March 26

March 26th 2002

Up and about early today, we have toast and lovely jam, tidy up and set off to Koh Chang. Something was wandering around last night Jon heard it eating stuff outside his chalet and I heard movements as I was dozing off, Wi tells us it was a deer. The Gecko�s were all calling last night � I really want to record their call, I have grown so used to hearing them, and seeing them run around the walls and ceilings of our rooms, I shall really miss them when I come home.

We had a mad minibus driver this morning, our 2 hour journey to the ferry took 1 hour 10 minutes. The ferry ride is a half hour trip � spent watching the island grow closer, it has a Hollywood style �Welcome to Koh Chang� sign at the dock! Another half hour scary drive in a pick up type truck with no back followed, steep roads and hairpin bends all taken at top speed, we were shaken to bits on our plank seats, except Wi who had the front seat.

Koh Chang is very beautiful we are staying at Chalet AA3, K B Bungalows, Khaidao House, Kai Bae Beach, owned and run by Dao {whose name means fried egg in English.} Lovely beaches and warm sea right in front of the chalets. These are fairly basic, a bed, a broken clothes rail, a wet room with cold water shower, loo with obligatory cold hose for your bum, used instead of loo roll. This is one thing that takes getting used to since we left Bangkok.

We had a wander around, Andrew bought me a lovely sarong black with vivid colours in a V pattern, and a razor for himself. Jon bought 3 sarongs too. We had a siesta, Glenn and Pete had a Thai massage, then all met up for cocktails on the beach to watch the sunset, which was beautiful, it sets into the sea and disappears behind the horizon. Wi recommended Chi Chi�s, a coconut and pineapple cocktail which became a favourite of mine.

Andrew had shaved, peoples reactions were hilarious, Wi didn�t recognise him, Amir took a minute or so to work out what had changed, Pete and Glenn worked it out immediately. Jon was funniest, he knew something had changed, but it took him a while before he worked it out, and we were mean and wouldn�t tell him. Wi said later to me that Andrew looks younger and better without the beard. Had a lovely meal at Dao�s, she speaks good English so that will be a bonus when we are ordering food on our own. We went for a stroll and tried a few more bars, walked over the rickety bridge that Jon and Pete had found earlier to the Joker then along the beach to Porn a great bar that makes wonderful cocktails. There is a Full Moon Party here soon, I think we�ll come to that.

12.20am, am woken up by a mozzie flying into my ear buzzing wildly. The rest of the night is a nightmare, packs of dogs fighting and howling, one scratched madly on our door, another dug a hole under our chalet. Worst night of our holiday � I hope the nights improve.