Its a Dogs Life

Pics - Dogs on our beach Ao Tanote and our current home.

After a 12 hour journey from Bangkok by bus and ferry we arrived at the Island of Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand. The bus was definitely the best I had been on over the last few months and if only i had been of average height I'm so sure that i would have had more than 2 hours sleep. Upon arriving on Koh Tao we opted to head straight over to one of the less populated bay on the island - Ao Tanote. The Lonely Planet tells us of bungalows for as little as 200 Baht! Wooohoooo! So over the rough "road" we go on the back for a 4x4 to a lovely bolder strewn bay (I may have borrowed that from the lonely planet ....sorry). Unfortunately for us I haven't been paying much attention to the lunar cycles lately and as it happens 6000 "fullmooners" ascended upon the island the day before from Koh Phan nang and took all the budget accommodation....even the non budget accommodation by the looks of it but we found a bungalow right on the beach for more than twice what we intended on paying which served its purpose and was actually pretty sweet! we have since found a cheapie off the beach which s basic as you like so perfect for us. I am now being stalked by Scorpions. We found one in our bathroom yesterday and Ania delt it a swift death with the bottom of her flip flop.....phew. I can now poo without fear.

Ao Tanote Bay is only good for a dip at full tide as you cant go too far without stepping on coral. This of course makes it great for snorkeling and you can hire gear most places along the beach. There are loads of fish to see (as well as sea cucumbers - yuck) and some guys we were talking to even saw turtles a couple of days ago. This is of course a diving island with loads of dive schools to choose from. I should probably do one as it is kind of cheap for what you get but still its well above budget. I will however buy a decent mask and snorkel tomorrow.

Righto!