Battambang to beach

We are off to renew our visas in Thailand.  It has come at a good time as we have all been feeling a bit homesick this week.  We aren’t sure why and we talk about it as we are all having a great adventure and we like Battambang and teaching at the school is fun and rewarding (although very hot) but there are days when all you want is to see your friends, be in your own bed, be in your own home,  at your own kitchen table, be able to drink the tap water, not have to squat in a hole in the ground, be able to communicate fluently with everyone around you, not be woken up at 5 by out-of-tune signing - and we do all really miss Donny.    However, there are days when the list I have just noted is a joy and I love the foreignness of it all.  Mood is a funny thing and when travelling as we are, just the three of us, it can have a knock on effect.

HOWEVER – the mood is definitely improving as we approach the Thai border.  We stop to see a giant Buddha figure in Pailin where locals are offering food, flowers and water at its feet.  Taran buys a lotus flower and becomes the focus of lots of Thai kids' instagram pictures. 

We are dropped at the border and have to walk 1k across.  We feel like we are in a movie and someone is going to stop us at any moment and tell us to go back.  The place is also filled with casinos as apparently the Thais can't gamble so this is where they come for a quick play of blackjack.

Once in Thailand we pick up a car and a few hours later are at the ferry port to go to Koh Kood.  Koh Kood is the fourth largest island in Thailand.   It has a quiet, very laid back relaxed feel to it on arrival.  No hassle at all. The boat is met by a fleet of open trucks to take everyone to their hotels.  Ours is very simple but pretty.  Baan Bua Cottages.  Tripadvisor chose well for us!

The place is stunning.  We are staying 2 minutes from the beach.  We dive into the warm blue ocean and love it.  Not homesick today, definitely not!  Already we think we might stay longer than planned…