Day 5,

a real treat today, 

Diana had arranged for me to go island hopping on a catamaran, 

a mini bus picked me up from my hotel,

and I was soon walking with many others through Ocean Marina,

the grounds were spacious to say the least, and so well maintained, 

and there they are, 

this was the one I was on, number 5, 

moored next to a super yacht,

all aboard, shoes off, 

and time to walk around, 

in no time at all, 

we were making our way through the marina, 

so many boats here, 

any minute now, 

and we were under full power,

what a glorious day, 

the aroma of the bar-b-q reminding me I was hungry, 

a sister catamaran was in front of the one I was on,

as it happens there are a number in the fleet, all starting together but each with its own route so as not to have more than 2 boats at each stop, 

it was a glorious day, 

well to be fair it is Thailand!

the semi inflatable that takes people to the beach was lowered,

and they were off, 

beach bound, 

some like myself snorkelling from the boat, 

the beach, 

perfect, 

one of the crew dropping the fish a line to see if anyone is at home, 

strike! and he missed it, 

now things are getting serious, 

a spear gun,

and he is off, 

meanwhile one of the crew has brought up some delicacies, 

and they are, 

urchins! 

sea urchin 101, first cut off the spines, 

and then prepare, 

I gave them a miss, 

and went with the food that was already prepared, 

but I did fancy some of these, 

I guessed they would taste like whelks, 

they did not, in fact they had no taste at all, it was just like chewing a piece of everlasting tasteless rubber, 

on a good note the spear fisherman had caught a nice sized fish, 

just back from a swim,

so time for a beer!

we stopped off at a few other islands, 

each uninhabited, 

except this one, 

that had monkeys galore waiting to be fed, 

and in case you are sea sick, these are the tablets for you,

 

on the way back, 

a bit of fancy dress, 

there was a bit of rivalry between both boats, 

a few more on the boat I was on made themselves ready, 

it was a no holds barred battle, 

any moment now, 

as our boat caught up the lead boat,

the music was switched on,

the other boat was also ready, 

so a dance contest it was, 

both boats trying to outdo the other, 

great fun, 

the marina now close, 

off of the boats, 

past the lake and into town, for a shower,

before going out for the night, 

the local police taking last minute instructions before the evening shift, 

I made my way to the start of Walking Street, 

I was amazed at the number of shops selling 'weed',

getting ready for Halloween, 

and this is where I was headed, 

Pattaya Beer Garden, 

for bangers and mash, 

the garden already Halloween themed, 

a walk back to the street, 

I have not seen this before, hit a target and the 2 girls get wet, 

I passed that one by and settled in for a couple in Dang's before I was off to bed.