Raya Beach and Coral Islnd

I went here to both islands yesterday. It was bittersweet for me because, although it was beautiful, I lost a close friend, a roommate from High School. As I was taking the boat, I got the news, so I cried a little, then had to pull myself together. The other people on the boat are there for fun, so they didn't need to see that.

I liked Raya Beach. I got a all in face mask to make it easier to snorkel . I had a little difficulty getting used to it, and trying to get good pictures. Sometimes I was shooting blind, because of the reflection on the plastic waterproof pouch, turning the camera off by mistake, but I did manage to get a few good pictures. We didn't stay there long. We went to the other side of the island so we could swim, have lunch before going to Coral island.

I could have stayed on Raya Beach. Coral Beach now has limits. No scuba, or snorkeling allowed. The coral is so fragile that if you step on one, even for seconds, you can kill it. It's a good thing they are trying to save it, but it now becomes a cash cow. You can parasail over it, scuba on the beach itself, not where the coral is (it becomes a lesson not real scuba diving), shower 40BHT, toilet 20BHT  ( REALLY???) I couldn't even sit in a chair without a cost.

My tour said all included, so mostly yes, but you need to take money if you want to rent fins, the mask like I wore, parasailing. Lunch was okay. I had spicy chowder, vegetable with pork, a sweet and sour chicken, water, and there was fruit for dessert. I got a few nice pictures, and got to see the Big Buddha of Karen back on the mainland.

What I brought back were  few shells, and a sunburn. I brought sunblock, but I didn't put it on early enough, nor had a chance to reapply it. Anyway, it looks worse than I feel. I have had much worse.

Now I just have to be careful for the next few days. They had a deal on Aloe Vera at Boots - buy 2 get one free, so I did. I keep it in the fridge so it's really nice to put on.

My hotel neighbors mentioned a restaurant on our street that they went to Sak Sa it was called, and nearly every dish was 100BHT, which is about $3. Rice is another 20BHT, and I got a Singha beer because it was cheaper than juice, and I thought it would help me sleep with my sunburn.....yep.

Next couple of days I will have to take the sun umbrella. When you want sun, it rains, when you want rain...sunny weather. The umbrella will help. I will go later to the tailor to have a couple of shirts made, and change some money.Th have a rate to $100. i'll see if I can get a better rate for $260. If not, I will change $160, because the rate will be poorer if I change only $60.  I found a nice Chinese style shirt for 700 BHT I might be able to get a cheaper price for, and it's long sleeved, something I will need for the sunburn IT will go beautifully with linen slacks I have.