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.