Ko Laan, Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Woke up about 7am, stretched, had OJ, showered, and read some more on Pattaya and Ko Chang. Had a nice call from Trish at 8:50am. Left at 10:30 and bought a 100B top up for my cell phone, at the FamilyMart store. Needed help from the clerk to call in the added minutes. 100 minutes were added; good for a month. Tried calling Bill, but got message that the number was incomplete. Found out this evening from Roger that the number was too long. Didn't need the 1 at the beginning.

I walked on down to Beach Street, then over to Bali Hai pier and bought a 20B ticket to Ko Laan, or Ko Larn, or Koh Laan, depending on which map you have. The ferry boat left at noon, from the end of the 200 yard long pier. The boat was nearly full, probably 100 passengers, noisy, with constant vibrations, and slow. It took 40 minutes to cover the 5 miles. The boat ties up to the Na Baan pier, next to the town which is a cluster of small building crowded together, with narrow paved stone streets. There is no sand beach, just a seawall along the town. Scooters are rented, and songthaews are available at the pier. I walked on the only road out of town to the sand beach at the south end of the island, Nual Beach.

On the way I photographed a small Buddhist temple, and further down the road, bought some barbequed meat tied between 2 thin sticks, from a road side food cart. The meat was probably chicken, chopped into short pieces, with lots of little bones. Good flavor. Cost 10B.

The road branches off part way, to go to the west side and another 2 sand beaches. I spent an hour or so, on the beach, relaxing, and floating and swimming. There may have been 100 people on the beach, but the end I went to was almost deserted. There are a lot of lounges, umbrellas, food stands and a table and chair eating area, with a bungalow resort at one end of the beach. The water looked clearer than at Pattaya, probably about the same as at Ko Rinn. I didn't bring my mask, but I should have, because I could see dark areas, indicating rocks and probably coral, within a few hundred feet of the shore.

I walked back in time for the 4:30 boat, but there was none. I was thirsty, so I bought a little bottle of coke, 250ml, at the 7-11, for 10B. The boat left at 5pm, and again, it was 20B for the ride.

I again walked down Walking Street, to see it in lights, since the sun was setting. Most of the lights were not yet turned on. I continued onto Beach St. and turned inland at a narrow street to find a cheap place to eat. The side streets have bars, with lots of girls in some of them. Probably the start of their shift, with no customers. One group clapped and called out to me as I walked toward their bar. Many of the bars are open air and right next to the sidewalk or street. The girls stopped as soon as I passed. The street did not go through as a young man walking toward me, informed me. He asked where I was from and said he was expecting a friend to fly in next week from Seattle. The girls ignored me as I went back past them.

I found the bigger street, which did go through, past Boyz Town, and onto 2nd Road. I stopped at a sidewalk restaurant and looked through the long menu book, complete with photos. Being hungry, everything looked good. Lots of choices, including all kinds of seafood. It all looked asian, although I can not tell the difference among the types of dishes. I guess that it is all Thai, although I don't know what makes it Thai. I ordered fried mixed vegetables and chicken, for 80B. It was served in a bowl, in a broth. Also, got a helping of steamed white rice, for 20B, and a bottle of coke for 15B. The broth had a nice gentle flavor, although I don't know what it was. I left a 5B tip. After I got back I found the place was named in Let's Go, the Pakboongloyfa. The place is near Boyz Town and some of the waiters acted like 'boys'.

I was still thirsty, so I bought a small bottle of orange juice from a food cart. Fresh squeezed from small oranges. Unusual flavor, but strong. Cost 20B.

I went back through Walking Street. It was now dark and more of the lighted signs were turned on, so it had more character. I kept on walking up the hill to Roger's condo, perhaps a mile distance. I was talked to only by the songthaew drivers asking 'Taxi?', and a couple of girls asking 'Where you going?'. Not as direct as some of the streetwalkers, or possibly decoys, in SF. The walk would have been a little scary because some of the land is brushy, but the roads are lighted and the traffic, mostly scooters, is almost continuous. Got some good walking exercise and saved a few Baht.

Finally got the number right and talked to Bill tonight, on his break. Harry will be in for one day tomorrow, and Oye and kids come in on Friday.

Total outlay today 300B, including 100B for the cell phone minutes.