29 Oct

29 Oct - Are today's backpackers a bit soft? Has living in a nanny state taken it's toll on a generation of travellers? A quick look at the photo right and it would appear to be a photo of a group of fresh faced visitors enjoying their Asian adventure. But look closer, you'll see that they are all carrying cushions (an orange one, brown one, burgundy one and a pale blue one) to protect their sensitive backsides from the rigours of the Bangkok to Trat bus journey. Call me old fashioned, but there's something just plain wrong about travelling half-way around the world carrying your own cushion.

Our wealthy neighbours atAana Resort just across the river from our house, and Evolution Tour have got together to offer special rates for visitors to this site who are in need of upmarket accommodation from now until 19 December. Room Rates, inclusive of Tax etc:

Deluxe = 3,300 THB per night with breakfast
Deluxe Grand = 3,700 THB per night with breakfast
Villa = 6,400 THB per night with breakfast
** Stay 7 nights - pay only 6 nights **
** Stay 12 nights - pay only 10 nights **

Make an enquiry but bear in mind that whilst it will be peaceful midweek, at the weekend the place often fills up with Thai tour groups on '2 day / 1 night' packages who love making a racket - screeching as they canoe in circles and getting over excited at the sight of a breakfast buffet.

On Koh Mak, a newly built coffeeshop / internet cafe on 800sqm of land can be yours for a negotiable annual rent of 200,000 baht - includes accommodation. A cheap way to live on a desert island. More . . .

Just added an update on the 'Good Time' housing project on Koh Mak. There are a couple of small single floor houses which are ideal for anyone looking for a place to stay for a month or two a year and then rent it out to holidaymakers for when they aren't using it. These teak houses were priced at 68,000 Euros and are now 58,000 Euros each, for a 90 year lease including 400sqm of land. Both are under construction now. (As this photo on the left shows.)

Koh Chang in the blogs . . . what some visitors have been saying about KC this week:

Allies Travels: "Koh Chang...we are finally here! There isn't much of a beach. The 'white sand' is actually under the water, so laying out kind of sucks...but the swimming in amazing! Everytime I look in the water, I want to jump in! It's so blue and clear, and the sand is so soft...and rock and creature-free! I haven't had any encounters with any jellyfish yet which is good, although I still have my fingers crossed! "

Lisa and Jason: The row of Thai girls standing at the front, trying to lure customers in welcomed us with gracious Thai smiles. We sit down. Nigel, the bar owner comes over and welcomes us to his bar. Friendly people, friendly owner, great music. All is good. We order the famous rye and soda. Sure it is a little (ok, a lot) more expensive than everywhere else. but the music!!! Then, our server, sits down. Apparently, we have our own private server. She's nice enough and spoke a little bit of English and it took a good 3 minutes before we both got extremely uncomfortable. Is she ever going to go away? Then we notice. Lisa is the only girl, other than the Thai girls, in the whole bar. Yup, every man has a personal server. But those men have their hands on the bums of their server. Yes, top notch service. Happy ending? No thank you. So, we made our way up the road to Paddy's Irish pub. They just like to drink there, prostitutes not included."

Lost Already: "The beaches are lovely here, beautiful clear water. We made some little Thai friends. Three 9 yr old boys kept bringing me shells while i was lazing around on my lilo.. we ended up having so much fun with them! Just like when you were on holiday as a kid.. didnt matter that we didnt speak the same language.. just messed about in the sea. Ali was chuckin these kids around in the sea, and i was miserably losing the 'who can stand on the lilo the longest' game! It was a real shame when it got to be time to leave... thai kids are amazing. Not at all like screaming, whiny, needy, spoilt western kids. I'm so glad i never was one ;)"