Fun in the sun

Today was our only full day on Koh Chang. We decided to get up early to make the most of our beach time, so we grabbed breakfast at the buffet and went straight to the beach by about 9 am. We were getting picked up at noon for snorkeling and we both wanted to spend some time on the beach relaxing first.

We played in the water for a bit, but I was mostly looking forward to laying by the water reading a book. So we covered ourselves in sunscreen, grabbed ourselves a couple of cots, and settled in for a relaxing morning. It was perfect.

At noon we got picked up by this beat up pick up truck to take us to the pier so we could go to the island where the good snorkeling is. We crammed into the back with all the other tourists (though Laurel and I were relieved to find that Thai people came to the island as tourists as well)

They took us to the other side of Koh Chang, through the twisty turny skinny roads, and dropped us off at the crowded pier. They never said anything to us really, just sort of walked off, so we followed....

They took us down a long walkway that was full of different little tourist shops and restaurants, but didn't stop or look back.

Then our "tour guides" got into a boat. We kinda looked at each other, shrugged, and followed. Then they held out there hands....

ok...so they didn't want to shake hands
...we had already paid...

Ah they wanted the receipt to prove we had paid!

So after everyone got on the boat they took off.
Sitting across from us was the Thai version of the Japanese charisma man (a guy who probably couldn't get a girl back home but can get one in Asia because he either has money or speaks English or both)...and let me tell you, the Thai version is way more disturbing.

These 2 French guys get on the boat with 2 young Thai girls (probably about 10 years in age difference at least, and the girls were probably a bit older than me). The Thai girls stood out from the rest of their compatriots because they wore skimpy clothes, had tramp stamps, and wore prada sunglasses (hmmm I wonder where they got the money for that?)

Well one of the couples actually seemed to be enjoying each others company. They were talking quietly and giggling and didn't seem to be against touching each other. The other couple...we called him Kimochi-warui-san (Guy that makes you feel sick)...were not getting along. The young girl gets on the boat and sits down with her back facing her "date." He then spent the rest of the time trying to get back into her good graces. He would try to stroke her shoulder or put his hand on her knee and she would just shake her head or push his hand away. Finally he looked over at his friend for help and his friends girl handed him a lollipop...a Chupa chup...and he tried to give it to the girl...

Laurel and I nearly died. "Honey, I know you're mad at me, but here's a lollipop. All better right?"

They ended up being quite entertaining for the rest of the trip.

When we got to the island of Koh Wai, they announced the name and sent us off. Then they said..."Be back, 4 o'clock" and sped off with the rest of the group (who were going to different islands).

So we had no idea where to go. We were just randomly on an island. So we took the snorkels they had given us on the boat and went off.

Snorkeling was really fun, but I have a very healthy fear of the ocean. Even in relatively shallow water I tend to be a bit nervous...but being in shallow water where the bottom is covered with coral and giant sea urchins, made it a bit worse. Things were just a bit too close for my comfort level. Mostly because whenever my mask filled with water I had to be really careful not to let me feel fall down too far when I was trying to fix it because then I would end up with my foot in a sea urchin or kicking some coral (which happened twice and REALLY hurt).

After we were done snorkeling we went up onto the beach where there was a restaurant. We ordered some green curry and a spicy Thai salad, as well as some fruit smoothies.

When we ordered, the woman behind the counter double checked that we wanted the SPICY Thai salad....which of course means she was really asking, "Thai spicy or tourist spicy."

We misunderstood and wound up with Thai spicy.

Oh. My. God.

Ow. I thought my mouth would never stop burning. Apparently my lips turned RED and my eyes were tearing up.

However, after my mouth adjusted to the heat, it was really delicious stuff. Once the heat became "normal" you could really taste the different flavors and how well they worked together to create the dish. But at first all you can pay attention to is how much it hurts.

At 4 we went back up to the dock and got on our boat...after meeting the giant Dutch people...They were just big stocky people...but very nice. It was weird how easy it all was even though there was very little communication between us and our so-called guides.

Kimochi-warui-san and his little girlfriend seemed to have made up a little since we first met them, but they still didn't seem very happy. He looked like he was getting played.

Back on Koh Chang we took showers and then went to get Thai style massages. Thai massages is a massage, but also assisted stretching and accupressure. So they would start out kneading the muscles but also move your body around for you and put pressure in certain places to relieve tension and break up the toxins in the muscles. At one point they had me sit up and put my hands behind my head, and then she put her knees in my back and her wrapped her arms around my elbows and she laid down, lifting me up onto her knees...Nice back stretch. It wasn't always comfortable, but it never hurt.

Then we got dinner by the beach, mai thai included, and turned in for the night.

A day on the beach can be pretty exhausting (^_~)