We spent a long weekend at this gorgeous island off the south-eastern Gulf coast. Like many places in SE Asia, it took a plane, a boat, and a minivan to get us there.
Once on the island, we found our guesthouse on a river that feeds into the sea. We hiked our way toward the interior of the island, uphill through the forest, to a waterfall and a great swimming area.
We also spent some time with an elephant sanctuary and got to bathe, ride, and feed one. We also made friends with our self-described 'boy mahout'. Another beautiful place in this amazing part of the world.
Once on the island, we found our guesthouse on a river that feeds into the sea. We hiked our way toward the interior of the island, uphill through the forest, to a waterfall and a great swimming area.
We also spent some time with an elephant sanctuary and got to bathe, ride, and feed one. We also made friends with our self-described 'boy mahout'. Another beautiful place in this amazing part of the world.
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| Few airports are so small and cute |
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| Even the plane and manicured bushes were cute |
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| This ferry took us and the minivan across to the island |
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| The river community was holding its annual blind kayak race |
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| All paddlers wore blindfolds |
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| This family lives at the guesthouse we stayed in |
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| These crabs are usually quick enough to hide under the sand before I can snap a pic |
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| The mysterious Thai crab circles from space |
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| I loved the gas stations here |
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| Apparently, it's a Mecca for Russian tourists |
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| Your one-stop shop for books and motor scooters |
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| A less fancy gas station |
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| Beth's next job assignment. She'll have to learn 'Eaglish' first. |
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| Did I mention the gas stations here? |
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| The traditional Thai sport |
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| The trail toward the waterfall |
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| These fish were literally man-eating |
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| They nibbled for as long as you could take it and hold still |
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| This was *perfect* water on a 100 degree day. (The Thais were all shivering, which has become my customary role in the water since living in Michigan. I empathize completely, but it felt weird to be the only warm one in the water.) |
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| Now look, see, just stay calm and no one gets hurt! |
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| Mr. Boy Mahout got a call from his mama while taking us out for a spin with Nellie. By the way, is she the one who buys your shirts? Just asking. |
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| He's 12 - such a nice kid, going to school, learning English, and he enjoys working |
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| Rubber plantation - part of a big industry in Thailand |
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| The sap is extracted and refined to make rubber |
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| Chillin' - a universal tradition |
