July 10th, 2013
Last Koh Tao day
Our last full day in Koh Tao turned out to be a great adventure! We had our eye on a “viewpoint” on the map of Koh Tao. We thought about a few different options, including a tuk tuk, maybe renting quads to get there, but ultimately felt we could walk there “maybe”. You know how we come to these conclusions….we say….”well we can always start and if we decide it is too much, we can turn around.” But anyone who reads my blog knows, we rarely (never) have turned around….
A quick stop at the front desk gives us the information that the walk will be a 2 hour walk one way. Don’t do the math for round trip-it is a staggering number! The other kicker is the map indicates it is 376 metres above sea level. And our hotel is at sea level.
But with our resolve in hand, and 3 water bottles, we set off! We were passed by many locals and tourists on scooters and motorbikes. We forged on….it was pretty much straight freakin’ uphill. It is the only way to get UP 376 metres.
These pix are not at the worst of it, but they do show the lane we were on….how pretty it was, how quiet and how dense the jungle.
About 9/10th of the way up, there was a pit stop (completely deserted) but for this cat
Sleeping in the basket. Took this one for you Erica!
There was also this monkey hanging out….it was on a chain, so clearly a pet or something…
We made it to the top…not that we didn’t consider turning around a few times. We came across 2 pit vipers (yes-poisonous) and more sweat than I can even explain. Sorry Jackie! Had to be mentioned, especially when you see the photo below. Troy was busy, so I took a selfie! I will add the obligatory couple picture when I get my hands on Troy’s camera.
But the view was unbelievable! Absolutely stunning! Yes, we climbed that far up (again!)
The was a little hut where you could get a refreshment! Of course ; )
It took the whole 2 hours the girl at the hotel said it would. The good news was that it took 50 minutes to get home! Gravity was working for us finally!!
We had plans to meet up with Erica at 6pm at the Tong Thai restaurant that we had such a great meal at the night before! Now here is the sad part….our friend Erica fell in love with Koh Tao and rock climbing and she has decided to stay put in Koh Tao while we go on ahead with our plans to go north to Chiang Mai. So this is our last meal together until hopefully she catches up with us. She may not however as she is thinking about staying here for the rest of her trip and maybe extending it a bit until mid August or so. So I put on a brave face for the photo but I was sad.
I would like to show a couple pictures of the lovely view from our room at the Asia Resort. I would like to say I had my morning coffee on the balcony, but alas, this room did not have coffee/tea service.
July 16th, 2013
Brooklyn Says :
If it weren’t for the sun screen running down no one would be able to tell the sweat was there mom. Nice selfie though 😛 and sad about Erica