We got packed and rode a mini bus
to Hat Yai, the fourth largest city in Thailand. The driver was very crazy but seemed to know how
to get to our destination the fastest way possible. We crossed
the Penang Bridge, the third longest bridge in the world. The total length of the bridge is 8.4 miles and is a national landmark. We
stopped for lunch at a road-side restaurant, and also stopped
at the border to go through customs and immigration. We drove
through a lot of rubber tree forests on the highway through Thailand.
When we arrived at Hat Yai, we found a place to stay at the
Cathay Guest House. It was on the corner of some very busy
and noisy streets. That evening we had some really good Chinese
food and Thai beer. The name "Hat Yai" is a short version of "Ma Hat Yai", meaning giant Ma Hat tree
We got up early for a mini bus trip
to Surat Thani. This driver was also crazy driving very fast
and passing cars insanely. We transferred to a boat that took
us out to an island called Koh Samui, Thailand's third largest island. I saw fishermen on long-tail
boats on the Tapi River and some small islands that looked like the ones from "The
Man with the Golden Gun" movie. After we arrived we rode
a Baht Bus (Song Taos) to Chaweng beach on the other side of the island.
I met a Korean guy named Soeng and hung out with him that day. The
three of us ate dinner on the beach and watched a movie called "Maximum
Risk". That evening Soeng and I walked into town for a
drink and saw the she-boys, transvestites. We stopped at the
Santa Fe and Reggae Pub. It was very busy in the evening.
That morning we went snorkeling just off the beach near
our bungalows. I saw many colorful corals and fish. The water
is very warm and clear. I ran out of water taking a shower,
then had coconut chicken curry for lunch. I took a walk down
the beach and back through the town. I haggled with a street
vendor for a imitation Rolex watch down to 600 Baht ($25),
but 
when I picked it up the minute hand fell out of place,so I told him to forget about it. That evening we met up
with Soeng and went to a cabaret show. It was shocking to
see guys that looked so much like girls. After that we went
to the Green Mango discotheque for some drinks and dancing.
Today we rented a motorcycle to
do some exploring around the island. For two days it cost 260
Baht ($12). The bike was a real mess but it got us around.
We first went to Big Buddha, it is on a small island, and is
all painted in gold. Then we went to the 
octuple coconut tree
(a tree with 8 tops). We had to take some dirt tracks in the
jungle to find it. It seemed we were the only ones out there. We
went into Na Thon village and bought tickets to Bangkok by ferry
and train. Then we went to Hu Nam (Namtok Hin Lad) Waterfall and hiked up to
the top. It was a long hot climb. The trail went through an evergreen rain forest setting with palms and creepers, the waterfall has 
several levels with a cool pool for a fresh water swim. I saw some beautiful blue
ferns. We stopped again in
Na Thon and had dinner at the Sunset Cafe. It was on the waterfront
and had a great view of the sunset. Nathon is the island's capital, it has two main roads operating on a one way system. There is a large pier with lots of boats ferrying in supplies, a small bus terminal, and a food market. Afterwards we drove back
to our bungalow on the other side of the island in the dark.
We drove to the south end of the
island and took a look at Lamai Beach. Then went to the Namuang
Waterfall. This waterfall is set amid a scenic landscape. It's water is from the central mountains of Samui island passing through the long range till it spills into the plain below. The stream of water plummet about 30-40 meters down a steep rocky staircase before tumbling into a large and deep pool. The area of the waterfall and its immediate surroundings has been designated a national park by the Department of Forestry. It was much nicer than Hu Nam. 
I hiked up to Namuang
II falls. The entrance of this waterfall is 100 meters from that of Namuang 1 Waterfall. It was a pretty walk through coconut trees, I had to dodge
falling coconuts, and climb up a river of rocks. It was an extremely
hot walk. I stuck my head under the waterfall to cool down. Donna stayed on the bottom falls for an hour until I got back.
We then took off to the southern tip and a man showed us Wat
Samret,a marble Buddha image. This old temple is the guardian of the ancient White Marble Buddha, believed to be many hundreds of years old. We were allowed access to the Secret Hall of Buddha. Our guide was a nice guy and showed
us the difference between Indian & Thai monk images.
While we
were riding down the road we passed a dead cobra, and went back to have a close look. We stopped
for lunch in Thong Krut and saw the "island of no dog" (photo on right) .
We also stopped and walked around "Hin Ta - Hin Ya" (also known as "grandmother" rock
and "grandfather" rock). These unusual rock formations are natural occurring phenomena, in which through heat and constant washing by the sea and wind, the granite rocks were deformed into strange shapes resembling male and female genitals.
A local story tells of an old couple whose ship was wrecked in the bay. Their body's were washed ashore to create the rocks.
It was a silly tourist site. We returned to our bungalow and
saw "Courage Under Fire". That evening I went for
a swim in the dark and saw a dog fish.
I took off on my own with the motorcycle. I saw Big Buddha
again, then around the north through the west coast. 
I saw
a bunch of young Thai boys riding a bike and found some pretty
shells with long spines on a beach. I talked with a Thai
man near a coconut tree that hung over the beach at Aow Thong
Krut. Then drove around the southern tip and up the east
coast. I rode under a grand entrance of giant elephant statues. I saw a snake charmer show but couldn't find the twin coconut tree. I brought the
bike back and ate lunch at the Lazy Wave, then went snorkeling.
I went out two times. I saw a sea urchin but the visibility
was poor and the water was very shallow. I saw huge schools of fish among the coral reefs.
I got sick that evening after dinner and watched "That
thing you do".
We took a song tao to Na Thon and ate lunch before taking
the express boat at 2:30. It was a short trip of 1 hour to
Don Sak. Then got on a bus to Phum Phin to board a train.
Surat Thani Railway Station is the main railway station in Surat Thani Province. It is located on S.R.T. Southern Railway line km. 635+106, on the east bank of Tapi River in Thakham City, Phun Phin district. Surat Thani Station first opened in 1915, and was originally named Phun Phin Station. The name was later changed to "Surat Thani Railway Station" A lady took us into her restaurant to make dinner for us
but it wasn't good. We walked over to the station and got
in our car #2. As we waited I saw some men eating in a box
car next to us. I waved and took a photo of them.
A man gave me a shot of Thai whiskey. In return, I gave him some
of my coconut cookies. Once the train got going we saw some
wild fires along the way. The train stopped frequently. I
slept on the bottom bed most of the time, but also got off
and walked around stations while the train was stopped.
