Hi folks… Ok, I think it's time again to let you know that I am still alive. A lot happened the last couple of days! AND: IT'S HOLIDAY NOW - WOO HOO!!!
We finally got to Thailand, thank God for that. But the way up here was a nightmare…
The last days in Malaysia we went to Batu Caves, Melakka and we visited the Petronas Towers in KL and spent our last day shopping. Last Saturday then we continued our journey to get to Thailand. We took the bus to the Cameron Highlands, about 4hrs drive north of Kuala Lumpur. One thing I learned here in Asia: if you wanna go somewhere by bus, always add around 2hrs to the normal driving time, because you'll never make it in time! Anyway half of the driving was up the mountain and as everyone can imagine, there were only serpentine. Beyhan and I got very sick, but luckily we didn't throw up. Unfortunately we couldn't enjoy the amazing views from up there and see the entire tea plantation. In the evening we got to our accommodation and were told that the only bus which leaves the Highlands departs at 7:30am the next morning. Actually we wanted to look around during the day and wanted to take a bus in the evening, but never mind… So we had to cancel our plans and booked the bus in the morning. The next surprise was just a step away - when we got to our room, we looked at each other and started laughing. They gave us a room which looked like a prison cell; no window; just enough space for a double bed which we had to share; everything was damp and smelly… It was unbelievable that we had to pay for that. But we just had to spend a few hours there, so it was ok. The next morning we woke up with millions of mozzi bites all over our body. Without any breakfast we went on the bus which should take us to Butterworth where we had to take another bus up to Hat Yai. This time we had a full Mini Bus. The driving was even worse than from KL to the Cameron Highlands. Next to us was an older woman who smelled of sweat so badly that really everyone on the bus got sick, even the people in the front could smell it! After 4hrs we were pleased we survived the smelly bus. In Butterworth we had to wait another 1½ hrs for the bus to Hat Yai. It was hot, we were hungry and exhausted and we just wanted to get to Krabi as fast as possible. Krabi was our destination for the day, but it took ages to actually get there. The bus journey from Butterworth to Hat Yai went pass relative quickly. We were sleeping most of the time. When we crossed the border to Thailand the atmosphere was very uncomfortable. Everywhere was Police watching you. Driving through Thailand was also very different, even to the smaller towns in Malaysia. It all looked dirty with rubbish everywhere; people basically had nothing to live. When we had a look at their homes and how it looked like, you really start to appreciate everything you have in your life and the whole way you live…
By the time we got to Hat Yai it was already late in the afternoon, but luckily there was a bus just departing, which could bring us to Krabi! I must say, at that stage I was getting sick of bus journeys in Thailand; I really had enough… The "ordinary" buses are incredibly punishing! The A/C was just crap, it didn't work at all! It was sweaty inside the bus, it smelled and it was loud; and the Thai music on the TV drove us crazy!!! The bus was also already full, but the driver honks at every passer-by hoping to pick up another fare. Well it was a real Thai trip, BUT NEVER AGAIN! Around 10pm we got to Krabi. When the bus dropped us off, we didn't have a clue where we were, I noticed that my bag got opened… I read that you have to be very careful with your stuff, cause the Thai's know how they can steal your belongings. Later I found out that a few things were missing indeed!!! By walking along the streets, trying to find out were exactly we were and where we could stay overnight, we were followed by those stupid bicycle drivers. And the worst thing was that no one could speak English. Finally when we found an accommodation for the night, Beyhan and I were so happy. I was so f*** tired, I fell asleep straight away; I couldn't move anything anymore… That really was the worst bus journey I've ever done in my life; we survived 14hrs sweaty, smelly buses - crazy!
The next morning we took the ferry to Ko Phi Phi and the closer we got the happier we were - HOLIDAY TIME!!! Straight after we got to our accommodation we checked out the beach, but we were very disappointed, because all the water was gone because of the tide! Well, yesterday we booked a Boat Tour around the Phi Phi Islands. We started our Tour around midday and drove to different beaches and snorkel places. The weather was fantastic and the beaches were breathtaking. We felt like in haven when we got to Maya Bay, the place where "The Beach" was filmed - amazing!!! I really can't find words to describe it! You have to see it to understand it. On our way back to the main Island we could watch a great sunset to finish the Tour. Back on Ko Phi Phi Don we got a real Thai massage. Later in the evening it was time for party. We walked around the streets and had a look around. We bought 2buckets of alcohol and went to the beach. There was just party everywhere… Because Beyhan got tired very quickly I had to finish her bucket as well. Just imagine: 2buckets of alcohol - I was totally wrecked! Today I had to handle the side-effects. Beyhan went to the beach already; I still in our Hotel room. I feel so sick; I can't climb out of my bed. Ah well, it's Holiday. Tomorrow I'm off to Ko Samui for a couple of days. I think by then I'm feeling better anyway!