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Things are so good here we changed our original plans and decided to stay an extra few nights but there was a good reason. The local Thai Bar (there are only 2 bars on the island) was hosting a free live ska/reggae band which we could not resist. These parties don’t happen very often so we felt obliged to give them our support.

We’ve been here almost 2 weeks, haven’t seen a cloud and yet, on the night it chose to rain…yah boo sucks!! (warm rain Paul, warm rain..) Did anyone care? Naaa, not a problem. The music was not bad at all for a Thai band with dreadlocks.

Things were going really well, when disaster struck!! The generator packed up at about 10.30 p.m. the place was in darkness, the rain continued to fall and more people squashed into the tiny bar area and the pungent aroma of weed strengthened. The locals started to sing and clap to keep the party going.

All in all, a fun night but a shame for the Thai rasta owner who organised it, as we suspect he makes an entire season’s profits on the party night.

Getting back to the bungalow was a laugh. After a few cocktails we had two options, both in total darkness. First, walk the extremely rickety bridge over the Khlong (canal) and risk falling into the mud up to your neck or to wade through the khlong further along the beach. We chose, with Lisa and Gary, to wade, as it was only knee high water to get to the party. However, the tide had risen through the evening. Cheryl was up to her chin in water and the wallet containing the money had to be dried out next day. But it was funny and we did laugh so much.

There was a bonus. As we were soaked we walked through the water along the beach at high tide. The fluorescent plankton in the surf was absolutely amazing….we’ve never seen anything like it. Stars in the sea.

Other things we forgot to mention in our original blog entry.

1. Electricity arrives in the bungalow at about 18.00hrs and goes off, around 10 or 11ish with about 5 minutes notice, from the man closing up shop. He does give you a candle.
2. The resort owner makes his own wine – elegantly served up in a beer Chang bottle sealed with plastic and an elastic band.
3. Our favourite restaurant has 2 Mynah Birds that mimic the owner’s hacking cough and throat clearing plus the sound of squealing brakes of the motor bikes as they pass.
4. Sven, local German resident, had his arse bit by a scorpion the other morning. That’ll teach him not to shake his shorts out before he puts them on.
5. Nothing is done in a hurry here, food is cooked from fresh and takes time…….lots of time.
6. Neil recognised a guy on the beach. He’s been travelling quite a few years, we first met him in Goa 5 and 4 years ago and now he’s here on the island in a different resort…..small world huh!??

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Sadly we are leaving our island haven and are moving on tomorrow. Ferry boat at 8am then bus from Ranong to Hat Yai – Neil is already getting excited by the prospect of 8 hours on a bus.