Goodbye Penang, Hello Phuket - Thailand

17/06
Up at 5:00am.  Check emails, pack bags, have coffee, go catch mini bus.  Like our KT's!  Yes believe it or not we actually got in one!  Chin kindly dropped us off in town so we could catch the mini bus.  I must be honest I w!as nervous as hell to get into one.  We all know the things that happen on SA roads, so wary wasn't the word!  There were only 5 passengers so we had lots of room.  Needless to say nothing to worry about.
Just before the border our bus was stopped by the police!  It looked like a Gestapo scenario.  Our driver's passport was taken after much talking.  We then had to follow the cop miles back to the police station.  After 45 minutes we finally got on our way again.  The border crossing was painless.
We arrived in Hat Yai where we had to change mini buses.  Our second driver, unfortunately liked "Rap Crap".  Oh dear our poor ears!!!!!
We arrived in Krabi and Lo & Behold we had to change buses again!  We tried to find some food but unfortunately had a slight language problem.  Oh well carry on starving!
Our new drivers driving ability was a little scary.  The first two youngsters we had were good drivers but boy this new one was another story.  Oh well we finally arrived at our hotel/lodge at about 10:00pm.

We went up to our room and nearly fell on our backs.  Frank was adamant that we had come to the wrong place!  It is absolutely stunning.  The whole place is done like a Thai village!!!  It is costing us 550 Baht a night, R122.00 - Can't believe it!

We now went looking for food as we famished!  Our stomachs definitely thought our throats had been cut somewhere along the way!  We found some street food and had pork fried rice.  It tasted like the best meal we had ever eaten.  We went back to our room and fell comatose across the bed.  What a long day! - 13 hours in a mini-bus...............Arghhhh......

18/06

Up early in the tropical paradise.  Found ambition down the road.  Came back to the lodge and had more ambition when their kitchen finally woke up.

We then went for a walk along the main road.  How interesting!!  We watched  a young family making bamboo furniture in their front yard.  Later we found a young guy painting his pottery.  I wish I could have bought a whole lot from him.  His figurines were so adorable!

We walked along to Wat Chalong, a different  type of temples than the ones we saw in Malaysia.  Outside the gate we saw a youngster who had a weird looking animal on his shoulder.  It was tiny, it fitted in his hand!  I don't know .......... A cross between a squirrel, mouse (with bushy tail) and possibly a little like a minute dassie with long tail.  What a combination.

Later that evening we went back to our food place from the night before.  Their food still tasted good.  I had seafood fried rice which was very nice with quite a bit of seafood in it.
Chilled some more.  It was nice to be able to lay down when we wanted and not have to worry about a host.  I think we both needed this chill day badly!
19/06
This morning Frank had the bright idea to borrow a motorbike and went up the road to see how he handled their bikes.  He then came back and told me to get on the back!

Ok.......ay!?  We start off with me clutching onto him like a mad nutter with my eyes  tightly shut!  Then I reckon I better open them and see where we are going.  Of course I am still hanging on for dear life!  Anyway we turn around and go back to the lodge.  When I get off the damn thing he asks me, "So how was that?"  I show him my hands that are shaking so badly!  The manager now also asks me so I show him my hands as well.  I then went and sat inside the lounge.  Oh boy, then I start crying like a little baby!!!!!  How ridiculous!  I know I am scared of motorbikes but certainly didn't realise the phobia had gotten that bad!  Needless to say we hired a small car to drive around the island.  Oh Yes so MUCH better!!!!  Of course Frank is teasing the hell out of me at every opportunity he gets!

We drove further down the coast, enjoying the fabulous beaches here.  Later we went into Phuket town to book our bus tickets to Bangkok.  Gee we didn't even really get lost.  Amazing!! 

20/06

Ok all the early morning things and then we were off.  We went driving around part of the island.  We went down to Rawai Beach and onto the "Sea-Gypsy" village.  How interesting and what a different lifestyle again.  We continued around to Phomthep Cape (Sunset viewpoint).  The view was spectacular even though it was morning.

We continued around the coastline to Kata Beach, Karon Beach and Patong Beach - Ugh! Horrid!  They are definitely there for the tourist.  The beautiful jungles have been cut back to make way for concrete jungles.

On our travels we came across a place where you can go for elephant rides.  The elephants are so much smaller than ours.

Coming back to the lodge we got lost......................It had to happen!  Trying to read street names here is hysterical!  The Thai name is there and the English name is in minute writing underneath.  Oh well we finally made it back and in one piece!

We have decided that the East Coast is better - It might not be as picturesque but it is far more natural which is beauty in its own!

After a little rest we went and put petrol in the car and then drove down to Chalong Pier.  Here you can go out fishing or cruise in a boat.  Their cruise boats are strange, some have 3 outboard motors on.  We even saw a few with 4 motors! - And they weren't toys either, 200 - 250hp each.  Unreal!