Tag #17 to #21

Hello,

after a few days we're back. We've been traveling a lot, so we had little opportunity to write.

As mentioned in the last post, on the 17th we went to Ang Thong Marine National Park. Together with many tourists, we sailed for about 1.5 hours by boat to the multitude of islands that the National Park houses. Unfortunately, not all fellow travelers were so 'seafaring', and so the vomit bags were used frequently. However, the park offered plenty of highlights:

- we first visited a saltwater lake on the first island, which we reached via stairs that reminded more of ladders

- then we started a 40-minute kayak tour over the reefs and undercut cliffs (unfortunately no pictures, because the lens of the action cam was fogged up)

- back on the boat we were surprised by the extensive and really good lunch

- fortified, we went to the next island, where we enjoyed a viewpoint that was only difficult to reach

- only Jakob took the path to a small stalactite cave, as Therry's injured foot unfortunately did not allow it. (don't worry, after a few days of only wearing flip-flops, Therry can walk in shoes again :) )

After a stormy journey home in bad weather, we were glad to have gotten a real luxury room for 600 baht in Chaweng for the next two days.

From Chaweng, on the 18th we drove around the north of Koh Samui, because we hadn't been there yet. In addition to the famous Big Buddha, we also visited other temples. In the evening, we went to the overly touristy city center of Chaweng. We were really shocked by the prices: menus for 1500 baht. Normally, we eat for about 200 baht together. We were also shocked that the mostly Chinese tourists left half of their expensive food uneaten - at least we managed to get a almost untouched 300 baht fish. Also for the benefit of a really photogenic stray cat.

Best news: we now have an electric kettle and two metal cups (together 200 baht!!! - well, it also depends on the quality) and can finally try curry pastes and noodle soups that you can buy packed here at the market.

The next day consisted only of the flight back to Phuket. From the airport, we took a taxi at night to Sirinat National Park. Advertised on the internet as really worthwhile, we were excited. The first disappointment: the bungalows of the park administration (I think you can expect that they are cheaper than the other accommodations) cost 700 baht per night. And they were really bad (not even wifi). After the park administration couldn't even tell us what we can see in the park the next day, we complained about the poor accommodation and even got 200 baht back :) During the day, we unfortunately also realized that the park consisted only of a touristy, expensive and polluted beach. Disappointed, we decided to walk to the airport in the afternoon to take the bus to Bangkok from there.

With the bus, it first took 1.5 hours to Phuket Town, then 4.5 hours to Surat Thani, and finally 14 hours in a sleeping car!!! to Bangkok. After we arrived pretty exhausted at noon today, we gratefully accepted the recommendation of the tourist information that there is a cheap hotel around the corner. 250 baht per night is indeed cheap, so we didn't let ourselves be deterred by the unsympathetic, almost creepy atmosphere. Of course, we paid without even looking at the room ....

Arriving there, we found out that the room had nothing to offer besides the advertised 'fan and private bathroom'. Unfortunately, not even a power outlet :((( In addition, the room was too dirty and simple, simply run down, even for the price (see picture)

We immediately went to the reception, where a heated discussion broke out: we wanted our money back. Unfortunately, the old man who owned the hotel - which had been standing long before we were born, as he emphasized again and again - saw that power outlets are really standard equipment today. We should have asked whether there are power outlets here, so it's our own fault. After the heated discussion with an agitated Jakob, Therry's mildness somehow managed to make him back down, phew, learned something again!

Now we have a nice room in a side street for 375 baht a night, and we just went on our first exploration tour through a thunderstorm in the city.

Tomorrow we hope to see more of the city.

Your Teri Yaki

P.S. 40 baht is about 1 euro