. We wanted to upload pics to make you all jealous, but a slow internet connection with a firewall, and locked down computers makes it pretty hard. Sorry!
No comments:
Post a Comment