Our bus from Bangkok to Krabi was pleasant 14 hour journey with a sketchy tourist company that played “screw-the-falong” all the way down. We were told that we would be going direct to Krabi (even got a map drawn for us to illustrate what “direct” meant), but were dropped off on the side of the road at 5am to wait for a small van to pick us up 2 hours later. All our luggage was piled on our laps as we drove for 3 hours, got lost, got dropped at another tourist office that tried to demand more money, and finally arrived at our destination. Although I have grown somewhat accustomed to these dirty tricks of the trade, Luke was none to pleased upon arrival, and immediately began talk of tourist police.

We settled on Au Nang beach, which Lonely Planet and Frommer’s called “only a jumping off point for the Islands”. However, Lonely Planet fails again (gasp!), and Luke and I ended up dumping our plans for Koh Pee-Pee and Phuket to hang out in Au Nang for our 5 day stay in the south.

Main highlights included watching the sunset while floating in the water, paddling around the gorgeous bays in a kayak, and taking a day trip to four of the surrounding islands in Krabi. We went to 2 islands to relax on the beach and swim in the water, and 2 islands where we snorkled and dove off the 2nd story of our boat. Luke tried valiently to achieve a 1.5 flip, but instead managed several 1.25 flips, much to the enjoyment of the crew. The islands and views of the ocean were absolutely spectacular (check out the pictures), and looked like something staight out of a post card. The only bummers of the day was a few jelly fish stings I sustained on my face, and a very nasty burn for Luke. Thrilling.

We left Krabi on another 14 hour overnight bus ride to Bangkok (with no problems, this time), arriving at Koh San Road at 6am. After breakfast, some zilch, and a long nap, we grabbed a tuk-tuk to see the tailors that were putting together Luke’s very expensive suit. Unfortunately the jacket was done all wrong, and we spent an hour going over all the changes that needed to be made.

That night, we checked out the “ping pong” district, as Luke and I called it, where all the famed “ping-pong”, banana, and other high class entertainment by … very talented women takes place. Our favorite quote as we were passing by these bars was “she will smoke a cigarette!” Though we were curious about this amazing display of skill, we couldn’t bring ourselves to actually check out a show. We found a cool outdoor bar where we reclined on long pillow chairs for a while, checked out a market, and witnessed a fairly violent fight, whereupon we decided the night was officially over.

The next day, we fought once again with the tailor, who agreed to a long string of demands laid out by Luke. The tailor said he needed another week to finish the jacket, promising the send the final product to Luke via post upon completion. Obviously wary of this arrangement, Luke drew up a 2 page contract that the tailor signed, listing the changes to the suit, holding the tailor to WTO trade laws, and laying our the course of action (and non payment) if Luke were not fully satisfied. It was a bit amusing.

After the tailor, we wandered around one of the largest and most disorienting markets I’ve ever seen. We took the sky train back, ate some bugs from a street vendor, and got all dressed up to check out the “Bed Supper Club”, an international upscale bar and restaurant. After enjoying a few drinks and delicious food, laying down on sheets and pillows, we came back to our hotel where Luke busted through packing in 2 hours, drinking whiskey all the while. He left at 4am this morning, and emailed me at 6 saying that the airline people said he smelled like “whikey” and that he shouldn’t have any more to drink on the plane. A perfect way to end a stay in Thailand.

I have 35 minutes left before I start my very long journey to Honolulu to meet up with Beth and later my mom and sister in Kauai. I’ll be staying over in South Korea for one day, where I will hopefully check out Seoul, and then it’s Aloha Hawaii!!