When the going gets tough, the tough go to the beach. With the processing of my passport application being dealt with by the starched shirts at the British Embassy in Bangkok, there was nothing to do but wait, and where better to contemplate my navel than at the beach on a tropical island? Let me see...nope can't think of any really. So it was off to Ko Kud for me.
A few things about late May in Thailand. It's the start of the rainy season and this means...well, rain mainly. It also means bugs of a blood sucking nature, who enlivened by the warm wet conditions, start to party. I guess the two above related factors explains why May, June & July are the 'closed season' for Thailand's tourist spots. Ko Kud was no exception. I ended up being the only tourist (and I really mean I saw no-one else) on the west side of the island (fourth biggest in Thailand so considerably bigger than Lundy!). All the accommodation was (not surprisingly) also closed but I managed to wangle my way into a resort called A Na Lay for a handful of beans (good value compared to what it would cost in the 'on' season). I also negotiated with the owner 'Vee' to eat the same meals as the lads that were repairing the rather swanky hillside bungalows. A limited choice but as authentic Thai food as you could wish for, if a little eye wateringly spicy at times.
So I had my own private resort effectively, all to myself making me feel a bit like Richard Branson hanging out on one of his own islands. But I also felt a bit like Robinson Crusoe in my isolation.
It did rain quite a lot and I also got bitten to bugg*ry (to use a very apt expletive) so it wasn't all coconut flavoured gravy. Also the solitude started to get to me and I started playing cribbage with a Milky Joe character of my own invention.
The beach on the west of Ko Kud where I hung out with Milky Joe.
My own teak wood veranda looking west over the sea.
The rickety jetty (under repair) looking west, sun setting behind.
A sun lounger. Not that useful when there's no sun but could be used at a push to shelter under when the rain lashes down.
A strange fruit, not to be mistaken for Simon Callow...another strange fruit.
Whilst on Ko Kud, I learnt it was my friends', Catrin & Pops, wedding. So here's a wee message of congratulations and good luck...and a can of Singha beer with which I toasted their health.
In case you couldn't read it, here's a close up and I think you might need bifocals!
No comments:
Post a Comment