johnsunter.com - The adventures of an ordinary person...

The following day we decided to get out and explore some more of the Island.

Wanted to get a jeep but we had a limited budget and costs on the Island were a lot higher than Bangkok.

We decided to wander along the coastal road, as it gave the best views of the Ocean.

There were a number of small Island just of the coast of Koh Chang.

It was possible to go on a boat trip and visit some of the Island.

From here we could see people canoeing to the Island. This must have been smart, as you would effectively have the whole island to yourself.

We stopped here for a can of coke and then continued on our way.

We left the road and started to trek through the Jungle (views weren't as nice, but the experience was much more pleasant)

As we trekked we crossed various sort of vegetation and landscape.

At times there was no path as such and we just walked through fields like this one.

On other occasions we walked through the jungle undergrowth.

We arrive at Bang Bao. A small town literally on legs.

Shops, restaurants bars all connected by wooden walkway.

I tried not to look down at the water, as rubbish was simply thrown down there and taken out with the tide

There were mattresses, nappy's and all sorts of things there.

Further away, this hotel was made up of a collection of stilted huts connected by a walkway.

I wish we had more time there, I would love to have stayed in one of these.

The lighthouse at Bang Bao.

The colour of the ocean, the colour of the sky and the salt air all combined for one of life's special moments.

The following day, back to Bangkok. We decided to save money and travel by minibus.

Frank calculates that a 5 hour journey to Pattaya a stopover there and then 2 hours back to bangkok will work.

The minibus was at least air conditioned, but confusion about who was traveling and who wasn't made it leave 90 minutes late.

Still we met some pretty cool guys from the North-east of England and had a good chat with them on the way.

The minibus rolls onto the ferry.

We get out and sit on the viewing platform.

A last look at Koh Chang.

I had visited Pattaya before and spent 9 days there (one of the happiest times of my life).

This was a bit different. We weren't staying in the Woodlands this time.

We wandered around looking for somewhere cheap and ended up in some flop house called the Carlton.

Never mind it had a bath so I got cleaned up; got some sleep and we headed out for a couple of drinks.

I got this action shot of the Ocean road at night.

I had walked down the famous walking street on my previous visit during the daytime.

I had read that the place came alive at night and that was certainly true.

The usual fayre of restaurants/takeaways selling just about every type of cuisine, souvenir stalls of every kind, the usual adult entertainment and of course a couple of Irish bars which we made straight for.

While walking along the street we saw this young boy who had spectacular football and balance skills.

He immediately caught everyone's eye. I quickly composed myself as I have seen pickpocket distractions like this in other countries before.

I shouldn't have worried, he had a sign saying he needed money to start a foot balling career (I thought it only took talent ?) and asked for donations.

Since his "act" was pretty good, we put 20 bat in his bucket.

I fulfilled a personal ambition by visiting a bar that had live Thai Boxing.

Neither competitor appeared to be fighting for freedom or the love of a good woman, if you know what I mean.

That said it was entertaining. At the end of the match, their "trainer" brought the victor out and we were invited to tip him.

Minutes later he returned with the loser expecting the same treatment. My western culture has a problem with rewarding failure in this way.

I decided that since the man had been beaten like a gong for my entertainment he deserved something.

The following day we caught the bus back to Bangkok.

Three days on the Island of Koh Chang (2/2).