11th - 15th May 2009

On arrival we had to travel about 5 kms from a pier that I recognized when watching "The Beach" this morning (It has crooked branches for pillars) to Hat Chaweng where the girls were.

As it was the same price to get a one way taxi as it is to rent a scooter for 24 hours and they carry ridiculous things on scooters here we hopped onto the scooter with our big backpacks, one between my legs and the other on Nikki's back and headed off. It was totally comfortable and we could have gone for ages.

We found the girls and an air con room near them for 500 Baht (approx $20 AUD; I think the place was called 'somwang' which for some reason we found easy to remember) then proceeded to walk up and down the street between 7/11's buying large Chang beer for 36 Baht each. Every few meters it is necessary to say "No Thanks" to people offering Tuk Tuks, pancakes and especially tailors. To the tailors I sometimes reply "I only need these shorts for 8 months" but I often say "banana and nutella please" to the pancake stalls that are really cool as they have everything attached to their scooter on the side cart so at the end of their day they ride the stall home.

After our first night (we had dinner with the girls at a cheap restaurant where we all got fed, very well, for under $40AUD), Chantelle and Loz joined the scooter bandwagon and rented scooters so we could convoy around the island. Chantelles friends, Martin and Jane, from NZ also joined our scooter line for some round island sightseeing. Surprisingly there were no injuries and despite the occasional drag race temptation with Chantelle we rode really safely. On my cousin Adrians recommendation we went to the 5 islands restaurant for a late lunch which was absolutely stunning - cheers cuz! Was a really fun day out even if it did result in sore bottoms all round by the end!

The next day there were a bunch of Lady Boys on the side walk that convinced Nikki and I to go to their free cabaret show on that night so we got Loz, Chantelle and Becto come too. It was pretty fun with bad music some laughs and even a boob hanging out of a dress or two. Then at the end I went on stage with some other guys from the audience and some cheers from the girls to go and dress up. The change rooms were crazy with people running around in all directions and boobs everywhere. So they started quickly undressing me and I squeaked "I'm not wearing any undies" so someone wrapped a sarong around me but next thing I was in the nude with little hands reaching out from everywhere touching my bum and other bits. I was so relieved to get that dress on that dancing around on stage was the easy bit.

Nikki and I also had heaps of laughs with Loz, Chantelle and Bec the night before we left chatting in their apartment. It was really great to see you girls OS, hope it happens again.