A.K.A. สวัสดีเทวดาแมว. Look out Hells Angels, there's a new gang around! That's right, and it's one badass gang! I won't mention names, but some of you are already "patched in"... You know who you are!... and once you're in there's no getting out!
Dig the "Hello Kitty" mat on our ride. I'm particularly fond of the rainbows. I'm thinking our gang will incorporate these elements into our "patch".
Ever since India, driving has been on the left side and we've been leaving it to the ...ahem...professionals. We've now given in to temptation and have rented a "motorcycle" a few times. The driving is surpsingly easier than it looks. You can choose to drive anyway you want. If you stick to the curb and drive slowly, th e rest of the traffic seemingly respects that and just passes, or follows at its own pace. The one difference is that you really pay attention to what's in front of you and not worry so much about what's in the rear view mirror. (Pretty good advice in general actually!) Oh yeah and stick to the left, stick to the left and stick to the left (repeat this as a mantra in your head!). I know we have some UK and Aussie readers, but this is a real challenge for this Canadian. Don't worry, I should have it down by the time we're home.
The complete beast
Gang members in front of the lime green clubhouse. They're intimidating aren't they?!
We fuel our rides from liquor bottles only! (Seriously, these fuel stations are all over the place)
What this guy is sitting on is actually a Ducati (well, that's the logo on the tank anyway!). Maybe this is your next ride Kim! A bit of a change from the Monster I'd say!
 |
| Dys view along the back roads of Krabi province around Aonang. Surprisingly she could get the camera around my "Charlie Brown" head. (C'mon, some of you were thinking it!) |
The first "rocket" we rented in Ao Nang.
The view from the cockpit…(and yes, note the speed Mom...see?)
Having a break from some serious riding. Note the furious image on the back of Dys helmet beside me.
A Tsunami warning tower along the beach road in Aonang. This is the area that was hit by the tsunami in 2004 (as most of the west coast of Thailand was). Aonang itself was somewhat spared the massive damage like Phuket, but was nowhere in the clear!
A few points about traffic and crossing the roads in particular. From a birds eye view the traffic seems chaotic and just plain nuts, but there is something about it that works. I don't know what that is however!
Follow these steps when crossing the road
- Step off the curb into the road.
- Look both ways only once in the road.
- If you decide you can make it, go for it. You've now crossed the street.
- If you decide you can't make it, go for it, you'll make it. You've now crossed the street.
- You're welcome!
Results may vary so as always, my advice should be taken with a grain of salt and perhaps not quite literally...but to some degree this is the way it works. Drivers don't really get angry or frustrated, they simply anticipate your moves and react. Hesitation is what throws it all into chaos.
After a few tries, we found the right spot. "Funky Fish" is the place. Who can pass on a name like that? We went to the check in counter (the bar on the beach) and asked if they had a place for us in 2 days. He had a few available. He asked if we'd like to see. Sure, why not!? So off all 3 of us went on his scooter. Yep, "ALL 3 OF US ON HIS SCOOTER!!!". We've seen it many times (or 4 people..or 5...or pets...BBQ's etc…), as some of you surely have, but I never really thought the day would come when we'd be "those people". Honestly I don't know why he thought we needed to take the scooter anyway. The room is literally 100 meters, or less, Gooooood Times!
A side note, as we've now moved on to the Island of Koh Lanta. We met a number of other travelers from all over the world on the bus and had some great conversations. In particular, one German traveller asked us where we were from. When we told him we're from Canada guess what the next thing he referred to was?!?! Yep, that's right! Rob Ford... He knew all about it. He actually asked why he hasn't been arrested. He was seriously confused as to how this can actually happen in Canada. I didn't have a solid answer... I really do think it's funny, but it's getting pretty embarrassing too!
On that note, let's cap it all off with a really short video with some monkeys shall we?...he he...monkeys...!On to Koh Lanta
Today we left Aonang and have headed further South to Koh Lanta, a beautiful laid back island still on the west coast. We arrived at the beach bungalows we rented on route at a stop while switching buses (they're waiting for you and will call ahead, to probably their brothers hotel...). The place is nice and right on the beach, but it's just a bit too far away, so we hopped on to "Hello Kitty" in search of another place.After a few tries, we found the right spot. "Funky Fish" is the place. Who can pass on a name like that? We went to the check in counter (the bar on the beach) and asked if they had a place for us in 2 days. He had a few available. He asked if we'd like to see. Sure, why not!? So off all 3 of us went on his scooter. Yep, "ALL 3 OF US ON HIS SCOOTER!!!". We've seen it many times (or 4 people..or 5...or pets...BBQ's etc…), as some of you surely have, but I never really thought the day would come when we'd be "those people". Honestly I don't know why he thought we needed to take the scooter anyway. The room is literally 100 meters, or less, Gooooood Times!
 |
| View from the scooter driving along the East side of Koh Lanta |
A side note, as we've now moved on to the Island of Koh Lanta. We met a number of other travelers from all over the world on the bus and had some great conversations. In particular, one German traveller asked us where we were from. When we told him we're from Canada guess what the next thing he referred to was?!?! Yep, that's right! Rob Ford... He knew all about it. He actually asked why he hasn't been arrested. He was seriously confused as to how this can actually happen in Canada. I didn't have a solid answer... I really do think it's funny, but it's getting pretty embarrassing too!