After taking 2 flights, a 2hr taxi ride, a 2 hr minibus ride, a 2 hr speedboat and a 10 minute longtail boat ride, we finally made it to Ko Lipe. Even though we had spared ourselves a crazy overland journey from the top to bottom of Thailand, it still took us more than a full day of travelling, to get to this tiny island. It's easy to see why people don't travel down this far. We wouldn't really have considered it, if we had only two weeks. Just too much hassle for what it is. As part of a 51 island marine park, KO Lipe is advertised as an unspoilt paradise of white sandy beaches, coral reefs, tropical fish and sea turtles. We didn't find that it quite lived up it's reputation. Though very beautiful, and largely undeveloped, the marine life was rather disappointing. There were very few fish. And the corals were either damaged or not that spectacular. We even went to four of the surrounding islands but saw nothing better. It was like all the marine life was being destroyed. Indeed, just outside the marine park area, we saw many large fishing boats casting their factory nets. A local told is that even the sea turtle is being caught for trade with the large chinese population, who live on the mainland and in Malaysia. So much for conservation and the Marine Park!

However, I'm being a little harsh here. We had a great time on the island and really enjoyed it's many fine, white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. The locals were very helpful and friendly. And the food was largely very good. There was even had a coffee dock at the place that we were staying, with over 20 different types to choose from. I think I only managed about a third. Just to goddam hard to hold the cup straight, without spilling it, when the violent twitching begins. After 3 cups I usually take my twitches a swimming. Great to lay back and let the coffee take over. Think I even invented a new stroke. The double breasted, skinny, falpacciono. Sounds almost like some of the local beach girls! Oops! Not very pc.

We had free entertainment too, in the form of Lewy the frog. I think our little friend had a soft spot for Isabelle. He just wouldn'y go away. On the first day, I tried to move him outside our bungalow by carefully putting him on a piece of card and placing it outside. But when I closed the door and went back inside I found him sitting there, grinning at me, in the very same spot, I had removed him from. He had jumped through the window! Then, the following day, when Isabelle returned to the bungalow to use the loo, she found him sitting on the toilet seat staring up at her, as if he knew she was on her way back. When she moved him aside to have a leak, she jokingly asked him ' and what are you doing here, hmmm?', he turned his head to the side and looked at her face, as if to ask 'what to you think,hmmm?'. Just as well she was sitting on the loo, cause she p****d herself laughing.

We are now are in Malaysia where we've met up with Karen and Michael, friends from back home. I'll post something on this soon.

After almost electrocuting myself in two different internet shops, I've given up on posting some photos. That will have to wait until later.