Koh Phayam with Nico

Nico made another pilgrammige to Thailand in January and we caught up with him in Koh Phayam. 

Lez Boyz

We had a great little place to stay.....with a 10 foot drop-off into the water. Beautiful view and the only neighbour was the sea.

The whole balcony

And a huge boulder outside the door.

An the water level varied with the tides. This was sand when we got there.

Like this.

We got to meet Nico's friend from his travels, Jam was around visiting at the same time. Having lived on the island for a bit they were able to be super tour guides and knew some great little eating spots lime this one.

And the best place to buy "ckicken butts".

Is there anything that you can't put on a stick?

We went on a scooter trip to check out the area. I don't know what Nico is saying or why I am staring at him.

Some nice sights.

They took us on a hike to Bottle Beach which was about two hours there and back. Essential up/down there and up down back. Of course it it marked with bottles.

Men of the mountain

The idea was to bring our books, lay on the beach and have a lazy afternoon reading and relaxing. Maybe take a nap or two. Well, it didn't quite work out that way. The ocean was very rough and the regular beach walk was....well......you can see for yourself.

Bottle Beach

The beach...not too beachy. Very stormy weather.

The next day, Vince and I decided to hike up a mountain (hill) called Khao Ra which had great reviews.  Paths are never exactly where they say but this one had some new signage and was great.

Nice new signs.

Quite rocky

And this one was questionable

And steep

Made it!!!!

 Beautiful view.

Koh Samui airport (ferry to Koh Payam) is the absolute most beautiful little place.

Loved the shuttle.

Travellin' with the boys.

Kkon Kaen 1/2 M- Last Race in Thailand

On a weekend in January Vince two friends and I headed to Khon Kaen for a race. We chose it because it was supposed to be one of the best organized races in Thailand plus it was in an area that we had never been and not a place where tourists generally go.

Pre race day. Me, Darcy and Dan

After collecting race packs we checked out the clothes/running gear for sale, came up empty and watched the aerobics warm up instead.

Checking out the lake in the middle of the town. I am sure that on a warmer weekend it would be fun to rent a boat.

An immense temple.

You can barely see Darcy but it gives you an idea of the height.

Building is so interesting here.

The first evening there was great but then we got word that it was going to be cold the next day. Cold is relative but the temperature forecast was saying 60 deg C so we went on the hunt for some warmer clothes. I still regret not buying that shirt but I really needed something to run in.

I didn't get a picture of my actual shirt but it was a little calmer and did the trick.

Race morning. One of the princesses ran which was pretty cool since she had her guards etc.

This guy and his dog were the best dressed by far.

A random street. Strange combination of random high rises. We found out that it is a university town and the hub for a lot of transport.

Scenes from a walk.

Is a truck ever really full?

Absolutely freezing songtau ride back to the hotel. It was so cold all day that we basically stayed inside. It was a rainy cold day unlike anything we are used to.

Flat with random highrises.

Khaosan Road (backpacker alley) and Koh Samed (Island holiday)

Our goal was to get the girls on almost every form of transportation so we took them on the khlong (canal) boat down to the famous khaosan road where backpackers have taken over.  I'm still not sure what the thought of the boat ride but they are smiling.

Shopping...real smiles.

Next day we hoped in a taxi to the bus stop and here we got on the bus ...to the ferry....to the beach. No frills travel. We caught the bus at Ekami bus station but not without a stop at the 7-11 for snacks.

Our fancy bus.

The 35 min ferry ride.

Koh Samed...there is a fable involving these that I cannot remember. The statues were move up from the water in December and repainted.

The replacement statue. I don't think it is a mermaid offering her baby to the sea but then again, I'm not sure what else it might be.

Dinner on the beach.

The bust beach with a long line of people getting off the boat in the waves.

Sunset and getting ready for the fire show.

Buddha. Happiness is what the monk said.

Not 100% sure what this is.

Leaving Koh Samed is a super scary giant (Piseua Samut) but it was interesting to see from this angle that the sea has eaten away at her arm. She is "Butterfly of the Sea".

Back to Bangkok where the girls went to the city for a night and then headed back home.