Up Early and Off To Koh Larn,

which is the largest of the islands just off Pattaya,

we arrived at the Bali Hai pier about 8.45,

to dark rain looking clouds, a fair landward wind was blowing as well,

two of the typical Koh Larn ferries, just a point before getting on make sure it is going to Koh Larn, unless you want one of the other islands, all aboard for the sky lark!

Mick and Mass, all smiles as usual,

I am OK but Diana is not so sure, we are still tied to the jetty and Diana is already saying she is dizzy, I must admit the boat was rocking a bit due to the wind and waves, it did not bode well for the journey out,

after a wait of ten minuets or so we were off, the last line off the bollard,

another view of the ferries as we leave Pattaya,

the good news was that although the skies still looked heavy with rain the seas started to smooth a little as we left the pier, much to Diana's relief,

out past the city sign almost being escorted by one of the many dive boats that operate out of Pattaya,

you can also hire speed boats to take you to the islands, the advantage is that you arrive there much quicker and also the chances are if you arrange it before hand you can go to the far islands and have a beach to yourselves, I do not know the cost, but Mick and Mass said they would find out in the next week or so, on the other hand the ferry is slower, but wait for this, only 40 baht per person return!

on the way out there are boats of all shape and sizes to be seen, this is a typical in shore net boat, (as opposed to squid boat with lighting booms),

we went past lots of different beaches, the last time Mick and Mass came here the boat landed at the main beach and they took motorbike taxis to another beach,

but this ferry took to us to a beach on the side of the island, where a new jetty had been built,

walking along the jetty there were beaches to the left and right of it, this one to the right took our fancy,

to get to it a walk way over the rocks had been installed,

also the good news was that in the 45 minutes it had taken to get there the clouds had started to be burnt away by the sun, still not strong but it made everything look much better,

there were a few people there but it turned out that they were locals, we were the first tourists of the day, it was just like being on holiday!

by now a few more people from our ferry arrived, a view to the left,

and to the right with the new jetty,

Diana dont swim and did not want to get brown, so a quick paddle and back under the umbrellas,

then time for breakfast, tom-yam-gong and a shared chicken salad with rice, at first things looked a bit expensive, but when the food arrived the number of shrimps was more than generous,

followed of course by a cold fresh coconut,

so we settled back, read a book, had a snooze, then food time again! this time for the girls a spicy Thai salad,

and a liquid lunch for Mick and myself,

by now the beach was starting to fill up as the late rousers were starting to arrive, down the beach a bit a photo shoot was going on,

I have to say the tourists here from what I could hear as they went past or we went past them, was manly Russian, I think we were the only Brits on the breach,

the photo shoot coming on nicely,

and drawing to a close now,

and the models pass us by,

by now the sun had really come out, so Mick was soaking up the rays,

and a little oil to help,

all to soon it seemed, it was time to go, this is a view of the beaches on the other side of the jetty,

our ferry awaits, now this is important, on this beach the last ferry leaves at 4 in the afternoon, if you miss it to get back to Pattaya you have 2 choices, swim, well not really a choice, or pay 2,500 for a speed boat to get you back, do not be late for the ferry!

again the crossing was 45 minutes and thankfully for the girls no big waves,

except when a speed boat decides to 'buzz' the ferry!

getting close to Pattaya, Roayal Clif residents on the right and Pattaya's new light house on the left,

a long time ago you may remember we went here with Jeff and very nice it was to, as for the cost for today, 40 baht each return, hire of deck chairs, beer, 2 coconuts and food just over 800 baht per couple, what a great day out,

then home shower and out for the evening meal,

we decided on the chicken soup, with bugs for Diana,

the place was very empty, with some stalls not even opening up, even the bug stall was not there,

I was a bit behind Diana taking a couple of pictures, so when I got to the soup stall she was not there, she was hidding and jumped out at me from behind the telephone box saying 'bulaga' which I guess is the Tagalog for surprise, which I was!

luckly the soup stall was there, 60 baht for two take home soups,

as the bug cart was not there it was to another market, bugs first,

then some boiled sweet corn for latter, with fresh pineapple for desert,

then feet up to watch I, Claudius, a great BBC series from 1967, over 10 hours long in all, we watching it till just past midnight so just on to the end of disc 2 epiosode 4, 12 epiosodes in all, a great way to end a perfect day!