Railay - Really?

I must share all about our day yesterday.

First, it started far too early. The night before we had a farewell to Karon Beach dinner with new travelling friend and then skipped back to hotel to pack bags in eager anticipation of going to stay on tropical island paradise (quote from Lonely Planet) the next day. So, while it was with a little bit of groaning that I got up at 630 am (I know it's not that early to some but it is early when you have been leaving room at 11 each morning to shclep down to 7-11 for a tasty Thai breakfast) I was able to maintain momentum with thought of tropical island paradise to come.

By 7.20, we were all checked out of hotel Ramada (good luck getting in) and had been squeezed into minivan with ten others (suitcases on roof of minivan - reassuringly tied on halfway through trip) for long long trip to dock to catch boat to Ao Nang beach. Happy to be squeezed into minivan with ten others for long journey due to thought of tropical island paradise to come.

Arrived at dock, walked over five other boats to get to our boat (Thai version of Gilligan carried bags) and settled in for 1 and 3/4 hour boat ride, "aaahhhh tropical island paradise - here I come". Arrived at Ao Nang, next mode of transport - back of ute with nice tarpauline over roof. Nice trip along beach and through limestone mountains to get to next mode of transportation, didn't really enjoy view that much, 'tropical island paradise will be better - don't tire eyes out with this 90% beauty'.

Arrived at dock for next mode of transportation - long-tail boat. Boat which looks like the manual arts boys made it in senior. Long tail boat operated by 6 youths, probably 12 - 14 years of age. No problem - 'get me to tropical island paradise'. Long tail boat ride - 15 minutes. Enjoyable - no worries at all about water lapping around ankles. 'Tropical island paradise near, so near'.

Arrived at tropical island paradise. Next mode of transportation - my two pins. Thinking dark and angry thoughts at shopping done in China - making bag heavy, oh so heavy, tropical island paradise thus far looking a lot like Coochie Mudlo Island but can't see any tandem bikes (memory from girls brigade trip in early 1990's). No accommodation booked. Plan to walk around and use our tremendous bartering skills to negotiate fabulous price at fabulous resort. So hot. Why is it raining down my back, raining down my forehead? Why am I carrying a jumper in my satchel? Why?

Mooch around tropical island paradise. Resorts don't seem as keen as we thought to have us stay with them. Not offering fabulous prices. Trudge to west side of supposed tropical island paradise. Beach non-existent. High tide. Foamy. Expensive. People crowded around pool.

Thinking happy thoughts about Mooloolaba.

Trudge back to east side. Look in cheap hovel. Will need anti-depressants if stay there. Broach idea of going back to Karon. Travelling companion agrees. Let's get the next boat out of here. Much relief. Cast our mind to glorious hotel back at Karon beach (not Ramada) which had seen last week. New plan. Let's get out of here. Sit by mangroves, allow mosquitos to lunch on us, thinking about how 'tropical island paradise' looks more like Coochie/Brisbane river. Wait for 2.30pm for youths to ferry us to next boat.

Trudge through mud to get to long-tail boat to take us to next boat (more unhappy shopping thoughts) , next boat = 3 hour journey. Why so long back? Packed back into mini-van. Ahhh, arrive at glorious resort, across road from beach, buffet breakfast. They'll have us! No more 7-11 breakfasts.

Funny day. Hot, tiring. Pretend that it was was a day trip. Happy.