Bangkok to Railey

It does not feel like xmas at all. We are still in Railay waiting for our 10.30 am boat to Lanta, which is further south! The boat tickets seem to have standardized prices, 380B one way! Arriving on Lanta, Saladan Pier, after a 2 hours trip it feels like arring on an airport: so many people tuktuk drivers, resort and bungalow snappers, tourist agencies etc. etc. I think it is a good idea to make up your mind on where you want to stay beforehand. If you have a bungalow in mind already, even better. Because you get a free ride to the resort and back to the pier again, which saves you time and money! We were thinking of going either to Phra Ae (Long Beach), Klung Khong or Nin Beach.

While we were trying to make up our decision we were approache by Thai from Emerald Bungalow. Obviously he was exagerrating a bit, but still it was a good decision to stay there. So if you promisses you a hammock in your hut, do not believe it;-0 No worries though there are hammock in the chill out hut right next to the beach! Emerald Bungalow was right at the Klung Khong Beach, the Backpackers Beach. Klung Khong has nice long beach, with plenty of bungalows (luckily yet not excessive) and bars to choose from. Swimming is probably only ok. The big plus for the west side of Lanta is that you get to see beautiful sunsets! After checking out the beach, having lunch we rented a bike! Note: this was the first time for me to ride a bike myself and for Regina somehow too! I enjoyed it a lot, Regina got a bit scared as she had to squezze herself between 2 trucks. Same like in Bangkok:-) Poor girl!!

At night we subcripted for a scuba diving tour for the next day, so we stayed at our bar, having delicious dinner, chang beer and a smoke right next to the beach! Heaven!!!That s what I expected it to be! Unfortunatly later I got into a conversation about religion, rather about being a muslem with one of the guys who seems to be related to the owner of the bungalow. Very uncomfortable situation, me being theoretically muslem but not practising it! So a word of advice, do not touch this topic!

25.12.2005