From Hell To Heaven on Earth...almost

Stranded at Koh Phagnan Pier
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Woke up bright and early, can't wait to get out of Bangkok! Ate my breakfast, and asked the hotel to flag me a cab!  Until I was safely at the airport, I knew anything could happen!  Again, with my luck, sure enough, it did!  I hopped into the cab, and noticed the driver did not turn on the meter. I figure maybe he's waiting until we officially get onto the main road.  After a few minutes, he still didn't turn on the meter. So I asked him to turn on the meter, and he told me the hotel called for him.  With our language gap, I asked him the universal language, " HOW MUCH?" Of course he understood, and said it was $500 baht. Luckily I asked the hotel the average cost, and they had mentioned should not be more than $300 baht.  Asshole!  I became not-so-nice Sandy!  So told him sternly what the price should be and I wouldn't pay more.  He kept insisting $500.  So, I bust out with my trusty calculator, and punched in 3-0-0! How much more clear can I be, so he finally relented.  No way, they are going to get me again in BK!  I even asked him to give me a receipt!  I refused to say another word to him the remainder of the 45-minute ride.  After we hit the toll booth, he decided to pull to the side of the freeway.  No idea why, maybe he wanted to kick me out of the cab.  Instead, he decided he wanted to write the receipt there and then. He hands me the reciept, and I see, $400 baht.  I am so mad at this point.  Instead of breaking down my English for him to understand, I just began railing on him. " what the hell is your problem?  Why the hell did you write $400? Are you stupid or just a really big Asshole? I'm not paying you this amount."

View from my bungalow
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We were at a crossroads...he proceeded to drive, and thought he could get me to understand where he's coming from.  "So much traffic, too much. No good. In U.S., how much?, blah. blah"  It doesn't matter how much it is in the U.S., the point is you're a jerk, and you're making this tourist not want to come back! Finally, we get to the airport, and I give him a $500 baht bill, and ask for my change.  He's ranting in Thai about something, so I just grabbed my $ back, and told him I'll go get change myself.  And to add insult to injury, I make him correct the receipt to $300. JERK.

The night falls at Thong Nai Pan Noi
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Gotta get on the plane.  The check-in at Thai Airways was lovely, and I was excited to get to the islands.  The bus shuttle took us out to the tarmac, where we would be boarding. I see the Thai Airplane, with it's beautiful colors and animals, adorning the plane. At the last minute, the shuttle hooks a left, and we stand before the Siem Reap airplane.  Hmmh, I thinking, isn't this plane heading form Cambodia? People just boarded the plane, and didn't question anything? So I ask the peeps around me if they're going to Koh Samui or Cambodia. We all agree we're suppose to go to Koh Samui. So, I had to ask the flight attendants. We're going to Koh Samui.  I just had to be certain.

Sat next to 2 Brits, James and Chris, both in the British Navy.  Really cool chaps, and they even tried to show me a card game of Black Jack, but it's a different game.  We looked out the window, and saw the beautiful blue waters and scattered islands peppering Thailand. We landed an hour later on Koh Samui Island, to an open-air airport. It was pretty cool.  Next, I had to find a ferry to get to Koh Phagnan Island, where I'll be staying for the next 5 days.

Met a family from Palo Alto, whom actually had the same story to share from the Grand Palace. They too were approached by an English Teacher, Tuk Tuk, Jewelery, Doctor, only they didn't fall for it!  Aww man, it's confirmed, I was conned!  Hopped on the Express Ferry, threw my heavy-ass luggage on the rest of the pile. Once I arrived at the Thong Sala Pier, I had made arrangements for a pick up from the hotel I would be staying, Baan PanBuri Village. Looked around for a "Sandy Lau" sign, saw nothing. One by one, everyone else found a ride, and disappeared. Being that it was the last ferry of the day, even the vendors with their carts even packed up and left. There I was, standing on the pier, alone. Not even a mosquito in sight! Luckily I had my cell phone, and called the hotel. After a few confusing minutes, the receptionist got a hold of the driver, and magically he appeared! Hello!  How could you forget me?? He had a couple sitting in the truck bed, but I decided to sit up front with the a/c. And did he not have a sign that said "SANDY LAM"??? How could you forget me?? Damn, such an idiot. Forgave him, since for the rest of the ride he seemed pretty cool, even though we didn't say 2 words to each other.  We drove along the beat up roads for a good 45 minutes!  I mean this was almost an hour of off-roading! Good thing I was wearing a sport bra!!

It was picturesque, as we descended from the mountains, and from a distance we could see the ocean blue, and we were heading straight for it!  Finally arrived! We drove through some muddy roads, past a small small village, and there it was, Baan PanBuri Village! Picked up my keys, and found bungalow #5D. It was cute, as they looked like little huts, and the beach was steps away! So ideal!  I wanted a front unit, but out of luck. As I opened up my hut, reality hit me smack dab in the face! It was like the tent cabins at Yosemite. Bed, mosquito net, a fan, there it was. The bathroom was pretty gross, no hot water, toilet that doesn't flush, i would have to throw buckets of water into the toilet, no hot water. Do I stay or do i go???  What's a city girl to do???

Met my German neighbors, Patina and boyfriend, so friendly. They had already been staying for one week, and totally loved it. I had to ask them about the bathroom situation, but they were so chill about it, especially since it's fairly inexpensive place to stay.  Oy, I suppose, I could stay for a night.  Had to take myself out of my comfort zone, and do as the Romans do, right?  Took a walk on the beach, and it was sooo incredibly nice. You could walk out 50 feet, and still only be waist high in water. The waves were perfect for body surefers. There are 2 bays at Ao Thong Nai Pan, Noi and Yai.  I was staying at the Noi (little) side, and this area is good for couples and non-tourist types. It's a place for solitude and peace. For me, it was a good escape from Bangkok, and a place to just relax, as soon as I get over the whole bathroom situation.

The first night's sleep was a bit uneasy.  With the ocean just 20 feet away, the crashing waves were pretty loud. I suppose I freaked myself out, as I kept thinking about the Tsuanami, and what is the likelyhood it can happen again??