Koh Phangan 10/06/06

So the train arrived at 6am and of course I was already wide awake after a night fending off the mossies!!! We all jumped off and walked to a cafe for breakfast, just toast and jam - yummy....
We had a bit of time to hang around before we could get the bus to the ferry. We had a look round the local market which was so nice. It was mainly a food market with some interesting smells, you could actually buy catfish that were still wriggling around!! I wish we were staying in place that we could cook in as I would of loved to try some of the food.
Anyway after the market and playing with some kittens we went back to the cafe at 8am ready to get on the buses. We were on the buses for about 40 minutes so that was not too bad.
When we arrived at the port we had around 15 minutes til we could board the ferry so it was a quick toilet stop. Well the toilets were not too great, squat loo with no flush and luckily I had my own tissues!!!
We all clambered onto to ferry and up the stairs to the deck where we dumped our bags. I spent some time out there and quite a bit of time in the so-called air con area. Read for a bit and wrote some of my journal. We were on the ferry for a couple of hours, there were some quite stunning views as we began to arrive at Koh Phangan.
We finally arrived at about 12.30pm after about a day of travel. We were collected from the ferry by 2 pick-up trucks so our bags were balanced in the centre and we had to sit either side with nothing really to hold onto. It was an experience as the roads were very basic, hilly and bumpy. I am glad I wasn't at the back of the truck...! It was quite a hot ride as well due to the sun beating down on us. I did manage to keep myself pretty covered up though. It was good fun anyway.
That journey took around 40 minutes and when we arrived at out bungalows I was amazed to see they were right on the beach, well the bar/restaurant was. We were welcomed with a sweet paradise style necklace and a whole coconut with a straw each. Was really nice. I drank some but it seemed to be getting fuller so left alot.
Kit sorted our rooms out and we all went off to find our bungalows, we were a walk up some steps. They were quite nice bungalows with basic accommodation. Flush toilet but no hot water. Hey you can't have it all. We had to tell some guys which bags were ours and this tiny little guy carried mine and Kelly's rucksacks up in one go, I don't know how he did it.
We sorted out our stuff and had a shower which was very welcomed!!! Went down to check out the bay and beach. I took some photos.
I wandered along the beach a bit and read some. A few of the group jumped in the sea but I wasn't too fussed. Went online for a bit although it was a little pricey.
I chatted to Phillip for a bit and then Kelly and Ali came over. Phillip, Eliza, Urvi and Kelly started playing volleyball so Ali and I joined Bekki and Renu in the sea - it was so warm and shallow for a long way. Kelly joined us after a bit and we just chilled.
Everyone decided to meet at 7.30 for dinner so after showering, again, and changing thats what we did.
Just ate in the resort restaurant, only mixed veg over rice which was nice.
Some of the group went to the pub after dinner, some to bed. Kelly, Ali and I wandered down the beach to the payphone with our carefully collected coins. Spoke to Dad for a few minutes.
Walked back to the bungalows around 10.30. Went to bed and chatted a while.
Dawnie xxx