Last Day in Thailand

Thursday is our last day here in Bangkok and Thailand.  We spent our day shopping at the street markets getting those last minute things we thought we couldn't do without.  Haha...  We also took in our last feed of that delicious Thai food, fruit and Fred couldn't leave without having his last Thai Banana Roti...yum...so good.

We are not sure we are ready to leave but our plane ticket is for Friday, February 15th so it is time.  Our time here in Thailand has been great.  We saw and experienced so many great things.  This is a place that we hope to return to someday.  Until then we have our memories and pictures.

This will be the end of our blog until we travel again.  We hope our travels gave you an insight into the experiences we had in this part of the world.

Bangkok

Wednesday, Howard and Kitty brought us into Bangkok for our last few days before we head home.  We checked into our hotel and then caught the Skytrain down to Sukhumvit Soi 12.where we met at Cabbages and Condoms with Les & Kanny, Marty & Brooke ( Les's friends from Regina), Brent  (Yvonne couldn't make it as she wasn't feeling well) and the 4 of us.  We had a great visit and a wonderful meal of Thai foods that Kanny and Kitty ordered for us.  Soon it was time for us to say our goodbyes.  It was great getting to know all and hopefully we will meet again someday.  Thanks for the good times and great memories.

Chinese Temple & Pattaya

Tuesday there were more new sights.  We started at the Chinese Temple and once again so much to see but different from the other temples we have seen.  Very elaborate with granite and bronze statues  everywhere.

We continued on to Pattaya to the Floating Market.  This market is built over a water source so you could walk along the boardwalk or take a water taxi (wooden boat) to the vendors and shops.  The water was very dirty so you didn't want to get too close to the edge as there wasn't any railing.  We did see a tourist find this out the hard way...YUCK...can't imagine what that would have been like.  We took in a Thai Show and walked around a little more but there were so many people there that day that we didn't spend a lot of time there.  We left there for the sunset over the Gulf at Pattaya Beach.  I can never get enough of those beautiful sights.  Then off to Walking Street where we had supper sitting over looking the harbour.  After supper we took in the sights along the street.  You can use your imagination for the sights we saw as Pattaya is known as 'Sin City of Asia'.  Walking through here with Howard, laughing and joking, reminded us of back in the day some 30 odd years ago.  Found out our friendship was still the same even though we lost contact with each other.  So glad to have reknewed this friendship Howard 'the Meeker'.

Next, he thought we should take in a Tiffany Show.  This is a Broadway Show with the stars of the show being Ladyboys.  It was very hard to distinguish male from female as these Ladyboys can really fool you with their looks and gestures???  Very spectacular performance as this shop was top notch.  Check it out if in Thailand.

Good times, good laughs, good memories.  Thanks Howard and Kitty.

Silver Lake & Nong Nooch Garden

Monday Howard & Kitty took us around Ban Chang area to see some of the sights.  We stopped at Silver Lake to see the  lazer cut outline of the Buddha, guilded with gold on the face of the mountain. Quite a spectacular feat for the artist.  Very nice walking paths with flowers and greenery in the area leading you to the best view point for taking pictures.  An awesome sight.

Next stop was Nong Nooch Tropical Garden Pattaya, Thailand.  This is very hard to describe as it has won the award for the best kept garden in the world for the last 2 years.  It would be interesting to know how many flower pots make up the various displays along with the planted shrubs and trees.  We have never seen anything close to this size of garden as we spent 4 hours wondering through the various themed gardens and could have spent more time here.  They are constantly expanding and changing these gardens.  Wow...another must see.

We hurried back to Silvet Lake Vineyard as Howard wanted us to see the sunset over the lake.  Stayed for supper and enjoyed a bottle of red Silver Lake Wine that is produced there.  Very nice wine.  What a great day.

Debbie's Birthday

Sunday we left Koh Samui flying to U-Topau where Howard met us at the airport and drove us to Ben Chang where he and Kitty live.  Before we knew it there were people arriving for the BBQ, little to my knowledge, it was for my birthday.  The BBQ was fabulous, steak, sausage,  potatoes & carrots, corn, salad and perogies (made by Kitty and so very tasty).  We met some of their friends and had a very enjoyable evening of visiting.  Soon the lights were dimmed and they began singing Happy Birthday with candles on a cake.  Here I sat making a wish and blew out every candle so no boyfriends again this year.  The cake was made by Kitty's friend.  It was very delicious.

 It has been great reacquainting with Howard after many years.  He and Kitty are a great host and hostess.  Many thanks to them for the good times together and the awesome memories we have made.

Saturday Night Mauy Thai Boxing

Saturday, our last day in Koh Samui, was spent on the beach taking in as much sun as possible as we know this won't happen for many months once we get home.  In the evening we took in the Chinese New's Parade complete with dragons and firecrackers going off through the crowd of people, vehicles and motos.  What a hoot it was to watch all this and try to take pictures at the same time.  You can't believe the noise those firecrackers make.

Then it was time for the Saturday Night Mauy Thai Boxing.  Glad we went early and able to get good  seats as it filled up quickly.  This was the real thing as these young boxers both male and female, mean business.  Four out of the five bouts ended in T K O's.  Fred was in his glory watching and believe it or not even cheering, not sure who he knew to cheer for.  The fighting was intense with kicking, knees, elbows and fists.  Interesting to see and should be a must if in Thailand.

Ang Thong National Marine Park

Thursday we were off to Ang Thong National Marine Park.  The minibus picked us up by 7:30 to transfer us to the Samui Island Tour Boat.  Once we got on the boat we had fruit, croissant, tea/coffee/pop/water.  It was a nice slow calm ride to the islands taking about 11/2 hours.  The tour guide told us there were 42 islands in Ang Thong National Marine Park.  We stopped at Mae Koh Island and got off onto a longtail-boat which took us to shore on a beautiful beach.  Here we took a short but steep climb following the stairs to view Talay Nai, a salt water lake.  This emerald green lagoon was surrounded by limestone cliffs, so beautiful to see and very well worth the trek up there.  Let me tell you we were quite ready for the buffet Thai lunch waiting for us back on the boat.  We sat with a dairy farmer from Norway, very interesting to visit with.  They had been to Canada several times as she has relatives in BC.

We continued on to Wua Ta Lap Island, stopping and getting off onto a longtail-boat to get to shore which was another beautiful white sand beach.  Here is where we hiked to the Top View Point, a distance of 500m following a nature trail using a rope.  This was quite a rough and rugged climb along limestone shelves and tree roots working our way to the top.  It was very steep in many places forcing you to use the rope to help pull you up and making the climb very difficult.  Once we got up there it was a fantastic view of the islands, very worth the climb to see the view.  NOW...how do we get down???  Fred used the rope to help lower himself to his next step like the mountain climbers do and I picked my way down slowly on my bum.  This was the hardest trek we have EVER done.  My legs felt like rubber once we got down and we were drenched in sweat.  The beautiful clear water was calling so we jumped in, sooooo refreshing.  Before long they were wanting to get us back to the boat for our return to Koh Samui.  It was a very relaxing ride back and a fantastic day of some awesome sights.

Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan is about a 20 minute High Speed Catamaran ride from Koh Samui.  This is the Full Moon Party Island...looks like we missed it by about 1 or 2 weeks.  Maybe that's a good thing.  The beaches were very quiet there but seemed like there were many places to stay on the beach.  Looks like it would be a great island to spend some time at.

Cheweng Beach, Koh Samui

Here is the beautiful Cheweng Beach.  It is much busier than Lamai Beach but we did enjoy our time there.  The beach was much nicer to walk as the sand was not coral mixed with the sand...easier on the feet.  Lots of shopping on Walking Street...will need to return.

You are able to get corn on the cob cooked for you right on the beach.  So yummy...

Leo beers are good too...

Lamai Beach on Koh Samui

We have been relaxing at our bungalow on Lamai Beach.  Taking the sun, sand and surf in as a daily chore.  The surf on this beach at times is quite wild so seeing quite the sights happening to some of the unweary surf goers.
We are catching the sunrise each morning when we go for our morning walks.  The sand is more coral than sand so a little hard on the feet.  Oh well that is where Sacha and Shaun could wire dear old mom and dad more money for a foot massage each day... lol...

Sunrise on our beach.

Leaving Koh Lanta

This is our beach at high tide.

This is our beach at low tide.

Here is Long Beach thinking this would have been the better beach to be on.

Wednesday evening we caught up with Holly and Jan.  We were standing on the street waiting for them when #47 moto pulled up and Holly and Jan jumped off.  Life is great here in Thailand.  Once again great to see a familiar face.  Had drinks and supper together but once again our time here was too short as we were leaving Koh Lanta saying goodbye to them.  We were heading for Koh Samui on the Gulf of Thailand.