The taxi from the ferry was quite the ride, I was holding on to a bar that was welded on to the canopy (roll cage) of a mid sized pick-up with about a dozen people in the back. We made our way through the first few townships, dropping people off along the way. Winding through mountainous roads, surrounded by jungle, there are sneak views out over the beaches which are postcard style panoramas. When we descended back down to se level and arrived at our accommodation we were very pleasantly surprised with the beautiful setting, enticing swimming pools, and nice room. The low season has many places slashing their rates, and boy did we score here!!
On our first walk down our beach we had the very lucky experience of meeting a young elephant who was being taken out for a swim, and seemed to be enjoying it. He was friendly and inquisitive, Tara and I both "shook hands" with him on the beach, and when I went to see him out in the water, he repeatedly tapped my left shoulder, and also found interest in my facial hair. His trunk was softer than I expected and he was incredible dexterous and delicate. I was spellbound and very touched by this lucky moment, my first interaction with an Elephant. Turns out later that I had gotten sunburnt on my left shoulder, I had missed a spot with sunscreen, strange coincidence? or did he know I was burning?! We saw more elephants over the coming days, at the various "elephant trekking" locations, but never saw the young guy again. Still the memory is another of the trip highlights to date.
Many people may know I am not really a beach guy, the place where dirt meets water conjures up memories of freezing cold surf, sunburn, oily sunscreen and sand stuck to absolutely everything. That changes in a place like Koh Chang. The water was so warm I could not believe it. With the heat the way it was, you could just go in for a swim, and then come back out without even having a towel, and have dried off in minutes. So this is why people rave about it here!
We rented scooters and decided to explore the island a little further than just what we were finding on foot. The Eastern side of the island is less popular than the touristy Western coast, and was a beautiful ride. We arrived at a Kayak rental place that covers an area of coastal mangroves. We went out for a paddle for an hour or so and explored some of this area, discovering a small little fishing village on stilts. On the way back we had lunch at a very new, but empty, resort with an amazing pool and lounge area overlooking a not so nice looking beach area, although the tide was out which did not help with the aesthetics. There are a number of new places being built around this side of the island as development continues to invade the island. No doubt in 10 years time the entire island will be ringed by properties.
We discovered the backpacker section of the island known as "Lonely Beach", South of where we were staying, exploring it slowly on the scooters, it looked like it would make for some serious party town when the place was jiving, with loads of food, drinks and clubs. On the return journey we discovered a large family of monkeys on the road side, big males swinging in the trees, mum and babies sitting on a large rock. Locals whizz past honking at them and the gawkers to get out of the way, but for us we couldn't help but stop and look.
On the last night I stood outside our room and watched the gecko's hunting. They are a little skittish at first but then they get used to you being there. Using the lights that attract the insects, they sit and wait for their moment. I saw one take a moth twice its size and gobble it down.
Off to Sihanoukville on the Cambodian South coast next, things could get interesting!
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