Paradise Island

So far our stay in Koh Chang has been a dream, after ariving in a horrid downpour and miserable cloudy skies we have had days and days of beautififul blue skies, even the locals claim its a miracle. This has been the most relaxing time on our journey by far, mostly we have been spending our days lounging on the beach with an occasional dip in the ocean and our nights at the local bars to get our free buckets and BBQs. With bare few people around its really been a time to tuck into our books and sit back and soak in all the vitamin D we can get.

A couple of days ago William and I rented mopeds and made our way around the island. This in itself was an adventure to tackle the winding roads where the taxi (trucks) drive like madmen and take over the road. Thankfully we made it with no problems (so long as William is driving that is!) and only a near run in with the biggest snake ive seen as it made its way across the tarmak, to a little fishing villiage called Ban Bao. Being about the only tourists around it was great to just wonder the pier and take in some of the island life. We also managed to find a secluded bay where you could wade out in the water and at low tide make your way across to a little island just opposite.

After a few very chilled out days we decided it was time to do something a little bit more adventurous, so early one morning we went all over to round up all the people we have met out here on the island and try to hire a speedboat to venture out in the surrounding seas. Somehow we managed it and William was able to sweet talk a local diving company to give us a great deal on a boat. Baring in mind we only paid a little bit more than the normal 'tourist snorkelling trips' which are overcrowded and only stop at certain spots, we ended up with a boat all ourselves with our little group of 10 people and three boathands to take us to wherever our hearts desired.

We ventured out to a surrounding island called Kai Wai which took about 45 minutes, where we all sat up deck enjoying the ride, listening the music and sipping on Chang. The local guys took us to a bay surrounded by a corral reef, where we were assured we would have the best visability. So we put on our flippers and snorkels to explire the under the sea. The day went by so quickly as we hopped from bay to bay, snorkelling and swimming to secluded beached, racing hermit crabs and jumping of the top deck. All in all probably the best 500 Thai Bhat ive spent so far, we only wished we could have stayed out longer or had more Chang in the cooler!

We will miss our friends that we have met but plan on meeting up again in Koh Tao after we go out seperate ways in the morning. Cambodia here we come!