Well, I finally managed to drag myself off the beach and rented a little motorbike for a bit of sightseeing...

Anyone that knows me well, knows that me and things with engines don't mix (I was actually thinking about this the other night and came to the horrifying conclusion that I've never had possesion of a vehicle that I didn't crash - unless you count my car driving lessons, and that was always a close call!) Not bad crashes, you understand - mainly inannimate objects, like walls and lamp-posts...
So, with a devil-may-care I'm on holiday so nothing can hurt me ner-ner-ne-ner-ner attitude (I'm so mature) I went out and rented a bike to see a bit more of the island.
Those that suffered with me as I was taking my bike license last year know the problems I had with the dreaded u-turn. (Martin - I'm sure you're cringing remembering the hours spent watching me go round in circles!) So I was mooching around the island, and realised the Big Buddah turn off was just behind me. Being the reckless type, I decided to do a u-turn, just to prove I am now over the phobia (and because I get a bit sick of riding in straight lines). I was about 3/4s of the way through (and doing rather well) when Scrappy Doo leaped out infront of me from behind a bin and threw himself at my bike. Needless to say, I did the girly thing and shrieked as I slammed on the brakes and swerved... Obviously I crashed the dammed thing (these things don't have crash bars!) - so had to pay up the 1500B to get it fixed, grrr! The dog then had the sheer audacity to bark and yap at me like it was my fault. Bruises look so good with a tan, don't you think?

Not that it put me off, mind - I still went to the Big Buddah View image, and the waterfalls View image and the charming grandfather View image and grandmother View image stones.
I saw elephants and crocodiles, monkeys trained to pick coconuts (Dawn - don't look) View image, View image and heaps of other stuff (including this dude - a mummified monk wearing shades! View image) - but still wished I'd run over Scrappy at the time. I'll never be a buddist :oP Don't they eat dogs here? mmm kebab! (only kidding Jannyanne)

Anyway - after the drama of the day, I went and chilled out to watch the sunset View image from a vantage point on the beach. I took my cd player with me and just relaxed for a while listening to the soundtrack to Kal Ho Naa Ho which I bought in Calcutta after watching the film (by the way - what does the film title mean? Anyone know?) it was bliss! On the subject of Bollywood films, the other one I watched in India was called Khakee - and I couldn't figure out what the prisoner guy was arrested for? Any suggestions? Dusty - can you help at all? It's been bugging me since I saw it. I think I got the rest of the plot down, but I couldn't figure out what that bit of paper was that he signed at the hospital...

Anyway - thats me done with the rambling for now - just thought I'd share some more photos of the island with you so you can all drool from home... View image, View image, View image, View image. See - it's hell being me - none of you understand how hard it is to look at those views everyday... :oP