Hey all,
We're currently sitting in an internet cafe in Bangkok at six oclock in the morning having just arrived here from Krabi on an overnight bus. We've got three hours to kill before we call Bec Minty (Carolyn's high school friend for all of Niels' friends out there) so we decided we'd catch up on some emails, here where it is sooooo much cheeper that in Railay, Krabi where we've been for the past week or so.
So we landed in Phuket on the 14th at midday and being all flustered because we had to find a particular person by cab (more about her in a minute) and not having a feel for the currency yet first cab that got thrown at us, we took. 450 Baht ($15) for a half hour cab ride. Next thing we know is that our cab that's pulling up has leather seats, air con, DVD player and has "Limousine Service" written on it. Man we are suckers.... but it was already paid so we just enjoyed the scenery and consoled ourselves that we'll learn for next time, besides, $15 for a limo isn't bad.
So the reason we had to see this particular person was becuase we were hungry. As some of you know, we love our Asian food and have been hanging out for 3 months of it. So Niels had heard about this lady in Phuket who makes and sells home made Aussie meat pies. So the first thing we do in Thailand is enjoy an Aussie pie with peas,

Above, Rai Lay

potatos and a cold Heiniken.
Actually the real reason we went to see Susan aka Lady Pie, was that she is originally from Cooma and Carolyn had promised to do a story about her for the Cooma-Monaro Express (Gail, the story's coming as soon as we pick up a USB cord for Niels' digital camera beacuse someone forgot to pack his)
That afternoon, Susan drove us around Phuket and around all the areas that got hit by the Tsunami. Apart from a few ruined houses, they've done a phenomenal job at re-constructing it all.
We checked into the On On Hotel and crashed out at about 7pm local time.
In the morning, we got on a bus for Krabi on the coast. We got an introduction to Thai time on the way when we stopped about 3 times and the bus driver just ran off somewhere. about half an hour later each time, a new bunch of backpackers would climb on. On the bus, we met our first fellow-backpacker for the trip and you shuold have seen the look on Niels' face when he introduced himself as Nils!! He was from Switzerland and was in Thailand to do some rock climbing in Ton Sai (just near Rai Lay, where we were headed).
So from Krabi we shared the back of a ute to Ao Nang, where we got on a long tail boat for the short trip to the peninsula.
The peninsula that includes Rai Lay and Ton Sai is connected to the main land but is only accessable by boat because of limestone karasts - these karasts make for stunning scenery as they jut from the mainland and form islands.
We stayed in East Rai Lay at a place called the Cabana, which we loved, on the first night Niels brought his
soprano to the Cabana Bar (yes, John Mackey, I had to bring something but the case didn't fit so I wrapped it in foam). Turned out the bartender played guitar (all he knew were Bob Marley tunes) so we ended up jamming every night. This bar became our local and we met some other graet backpackers.
Some of the highlights of our time at Rai Lay included, sunsets on the west facing beach, a climb to a lagoon hidden amongst some of the carasts, kayaking around the islands, lounging at cool little bars (all playing reggae) and lunch of grilled chicken and green papaya salad (thanks for the tip Kyra - so good).
We left yesterday lunchtime to catch the boat back to the mainland, then a bus to Bangkok. Again the bus ran to Thai time - departing 40 minutes late, and stopping everywhere (for no apparent reason). But between Carolyn's book and my fingering practice (on Sax!!!!) the trip was actually pretty pleasant and we both feel well rested and ready to face the big city (well after we dump our packs, anyway).
Bye for now, love to all!!
Niels and Carolyn xox