We entered Thailand from the Malaysia border after an 11 hour bus ride (5 hours longer due to the bus breakdown) and slipping the Thai border control policeman a little baksheesh (it all seemed so official I didn't realise until later that the money went straight into his pocket). Not the most auspicious of entrances to a country. But Thailand - what a gorgeous place. So gorgeous in fact, that we spent three months there instead of the one we had planned. The Eastern side of Thailand was still coming out of the rainy season when we arrived, so we headed straight for the West Coast.
After trying out a few different beaches and islands, we found nirvana on Ko Lanta with Ying, Lek, Wat, Tee, Tor, and of course, Mae's superb cooking. After an adventurous time renewing our month-long visas in Burma (a one-day trip) and hiking in Kao Sok National Park (leeches! LEECHES!) and exploring Phang-Nga Bay we returned to Ko Lanta for Christmas. My sister Cindy was in Thailand for a whirlwind tour, and after kidnapping her from the travesty that is Phuket, we had a fantastic New Years 2002/03 together.
Thailand is easy - people are friendly, the food is fabulous, travel is cheap, every travelling need is catered for, and there are temples and beaches. What more could you ask for in a country!?! |
