Motorbike Mayhem in Ko Lanta

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As hard as it was to leave the morning sunshine beckoning us to the beach in Ko Tao, we headed out on the morning ferry that would take us to Surat Thani, where we would catch a bus to Krabi on the West side of Thailand. The ferry was actually pretty relaxing, and we got nice little VIP seats (at 40 baht - $1.10) where we could sit in air conditioning and watch movies. Although, it was really nice to go sit out on the deck, feeling the breeze and read in the sunshine.

By the time we got to Krabi, it was night and we were all pretty exhausted. We checked into one of the hotels that the locals that hound you at the bus station try to make you go to. We just gave in (for the first time) because we were tired and they gave us a great price - which actually turned out not being the right price and created quite a stir the next morning when we were heading out for Ko Tao. They lured us there with a cheap price for an un-air-conditioned room (when we specifically agreed upon AC), so we had to pay double what we thought, and during the argument, they sent our mini bus to Ko Lanta away so we couldn't leave. Not the friendliest people. What I've noticed with a lot of places in Southern Thailand is that the locals (hotel owners mostly) aren't as friendly, especially not as friendly as people in Northern Thailand (who are the friendliest, most smily people ever), because I think they have their guard up with young Westerners that come and get drunk and wreak havoc in their country. It's too bad because it affects the rest of us (young Westerners) who are there just trying to relax and have a good time.

Yep, that's a muddy pot hole. Let's hope it's not too deep... Oh boy, I'm going down.

On the ferry to Ko Lanta.
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So, we ended up on a 3-hour (later than planned) mini bus ride down to Ko Lanta, where we were packed in like sardines. We arrived in Ko Lanta 3 hours later, after two ferries and some fantastic fried chicken at the ferry stand (you gotta try it). We ended up going to a place called Kantiang Bay View Resort, which is on the southern part of the island where the best swimming is. Right now, in Ko Lanta, it is monsoon season, so half of the island was actually shut down, which was great in some respects but a bummer a few times (like when I was searching for those hammocks at the Sea Gypsy Village at the end of the island - they were closed, Danielle!!) Our little oasis where our bungalow was located was great, though! It's where most of the tourists go in the low season, so it was still pretty happening - and we got our beach bungalow for 50% off what it would have been in busier times.

Getting stitches out of my finger from a gash from Ko Tao. Thai hospitals are no fun, and I am not acting in this picture.
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The swimming was definitely better here than it was in Ko Tao, but there wasn't any barbecue because of the low season! If you want to rent a motorbike in Thailand, I would say that Ko Lanta is the place to do it. Or I would have said that - before the accident. Ha ha. Don't worry. I'm fine. Just some scabs are screwing my tan up a bit. It rained every afternoon we were in Ko Lanta and Kevin, Chris, Ian and I were off exploring the island when the road turned from paved road to muddy dirt road right at the second I realized it. This was no, "Uh oh, gotta turn to get out of the way of the pot hole right in front of me." This was more like, "Yep, that's a muddy pot hole. Let's hope it's not too deep...  Oh boy, I'm going down." I catapulted off the front of that puppy so fast, which was probably better than skidding along the road, where I would have been flayed like one of those delicious red snapper. So I sat there and whimpered for a little bit until Kevin came around the corner and discovered pathetic little me and my pink bike (my reasoning behind why I fell - I swear the lady renting the bikes gave me the hot pink one just to make me look like Malibu Barbie and feel even more stupid when I wiped out: one muddy pile of skinned Barbie and her hot pink downed motorbike). And it was my only second time going! The first time I only just almost ran into a pole! I was so good then! Well, needless to say (but I'll still say it), my pride was lost and now my mornings consist of dabbing myself with Betadine and bandaid applications.

The lovely Ko Lanta hospital.
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But, hey, I wasn't the only clumsy one in Ko Lanta. The four of us were just a mess of tripping on the beach, Chris especially, Mr. Cool himself. I swear I never see this kid trip or anything, but I almost can't speak of the incident where he slipped on a sand shelf in the beach, filling his entire bottle of beer with sand, as he sat there immobile and helpless. I guess it was something in the air. Or maybe I'm just making excuses for my motorbike mishap. Damn pink motorbike.

Ko Lanta was very peaceful though and you have to rent a bike and cruise around the island when you're there. There aren't too many cars on the roads and you just go from beautiful view to next view, of jungle to sea view and back. The people are so friendly here too. It is dominated by Muslim Thai, and although they laugh at you as you fly by on motorbike, it's genuine and I think they really like the foreigners. We met some great people at our bungalows and the neighboring one too, as there were two popular bars/restaurants, Shroom Bar and Why Not? Bar where the guys who worked there were the greatest little hipped out guys, wearing the tightest pants I've ever seen, no shirt, covered in tats with chunky necklaces. Very retro. This was the first country (and particular place) where they make you pay for your drinks on the spot. At first we thought it was because a lot of people run out on checks, but we soon found out it was probably more because the locals running the bars got so drunk on the job, they couldn't keep track!

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We were originally planning on heading to Ko Phi Phi (which is supposedly the most beautiful beach in Thailand) but we heard it was very touristy, and Chris and Ian don't have as much time as us, so we needed to start heading back to Bangkok to catch a flight on to Indonesia. Bali and surfing, get ready!