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!

Beaches BBQ an Buckets

With Jason and Nick heading into Laos, Lauren and I have made the trip south to our first of many islands, called Koh Chang. This is an island covered by a lush jungle and surrounded by golden sandy beaches. We are here during the low season and it's practically empty... Juat enough backpackers to create a great atmosphere at night. Every night a local bar has a special with free BBQ and buckets(redbull alchohol and coke),and specials on the Thai beer Chang.

We stayed the first night in a beach hut but after an encounter with a local snake we decided Lauren would sleep easier in an actual room.

Lauren and I spent our morning lying on the beach and skipping this wicked ball across the water with a couple of guys we met the night before from England. Even though today was the first blue skys in the last few days, the beach was only dotted with a few tourists!

We will get a picture of the beach, snake and the place we are staying as soon as we get off the iphone and to an actual computer. We are headed back to the beach for dinner... I wonder how Laos is treating Jason and Nick? Guess we will have to wait for a post just like you.

Whoomp!

Chang Mai is one wicked place! Last night a huge group of the people we have met went out to a Drum and Bass/ Dubstep party that some local DJs were putting on at Babylon.  It seemed like a small tribute to all our friends back home enjoying Electric Daisy Carnival all weekend in Vegas. One of the girls in the group was celebrating avoiding 2-year sentence in Thai prison that day.  All this thanks to a lawyer provided by the owner of the hostel she was staying in... the place even fronted her friend that cash to bail her out of jail after the initial arrest. That's good service!

Itinerary as we have planned so far: Muay Thai tonight> Elephants Sunday> Three Day Trek in the jungle in the Golden Triangle starting Monday.

Can't believe its only been 10 Days since we landed in Hong Kong... Crazy!

Hong Kong Fooey

Greetings from the other side!

After the long 13 hour flight, boy did it feel good to step off that plane and stretch our legs! Particularly for my sake as whilst i was slumming it in coach the boys enjoyed the luxuries of business class. But really... on a standby ticket and paying a fraction of the usual cost i was just happy to have a seat! Our process through the airport took no time at all, and once our bags had arrived we were ready to be on our way...here we found our first dilemma of how to reach our little hostel on Kowloon side. After a few mishaps (no names shall be given..) and 190 HKD later we eventually arrived on Nathan Street. From there we worked through the bustling crowds and attempted to ignor or swerve by the hustlers to find the hidden entry to our new home, where the airconditioning afforded much relief from the swealtering heat...yes even at 8pm at night.

After a quick wash and relax we were out the door again to get our bearings, i think we must have walked around for hours before we finally settled on a little chinese restaurant complete with hanging chickens. Given the vague english translations we were required to guess as to what the order would actually turn out like but we were pleasently surprised by the dish of noodles we recieved...our first dinning experience was a happy success!

Our first morning was an early one for most, with Jason asking if we were ready to head out at 6am...well i guess thats jetlag for you!

Although initially brimming with excitement our bliss was short lived given that only after about half an hour out of the hostel the skies opened and HK taught those two Seattle boys what real rain is like. This is the type of rain that soaks you to the bone in three steps and really leaves no option other than to retreat back indoors. Thankfully after about a few hours the rain subsided and we made our way to MongKok to experience the delights of 'the ladies market'.

Can we get this started already!

So we've all graduated, our bags are packed and we are anxious to embark on this wild adventure. I made this blog to help keep all our friends and family up-to-date on this amazing trip in SE Asia. Lauren, Jason, and I are headed to Hong Kong on Tuesday morning and wont be back until late August.  It sounds like a long time looking at it on a calender but I know the time will fly once we get in our groove.  

Know that we'll update when possible but I imagine at times this will fall on the wayside.

I want to thank everyone who has made this possible and the three awesome ppl who will be sharing this experience with me.

Enjoy summer... we will!

-WCF