From Deep Within the Paradise that is Koh Chang

Dear Reader...

I understand if you are about to hate me for what I am about to write but not only have we found paradise, but we will also return there during consecutive weekends. Several weeks ago Cheryl and I discovered the paradise of Koh Chang. It is an island off of the North Eastern shoulder of the bay that is Southern Thailand.

We took an overnight bus to get there and groggily dragged ourselves aboard the 6:30 a.m. ferry to the island, and it was worth the trip. Once aboard the ferry we were blessed with a sunrise off portside. Upon arrival we were called to ride a song tao to the far side of the island where our beach awaited us. As we rode the song tao I met a delightful Frenchman with whom I enjoyed conversation and breathtaking views as we stood on the back of our speeding tropical taxi. After many twists and turns in the road and a few breathtaking views we arrived at Siam Huts where we decided to stay. We rented a little woven shack of a place that cost only 150 Baht per night (roughly $5 Canadian). It wasn't impressive but it had plumbing and was about 20 yards from the ocean so it fit the bill. Not to mention that Siam Hut also had a massive deck upon which we could tan, read, listen to the waves, and eat very delicious green and yellow curry.

I won't bore you with the minute by minute details but I will tell you some of the highlights of paradise.

The beach we were staying on is called Lonely Beach and it is very aptly named for it is NOT one of those overcrowded tourist-ridden places that make you say things like "at least it's better than home." Instead, it is one of those sparse beaches with soft sand, few rocks, fewer tourists clogging up the waves, and a gentle breeze. Couple this with on-the-beach Thai massage, a hammock to lay in whilst eating breakfast, and nightly barbeque's on the beach for under 100 Baht and you have just about the most perfect place on planet earth.

Aside from the above-mentioned gluttonees we also enjoyed some other aspects of the island. One day we rented a motorcycle and sped our way around the winding, hilly, and vacation-slow-moving roads of the island. We stopped whenever it suited us to have lunch, look at the sites, or otherwise stop and just bask in the fact that we were there. Have you ever rubbed your eyes until they hurt because you just can't believe you're in paradise? Or at least decided not to pinch yourself because if you are indeed dreaming then you would rather not wake up? That's what you do when in such a place. You either disbelieve its existence or you accept it in all its fervor and glory. So that's what we did. By the end of the weekend we didn't even talk anymore, we just accepted the peace around us and every once in awhile we would comment something around the lines of "that's beautiful" or "wow", to which the other would reply "yeah" and then close their eyes again and listen to the surf.

This last weekend we returned there with two friends, Lainie and Heather. I think it's safe to say that they enjoyed themselves because they didn't return with us to Bangkok. We sadly left them there yesterday with our hearts full of jealousy. But we will visit paradise again soon.