Ko Wai

After a few days in Ko Chang, we boarded a boat and rode a few miles south to Ko Wai - a small island surrounded by snorkel-worthy coral and without any cars...

Language here is slippery. Our first stop was on the northeast pier which appeared as GrandMa's Huts in the guide book, but was later established as "Grand Mar Hut" aka great sea and locally "Ao Yai Ma."

Arriving at Ko Wai--our little resort's dock (and our private beach off to the left)

Just holding Haney's beer while he takes photos.

Sunset at our private beach, in front of our bungalow.  We were the only guests on this side.

So idyllic!  And yet the bungalow didn't come with sheets, towels, toilet paper, or soap.  Just a mattress and mosquito net. the only place where Haney couldn't sleep because of the heat. The fan/electricity quit at night and a cold shower was the best way to stay cool.

Lots of crabs here.

The dock as seen from the little restaurant area.

After one night we hitched up our bags and hiked to a more upscale option Pakarang. The snorkeling tourist boats came in the afternoon, but soon left--and we had the place to ourselves.

Happier to be at the island's main resort for our second night.  Clean sheets!

The islands off in the distance were so many layers of blue and gray.

Our last evening before setting off for the West.  There was a dramatic tropical storm in the night.  Lashing rain, and coconut fronds breaking off and sailing in the wind.

Ko Chang Thailand

In Mid-March, our trip to SE Asia was winding down to the final days. After crossing from Cambodia to Thailand, we headed over the Ko Chang island.

On the ferry to Ko Chang, passing a ferry just like ours returning to Thailand's mainland.

Our hotel's restaurant in the background - on a sheltered rocky cove, where Haney snorkeled.

The view from our hotel room, across the bay to the town, built on stilts over the water.

A day-trip to four great snorkeling spots.  Five or six other boats were tagging along to the same spots.

Tourists fed white bread to the fish, and they would rush up to eat it.  It felt like being in an aquarium. That made it even worse when a young Russian couple threw their cigarettes into the water.

Headed back to Ko Chang at the end of the day.

But first we circled around the far side of the island to see the monkeys, many of which were carrying babies clinging to their stomachs.

And just as we were leaving, another boatful of tourists pulled up, also throwing fruit to the monkeys.  With fruit being thrown at them all day long, they must have been very well fed.

The trail to town from our hotel.

A restaurant in town.  You sit on the floor and let your feet dangle below.

We ordered from outside on the pier on these great chaises longues.

Another morning, another flood of tourists off to snorkel or sightsee.

Koh Kong to the Cambodia/Thai Border

We've been back in the U.S. for over three weeks but still trying to catch up with blogging the trip - resuming here with photos from early March in Koh Kong, the very eastern tip of the Cambodian coast.

We set out for Koh Kong Island on a boat with other people taking a day cruise.

Through a long estuary, lined with mangroves.

Our resort..  It was a beautiful place, but empty - and with a strange atmosphere.  We moved on after one night.

Sunset from the pier.

And from the beach. Fishing boat on the horizon.

The view from our bungalow deck.

The resort workers prepared to take us out to the boat to return to the mainland in very rough surf.  Stupidly, they overloaded the boat, and a huge wave washed over all of us and our luggage.  We were completely soaked.  Fortunately nothing of ours was irreparably damaged.  Our co-passengers' camera was ruined though.

Fishing boats off the shore of Koh Kong.

Arriving back in Koh Kong City - blocks of houses, built over the water, with their fishing boats parked out front.

Monks seeking alms in the morning.

Approaching the Thailand border.  In contrast to Cambodia's bleakness, the Thailand side was cheerfully decorated with potted flowers. A Thai soldier welcomed Haney on the other side patting him on the shoulder.

Rainbow Lodge

What a great place!  One of the owners of this jungle eco-lodge explained that they didn't realize the implications of the name, but that they appreciated the large number of gay guests in any case. Off the grid and only accessible via boat, it's hidden in a part of Cambodia that was cut off from the rest of the country until three bridges were built a decade ago. http://www.rainbowlodgecambodia.com

The Lodge is located on the left side of this map - on the Tatai River near Koh Kong.

On the bus, crossing one of the new bridges that link Koh Kong to the rest of Cambodia.

H emerges from an early morning river swim.

Down by the river at dawn.

The Lodge's website claims that: " This large area of jungle is said to be the most pristine forest left in South East Asia." 

Breakfast at the lodge.  Delicious food.

We went trekking through the jungle with our guide Wan, machete in hand to clear the trail.  He sought out these red berries, which he loved to eat.  C found them OK, but not particularly flavorful.

Our hike destination:  the Tatai falls (seen here from the top).

It was the height of dry season, but the river was flowing.  The water felt wonderful in the 95 degree heat.

After an early morning swim.

Morning coffee on the deck of our bungalow.  Note that Haney is reading a novel instead of the guidebook for once.  The bright blue cushion on the floor is crocheted and stuffed using only old plastic bags.

The other bungalows, as seen from our deck.  Seven in all--each themed with one of the rainbow colors (ours was blue, as evidenced by the cushion).

Looking up some of the flora and fauna in the lodge's central restaurant and lounge.

Moving on after three great days.  The lodge ferried us by boat to where the highway crosses the river, and there a tuktuk met us and drove us into Koh Kong City.