After spending another night in Trang we regained some energy and hired a minivan to take us to the Hat Yong Ling National Park (about 1hr south west from Trang, on the coast). When we got there we were slammed with a higher-than-expected entrance ticket price, which really lowered our expectations of this place after such a head-ache of a van ride.. but we found this place to be SPECTACULAR. 
We followed a beaten, but dead, trail to the Yong Ling Caves which were pitch black, robust with the sonar chirppings of several dozen bats. 
We entered with reluctance but it was well worth the anxiety. We came out after a series of turns to a solitary beach. There was no other way to access it, so only the brave occupied its shore--in this case, Kristen and I.
We jumped and climbed along the sea shore and many of the caves decorating the limestone outcrops along the sandy perimeter. The place redeemed itself, and we enjoyed our stay entirely. We were picked back up by the minivan four hours later; dropped back off in Trang to get our bags from Ko Teng Hotel and hiked hurridly and unsurely to the train station, where we purchased a one-way ticket to Suratthani, a small town which was the port to three great island to the north, in the Gulf of Thailand.
The trip was long and we were easily housed for the night in a cheap hotel, and woke early to be transported (by many methods: minivan, travel bus, fast ferry--not THEE fast ferry, though) to Ko Samui.
This island is alive with many interesting characters, and even more to explore. After we found lodging for the night, Kristen and I hired motorbikes and explored the main roads and the outskirts of the area.
Stopping for dinner at an authentic Thai BBQ Buffet was an interesting experience, which left us with belly aches and days of regret. I'll add some pictures later when I have better internet access, so check back soon! (update: 01/10/08, pictures added).
The night was short and we retired and woke early the next day ready to depart for our second destination in the Gulf.
We followed a beaten, but dead, trail to the Yong Ling Caves which were pitch black, robust with the sonar chirppings of several dozen bats. We entered with reluctance but it was well worth the anxiety. We came out after a series of turns to a solitary beach. There was no other way to access it, so only the brave occupied its shore--in this case, Kristen and I.We jumped and climbed along the sea shore and many of the caves decorating the limestone outcrops along the sandy perimeter. The place redeemed itself, and we enjoyed our stay entirely. We were picked back up by the minivan four hours later; dropped back off in Trang to get our bags from Ko Teng Hotel and hiked hurridly and unsurely to the train station, where we purchased a one-way ticket to Suratthani, a small town which was the port to three great island to the north, in the Gulf of Thailand.
The trip was long and we were easily housed for the night in a cheap hotel, and woke early to be transported (by many methods: minivan, travel bus, fast ferry--not THEE fast ferry, though) to Ko Samui.
This island is alive with many interesting characters, and even more to explore. After we found lodging for the night, Kristen and I hired motorbikes and explored the main roads and the outskirts of the area.
Stopping for dinner at an authentic Thai BBQ Buffet was an interesting experience, which left us with belly aches and days of regret. I'll add some pictures later when I have better internet access, so check back soon! (update: 01/10/08, pictures added).
The night was short and we retired and woke early the next day ready to depart for our second destination in the Gulf.
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