Days 231 to 271 – Dan & Beth’s Travels in Thailand

22nd November / 2nd January 2015
1 x Train
2 x Plane
7 x Boat
3 x Scooter

I left the Dakar in Bangkok being serviced and overhauled put a few clothes in a small rucksack and…

I met Beth at Bangkok airport and after a night chilling out we got the night train to Surat Thani then a boat to Koh Samui where we spent 5 days with friends from England; Libby & Rob. Having been to Koh Samui 24 years earlier the change was staggering with hotels, shops and people everywhere.

Beth and I both wanted to try diving so we headed to Koh Tao which is a small island with a laid back and chilled feel. We stayed at ‘Earth House’ with Kerry a friend of a friend before heading off to Dive School for a few days. it was so beautiful seeing all the corals and fish. We’re now open water divers.

Beth has wanted to go to ‘Full Moon Beach Party’ ever since she decided to come to Thailand so we went to our third island in two weeks, Koh Phangan and Beth went off partying with some of the many people she’s met here and I found some slightly older guys and I got home later than she did – Ha Ha.

We then took a flight to Chiang Mai and explored the jungle on a scooter and then on elephants – wow.

Another flight down to the West coast where Beth went to Koh Phi Phi for a few days and I returned to Koh Samui for a relaxing week on a not too busy part of the island.

A few days before Christmas we took the boat from Koh Samui to Koh Tao and I don’t hesitate in saying it was not only by far the worst experience I’ve had on a boat it was also the most frightening experience of my life. Beth and I sat inside the small catamaran where soon after leaving the waves rocked the boat, over the next 1 1/2 hours the waves & swell were so bad the boat was being violently thrown around. Most people were being sick and many were frightened for their safety. Beth was so frightened she grabbed hold of me for the entire crossing, at one point I was seriously concerned for our safety and without the experience of the seas I wondered if the boat would capsize.

I’ve never felt that my life was in danger before. It’s not an experience I want again.

Christmas in Koh Tao was really good, Christmas Eve was spent with new friends who we met last time we were there and Beth & I had a relaxing day around the pool on Christmas Day, dinner was chicken fried rice so not traditional but nevertheless a good day.

New Years Eve in Bangkok with friends was lovely. How old will I be when I can resist my desire to dance on tables?

So, 6 weeks travelling around Thailand with my daughter, how lucky I am to have the life I do.

Bethan now flys to Australia for a year complete with a working visa and I get back on the Dakar.

I’m going to miss you like crazy darling, enjoy the new life you’re going to have, if all goes well I’ll be in Australia late spring 2015 x