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Hi folks…
Due to lack of wireless internet access we’re writing this ahead of publishing it online.
So – for this blog, we’ll be recapping on our time in Ao Nang from where we think we left you last time…
We spent about a week there in total and really liked it. It’s a busy resort (despite low season) and there’s a lot to do. Our hotel, the Aonang Goodwill had very affable staff headed by the English speaking Sun who took a real interest in our time there. He suggested day trips and even helped us find our accommodation here in Ko Lanta…but back to Ao Nang, we’d decided that we’d like to spend a day relaxing on the white sands of ‘Chicken’ Island. Though by the time we’d got ourselves sorted and to the longtail boat ticket office the opportunity had long passed and we were advised to return EARLIER the following day.
So, we did as told…though not that much earlier…and this time was told the sea was too wavey. How sad! Nonplussed – we headed along the road to the next beach in search of a nice spot to lie and take in the sun! However, if the phrase ‘the grass is always greener on the other side’ were ever in doubt, we proved it that day…in the distance was what appeared to be gorgeous white sands framing the clear blue sea, so we trudged onwards to what turned out to be a sharp shelled beach with muddy sea and a far cry from what we’d hoped! Refusing to allow our day to be spoiled, I suggested we go for a Thai massage. This was met with a warm response from Cooper who in turn thought it best to get to one by tuk tuk! A fine plan and before long were in the capable hands of two Thai women who pushed and pulled us in all sorts of ways and it was actually quite nice!
By the end of the day we were red from the sun, sore from our massage and I was somewhat more streamlined having sampled the local haircutting services…quite adequate too – despite my fears!
The next day we went to Railey beach, a cove not far from Ao Nang, this was good and the trip there and back especially was fun. Travelling by longtail we weren’t deposited at a pier, but instead as close to the beach as could be reached in low tide (about 50 metres away!) and had to walk through the sea – quite undignified!
Another day at Ao Nang we took a day trip to Hong Island – this included speed boat travel through the beautiful turquoise waters to various snorkeling hotspots climaxing at Hong Beach which was definitely my favourite beach so far (I can’t speak for Cooper, though I think she’d agree). There was soft white sand, crystal clear water, palm trees and everything you could want from a tropical island!
Our final day in Ao Nang had taken some ‘umming’ and ‘aahing’…we’d heard that there was some good scuba diving in this area, but we weren’t sure whether funds would permit such an extravagance. On the strength of a recommendation from one of the girls on my Open Water course, and some internet research, we decided to literally take the plunge!
The dive sites were off Ko Phi Phi which made it a full day out from Ao Nang. We had a lovely breakfast and lunch included, our boat wasn’t full at all which was nice and we met another nice American couple (this time from Florida!) We were led by a very experienced Thai Dive Master who assured us he could make the most of our dives in Phi Phi with him. Sadly on our first dive Katie missed most of the action due to her mask fogging up. A real shame as it turned out because on this dive I saw a sea turtle and…a SHARK!!! It was amazing, just suspended, metres away then gone into the blue yonder. Apparently Leopard Shark sightings aren’t uncommon around that area, but it was a real thrill to see one, especially having missed Whale Sharks in Ko Tao.
Fortunately, Katie’s mask behaved itself on our second dive (just off the location for filming ‘the Beach’) and we enjoyed a good dive…but actually got the best sighting once back on the boat where we spotted a turtle surfacing for a minute before diving back down.
We had a really good day all in all, though, on our return had to wallow through thick mud back to the pier as it was low tide and we couldn’t get any closer! Nice!
On reflection, we really had a nice time in Ao Nang, I’m very pleased we went and especially pleased we went diving again. You don’t get these opportunities everyday and they’re worth taking I think!
Just to make a note with regards to action we’ve seen on the Message Board: Brainy is too precious to take on this adventure. He saw plenty at University and was glad of the opportunity, but some time off from such things was just what he needed and gave his full support for The Skipper to come away this time.
Carrie – given the diving, we could hardly refuse the YMCA and so at Maya Wall (Near ‘The Beach’) we danced to the Village People especially for you!
Love to all
Nick
From recent inspection of the message board it seems you are all getting quite upset over the lack of blogging. Imagine how upset we were to find no wi-fi on Ko Lanta!
Over to Cooper…
Well, I think this blog is plenty long enough already so I will not say much, other than shut your whinging about the lack of blogs...we do try but these things are sometimes beyond our control!! Anyway…now I’m going to write another blog to bring you all up to speed!! xx
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