Recovery time

The Gorse Fox crashed out soon after 2130 and slept the sleep known as scuba-sleep until 0800. Even then, when he awoke, he felt slightly disorientated and seemed to have developed some catarrh overnight. (He always wanted to be musical).

By this time Cousteau-cub and the Coventry Hobbit would already be aboard their boat heading south for a day’s diving at Hin Daeng. GF had been invited along (as a qualified Open Water Diver – Scuba Fox) , but is glad that he declined… in the circumstances. Today needed to be a quiet day.

The Silver Vixen and GF headed down to breakfast. An early haze was lifting and it promised to be a blistering day. Breakfast was the usual leisurely fare. Trays full of fruit, of breads, of nibbles, and a choice of various main dishes. The staff are always very attentive and very friendly and the outlook from the veranda across the landscaped grounds is very relaxing – with a continual tinkling of running water as the water cascades down between the different levels.

The morning was spent dealing with post cards and listening to our books on the balcony of the room. Then we decided (like Mad Dogs and Englishmen) to go out in the mid-day sun. Silver Vixen had seen a store she wanted to look around and whilst it was not far, in this heat it was far more sensible to drive there than walk. The trip was not as successful as planned but some trinkets were acquired in exchange for small amounts of money. Leaving there we headed up the mountain and stopped at the viewpoint Khao Yai overlooking the eastern side of the Island. This is where we had stopped a couple of days back after our visit of Lanta Old Town. Again we were the only patrons and sat there admiring the view, drinking lassis and sharing a club sandwich. It was hot – really hot and anything that did not involve air conditioning seemed daft. So, understanding the basic fact that there are only 2 roads on the island and we had driven to end of one of them – we decided to complete the set. Heading on south, past Lanta Old Town we made our way past several plantations and small settlements as the road hugged the coast. The views opened up across the bay here and there – but to be honest this was not the most exciting drive of the Gorse Fox’s life. At the end of the road we turned and headed back. Arriving back at the resort we had only covered 24KMs since leaving the viewpoint. (It is not a big island).

As the sun starts its inexorable descent into the sea alongside Koh Phi Phi we prepare for the evening meal. We decided that with the long day C-c and C-H will have had, we would leave them alone tonight, so the biggest decision we have to make is what to select from the menu and in what restaurant.

(Yes, another tropical sunset photo!)