I have been real lucky!

So if you are a regular reader of this blog, you'll know that I have been writing really often, except for the last 6 weeks. Unfortunately for me 6 weeks ago I had a large motorbike accident.

Luckily for me, the locals on Koh Lanta are rather special and Kev (one of our Instructors) went with me to the  hospital in Phuket, Geddis (my beloved business partner) put the necessary cash down and everyone else, sent me messages of support, came to see me, gifts and their love. The police (despite what you may have heard about them abroad) have been incredible, helping me get the insurance money necessary to pay my hospital bills.

My guys got me to a fantastic hospital in Phuket, where 5 metal parts were put in my face, one in my collar bone and one in my wrist. The surgeons were excellent and I have been lucky and am well on the way to recovery.

As a result of my facial injuries I have not been able to eat normal food (the jaw was wired shut for 4 weeks and can only open a little now) so i am tremendously grateful for my friends:

Kev - Who made me some yummy spaghetti bolognese

Joyce (Red Snapper) - For introducing me to yummy Dutch baby food

Daniel (The Tavern) - For just the best Sausages and Mash, eaten whilst watching England win the Rugby ;-)

Will (Ling Uan) - For some excellent, slightly alcoholic shakes

Baan Bakery - For shakes, omelets and more all done for the people who cannot chew!

Cheeky Monkey - Adapted Thai soups and a delicious beer or two!

Drunken Sailor - Yummy Carrot Cake

There are more people to thank and I have not forgotten them xxx

So if one good thing can come from my accident, let it be this....... WEAR A HELMET ...... preferably a full face one (which would have prevented the majority of my injuries)

Big thanks to all my wonderful staff (especially Ben and his beautiful son Anda) Britt and Karin from White Rock Resort (for the mouthwash) and the wonderful Gin for just keeping it all together whilst i was gone.

This is a truly lovely lovely island

Mellisa xxx

The day we dread!

Whilst sitting in the bar on Wednesday night, I hear the words I have learned to dread, "no electricity all day tomorrow!" Of course I had just given all the diving work to Ben and that meant I had planned a day in my air conditioned office doing lots of computer work.

A roundabout - Old Town Style

With that day ruined, I decided to take the opportunity to complete my reviews of shops, restaurants and bars by heading South. The east coast road down to Old town is beautiful with its small Thai villages unspoilt by tourism and the green landscape rolling down to the mangroves. I passed what seemed like a whole village of people helping with the packing of the fresh water shrimps for market and a Bird singing competition!

On arriving in Old Town (the original capital of Lanta) I felt that it reminded me of the Wild West (well minus the guns, Indians and cowboys) as the whole town is pretty much made of wood. This side of the island has much less tourism than the West but it really is worth a visit because it is full of charm. Most of the restaurants have pier stretching out over the Mangroves and looking out onto the islands south of Lanta, my favourite being Beautifull Restaurant (yes that is how they spell it) which has great food and friendly staff who do not mind you sitting down the far end of the pier.

After Old Town I headed further south and discovered the Sea Gypsy's Cemetery after I spotted a notice on the side of the road. I love that these people believe that their ancestors like to live near the sea because they like to listen to the sound of the waves (maybe there is a little Sea Gypsy in me!).

View from the Sea Gypsy Cemetery - Their ancestors like to hear the sound of the waves!

As I reached the end of the east road I discovered a new road (or one to me) that lead to Terminal Point, or Sang Kha U Resort, which is a crazy little resort, with its own beach and the only treetop bungalows in Lanta.

After a quick stop at Khao Yai Restaurant at the top of Lanta mountain I headed over to Kantiang Bay, the first real place I called home in Lanta. This is a really sweet village, with loads of charm and every time I go here I seem to have real trouble leaving!

The primary problem is Drunken Sailors, where I always get a friendly welcome from the owner May and her boyfriend, Tad, and where, when I lived in Kantiang, I spent a ridiculous amount of time. What with the great shakes, the banana pancakes with chocolate sauce and the Wifi, I simply could not find the energy to leave! Thursday was much the same, minus the Wifi, but with a fabulous brunch of Egg Pan, great company (Kevin, Nin and Sarah) and Tad telling tales of gasing men! (we later found out he is not a Nazis, merely trying to exterminate some termites!).

A New Addition to Drunken Sailors, Drunken Tailors

When I finally managed to leave Drunken Sailors, I head further South to Noon bar, a recommendation by Sarah, which had stunning views over the Bay, before heading back to the office.

Never has a day without electricity been so good! Thanks for Sarah, Kevin and Nin for the company, the crazy guy at Sang Kha U, for well, being kinda weird and May and Tad for the scrumptious food.

Maybe I wont wait so long before going back again x

Bar of the Week! - Cheeky Monkey

This bar is probably the busiest bar on Koh Lanta in Low season.

Situated on the main road on Klong Dao Beach, it sits outside 'Fix the Girl' Salon (excellent for a haircut or a manicure) and is often really busy in the afternoon, as local Farang (Westerners) chill out after another busy low season day (well they got up before midday, didn't they!).

Serving cheap beers, Cheeky has friendly staff, happy locals and if you are peckish Mr Somchai's Wife (the only guy I trust to fix my bikes) makes some delicious traditional thai food for just 50 baht!

See you there!

Mellisa

The view from my house this morning!

It is a beautiful sunny day, here in Thailand, so I thought i would make you really jealous and show you the view from my house this morning!