Videos from around the Island

As you may have noticed we've sort of slacked off in picture taking but we've pretty much taken pictures of most things on the Island.  Here are a few videos from around the Island - nothing special and its very hard to be steady but we tried. 

We've spent the last few days just hanging out - going to the beach and buying a few things. I insisted we buy a new mosquito net for our bungalow because ours had a hole in it and I couldn't sleep. So we did a little upgrade for them :) We have some friends in our bungalow - lizard things - they freak me out. They live in between the walls.  And the termites - that was what was crawling on me in my sleep the first night and another one yesterday. Yuck. Anyway, the new mosquito net makes everything OK.  Tomorrow Brett is going with a couple of the guys here on a fishing trip in a little boat and then we will have a BBQ back here.  Hope all is well back home.

Fishing Trip

Today we went on a snorkel/fishing trip with the dutch people that own the place where we are staying and bunch of their family and friends.  We've gotten to know them over the past week and a bit so they invited us along.  Was a really fun time!  Brett is hoping to find a spear gun for rent here and go with a couple of the guys out and do that in the next few days.  Now we are back at the guest house having a feast of fish (well I'm not because they have eyeballs - but everyone else is). Was a really good day!

Leaving the bay for the snorkel/fishing trip

Our boat

snorkeling/relaxing in the water

The beach at the national park Koh Rang

Brett and Robert in their matching tacky tourist fishing hats

Reeling in the big catch....

You may not even be able to see it its that big.

Arriving back to the bay close to sunset

Kayaking in the mangroves - Koh Chang

Yesterday was a bit overcast but we still managed to get sunburned.  We decided to take a trip to the other side of the Island to the fishing villages where there are mangroves that we could kayak through.  Ended up being a neat trip.  Today we just took it easy so we don't have any pictures - sorry. I noticed I had some really weird bites on my arms so I decided to use good old google - turns out they are jellyfish bites.  I have 3 of them and judging by the pictures it could be A LOT worse - mine our pretty minor but they really hurt when they sting!  And they're itchy as ever!  Anyway, I think I'll survive.       

A cool old plane along the way

The fishing village and start of the kayak trip through the mangroves.

More of the mangroves. These groves are trees that grow in the water and there are many river ways leading to the ocean.  This is one of the few areas where these trees are able to survive.

Another semi-floating fishing village inside the bay at the edge of the ocean

A close up of the root system of the trees in the mangroves

The typical fishing boat here

We went on a longer drive today - explored some construction sites - saw some progress from last year.  As you'll notice Brett got a hold of the camera later on so I apologize to all females for the boring pictures.  Apparently they are pretty funny - I don't know.

Minor damage - not enough to stop the delivery truck

The area at our bungalow to relax - where we write the blog etc.

This is the handy-man or groundskeeper who keeps everything tip-top shape. Essentially this is the Grandpa Barry of the place. 

This is the high quality security on our bungalow

Home sweet home. 

This is for Robert - the mobile coconut ice cream stand

Here's some impressive Thai concrete artwork

Here's some impressive Thai building - we were surprised how it turned out because last year we were taking pictures of the sketchy scaffolding and dodgy concrete work. 

Speaking of dodgy concrete work we toured an interesting construction site today.  As you can see the concrete work gets pretty good once its above the back fill level.

Much more re bar than what we're used to seeing here in Thailand

The extended shoot

This new age welder for welding the re bar 

The ground cable is a chunk of re bar extended out and grounded to the re bar in the wall.

Tied on tight for a good connection

Thai bracing system

All in all the finished product is pretty good!

The view from the above hotel

5 of the 7 puppies on the road up to our place

Today was much the same as yesterday - cruising on the motorbike and relaxing on the beach.  

Effective advertising - this is how we feel 

who needs a truck when you've got a tricycle with a truck engine?

This is our excuse for not hiking - we don't want to get rabies

little brats

Tourist Police - Your first friend... If you have money

We had an awesome 2nd day in Thailand - the weather was overcast at times which we were thankful for because when it wasn't it was almost too hot. We went to the beach today and went for a drive on the motorbike - saw some interesting things and some funny people along the way. 

Unfortunate breakdown on a narrow windy road for this fella...

There's no such thing as towing your truck to a mechanic in Thailand... the mechanic comes to you.

No big deal.

These two guys are hauling the fuel tank to put in the back of a car.

There's no such thing as caution or warning signs - they just post the emergency contact number in high accident areas!

Wall building step 1: Fill your 5 gallon pails with sand and gravol

Step 2: Haul them to the plastic tub to be mixed with concrete powder and water using a hoe to mix.

Step 3: Pass the buckets of concrete up to your buddy on the sketchy plank to pour in the wall.

As you can see these boys have been at this for a while

We're proud to say this charming young man was part of the crew

Nothing like being able to take the money and run

The path up to our bungalows which are the last on the top of the hill

On our ride down theres 3 or 4 little puppies hanging out on the road