Koh Lipe - Koh Tao National Marine Park

The sand was so white it was cool on your feet. That was the first thing we noticed when we stepped off the boat... but what a trek to get there! It was an overnight train from Kuala Lumpur to a southern Thailand town called Hat Yai. The train got it around noon. Then it was a 2 hour mad dash by mini-bus to the coast, followed by a 4 hour ferry to the island. In total it was a 24 hour trek to get there, and it was worth it. The beach front bungalows weren't exactly cheap by Thai standards, but this place is still a relatively well kept secret, and a little gem in its own right.

Jerod was still getting rid of the last of his hives, and had to stay out of the sun under doctor Krupek's orders... a shame really. But with 10 nights on the island, there was lots of time for him to blind the locals and bronze tourists with his blindingly white Canadian skin!

The 10 days was probably a little too much with the only thing real activities being sunbathing and snorkelling. The evenings were always a treat though with all the restaurants along the beach putting out their tables on the sand and the only light being provided by candles on the tables and the moon and the stars.