The Journey to Paradise, via Hell

Trip Start Jan 04, 2010

Trip End Mar 04, 2011

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Where I stayed

Sun Lord / Sea Shell

(Ko Tao hotels)

Flag of Thailand Ko Tao, Thailand
Thursday, January 7, 2010

On Thursday evening, we boarded a minibus to take us to Koh Tao, a small island famous for diving near Koh Samui.We started our journey at 4pm, and the minibus dropped us on the Khao San Road at about 5pm, where we had to wait to board a 'VIP' bus which would take us to Chumpton. However, let me tell you, there was absolutely nothing 'VIP' about this bus! At least 20 years must have passed since this bus was at its peak, and all that was holding it together was the rusty, dented bodywork and a few bits of rope. Still, at least it had aircon! The bus journey was uncomfortable, bumpy and incredibly noisy. The noise was not coming from any rowdy travellers on the bus, but from the engine, as all the lights were turned out at 7:30pm and virtually everyone was fast asleep within minutes.

The eight hour bus journey to Chumpton was fairly uneventful aside from the occasional screech of brakes as the weary driver tried to avoid any oncoming traffic. I remained awake the whole time, so maybe I should have offered to drive the bus for him. At 2am, we arrived at Chumpton port, where we would catch the boat to Koh Tao. However, the boat was not scheduled to leave until 7am! Having asked the driver what we were to do for 5 hours, he pointed us in the direction of a damp, concrete-floored room in which we could kick back, relax, and catch a few zzz's. Needless to say, I did not fall into a peaceful slumber, and remained awake until the sun rose at 6am.

Boarding the boat at 7am, I was excited at the prospect of finally arriving in Koh Tao, changing into my bikini and starting on my 15 month permatan. However, I had clearly forgotten how much I hate boats. I spent the next two hours trying to keep looking at the horizon, and imagining how quickly I would be able to throw on my life jacket and run up to the deck should we capsize into the deep, deep open water. This was a lot harder than it sounds, as I had now been awake continuously for 24 hours. Seven and a half minutes before we arrived at Koh Tao, I fell asleep.

Despite the hideous 18 hour journey, our arrival onto the beach made it all worth it. And the view from our cliff-top bungalow was absolutely breathtaking. Taking a walk down to lie on the beach, all that treacherous journey nonsense was a distant memory (apart from, obviously, when the thought of the return journey crept into my mind) and I have now spent two days relaxing and trying to become 'A Traveler'. This is clearly going to be a bit of a struggle but I think I will manage it :)