Once again we broke a crucial rule of travelling (I think we are on rule number 3!?) and handed over our passports, boarded a boat and didn't completely understand when and where we would get them back! The ferry arrived in Koh Lipe and thew out the anchor leaving us passengers to wade through the water almost hip height! The passports (yes they arrived and we were reunited!) were stamped and we headed off to find a place to stay!
There are three beaches on the island - sunrise, sunset and Pattaya. We decided to stay at Pattaya because it is the more vibey and busy side of the island! We priced a few but they were definitely out of our £10 budget per night, or fully booked! So we carried on walking, in the million degree heat, until we got to Daya... And yes, it was a dire situation. The room slept four... But two on a 'bed' (which was more like bed rock!) and two on the floor!
It was not ideal, but because we were eventually on this amazing island we were happy to skimp on the accommodation costs and spend more time on the beaches ;) so we agreed and settled in!
Immediately, before we melted, we went down to the sea and onto the main street (called walking street) which contains all quirky bars/shops and dive centres of the island. We decided to have 'one drink' before we headed to dinner and were looking into a few bars before we noticed some very rowdy guys in Sawadees (best bar on the island!). We walked past but within a few minutes we headed back ready for a glass of vino!
We sat down and a 'Mr Chang' lookalike offered us a drink. Robs asked whether the wine was semi sweet or dry, and the one guy leans over and remarks, in his saffa accent 'I think you will find this isn't Stellenbosh ladies' - but it was!!! Delicious South African box wine - it felt like home!!! ;)
The night turned into a huge one - with flaming shots, cocktails and wine flowing! We partied all night... And then had a loooong walk back to our Daya situation ;) luckily after a few drinks no one really felt the hard floor ;)
After the party night we woke up very late and just in time for lunch ;) we decided to eat local and had Pad Thai, it was even better than Amaranth! The conversation wasn't very stimulating as none of us could actually get the energy to talk so the decision was made to walk to sunrise beach and go relax there - which meant we could all rested our weary heads and fell fast asleep on the sand ;)
Just before sunset we headed back to our beach and as we passed the massage parlour we all looked at one another and knew our bodies could do with some loving! And oh my... It was sooo funny and amazing! We were in hysterics at least half of the hour, as we were all lying in beds next to each other and witnessing, front row, all the contortionist shapes we were being bent into! At one point Robs whispered to us 'I have a human mounting me... And I like it!' I was not so sure, and even shouted out in pain as my super strong woman pushed her knuckles into my knots!
In your head I am sure you would imagine these tiny little Thai girls massaging us, but noooo these women were big and strong - they had some power!! Beans lady was bending her in all sorts of shapes and my best was when she sat on the pillow under Beans head, bent her arms through Beans and yanked - which resulted in 1 x Bean bent like a Banana and balancing on her tip toes!
After the massage we were now in a super relaxed mood and so we went back to our backpackers and had dins on the beach - just a quite night compared to the night before! It was the most delicious Masaman curry, chicken cashew and a quite gross (someone spilt half the bottle of fish sauce in it) green curry. After dins we wanted some tea (Dire/Daya has no kettle in the evenings, how weird!) so we headed down the beach to another restaurant nearby. Within 2 mins Robs realised she was missing her (real) Ray Bans and had left them on the dinner table! She sprinted to get them but unfortunately, the table was cleared and the glasses were gone... Someone had stollen them already ;(
It was so frustrating but there was absolutely nothing we could do except offer a reward for their return, which obviously wasn't tempting enough ;( RIP Ray Bans... First real casualty of the trip...
After breakfast and 'juiey' we bumped into Andy again, the Brit we met at the pub a couple of nights ago, and we headed down to the beach together. He ran and got us drinks from his bar fridge and we sat in the sun drinking beers, cocktails and buckets until sunset ;)
As it was our last night we headed over to sunset beach, it was beautiful! We had another few cocktails, watched the fire twirling and danced with the little kids, was was awesome. We also met a dive master, Max, who offered Nix and Robs a free scuba experience... Robs was a bit worried about her ears but Nix took him up on the offer!!!!
I wanted a very little nose ring for years and so eventually I got it done! But omg it was soooo painful! The tattoo artist, honestly, just pushed a ring straight through my nose and my eyes were pouring with tears! Robs and nix each got an ear piercing which was done by needle (we watched it being opened and sterilised all you paranoid peeps!) which looks amazing ;)
Seeing us all do something daring, our friend Andy decided to get a bamboo tattoo!!! Now... When I explained how much pain I was in with my nose - it was nothing compared to this! They use a piece of bamboo and tie on six needles to the front. They dip the needles into the dye and then manually poke your skin over and over again. What could take about half hour with the machine takes about three hours with the stick! But the very rash decision looked awesome on his side!!!
As it was our last night there (and because we had held his hand through the whole tattoo process) Andy wanted to treat us to a delicious meal at the Box Restaurant. We had pork steaks with blue cheese sauce and the most delicious red wine - we were sooo spoilt!! Thanks Andy! ;) Andy is even possibly coming to join us later on in Asia too!
We were up far too early to have breakie with Andy and then jumped aboard the ferry. On the way there it was very pleasant but on the way back to Langkowi it was hectic!!! We bounced and bounced and I even managed to punch myself in the newly pierced nose!!!! It was the most uncomfortable boat ride of the trip and the water kept flying in from all sides!!! During the trip I think bean clicked a nerve and started complaining of numb/quivering lips,which only came right later that evening! Thank goodness!
Once again the change over between ferrys was tight and so we jumped into the taxi and shouted for him to go quick quick! But alas, we got the slowest, oldest taxi driver on the island and missed the ferry! First transportation of the whole trip that hasn't gone according to plan, but luckily there was a another ferry doing the same route in few hours, although our plans to meet Bean/Robs' family friends would need to be delayed!
We killed the few hours easily, by sitting in Starbucks and uploading pics! Our families have been complaining of insufficient pics on line ;)
The ferry was so big and comfortable! It had leather seats and aircon and was just amazing compared to the other one we had just arrived on! As we were rushing through security bean broke rule number 4 of travelling and shouted 'don't you want to scan my burger too, it might have a bomb in it?' Immediately we all turned to her in horror waiting for her to be whisked off and cavity searched... But luckily we had no problem and we were off - all was good ;) Except for the fact that some bratty little child screamed for an hour until finally we couldn't take it anymore and we had to change cabins. So, we moved forward where it was minus a million degrees, I even got cramp from the over active aircon... And some how breathed out my nose ring while sleeping. ;(
Eventually we arrived in Penang and headed off to see Heather and Lance and all their cute little kids!
Thanks Thailand - that was a 'lekker' few days!
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