WANDERLUST RECESSION: 4 Ferries in 4 Days

Wow, where to begin.

It seemed that the forces that be just didn't want for us to enjoy Ko Lipe. First we missed the stop on our way to Satun, the following morning we accidently WAY overpaid for a taxi back to Pak Bara. Once on PB we had to pay for a ferry and park fee (the park fer was 40B for locals and 200B for tourits... Which we both felt was really unfair). THEN, after paying the ferry and entrance fee the Thai government is trying to preserve the "integrity" of Ko Lipe, so everyone that takes a ferry in gets off on this barge and you have to pay AGAIN for a wooden long boat. It was 50B, but totally stupid. No reason for it, excet to keep the long boats in business. We hated being put up for money again and again total, 800B to get to Ko Lipe, excluding the taxi and bus fares.

(speedboat we took to Ko Lipe)

Once we put the ferry/entrance thing behind us we kept saying, "it's okay, let's just try to enjoy ourselves."

It started raining. No, like a hurrican came in. We got accomdations and said, maybe it won't last long. Maybe tomrrow will be better.

Overall, it was stormy, overpriced, over developed, and they charged 3B/M for Internet---which really sent us over the edge.

After one night, and a solid effort to enjoy the island we decided to leave. At 12:18, when crawling out of the stormy seas (of couse we played in the waves) I looked at Sam and said, "do you just want to go?"... "YES!" he said.

We raced back to the bungalow, threw our crap in our bags, and raced to the immigration office, we were going to Langkawi, Malaysia.

This is where the trip got fun again. We had to check into immigration at 1:30, but the boat does not leave until 4:30 (most laxed immigration ever, they let you walk around, get food, etc etc.) we returned to the shore at 4:00 and waited. Of course the stom cleared as we prepaired to depart.

Again, a long boat took us out to a speed boat on the barge (this time the price was included, much better). There were about 10 people on board, including 3 of the most addorable Sweedish children... One boy was in a stroller, maybe 10 months old... SO cute! Their parents put little floaties on their arms.

Also aboard was a Brit, Chris, who lived in Langkawi. He provided us with some good info about the island.

The water was very choppy. But, when you grow up with an uncle like mine danger involving speedboats and race cars does not phase you. I was quite enjoying the roar of the 450 horse power engine and flying off and crashing down into the waves until...

"one of these sank last year", Chris yelled over the engine. "WHAT!?, how?!". "the guy was going too fast on a choppy day and the hull split in half"..."all the passengers lived, but their luggage was gone"..."that's why the captain holds all of our passports in a dry bag together".

I spent the remainder of the ride planning our escape route. Sam and my packs are 100% waterproof, they are like dry bags (this is smithing we pride ourselves on). I envisioned myself tearing everyhing out of the pack, putting in my phone, camera, jewlery Sam bought for me, and offering the left over space fo the rest of the passengers. I even thought... Maybe we could put the baby in there... Until I realized he'd suffocate.

As we arrived in Langkawi the waters calmed, the sun came out fully, and we pulled up into a beautiful yatch club. I couldn't help but think of my father--so many sailboats around.

The hull didn't crack, and I joked
with Chris that I was happy I didn't have to put my "plan into action".

We only spent one night in Langkawi, just our luck we arrived during the 2009 World Aerospace Convention. Every hotel was booked--we basically stayed in some guys time share. I won't get into how disgusting I found his place to be. Sam says it wasn't that bad... Maybe I'm just being picky, but I felt like I was sleeping in a strangers sheets all night which for me is unpleasant.

Today is another travel day for us, off to Penang (we are going to Georgetown!). We think we might have found a super deal at a 5* hotel. So hopefully tonight we will have normal/fancy accomodations to tell about. We'll keep you posted!