Next, we had to return the scooters. Karyn's got a bit scratched up in the fall, and so we were all nervous having heard crazy stories about scooter renter's charging exorbitant amounts for nominal damage. Sure enough, the guy tried to charge us 24,000 baht, which is about $800 dollars. To rent the scooter is 150 baht... So I guess we know where they make their money! The damage was only surface scratches, but the guy was really scary. He was covered in tattoos, including a large nazi tattoo with a swastika and an eagle on his bicep... He started yelling at us when we refused to pay, and things got pretty heated! He had our passports though, so we were kind of stuck. Karyn eventually went to the police, and even they wouldn't go near the guy because apparently he is involved in the thai mafia and had pull a gun on a police officer? Anyway.... Eventually he cut the price to 16,000 baht, and we got our passports. Still, a bit of an ordeal.
While Karyn, Tomas and Josh were dealing with the police, etc, Artus and I decided to go to Bottle Beach and get settled in (five of us in taxis to and from the station, with Karyn having to keep her leg straight, was pretty impossible). We tried to get a water taxi, but the price was higher since we were only two. So Artus ran around the bay convincing people to go to Bottle Beach until we had 6 passengers, and the water taxi driver was so impressed with the industrious German that he let the two of us ride for free! Yay Germany!
Bottle Beach was a perfect respite from the ordeals of the passed few days. So calm, so relaxing.
We each had our own beach side bungalow. They were very "rustic" (read: cheap)! At least there was mosquito netting. Though mine had holes, patched up with band-aids... but you can't beat the view!
Hours later, Artus and I started feeling bad about having left the others in town, and we worried that they weren't going to come after all. With Karyn's injury, getting in and out of the water taxi would not be easy - she can't bend her knee nor get her leg wet. Finally, they arrived, though the boys were a bit angry with us for leaving them, with all their luggage, to carry Karyn onto the boat. They had had a really awkward time of it getting her in, with one holding her legs, one her arms, etc. So Artus and I ran into the water to meet them, and I carried a bunch of backpacks to shore (bikini-clad, no less) while Artus picked up Karyn like a damsel in distress and carried her to shore. The other two boys were aghast at the ease with which he lifted her. Another point for Germany!
Finally we could all sit together and relax on bottle beach.
Karyn could put her leg up.
We lingered into the evening.
After dinner, we played pool with the hotel staff and had a few beers. Before bed, I went for a midnight swim in the ocean. It felt great.
The next few days we will be hanging around here, letting Karyn recoup, and soaking in one of Thailand's relaxing beaches. Not a bad place to rest up for a few days!
Cheers!
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