Ko Tao Island, Gulf of Thailand

Ahh, Bangkok. Reading the last post, how long ago it feels!

We are now in a place called Ko Tao Island, off the Gulf of Thailand. To get here, we traveled through the cities of Hua Hin and Chumphon, which were both pretty disappointing towns heading south from Bangkok. So from Chumphon, we decided to take a catamaran into the Gulf.. which seemed like a good idea at the time..

Ive not been on a catamaran before, and figured that they were just like big boats designed to cut through the choppy waters of the open sea. Ha! Literally moments into the trip, the boat heaved 1-2m up.. and then down.. up.. and down again...

Simon didn't last five minutes, and headed out with the other terribly motion sick passengers to the back of the boat, where it was clear from its set-up that this problem happened all the time. I was stuck in the cabin, too unsure of my stomach to move - like everyone else, it seemed - until the scenes of 'Mr Bean's Holiday'(in which he chews on seafood) completely did me in, and sent me packing for the back of the boat too.

Courtesy of a motion sickness tablet I had taken, I kept my stomach down.. Unlike the other thirty passengers. Each of us, sickened by each other's company and the sights and smells, were comforted by the crew who told us that 'it was a perfect day for sailing'.. Making me wonder what a less-than-perfect day may have been like. We later found out that catamarans are designed for flat bays rather than open seas, so no surprises really.

It's definitely one of those stories that now seems funny, but at the time, had all the nuance and atmosphere of a prison camp setting, with no refrain for two whole hours.

Nonetheless, we made it, safe and sound (if a little stumbly and unsure of ouselves), and have since navigated our way into a beach bungalow and days of sweet, idyllic paradise.

Ko Tao is a beautiful island of white sandy beaches, quiet shores, lots of trekking or motor-biking, and a certain rustic appeal (away from the main tourist areas). Sim and I have since lazed the days away drinking cocktails, going for morning and afternoon swims, having bbqs on the beach for dinner, reading, playing Scrabble and mini-golf.. All those hard things. It was in this style that we celebrated my 22nd birthday, too. Thanks to all those that had us in your thoughts!

Today, we added another activity to our lazy days, by hiring a dune buggy and going trekking around the island on its dusty, unpaved paths. Brilliant! Sore bums but had a great time. It was my first driving experience and has definitely incited some motivation for me to get a license. :)

Tomorrow is our final day on the island, before heading back on the 3rd to Bangkok and then flying to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. New adventures to be had soon!