Last day in Patong

No plans so up late and mucking around. We hit the little restaurant at the front of Aloha Villa only to find we missed breakfast buffet. No matter, just orderd some grilled sandwichs and sat around for a while. Food gone and two cuppacino's later and we both were having a good laugh, when someone pointed out that it was now 12pm. Calling it quits we headed out to book accommodation, find a photo processing place and an internet cafe. We booked our last two nights in Bangkok at Diamond (Something) Hotel, near Siam Square, put the underwater camera in and sat around for a while getting things sorted on the internet, which is more complicated than it sounds, as we had problems with the internet, the camera, the computer and then uploading the photos. We got most of it done before Stacey went to pick up the photos and we both headed back to the villa to change for afternoon horse riding.

A quick change and we were shocked to find the taxi driver there and waiting at 4pm on the dot. He checked our ticket and we hopped in, then he asked where we were going. Some confusion later we realised he spoke next to no English and couldn't seem to understand the pamphlet we had on the place. He called some person, gave the phone to Lisa which helped not a bit (first time she'd forgotten her phrase book dammit!), but seemed to get something, though we had no idea what until he drove around a block and pulled over to talk to a woman who asked us "Where you go?". More confusion and a cop on a motorcycle warning us to move on, and we seemed to be on our way, though we couldn't seem to communicate our question and he couldn't answer it anyway. In the end we had to live with Lisa asking "OK?" and getting "OK" back. Stacey's lips went all tight and unhappy as we both wondered where we'd end up.

One hour later (magic time!) we were at Laguna Beach and very very relieved to meet a guy who spoke some english and put us on horses in a matter of minutes. Lisa is choosing to believe they put her on a horse almost twice the size of Stacey's because of her height, with nothing to do with weight whatsoever. Lisa's horse's name was incomprehensible but the fact he was 10 years old got across, and Stacey was riding Ap. Having determined we were novices we posed for pictures and had guides walk us out about 15 minutes to the beach. On the way we passed some truly stunning scenery, including two elephants amongst some trees just infront of a lake that was reflecting the setting sun. Lisa would have taken a photo but she was too busy hanging on. Taking a ride along a busy road was also interesting, as little children pointed and waved and adults stared at you like you'd lost your marbles. Along the way Lisa's horse actually slipped twice, causing her to wonder the same.

Walking out onto the beach the guide pointed out 2 baby elephants standing on the beach, one had to be only a few months old it was that tiny. Meanwhile the sun was almost completely out as we took our walk on a beautiful beach with great waves. We both regret not being able to spend the day there, it was stunning! A few times the horses cantered with the guides running along beside them, much to the abuse of poor Lisa's bum and her guides foot as he copped a hoof on his foot. It took him a minute to answer our questions if he was alright as he rolled in the surf and then hobble-jogged to catch them up again. The other guide didn't even stop walking, either he really didn't like the guy or it's a regular occurance, either way - Ouch!

We got a lot of attention from children, dogs and adults sitting in a few beach side bars, but the only thing that spooked them was a lively football game a large group of boys/men were having on the beach. Lisa's horse had proven itself more spirited a few times by almost outrunning the laughing guide, but the continued tossing of its head as the game roared on was worrying everyone until the guys quit until we passed. The little mongrels actually faked a start while the horses were in their midst, but we got through unscathed. At one point we paused for a shot and the horses actually had a go at one another. Lisa's horse shifted closer and tried to get around the guide, but thankfully the guy knew what he was about. The dropped us on the edge of the beach where we jumped in to a waiting ute and went back the easy way. We got some good shots but this computer makes them appear very dark, besides we got the best ones from the people themselves. On a side note we'd realised at some point that the problems with the camera had returned thanks to hooking it into a strange computer, a-bloody-gain! Luckily Lisa remembered that the camera had some memory, not a lot but we were able to take some pics without the memory card in there.

An hour back and we stopped to clean ourselves up at the hotel and had dinner at the restaurant. Really good Thai food! Then went back to the great little internet cafe we found today, and here we sit watching the owner play with the cutest little pup who's attempts to bark sound like a squeaker toy. Nothing doing tomorrow but a flight at 12.45pm to Bangkok that lands at 2.10pm and after checking in we'll probably head to the Grand Palace and maybe a few temples. Our last few days will be consumed with serious shopping and some visits to a salon for a little primping. We're desperately hoping our laundry appears at 10am tomorrow morning as promised, which is when our taxi is due, as it takes you guessed it an hour to get to the airport. We're booked on a minibus, so no worries whatsoever. We just burnt the pics from the last few days onto a CD and prayed as we formatted the card again. All seems in order though. Now we're off to get some coffee and cake and then go back to our room to pack what little clothes we have remaining. Adios! xox