DAY #3
Alarm goes off at 8am – an hour
to shower, pack for the day and grab a bite before we head off on our day trip
to the island of Koh Larn. A speed boat whisks us off into the big blue sea and
stops at a jetty just off the shore. We hop off and are quickly strapped up to
wait in line to parasail. Our turn comes round and in perfect sequence, people
are taken off and strapped into the harness like a perfectly moving conveyor
belt. Up we go, metres and metres into the sky and as the driver slows down, we
dip into the cool ocean and straight back up again… My drive looks like he
has a slight technical error as I hover in the air for a few minutes too long
before a safe landing back on the (and a very unflattering professional photo)
A short wait on our speedboat for the other tourists leaves us feeling quite
ill but in no time, we arrive in paradise…
to shower, pack for the day and grab a bite before we head off on our day trip
to the island of Koh Larn. A speed boat whisks us off into the big blue sea and
stops at a jetty just off the shore. We hop off and are quickly strapped up to
wait in line to parasail. Our turn comes round and in perfect sequence, people
are taken off and strapped into the harness like a perfectly moving conveyor
belt. Up we go, metres and metres into the sky and as the driver slows down, we
dip into the cool ocean and straight back up again… My drive looks like he
has a slight technical error as I hover in the air for a few minutes too long
before a safe landing back on the (and a very unflattering professional photo)
A short wait on our speedboat for the other tourists leaves us feeling quite
ill but in no time, we arrive in paradise…
 |
| Strapped and ready to go… |
 |
| Up, up and away… |
Sparkling turquoise water, small
rolling waves, sandy white beaches and prawns and coconut cocktails for sale –
a beautiful sight and exciting day on the island awaits! We pull up a deck
chair, tie on the bikinis and soak up the scorching sun.
rolling waves, sandy white beaches and prawns and coconut cocktails for sale –
a beautiful sight and exciting day on the island awaits! We pull up a deck
chair, tie on the bikinis and soak up the scorching sun.
 |
| Koh Larn island |
 |
| The other side of the island |
 |
| Soaking up the sun in clear blue water |
 |
| Catching some rays on the speed boat |
Our free lunch is
served and after dry heaving at the sight of dodgy fried fish, heavily battered
tempura, cabbage salad, pork soup and fried rice (only edible thing), we move
on to a more respectable looking restaurant for some yummy prawns.
served and after dry heaving at the sight of dodgy fried fish, heavily battered
tempura, cabbage salad, pork soup and fried rice (only edible thing), we move
on to a more respectable looking restaurant for some yummy prawns.
 |
| Yuk!! Worst lunch ever! |
A few more hours in the sun and
some frolicking in the waves and we are back on the speedboat with paradise
island becoming a distant but beautiful memory… What’s a long day without a
Thai foot massage? Got to have one!
some frolicking in the waves and we are back on the speedboat with paradise
island becoming a distant but beautiful memory… What’s a long day without a
Thai foot massage? Got to have one!
A social media update – what is a
holiday without Instagram pics and status updates (not to make anyone jealous!)
and quick shower before hitting “Walking Street” – the Pattaya
version of the Red Light District. Lucky for us, the seedy night life is hidden
behind closed doors so we could enjoy a normal meal on the strip – another
delicious Thai curry… But a walk along the strip opens our eyes to all the
waiting women (you know what they are waiting for), the go-go clubs (go-go =
strip), the boy/girls that really look like girls but are really boys, the
European – Thai relationships – dodgy old men looking for young sexy woman and
desperate Thai woman trying to flee their unfortunate lives… And of course,
the infamous ping pong shows!!
holiday without Instagram pics and status updates (not to make anyone jealous!)
and quick shower before hitting “Walking Street” – the Pattaya
version of the Red Light District. Lucky for us, the seedy night life is hidden
behind closed doors so we could enjoy a normal meal on the strip – another
delicious Thai curry… But a walk along the strip opens our eyes to all the
waiting women (you know what they are waiting for), the go-go clubs (go-go =
strip), the boy/girls that really look like girls but are really boys, the
European – Thai relationships – dodgy old men looking for young sexy woman and
desperate Thai woman trying to flee their unfortunate lives… And of course,
the infamous ping pong shows!!
 |
| About to head down Walking Street |
I don’t consider myself seedy and
I don’t condone or agree with this lifestyle but I do feel that some things are
part of the experience… And a ping pong show is a huge eye opener but sad at
the same time. You have to feel for these girls – all trying to make some money
but also so acceptable in their country – it’s not illegal and the police are
patrolling right outside. I won’t give you the ins and outs but let your
imagination run wild with razor blades, opening and emptying bottles, smoking
cigarettes and darting balloons…
I don’t condone or agree with this lifestyle but I do feel that some things are
part of the experience… And a ping pong show is a huge eye opener but sad at
the same time. You have to feel for these girls – all trying to make some money
but also so acceptable in their country – it’s not illegal and the police are
patrolling right outside. I won’t give you the ins and outs but let your
imagination run wild with razor blades, opening and emptying bottles, smoking
cigarettes and darting balloons…
As we head back to catch our taxi, Rox convinces me that sitting with our feet in a fish tank of little aggressive fishies is a good idea. Oh good golly, worst idea ever!! These little buggers bite away at your feet and it is the weirdest and most ticklish sensation ever…
 |
| Does my face not speak 1000 words?! |
Too much for one night and a good
nights sleep is in order.
nights sleep is in order.
x
Oh wow, the beach is beautiful!! Love the pictures! The fish tank thing is so strange, but your face is so cute!
This just makes me want to pack my bags and go back. I love Thailand. Oh, and that food you were squeamish about? I probably would have polished it.
Looks like you had such a great time Caley! PS: I only ate seafood pizza while there (not risking eating cat or dog) and the last four days I got so tired of that, that I only ate toasted cheese sandwiches. Had to explain to them how to make it. And they don't have Savannah. Biggest disappointment of my whole trip.
Can't believe you actually watched a ping pong show! We steered clear of those. Did end up in a gogo bar though. I'm really curious about the razorblades!
So excited to follow your blog! Found you through Story of my Life. Just watched a documentary featuring South Africa last night called Rodriguez – fascinating!
It looks like you had so much fun!!!
I love love love parasailing! 🙂