Aaaahhhhhhh Ko Lanta

What can we say.... Two sleepy weeks meandering the Island of Lanta searching and finding a favorurite beach. No easy feat I might add as there are many, 9 in total! As usual our fave is furthest south tucked away off the beaten path. Even though it is quiet in most spots we still enjoy finding the peace and tranquility of a serene secret! This one appropriately named, Last Beach, most days you would see 10 or less people on a beach over a kilometer long. On one of our outings we decided to take the hotel`s free shuttle to another beach where we were told to meet at 3 pm for our pick up. Well this was one of those gapping moments where we did not take the hotel phone number and of coarse it was not listed, so after waiting an hour we asked the only tuk tuk driver around for a lift. It turns out he is also the postal delivery guy. After his only offer knowing we were stranded we climbed aboard. Well what a ride. As we left the beach and started to climb the windy roads back to our resort we had to get out and walk as the rickety old unit failed to make it up a steep hill. I was worried that the front wheel might fly off, it had this crazy wobbly jerky thing going on. However, we made it safely back and once again the misadventures are the things we can laugh about later. Oh the memories...enjoying a private outdoor shower at our hotel where you could see the stars and moon shining or feel the rain blasting, now that's an open concept. Also the generous feeding of the neighbourhood dogs and cats. Speaking of feeding, the numerous mosquito farms we attepted to avoid! Loved the tasty daily seafood feasts, watching the evening squid boats with their bright lights enticing and reflecting, the many sea gypsies with their longtail boats steaming along with smoky diesel engines, and the quiet beaches, sunsets, and smiles. Another highlight of Ko Lanta was witnessing the locals celebrate the Kings 83rd birthday with fireworks, food, music, and a full on carnival with games and rides for the kids, gambling for the adults, just like at home, same same but different. Next stop back to Phuket where we will be styling it up for two weeks house sitting in Kata! Choc dee ka (cheers).

Island to Island

We hooked up with our friend Theo from Salt Spring Island whose been living here for over 12 years. Besides being fun to hang out with he has great local insight regarding Thai culture. We met up with him and his brother Dean at Cappininos for some fine Italian food and local gossip. Later back to his house for a late night swim. He has a beautiful phat pad in the mountains overlooking Big Buddha and the Andaman sea. He so graciously offered his home to us for two weeks over the Christmas season while visiting family in Australia, lucky,lucky,lucky us! Rented moped #11 and drove up to see Big Buddha in all it`s massive magestic wonder as well an ongoing construction monument. Last year when Henry was born (our grandson), Steve and I purchased a slab of marble and did a blessing-tribute to the newest family member. We are hoping now that it's placed in a special part of this project, perhaps the heart! More of my daily walks to the morning market for fresh fruit and yogurt, such a lively energetic place. It just buzzes as you watch the locals stopping in for their daily fix. Love love love it. Big smiles and sawadeekas (hellos). We do love this area but both of us know there is so much more to see and experience. So two ferry rides and another island, Ko Lanta, it's the second largest island in Thailand, 3o kms long and only 6 kms at it`s widest. Phuket is the largest is size and population while Ko Lanta is small in population with only ten thousand residents. The Sea gypsies(Chao Ley) from Indo Malay were the first settlers over 500 years ago. Then came the Muslims, also from Indo Malay followed by the Chinese merchants and then the Thais. In the 80`s backpackers, divers, and Scandinavian tourists started to arrive. Still to this day it's a quiet place to chill out. There are many beaches and islands surrounding the area to explore. It's not full on with numerous tourists like Phi Phi or Krabi but mellow which is more our style! We have had some rainy times throughout our stay so no island hopping yet. Instead we rent scooters and self tour the island. At or first guesthouse we met an Irishman who was 73 and took up scuba diving at the age of 70. What an inspiration! He thought what Steve and I are doing is great as he expounded, "life is short, go out and live it"! We found a sweet spot on the southern part of the island at a resort called Dream Team. It has the capacity for a few hundred guests but with our luck there is only about 20 guests here. They gave us a great deal at 1,000 baht (33cdn) per night and as a signing bonus threw in 2 free nights. Nice aircon room, tv, wifi, on the ocean with a pool, and breakfast included. Nice! There has been a big drop in tourism this year so there's deals to be had. Gotta love it! Bristol and Henry skyped us the other day. He is so cute and has five new teeth. We love skype! So nice to see and talk with people! Went to the Star restaurant again for inexpensive but great seafood. This place as others line the waterfront are built on old wooden stilts. There's well worn wooden plank floors, so worn that I think it's impossible to get slivers. Here in Thailand most people remove their shoes before entering a building whether it be a small family run store or restaurant. Always before entering a home! Speaking of bare feet, it's time for some sand and surf.