When we get off the ferry from Surat Thani, we’re not sure where to go on the island. Where we are now; has no beaches, lots of boats and too many tourists. We decide to go the other side of the island and pay 400 Baht ($12) for a four-wheel-drive truck to take us. The four-wheel-drive is definitely needed over the rough roads, steep hills and valleys to the other side. When we arrive e walk around and decide to stay at the Mountain Reef Beach Resort on Ao Tanot Bay. It’s a pretty fancy place; a hillside bungalow with a double bed and mosquito netting, our own bathroom, a fan, lights, and a porch with a chair and hammock. 400 Baht ($12) a night.
We get ready to go snorkeling and pay 100 Baht ($3) for a mask and snorkel. The visibility is poor and we don’t see too many fish. As I was swimming over a coral bed water got into my snorkel. Because of the coral, I’m careful where I stop to blow the water out of my snorkel but as I’m getting reset I reach out and cut myself on the coral. Good grief, it’s a deep, bloody cut. That ends snorkeling for today.
Back at our bungalow, Andy enjoys the hammock as I nurse my new wound. Oh my! We have a gecko in our bathroom. Usually, after the gecko scares you, you scare the gecko and they run away from you. Not this one, he’s not even trying to climb up the wall, he’s climbing down the wall even when I’m pounding the wall to go away. Fortunately, he doesn’t move fast but yuk! We name the big guy, Nosey.
Dinner is on the beach with a low table and pillows to lounge on. More expensive then we’re used to but it very, nice atmosphere with fresh fish. Marlin 190 Baht ($6) and king prawn 350 Baht ($11) Scrumptious dinner, beautiful evening on Koh Tao Island.
