Said my goodbyes to the girls at the hostel and decided to forego breakfast and get going just in case - Virgo no bf (boy friend lol)! Got a taxi to the coach station. Taxi driver was so funny he kept just saying random words like Mini Cooper, Tony Blair lol, Texas cowboy, Manchester United lol. He told me that he supported Chelsea so I used my extensive Thai language skills to say sap,sap sap Jose Mourinho lol. Sap sap sap means yummy yummy yummy lol. He laughed, good job I left when I did, taxi took a hour to get to the bus station. It's funny when you are on your own travelling you notice more. I know we were going the right way as I knew the bus station was to the sat if Bangkok and we were travelling towards the sun rising. The bus station wasn't what I was expecting lol. It reminded me of the pentagon bus station in Chatham lol. You can take the girl out of Kent but to Kent out of the girl lol. Got the government bus which will take me straight to the ferry as oppose to into the town then having to get a taxi - see I told you I like research lol.
So here I am thing typing this sitting on a lovely bus Linda lol. I am disappointed lol and yes, there is a toilet. I did smile as we were waiting to leave I heard a cockerel crow lol lol can't see one on the bus though. I'm sitting next to an elderly Thai woman who is now asleep lol. The bus is full and the assistant has come around with water and a little box which has some biscuits and sugar I guess for coffee later and also some water. 
So time for me to sit back and relax mmmm for five hours! iPod is on and my lovely Elbow are singing - it's all good and please don't worry I'm not homesick one bit. I get more lonely in my little cottage than I have met some wonderful people from every corner of the world. Life is going to be very dull when I return. Always knew I had 'gypsy' in me, that I need to travel to experience new things. Everyday is such a gift x
Well I'm now three hours into the coach trip and no sign of Brendan yet .... Some of you will get that, others will not. We have just stopped goodness knows where anyway the Thai woman indicated that I move to an empty seat lol. I hope she was referring to the fact that I could have a window seat. I thought I could snore lol, I could here her over my iPod! We have had some rain too, but typically 30 seconds later the sun is back out. The fact that I missed breakfast has meant all the fruit has gone and that was suppose to be lunch. I would be not good lost in the jungle on rations.
By catching the coach means, when I'm not updating this blog I get to see many thighs put of the window. Every town has a temple. It doesn't matter how small the place, here is a temple and they look stunning. The coach runs on liquid gas, I have noticed this when I took the trips that the minibuses run on liquid gas too. I have no idea how that works or compares to petrol
But there are petrol and liquid gas stations everywhere. Oh and Tesco too which is called Tesco Lotus here. So we could have Sainsbury's daisy or Waitrose wisteria lol. Also, every petrol gas staton, towns, shops and home all have a shrine to Buddha. Also, at major road junctions there are people selling fresh flowers on garland, they really are so beautiful. People buy them to pit on their review mirrors in their cars, like we would hang an air freshener. But for those of you who have been in my car what do I have hanging! Yep, yellow flowers. This is done to pay respect to Buddha and I guess to ensure a safe journey.
Most of the towns we are passing have markets with the most delicious looking fruit and vegetables you could ever imagine. They are piled up so high bad such beautiful colours. I think I'm going to have a challenge when I get back to find ingredients. An aubergine is quite rusque in Stoke (that's just upset the Stoke contingency but amused the 'outsiders' lol). No road kill, yet, today. Oh I forgot to say the three kittens that were then two kittens appear to be no kittens mmmmm. Meat thing on a stick anyone lol - give me tofu which I'm now addicted to!
The fare for the coach was 260 baht but to give you a comparison the taxi fare this morning was 200 baht.
Ok the terrain has changed now. It's very green, it looks like a jungle and according to the last sign there is 15 km to destination. Then I need to sort out a crossing - either boat, speedboat orcatamaran how exciting. Every day just brings a new adventure. See you on the flip side x
Well Linda it wasn't the bus guy had to worry about. Arrived at the ferry terminal and booked boat returned journey then I am told that there is no way I can leave the Island on Friday as planned and get to the airport. Not wishing to bang on about money but to get a taxi from the mainland ferry terminal to airport will cost 4000 baht that's £75!!!!!! Needless to say not happy. So I have three alternatives:
1. Keep to schedule pay £75 to get to airport
2. Leave island a day earlier take Bangkok bus for 300 baht get off at airport and book room there the night and fly out as planned
3. Leave island a day earlier take Bangkok bus for 300 baht go back to Bangkok, lose flight won't get money back. Take taxi from bus station to a room (not where I stayed they are fuly booked)! Then pay for taxi from hotel to airport
Option 2 is looking the best option. The lovely Italian woman who owns the hotel is happy not to charge me for the Thursday night but I bet you a pound to a penny expedia won't reimburse.
Took speedboat to island, it was terrifying. One hour of my life I won't get back. It was so rough it just bounced off the waves lol. It had life jackets that looked as if they had come off the titanic lol. I just closed my eyes and took myself off somewhere.
But when I did arrive at the island what a beautiful site. It truly is beautiful. Dusty roads, few hotels, peaceful. A pick up truck lol yes you did read that right to me to the hotel and I had such a lovely warm welcome from the owner. Tomorrow, I am taking ownership of a moped so I can get around the island - God and Buddha help me. The Temple is nearby and I really do need to go tomorrow as I have, tonight, received some terrible news from a drear, dear friend - details of which I need not go into on here, but it's devastating, I am feeling so sad for them (don't worry I'm ok it has just made me sad and I feel totally useless but there is nothing anyone can do).
So unpacked. It really is a beautiful place and just had a Thai massage so feeling good and have come down to the restaurant here to eat. It's a lot more expensive than Bangkok, I will be eating less, a lot less. Even though this hotel is gorgeous it really is I miss Bangkok and he hustle and bustle. There I had people to speak with. Here, like in Australia I am just me. The Thai massage woman said you alone, no husband. I know they don't mean any harm but I don't need reminding of it. In Bangkok I was just me, it didn't matter now old I was lol, the fact I was travelling on my own, I just fitted in.
But here I feel like a fish out of water because it's so lovely. There are couples, families and me. That's not the life I have anymore nor, if I am to be honest, want. The past has gone! I have just had my dinner at the hotel, it was really nice but I could have eat with food that was made with love at Jenny's three nights in a row lol.
So here I am, just like Australia sitting at a table on my own! with a group of Austrians/Germans looking at me like I'm some kind of freak show or sad lonely cow lol; opposite an Italian family with the most adorable little girl, and another couple not sure where the are from. So tomorrow I need a plan. I will get my moped and eat out lunchtime (even though it doesn't really agree with me eating them) or I will find where the backpackers are staying lol.
Please don't worry about me, I will, as always, be just fine. I will sort out the hotel at the airport tomorrow, spend the day out and about, I need to go to the Temple. I have my music and book I will find a lovely beach and relax - it will be fine. It's been a long day friends, I was awake at four. Spent five hours on the bus, the bloody speedboat lol and it's now 8:00pm - so yes, a long day. So I shall wish you a good nights rest and let's see what tomorrow brings :) xxx
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