How many travel days have we had so far? Well this is another one . . . Today we had an early bus pick up to take us to the pier and we learned that we can get up and pack before 7am, whew! It was a large catamaran that stopped twice before bringing us to the small island of Ko Tao. It was a bit crazy as we arrived and were bombarded by taxi drivers. After negotiating a fair farang (tourist) price, we got in the back of a pick up which took us to the sister resort who called the long tailed boat from our guest house to pick us up.
This place was recommended by a mother's group friend and we love it. Our room is more like a cabin (and maybe just a step above camping check out my bathroom where I have to flush by pouring two bowls of water down the toilet).
But it is gorgeous, built on the side of a hill overlooking the ocean. There is a mosquito net over the bed and a hammock on the deck. Makoa slept and we read all afternoon, then went down to eat dinner on the beach.
Day 12 - 6 January
Last night I had to pee but held it because I didn't want to leave the protection of my mosquito net (sorry guys, this entry is going to get a bit personal). In the morning I found that Aunt Flo - have you ever heard this before? When I was in 5th grade my best friend's mom taught it to me and I don't think that I have heard it or used it since, but it seemed fitting - anyway I found she had arrived after three years of not seeing her she pops up when I am on a holiday in Thailand the day after I reach my dream island destination and am staying on the beach and did I mention how far our room was from civilization and that I had to flush my toilet with bowls of water? Great timing Aunt Flo.
After brekkie we were offered a ride into town and I am so glad we took it. Don had Makoa in the backpack carrier in the back of a jeep with two other guys and I was sitting up front. The road was unpaved and went straight up then down over more pot holes than I could count. Poor Makoa bumped his head on the rollbar, but didn't cry because of all the men around, Don was so proud. We were dropped off back near the pier and walked into several 7-11s and an import store in order to find the supplies that I now needed.
The long tail boat only ran three times a day so we took our time getting back to the sister resort. Along the way we found a barber - Don was excited to finally get his beard trimmed, which by now was driving him nuts, and his hair cut. The barber's chair didn't go up and down so his solution was to glue several soles of flip-flops together to make him taller!
While waiting for our boat we found another swing :)
And here's our boat!
Day 13 - 7 January
We spent over 7 hours on 6 boats today. Everyone on the dive boat looked at Makoa skeptically and someone said to Don, "um, when we go down there is only the captain on the boat." Don't worry we did check with the owner and then reassured everyone that Don would go on the first dive and I would go on the second. After the boat started on his way the captain invited Makoa and I into his cabin, which was basically a bench where everyone's backpacks were and the one foot by five foot area where he stood and steered the boat. Makoa fell asleep on the way out and when the divers all jumped in the boat started rocking. I could feel myself literally turning green. Makoa needed his water which was in the front of the boat and I could hardly see as the boat rocked so far from side to side that I couldn't even see the horizon anymore. Luckily Makoa was the best little boy ever and he stayed put, I realized later that only half the boat had railings and if he decided to follow me it wouldn't have been good. Don came back after a mediocre dive and after thinking about it I decided that he should take my second dive because I could almost see myself puking in my regulator. During the second dive Don saw a f'ing big trigger fish, several eels, grouper fish, and got stung by a sea anemone. I was feeling much better at this new location so Makoa and I explored the rest of the boat. After spending so much time in such cramped quarters Makoa and I were ready to run and Don was exhausted. We got off the boat, ran on the beach, ate some street vendor pancakes (he has a video here), and then back to our beach.
Day 14 - 8 January
Poor Don, I am not used to having Aunt Flo around and my hormones are acting crazy. I am crazy psycho bitch one minute than crying another. After a late night talk I decided to wake up with a new outlook and good attitude. Makoa and I played in the morning and I went to the bathroom happy to report that the ants that were carrying the dead cockroach up the wall were gone and termites were no where to be found either - maybe I could stay in this room another night although last night I was not too sure. I washed my face and then went to my towel, safely hanging in the bedroom, to dry my face. I screamed and Don and Makoa jumped up to see what was wrong. This is what jumped out of my towel:
Thanks for eating all the bugs in my bathroom, but big lizard could you please not hide behind my towel? That was it, I cannot stay in this room for another night, we must leave now, I don't care where we go we just have to leave and Don has to take care of it . . . poor Don :)
He spoke to the owner and we moved into one of the new cabins and it is freaking beautiful. Still with no screens and mosquito net, but it is high off the ground with all new treated wood and the bathroom has murals of sea creatures and the water doesn't shoot from the faucet or the handle fall off from the shower and the clincher - a flushing toilet! First order of business, the three of us take a cold shower and then the boys leave to get lunch and bring mine up to me, lovely room service!
Playing in the sand at dinner.
Day 15 - 9 January
Went into town today on my own to get some groceries and money. Since our room is so nice, and Jeff won't be making it to the island for a few more days, we need some staples. Luckily I had enough cash for peanut butter, jelly, bread, milk, nappies, and a pizza lunch at the Rasta Cafe because my ATM card apparently expired so I will have to bring Don tomorrow.
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