From Grads to Nomads

We spent 2 wonderful days on the beach in Kata, Phuket, although the 2nd day was better for me than for Rob. => Rob/Bob Interjects:

Having a sensitive optical condition I am forced to wear sunglasses that both make me look stylish and shield my eyes from the harsh rays of the sun. While the rest of the group were boarding in the sea, I was deep into a book (something on eastern mysticism, I think.) After an hour or so my tender white/pink skin was starting to burn. As such, I took a quick dip into the ocean; something/one caught my eye. I went out further into investigate, indeed I am a bit on the curious side. Just then a rouge wave hit me, and stole my Maui Jim's literally off my face. Well, I have been heartbroken ever since. While I am a highly trained diver, the conditions were far too dangerous to seach for them in that capacity. Fortunatly I have another set, however my Aviators are purely for making me look tough, yet trendy, they lack the polarization I so sorely miss. Ocean 1, Bob 0.

Just a quick note readers/mom: Christmas is coming up fast.. hint, hint

And now back to our regularly scheduled Sarah:


The next morning, at 8am we left Phuket, the taxi to the bus station made me horribly ill feeling, and then we hopped on a so called air conditioned Thai bus across the country to the Gulf of Thailand. The bus took us through very windy areas, with a narrow road, essentially across Thai mountains. The bus played these horrible Thai videos which were very irritating to listen to, and were probably the worst movies I have ever seen in my life. Picture a poorly painted backdrop with four Thais in costume and the sound of a symbal crashing in the background every minute and a half. This goes on for about two hours. We drove past an area hit badly by the Tsunami, you could see uprooted trees and tons of construction by the water as there were no buildings left.

We finally, 5 and a half hours later, got to Surat Thani, and drove right past the bus station as the bus dropped us off at a tourist shop. We were then told we had to really hurry to get into another mini van to take us to the ferry. Well, this was a HUGE scam, as they drove us to a ferry port an hour away when we had been less than 10 minutes from one, and charged us at least double what we should have paid. We were not happy at all about being ripped off, but we had little choice in the matter. We have also picked up 2 British girls along the way who have been staying with us the past 2 days.

After the ferry ride to Koh Phanghan, we were bombarded by little people trying to sell us on their bungalows. As it was late, dark, and we were starving, we picked the best priced one and hopped into the back of a truck. We ended up going down this dirt road to nowhere and while the bungalows were cute, they were ridiculously hot, and with no AC! I have never had a hotter night in my life! plus the huge cockroach in our bathroom left something to be desired. It was a sweaty tough night, and the one picture is of the bungalow, very rustic, with a toilet that you have to flush by dumping water into it. The toilets at the new place are the same, which does make me long for some items in Western culture. Plus I have not stopped sweating in 2 days and I am longing for snow right now!

The beach at our place is gorgeous, although thie island appears to be much more backpackerish and rustic than anywhere else we have been. At any rate, at least we have AC for tonight and hopefully all the roaches stay out of sight!