Down for breakfast at just over seven, don’t believe we are last. The Chinese have taken over the restaurant, so we have to sit on a couple of bar stools. The two young girls are rushing around. Muesli with yoghurt fruit and honey, freshly squeezed orange juice very good and the cost per room around £30.

The Chinese contingent have also taken over the free bus to airport, we get a ride in the Toyota SUV very nice car. The driver turns out to be the manager and the hotel has only been open four month. Check in and and take a seat in lounge. “Mrs Sylvia”… we look up and it’s one of the ladies from check in. “Please come with me, security has a problem with your bag”? They rush off with the Duke behind them. Whoops the Duke has water, back through security. A tense 20 minutes and the Dame arrives. It was the metal sculpture that she bought in Khao Lak, but not a good way to start the day.

At  Bangkok airport we are taking the hotel’s airport shuttle. Of course cannot find their bus, the Dame phones and tell them we are at entrance four. In an instant a man appears and tells us “wait a minute” it’s 11.10 twenty minutes go by. It is interesting watching the fellow travellers, the amount of luggage people have, some of the outfits and people like us looking for airport taxis. But after waiting 30 minutes we are getting a bit annoyed. Mr airport taxi re-appears, “this way” there is the mini bus, then another couple come along, maybe that’s why we waited.

Book into hotel we are on 7th floor overlooking a market. Go down to pool to catch a last bit of sun, the pool is at European temperature, so swimming off. Again no Mojito’s, the Dame is now looking forward to getting home and having a nice Alentejo, or Duro.

Nearby is an old market that has been taken over by artist. Having a bit of trouble with the Google map. We have actually gone past it.

Our second attempt it’s over a small footbridge. Really interesting, some nice art some unusual object d’art and some old junk Steptoe would have collected and some places to eat, but sadly no bars.

On way back to hotel we purchase some seeds Chili’s, Holy Basil and Pak Choy at an extravagant 70 Bhat. Back to room, cup of tea and feet up. The idea of staying and finding somewhere to eat get a thumbs down.  The market is in full swing. There is a parking attendant with a whistle he doesn’t stop blowing as cars queue to park, then a recording of some advert plays none stop, we hear all this quite clearly and we are on the 7th floor. We ask reception can we get transfer to airport at 8.30 might just stay sane until then. Young hotel guy takes us to airport and boy did he drive fast.

Bangkok is just so busy. Security was very thorough, take off all shoes and go through scanner. The next nightmare was immigration. Very long queues. We are so glad we left two hours earlier Into departures, Incredible, every designer has a shop here.

Board the aircraft for the long trip home. Thank you Thailand we have had a fantastic time.

After breakfast we go down to reception to settle our bill. We talk to Maria about returning sometime and how much we have enjoyed staying at the Oasis. Then Maria surprises the Dame as she gives her a bracelet and a small purse, so nice. All the staff gather and insist on us joining them for a group photo.

Basket takes us to the bus stop in his chariot. He waits with us to tell the driver where he should drop us, as we will need to change buses. At the bus station it is not all good news the next bus to take us to  Surat Thani will be in one hour. The Duke wonders why we are taking a bus? Did the Dame spend to much money on Mojito’s? The total for the 2 buses, 160 km, is 320 baht ( £8) for both of us.

The hour goes quickly. Boarding the bus we notice that the driver has a nice knitted cover for his gear stick, is it to keep it warm? Or maybe it is a knitted gear stick. Not many on the bus, the journey takes three hours and is the same route that we came on from the National Park, in fact we go pass the entrance to our previous hotel and The Bridge Café is not finished yet.

Thanks to phone GPS we realize we are not far from the airport, so ask the driver who kindly does a slight detour and stops at the crossroads to the airport. We are staying in an airport hotel for the night as we have early flight. The rain starts to become heavy as we cross the dual carriage way, wearing just shorts and tshirts.  An astute man is trying to take us to the airport which is 5 minutes away, at a cost, so we move away. On the map it is showing the hotel is only minutes away, but no pavements, bad visibility and maniac drivers didn’t make walking with suitcases a very good option. The Dame rings the hotel. Much confusion as to where we are, “is there someone local” the receptionist ask. So a local guy speaks to her and tells us to wait under a sign (for a barber). Within 5 min the car arrives and yes the hotel was just around the corner. Nice and modern, with single story rooms set in nice gardens with a pool, It is run by very young staff but they are very professional. We have some late lunch. Back in our room it absolutely tipped down.

In the evening we chat to a young Austrian couple from Vienna, bravely traveling with a 1 yr old boy. They told us whenever they went to restaurants, the baby would be whisked away by the locals and made a fuss off. So free baby sitting with dinner.

The only thing about a lot of hotels they only seem to sell beer, the Dame is very upset as it is the one alcoholic drink she doesn’t like, oh well we have an early start.

Goodbye to some lovely people and fine musicians

Our last full day at the  Oasis Resort. At breakfast Basket and his cousin have their shirts on and ask the Duke why he is not wearing his, so he promised to come back after breakfast for a group photo shoot. At Breakfast Basket gives us a sample of some Thai Dim Sum very nice. Overnight there were some new arrivals, so the season is hotting up, only a couple of Bungalows empty. 

The Duke returns with his shirt on, lots of photos and fun. Maybe the New Beach Boys, or a new fashion label.

Catch up with some internet, yes it’s been fixed again, maybe they need an umbrella for the router. Off to the beach.

Basket took us down to the Thai Bar, walked along and found a nice spot on the almost empty beach.Not long there and it started to rain, only one thing for it, get in the sea. It’s only a brief shower, after drying in the sun back to the Thai Bar for lunch. There are two couple there from Sweden. A girl arrives also from Sweden. The Dame orders their signature cocktail Mojito,here they make a good one.

Basket arrives with three more people a German couple and a Indian man. After a while the German couple join us, they are well travelled and have just been to Myammar. An interesting afternoon talking about travel and traveling. Lunch was again delicious. We have to leave as packing is the order for the afternoon.

Nearly back to the Oasis and Basket picks us up. Let the packing begin.

Head into town tonight for some last minute shopping. Evening meal was nothing to write about.

Taxi to the market to watch our favorite musicians for the last time.

The market is quiet its only Tuesday, but there are 13 people in the bar. Again the music was very good and the owners are so friendly they chat to you as if you were locals. Sad to leave and promise to return.

People carrier arrives at 6.45 am, so no time for coffee or breakfast. Today we are going to James Bond island, sea caves in canoes, a floating fishing village and lastly the reclining Buddha’s cave. Another multi national group, this time a couple from Poland and a couple from France. The journey to The pier will takes just over an hour. The guide announces a stop for coffee, the Duke is very relieved. The coffee chain is called Amazon, very good coffee. Arriving at a jetty then onboard a longboat that will take us to the island, around 40 min. We pass the floating village and many Limestone hills jutting out of the sea. There it is James Bond Island correct name Khao Phing Kan.

Here they made The Man With the Golden Gun. Even though we left at 7, there are already many tourists. This must be one of the most photographed and selfie images The lone rock in the sea, but it is spectacular, we have 40 min on the island as we must wait for tide to come in for next excursion. It is a beautiful place with some amazing rock formations as limestone is easily eroded by rain. Next the canoes, this seems to be a very large operation there are 4 big boats probably once ferry boats. After disembarking from our longboat onto one, we then get into canoes one couple and one guide who paddles.

We get in and he tells us “Mama and Papa” please put your feet over the side, this is a strange way to sit in a canoe. The Duke is also worried about being called “Papa” and reminds himself to get out the Grecian 2000 when he gets home.

The caves aren’t as interesting as we had expected and our rower is a bit of a pain, constantly taking pictures of us and prompting for a tip, as we pull up to the jetty he gives us the sob story and actually asks for a tip.

Next it’s the floating village, the people are Muslim and came originally from Malaysia. Everything has to be brought to the island, accept the fish of course.

There’s a floating football pitch, a school and even a post office? And of course the many stalls selling tourist tat.  After a walk around, the party arrive at a big hall where we will have lunch. Lunch is very good but of course no alcohol.

After lunch free time to wander, this is cut short by very sudden torrential rain. So back on boat to return to. Next stop Reclining Buddha’s Cave. Here again there are quite a few people. As we have seen a similar set up in Malaysia, not that interesting. The journey home is through some really heavy rain showers, luckily we slept some of it.

Back to Bungalow making a dash for it from van. Inside your can hear the rain on the roof. A nice refreshing swim the pool is so warm.

We decide to eat at the hotel. 

At breakfast this morning Basket surprised us, he gave the Duke a copy of the shirt he had admired and only 300 Baht the Duke is very happy.

Prior to booking to stay at the Oasis, we had planned to stay at The Heaven Hill Resort. That was until receiving an email from them  the following is an extract

“ I am writing to you from this email to inform you, that as of December 1, 2019, Heaven Hill Resort will be a naturist resort. I really hope, you do not mind, that some of the guests will be naked during the last 2 day s of your stay. “

They continued by saying we were welcome to keep our clothes on, the thought of being served breakfast by naked hosts…..enough said.

A taxi is taking us to White Sands Beach. Of course many holiday complex’s around this fabulous beach. So we keep walking, passing all the people asking if we want a sunbed.

Further along the sands is Coconut Beach, with many trees providing much needed shade. After a bit of sunbathing and a swim time for lunch walking a bit further along the beach there is a restaurant called the Boatyard. Tables on the beach and a very nice lunch, interrupted by a rain shower. Our taxi returns to pick us up at the agreed time, very good service. Back at the Oasis there is just the two of us for a while. The sky is becoming more overcast, but it doesn’t prevent our afternoon siesta.

Tonight the owners are doing a cooking demonstration. The Duke not paying attention cuts his chin, the hotel provide a rather nice plaster with elephants on?

Arriving at 7 and joining two other couples both from Germany. We are being shown how to cook Sweet and Sour Chicken with Cashew nuts, by Basket and his cousin, we were all crammed into the small kitchen. So didn’t learn much but great camaraderie and plenty of beer. Then lots to eat, not as spicy as in a restaurant but OK.

So cooking and dinner over, back to the bungalow as we have an early start.

Saturday, nothing planned for today. Lounge by pool after breakfast. The Duke needs his i-pad charged, so takes the door key off the power card for the rooms electricity, so locking the door with power on. Internet has been rather patchy since the storm, really only available near the reception. Then a couple of guys turn up to change router, which is located above pool house. It takes them a while, but now we have a full signal. Lunchtime arrives, we decide to walk down to a restaurant the hotel manager has recommended. Where’s the key” the Dame asks, “oh it was in my swimming trunks”, but the key is not in them now. The Duke is all showered and dressed for lunch. On walking round the pool he spots the key on the bottom. Back into trunks. Not quite Jacques Cousteau, the Duke comes up coughing and spluttering, he is unable to retrieve the key. With the Dame directing him, he tries to move it to the shallow end with his foot. This could take a while. Our neighbour is watching and comes over to ask if he can help, “yes please” one dive and they have the key, what a nice man. Off to lunch. Quite a walk down the busy road, sharing the verge with the scooters. We don’t like the look of the restaurant and decide on the 7-11 for takeaway lunch. No joy there and buying alcohol is prohibited between 2-5. On our way back we see a bakery and coffee shop. It sells very nice bread and cakes. The Duke has a slice of Banana cake, with two espresso’s. As we near our bungalow our diving hero and his wife are leaving for home. They were from Germany as many of the other guests are. Oh no, our peaceful pool area has been shattered. A large family led by Dad have taken over the pool. As Dad dives in well sort off, will there be any water left. Along with that they are blasting out some music, not sure if they are locals. We did need to cool off after the walk so the aircon is needed. Spend some time in room catching with emails etc now we have full signal.
Back to Night Market for some shopping food and drink. Surprisingly it seems fairly quite for a Saturday. The Christmas Lights have been turned on, did Kylie Minogue pop over to flip the switch? We pass the club that has a cabaret on the pavement, eight Lady Boys all looking like 60’s Hollywood glamour girls. We ate in a restaurant opposite the market called Takieng baked fish with herbs was delicious, but the herbs blew your head off, followed by prawns, and squid. One minus, the beer wasn’t cold first time i have had beer in an ice bucket.

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An early start to the day. Up at 6.30am we are going Bamboo rafting, a trip to a waterfall and a  turtle sanctuary. The tour van picks us up, It is a very nice Toyota people carrier. The courier is called Robert and the driver Peter. Into KhaoLac town center and down to a very nice hotel complex for more guests. They are a married couple with a 2 year old girl and Mum and Dad, we discover they are Romanians but have lived in the UK since 2003. So off we go to the river. This company pride themselves in operating small groups and being there first. Sure enough we are the first three rafts on the river. We were told to bring swimming costumes and a change of clothes. The Dame and Duke are on one raft. Not quite what they imagined. You just sit on two bamboo poles and the river is not like the Cherwell in Oxford it is fast flowing with small rapids. The water comes up between the bamboo poles so immediately get wet rears.

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Our boat is steered by a lovely guy and he points out three poisonous snakes in trees above our heads on the way. Fortunately sleeping peacefully.

Rounding a bend in the river someone is standing in the water. Wondering if it was a hitchhiker, as we approach it’s a girl with a camera, “smile” At the finish you get some fruit a drink and yes can purchase a lovely framed picture.

Onto the waterfall. Again only two other people there. Very nice waterfall with and crystal clear water in which you can swim, there are also some very big carp and many smaller fish. For 10 Bhat you can purchase a packet of fish food, no wonder they are so big.

Now it’s off to the Turtle Sanctuary. We arrive and it’s in a Naval Base. This time we are not alone many tour vans, but not too bad. They are doing a fantastic job rearing Turtles from eggs and releasing them when they can fend for themselves. The turtle numbers had dropped so much but they are now increasing again. So their efforts are proving successful. They also care for injured and sick turtles. The biggest turtle species can grow to 2 m long and is now very rare. Our guide Robert was very excited to show us a video of one on the beach at Khao Lak only last week. All hunting in Thailand is illegal, it’s good to see they are really making an effort to protect the wildlife. At lunchtime we are dropped back at our base, the others continue on to an Elephant Sanctuary.

Quick change and a walk down to the beach. The walk takes about 20 minutes we are following signs for “ Thai bar” and boy is it hot. Finally get to the beach. Thai Bar is run by a couple of young guys, they are heavily into Bob Marley music and the bar is very rustic and has Rastafarian colors. Right on the beach perfect.

Lunch was good. After we walk along the sand which goes on and on with only a handful of people on it and go for a swim. Lovely warm water and no floating rubbish. Storm Clouds are gathering so we head back to Thai Bar for ‘one for the road’. Unfortunately there has been a power cut, beer a bit warm and no Bob Marley, lovely people though.

Tonight after yesterday’s rain a few Mossies around, including one in our room, the Duke is missing his fly swat, the Dame tells him to get down off the dressing table. Enough Mossi hunting lets go eat.

Down to a night market, this one is within walking distance of our hotel, though Walking along the busy road in the dark is a bit hairy. This market is much smaller than the other night market, but also a lot cheaper. Again all cocktails from 60-90 baht. After a drink we decide to visit ‘The Jokers’ Kebab stall, yes he appears here too. Kebab not bad. Then on to The Meeting Place bar. Owned by two young guys and a girl. The two guys are excellent guitarists and singers. One prefers C&W and the other classic blues all acoustic. Not many people in the audience, real shame. They are still going at 11 but we have to go. Great evening.

Temple Tour of Thailand

First breakfast at the Oasis and no they weren’t playing ‘Morning Glory’ but some nice music that didn’t include Breakast at Tiffany’s!. The staff are very happy and friendly which is nice first thing. Basket… that’s our chauffeur is wearing a really unusual shirt. The Duke asked if he can get him one he will try. At 11.30 he has offered to take us to 2 temples. So first we spend some time by the pool and have a swim. Then of we go in the “sidecar” to Temple no 1. The Duke wondered if we had seen enough temples, luckily the Thai Temples are all very different. The second Temple is a great example of this. At the first where there is a huge white Buddha, Basket told us this was the only part that survived the Tsunami in 2004. Khao Lak was hit very badly a lot of people died. Basket asks “have you seen the Tsunami memorial “ so this becomes the next stop. There is a Police Frigate that was thrown  about 1 km from the sea during the Tsunami, how powerful and destructive nature can be. Basket drops us of in Khao Lak town, shopping here we come. First stop is the shop with an unusual metal sculpture that we had seen last night. Shopping done, lunch is the next thing. Bussaba was the chosen restaurant, the Duke had Thai fish cakes, the Dame chicken satay very good. After lunch a browse in a few more shops.

Then the skies open, we cross the road and take refuge in a modern coffee shop, just in time. Amazing very loud very wet storm. The man who owns the shop is a photographer and has a collection of Rolliflex cameras. He still takes and develops black and white film. Can’t drink any more espresso’s, a taxi is needed. Dash across the road and get taxi to Oasis, these “taxi’s” are not made for rain and water leaks in. Typically the rain becomes very light as we arrive back.

Tonight we are going to Happy Snapper back to Khao Lak town. Happy Snapper is an unusual bar, the World is painted on the ceiling, lots of different tables and chairs, most the tables are made from old sewing machines, the ones you worked with your feet. Happy Hour 6-9 so two Mojito’s ordered. There are a few people inside and some outside. We order Mojitos then ask for nachos and a dip. Half and hour goes by no nachos waiters pass us with endless food! We get an apology, “sorry many people outside ordered. The nachos finally arrive, the Dame doesn’t hang about she orders the main course and two more drinks right away. It’s eight thirty and the band starts, it’s a boy and girl singer accompanied by a guitarist. The boy has a good voice, but unfortunately not the girl. Service is very slow but eventually the food arrives and is very good. So is the owner of the club who plays base guitar, the guitarist has gone electric and now we have drums. The band still has the two singers, but the girl seems to be more in tune with the band. Embarrassing moment, whilst singing “What’s Love Got Do With It” she points the mike at all six of us and tries to make us sing along, not quite Glastonbury.

The band take another break and we decide head back to the hotel.

Good Bye “Breakfast at Tiffany’s“

Last night there was a tremendous storm, very loud thunder with torrential rains, definitely in the rainforest.

Our last breakfast at the Lodge. Having decided that five nights are too much as the Lodge is a bit isolated. So off to Khao Lak, this is a beach resort around one and a half hours away. The Dame has pre booked a driver from Khao Lak to pick us up from the Lodge, his name is Alex. Alex arrives at 10.30 we say our goodbyes to Mr Manager, to be fair he did well in the end getting some nice gluten free bread and cakes. The bread mix was called “Yes You Can” from Australia.

Alex stops at a view point, today is a little cloudy so not the best for photography, but still stunning craggy limestone karsts way into the distance,

During the journey Alex tries to get us to sign up for one of his excursions, we’ll give it some thought. Arrive at Oasis Khao Lok resort, after a good journey Alex is a very careful driver. There are eighteen individual chalets around a central swimming pool, nice and modern. They offer free transport to the beach and main town. So off to lunch in our limousine, well not quite a Roller.

We are the only two in the restaurant! But the food was fine, Duck stir fry with some very skillful vegetable flowers. After lunch a look at the local beach, interesting! This coast has many other beaches. The Oasis has an arrangement with the restaurant so they took us back. Siesta and afternoon by the pool and lovely warm water now we are further South.

Off to Khao Lok main town. We wait by the road for a songthaew here they call them taxis,but they all wizz by.

One on the opposite side stops and then attempts to turn round. He pulls up Khao town please, he doesn’t seeem to understand. “Ah Khao town is other way, but he will take us, the other thing here they have a set price, which is 150 Bhat. Now he has the problem over turning against the traffic, which takes about 10 mins. The Duke needs another pair of reading glasses, at this rate our holiday money will be spent of glasses, but luckily they are only 200 Bhat.

We manage to get a taxi to agree 100 to take us to the night market. It is a busy place lots of stalls with food and drink and of course all the clothing.

You can get a cocktail for 90 but is there any alcohol in it, then we spotted. A Nice cocktail stall with good music and a professional cocktail shaker, well that what the Dame called him, I think she liked his moves. Excellent Mojito’s, here 150 baht ( £4) A walk around the market and then some dinner at another stall hard to choose from the many selling cheap food that looks good. After dinner its bartering time as the Dame purchases a dress. That done the Duke needs a nightcap so back to the cocktail bar for a Gin Fizz. Taxi back to resort, lady taxi driver, boy she didn’t hang about.