SKY Paraliders

TUK TUK

If it weren’t for sightseeing, snorkeling, sunbathing, doing nothing, petting tigers, shopping and above all eating round the clock, we would have certainly suffered severe flying withdrawal symptoms. . It all started about 5 weeks ago, when we tuktuked to the largest shopping mall in Bangkok, widely convinced that we would only buy the most important things. Come at the sight of the offered goods however we throw overboard all the intentions and what followed probably was meant to be: Buy and bargain, buy and bargain, … It’s debatable what of the both we liked better. The fact is, however, that after only two days we had to lug around some more kilos of luggage with us. A little hint: S, M, L, XL in Thailand differs far from the european standards. An after all, as the old lens had not survived Iquiques Lamas a new one is acquired. Well at 55 – 200mm we discover that for a picture one should have some distance in order to shoot a proper picture.

Well equipped we continue to Koh Pagnan to end the year at the Full Moon Party. Easier said than done, because when we arrived we learned that at the moment it’s peak season, and absolutely no room is free. So what will we do in our hour of need? Franzi tells of a mythical beach named Tonsai Beach, so we pack our stuff and the jurney goes on to Krabi, Railey and finally Tonsai. New Year's Eve we spend on Railey Beach where just before midnight we launch a lantern with all our wishes for the year 2010. The Laterns crash after only a few meters later we just ignore and do not interpret it as a bad omen.

Having survived New Years happily and safely we head for Tonsai. From the start we know that nothing will get us to leave this little magical beach so soon. Tonsai holds a few surprises though, firstly, Franzi is almost killed by a coconut, secondly 20 minutes in the sun are enough to look like the non-white part of the Austrian flag and thirdly, we are attacked by prehistoric creatures. Well, the attack is a lie, but still we sight really big and beautiful iguanas – unluckily no camera. Also snakes, monkeys, Giant crabs and cats are sighted and documented with photographs. The food is chap and delicious and so it can happen that the recommended 3 meals per day turn out to be 5! After several days of gluttony and doing nothing we rise to new heights on a rope. Franzi decides to teach slacklining to Stefanie. The fever catches me relatively quickly, hence I spend hour after hour after hour on the leash and Franzi makes some good shots.

The fact that two weeks full of gluttony, do nothing, sunbathing and slacklining go by so quickly seems a little strange, but even after some calculations doublechecking the calendar we are left with too little time. Maybe somewhere some spare days are hiding? But no, it is how it is. We are left with only two remaining weeks in Thailand and we still want to see soooooo much. Thus we hit Koh Tao, where we once again eat, do nothing, and … and sunbath and snorkel. While snorkeling, we see lots of colorful small and big beautiful fish, great coral reefs and along the way a few SHARKS !!!!!! I nearly drop dead and Franzi is squeezing my hand. Whether because of the protective instincts or because he wants to push me in front of him in the case of an attack is not yet clear. We are still alive, so no killershark sighted.

The Nikon proves to be a loyal companion in every adventure. A baptism by salt water however kills it after only three months full of action and excitement. Tears are shed, the owner is regretfully phoned, the deed is confessed and a new one is purchased. It’s so easy to be replaced as as a camera in Thailand. Our new companion is called Nikon D5000 and after only a few days makes acquaintance with the tigers.

Back in Bangkok Franzi lets his ear quickly be pierced and I get a gecko tattoo on my foot. Thanks to our Nikon these crimes are documented properly. To overcome both our trauma is not dealt with here in more detail, so we ask the reader to read the pain from the attached photos.

Actually, I was about to close the artice with that news but Franzi topped the whole thing. Totally starved he wanders at night through the streets of Bangkok when he suddenly catches sight of some food and falls on his pray like a mad boar. What can I learn from this? To always feed Franzi properly, otherwise he fills his stomach with fried insects, in this case with a scorpion.

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