Ko Tao

Hi everyone!
We're now on the island of Ko Tao, northeast of Surat Thani. We spent yesterday (after I met up with the guys) going around downtown Ko Phangnan, which they said was largely dead after the full moon party festivities. A lot of street vendors, scooters everywhere (and frightening drivers, dad), very hot, but really fun to be with them after all the flying. A lot of stray dogs, a few monkeys, a monstrous python, a cock fight, but the wildlife are definitely the drivers. We had wonderful chicken curry for lunch at a family restaurant the guys had been to yesterday (right next to where we were staying. They liked it because the 8 year old daughter flies around on her scooter to pick up ingredients), I'm sure all of you would love the food here. Very spicy.

Today we took a high speed katamaran to this island, and I have to say, it's blown us all away. Gorgeous. There's a promenade around the beach that stretches for miles, and we've spent the afternoon walking it, talking to others (mostly European, very few Americans), having wonderful food and enjoying the beach views. Very hot and humid, but we're all quite happy. We're staying in a small bungalow (the norm around here) owned by Mr. J, our...eccentric propietor. He has a store out front with everything in it.

Tomorrow we're planning on hiking to the East end of the island, doing some cliff diving, snorkeling, then coming back to the west side where we're living and playing cribbage, reading, and taking in some sun.

There are a lot of shops, but we're pretty heavily laden as is (glad I didn't bring my camera stuff...would've been safe, but my bag is already very heavy.) We're planning on doing a little shopping and exploring in Chiang Mai, although none of us really want to leave Ko Tao.

Posting pictures right now isn't really feasible in the internet cafes, and I've mostly been taking film pictures, but a lot of beautiful scenes to be had.

More to come, hope all's well!
Love from Ko Tao,
Anton