3rd January 2011
Some of the people to be seen loitering on the beach at Ko Surin while we wait for our transfer back to the mainland: an orange-robed monk over for the day to bestow New Year blessings on the park HQ; muslim tourists in their tropical island wear of full black headscarf, jeans and long-sleeved tops; a giant German whale woman with her shoal of sunburnt kids in tow; hairy, tanned Americans wearing only Billabong shorts, sunglasses and diving watches; a Japanese gent looking like a jowly old koi carp, toting his waterproof gadgets in various waterproof containers; an English couple, both heavily tattooed, she in a leopard-print bikini and he with shaven head and belly held up by shorts; noisy Thais having New Year fun, the girls always donning life-jackets before approaching the sea; a nut-brown old Frenchman with bald head and belly chatting up uncomfortable local girls with persistence.
We had a good final snorkelling session this morning, the longtail stopping at three sites with different kinds of coral and fish. Snorkelling can be a bit of a disfiguring activity – Maureen has raised bumps on her feet from jellyfish stings, I have heat rash on the back of my legs from the sun, we see lots of people sporting plasters from coral cuts and after three days of wearing a mask I have a horrible selection of acne. Definitely time for some rest and relaxation.
Related Images: