We decided on Ko Samui in the end, and hopped on a ferry to get us there in an hour and forty minutes, which in true Thai style took about 2 and a half. Hired another deathtrap bike and explored around the island a bit to find somewhere to stay, and settled for a place called Matlang north of Hat Chaweng beach, another pleasant thatched hut in a leafy setting. This was after a good hour’s driving the bike in a full monsoon shower, that was fun…
Have lazed about mostly so far, but tomorrow are taking a full day’s cruise to the Ao Thong Marine Park a little way off Samui, then taking a late ferry back to Surat Thani on the mainland and a night train to Bangkok. The slight drag I am having is that my ear has exploded again after diving a few days ago, to the point where I had to go to a clinic in Ko Tao to get it looked at. It turns out I have a blister on the inside of my ear which has burst and got infected, so no more going in the water for me for the time being. I also cannot hear a thing through that ear, but I am loaded up with pills of all kinds so let’s hope for the best.
Now for some shopping! (or maybe a beer)