island time...get on it

snails come big around here.

damn sweaty trail, but then we jumped in one of the pools of the waterfall and were quickly cooled. sandals were not the brightest idea though.

oceanview? nah, we'll take oceanfront thank you very much. after I ease into my hammock, please pass me my book. thanks Jungle Hut Bungalows.

So made it after many forms of transportation. We got up early to take the local bus back to Phuket town from Kamala beach. We had heard it was slow, so we left ourselves 2 hours to go 45 minutes...which was a good thing b/c we pulled into town 15 minutes before our bus left...sweet! We were definitely sweating and crossing our fingers that we were close for the last 15 minutes, and it turned out all good. FYI, the bus is 25baht/person, and a taxi is 500baht. With the extra $ and experience in our pockets, we grabbed some snacks and the front seats on the bus which has the most legroom. We arrived at the port 5 hours later (wasn't that bus supposed to have a/c? geez) and hopped on the ferry. When we got off, we hopped in a taxi that was a flatbed truck with bench seats in the back...which was fine until it didn't move for 5 minutes. After pleading with the driver, he said we go, but then just did donuts in the dirt parking lot. This was fun at first (for me, tho I don't think Bri was amused), but then we demanded that he stop, we got out and paid another guy to leave right now. They like to wait to fill up their truck with tourists all headed the same way and, apparently, wasn't happy with us wanting to leave now. The drama left behind us, we were off to find one of those fabled beachfront bungalows. In Haad ChaoPhao, the first place we saw wanted 1700baht for beachfront and didn't have any available. However, there was an older unit just off the sand but with oceanview for 450, fan only though. Hmmm, we'll take it. Once she left, we plopped our bags down and decided to walk down the beach to check out our new home. Just down aways, we noticed other establishments had beachfront units which looked empty. We found out that those were available for 1000baht. Hmmm, hold the phone! I told the lady we'll stay for multiple nights if we can pay less (can't tell ya how much, you'll have to do your own negotiations if you find this island paradise someday;), she said sure and we went to go grab our bags out of the first place. It was a great move as we had an oceanfront cement bungalow with a/c, two balconies and a fabulous view. After checking in, we headed up to their restaurant for dinner, and were treated to some excellent home-cooked Thai food. mmmmmmmmmmmm. Fried noodles with prawns, or will it be green curry and rice, or maybe the special of the night, BBQ'd KingFish? Too many choices, all of them good. So good in fact, that we ate their for like 8 meals straight! Definitely the most times either of us have been to one restaurant.

to be continued...fingers are tired...