Easter Break: "The other" Koh Chang and Ranong

Over the 4 day Easter break we took off to the West Coast to Ranong and then on to an island called Koh Chang. This is not to be confused with the more popular Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand. Ranaong gets the most rainfall of all of Thailand and the islands are only "open" for 4 months a year because they get hammered by the storms coming off the ocean.

Ranong Aeroport. One flight, one plane. It's not cold, I just still have my sweater on from the AC in the plane. 

It's a bird, it's a plane....it's uh...both? 

The most amazing things was that we flew at low altitude the whole way and were treated to an incredible view of the mountains, jungles, prawn farms, meandering rivers. Beautiful.

We had a full day in Ranong so we visited the public hotsprings which are in the centre of town. It was fun to see people gathering around them on a Friday evening. This is the course...too hot to touch.

The back of our hotel....glad we saw the front first. Nice little place.

My morning walk along an actual running /bike track. First one I've seen. It felt so good to see mountains.

I didn't chance this one.

The next morning we headed to the pier for the "normal boat" which is the slow ferry. Speed boats started going to the islands in December 2014 cutting the ride from 2hrs to 45 min so likely tourism will increase.

The story is that recently a boat owner got fined a lot for not having enough life jackets on board. The ferries now go through a ritual of hand one to each passenger.

It is also the way goods are transported to the islands.

Cement.

Plastic bottles coming off the islands.

Heading out to the ocean via meandering river.

Fishing boats docked along the way.

 Umm.....I think they are burning a bit of oil.

That's Myannmar (Burmar) in the background. Classic longtail boat.

The dock...with nothing at the end of it. We wondered how we would get to our hut for the weekend. Thais have a wonderful way of always having things worked out.

We have figured out how to travel with 2 small packs and before we knew it, two scooters showed up and we were on our way. They were the oldest I think I have ever seen.

That's Vince.

Woohooo....Cashew Resort...we made it!!!

We were the only guests except a man who was staying on for a week or so. The owner actually told us that if we didn't show up he was going back to Bangkok since Easter Monday was his last day before he closes the resort for the rainy season. He also informed us that Monday morning at 8 am we were going to the mainland with him and his staff. So, needless to say, it was a quiet weekend.

The beach....beautiful and quiet.

Our hut.

All of the food was cooked in the back in this kitchen.

We rarely saw anybody.

Went for a walk to check out the area. Not much around.

Found an inlet

And a heli pad. Didn't realize the Navy base was there.

We tried a self-timed picture...guess we need practice.

Relaxing

Landlubber no more.

Nap time

Local tattoo parlour aka.....super tree house.

Our little spot

The reading room and one of the other resorts...the only one with a kitchen open after our first day. Very cool!!

Huge tidal changes

Hanging at the beach bar run by a German gal. In fact all 15 tourists we met were German.

Enroute to the bar...we called it the sobriety test.

This little guy walked us "home"

Beautiful evening.

Another excursion to the end of the island where Hornbills were swooping all around. A little surreal. It got a little tight so I turned back.

But nit before seeing a village.

And a rubber plantation.

Facing west so get the sunset

Run for Your Lives Thailand...aka Zombie Run.

Our little running group branched out and did a crazy run on the weekend called the "Zombie Run". Basically, it's a 5 km wlk/run with obstacles and zombies coming out of nowhere to chase you. Each runner has 3 "flag football" flags around their waist which the zombies try to take off. If you have flags left at the end you are a "survivor" and if not you are "infected"

Pre-race posing

Again..

Post-race....all pick from the pool of "blood"

Survivors: Colby and Caroline

Infected: Dan, myself and Martyn.

Art Show

Our 7 IB graduates put their two years worth of work on display in one of our courtyards...very impressive.

Some selections...

My personal favourite.

Koh Samet Weekend

Nineteen of us piled into two vans one Friday afternoon for a weekend in Koh Samet. Vince was away so I figured I'd join the gang. With so many people and only a weekend we sometimes bypass the bus/ferry and hire our own transport. The speed boat always lives up to it's name.  

It's been 18 months an this is still the creepiest statue I have seen.

She's depicted at the school....not much better.

 This man always has his shop (tree) set up on the beach with nice basic necklaces. The lizard was extra.

I went for a morning run and was lucky to catch the sunrise.

Even the dogs were asleep.

 It was waaaayy more hilly than I remembered.

But I eventually got to the end 6 km later which was really worth it.

There's always a dog involved.

Rough side 

 End point and fishing boat.

I cannot figure out the meaning of the Canadian flag here.

A couple of us went looking for the buddha which I heard was on the island. After being disappointed in the 3 ft high one we saw, we came upon the real thing. Painted fingernails and all.

One of her guards?

Beach gathering.

Is this an oxymoron?

Random creepy garden gnome.

 Ryan and Colby with all of their weekend gear. We are all getting really good and packing stuff on 2 wheels.

Weekend Trip to Chiang Mai

Vince is away for most weekends in March so I jumped on with a group of friends heading off to Chiang Mai for the weekend. It was a furniture buying spree for some but for me it was a whole lot of fun enjoying the city. Each time we go we stay in a slightly different area and every section has it highlights. 

Travelling to school with my bag.

I went for a run both mornings around the ancient city (1296) which is kind of neat because the four corners are still standing along with some of the gates. 

My symmetrical route

These are some pics along the way.

Took a detour through a park and not surprised to see Tai Chi, running, badminton and people on these machines.

Taipei gate.

I'm still amazed at the number of temples. 

 Morning sun.

Class Trip to Ayutthaya

Each year the Thai Dept organizes a trip to Ayutthaya, the second capital of Siam. We have yet to visit the first, Sukhothai but we will soon enough. The ruins are amazing and it's interesting since the students are our guides.

We travel in style.

Ruins.

Beautiful and so sad that they were ruined.

Our guides.

Floating market. They are feeding fish with baby bottles which was kind of bizzare.

I am not sure that I will ever "get it"

Harrow International Road Race

A race came our way recently and although many were interested at first, they were scared away by the title. The Harrow "International" Road Race Championships. The quotations are added by me but this is how it was interpreted...a little scary to enter a national championship. Well, in reality it was actually Harrow International School who decided to open their school championships up to the public. 

Our little team of three. Emma who works at Trail Int Schoo, Darryl our Elementary School Asst Principal and me.

This lady and I ran neck in neck for all 9 km and I don't think either of us realized how much we pushed each other. She beat me fair and square and we had a good laugh afterwards. 

So, Emma won the women and I came 3 rd. She made it look easy.