On the road all day (Khao Lak - Ranong - Koh Phayam)

We were ready for the 7:20 AM departure of our bus. Even though Khao Lak is quite big it doesn't have a central bus station but there was one bus stop next to our hotel where the bus was supposed to leave. We managed to get a bit of breakfast at the hotel before we left and were at the bus stop at 7:10. The first bus arrived and took us 1½ hours north towards the next big town where they had a bus terminal and a connection to Ranong - the town where the boat to Koh Phayam would leave in the afternoon.

Next bus took around 3 hours before we arrived at the bus station in Ranong and had a local mini bus take us almost to the pier. The next boat would leave at 1 PM so we had around an hour to wait, talking to a couple of other back packers about theirs and our travel experiences.

The speed boat ride to Koh Phayam was about 30 minutes, we arrived at the main pier, haggled a bit with the scooter taxi drivers - there are no cars on the island. Our big back packs meant we had to hire three scooters to get across the island which took around 15 minutes. Already having booked a place for the next nights we knew where to go and where dropped off at the bungalows on the beach - and then we checked in.

A bit to eat for lunch, move our stuff into the bungalow and we were ready to spent the next days here in this nice and quiet bay, our bungalows seeming to be the last in long row of resorts and bungalows but still the place felt totally laid back.

Malene went out to take a walk on the long beach and came back after an hour and we both headed out since she had found a small dive shop in one of the resorts. 30 minutes later and we had booked another live aboard and Mikkel had signed up for a PADI course. Turns out we didn't have enough diving yet. Originally the thought was to do one or two day trips not a new live aboard with 10 dives. It did sound like a lot. But there was not much to choose from and certain dive spots were on the wishing list which the live a board more than covered those - so live aboard it is.

A couple of drinks and some nice food on the beach to celebrate that we had made it this far in one day.

Early morning in Khao lak

First leg to Ranong done

Minibus to Pier

Boring Ranong

Busy getting supplies to Koh Phayam

Waiting at the pier

40 minute speed boat to Koh Phayam

Luggage on its way

And us....

Off loading

Our bungalow - at the far end

And yet another magnificent sun set

Heading to Big Corn Island

Last morning on Little Corn island. We went out for an early morning swim when the sun was rising just before 6 AM. It has been a wonderful week on the island and for some of us in the water. Check out from our hostel was at 9 AM and just when we were about to leave the place a morning shower hit the island and the rain just poured down for 20 minutes - and we stayed inside sheltering from the wind and then rain.

Then we headed for Tranquilo cafe for late breakfast and once the sun came out we split up, some of us heading for a last morning on the beach, others just hanging out having an extra cup of late morning coffee.

There is a water taxi  - panga - in the morning and one early in the afternoon and technically we could stay another day and night on Little Corn Island but since we have the early flight in the morning, we wouldn't want to risk it and miss our flight.

Catching the panga in the afternoon was the usual chaos, the first panga filling up quite fast and the other not having arrived. Frederik and Berit got on the first panga with all our bagpacks and Malene, Mikkel and Matilde waited for the next which came 20 minutes later and had to unload before we could board and head for Big Corn Island. On the positive side this meant that the skipper decided to push it and we made it to Big Corn Island in just under 19 minutes.

Once we arrived at the dock there was a bit of chaos and it turned out that Frederik had his passport and phone stolen while on the panga or when gettig of so the skipper was trying to help him get it back. We decided to split up, some of us heading for the hotel with the luggage while the others tried to help locating the stolen phone and passport. Unfortunately no luck there so while they went to police station to get the paperwork done, we and Matilde headed down to the beach, came across a small hotel where they had a few sunset beers. Big Corn Island is also a nice place to stay it turns out.

Once reunited with our friends we had a short recap of how Nicaraguan police stations work on small islands. Slow it turns out but they managed to get the paperwork done meaning that we can all fly back to Managua as planned tomorrow. It is our last night together since we are going to split up in Managua tomorrow with us and Matilde heading back to Granada and then Laguna Apoyo and Frederik and Berit going to Leon so we had our last lobster dinner at a small local restaurant, then back to the hotel and some sleep before getting up at 6 tomorrow morning.

Stolen passport or not - the Corn Islands have been great to us. Like in really, really great.

Morning rain shower

Still raining

Back to normal and sunshine

Island mood

Frederik re-packing his bag - as usual

Panga boarding card

Panga #1 leaving with Frederik and Berit

See you later Little Corn Island

Checked in to G&G hotel for the night

Sunset beer

Last Caribbean sunset for now 

Lobster dinner

Lobster dinner and cold beer

Relaxing, a quick trip to Bocas Town - and we have been on the road for 9 months today

9 months ago we arrived in Istanbul, Turkey. And ever since we have been on the move. Wow. Today we were also going to be on the move - 5 minutes crossing the bay and going to Bocas Town. We got one of the boat taxis to take us across the water and were dropped off at one of the boat houses.

Bocas Town is really small - like three main streets connected by a number of small streets. A few shops and supermarkets and a bakery. And most importantly - a bank. The bank. With an ATM that luckily worked. We walked away from the bank feeling quite rich. Then a bit of shopping including two small bottles of rum. It is after all Christmas tomorrow and with no busy schedule we might just hang out and have a bit of rum at the pool.

We went to one of the hostels for lunch. One that had a bit patio towards the water where we could enjoy the armada of boat taxis going back and forth. Before heading back to the lodge we looked for a hairdresser for Mikkel but no luck. The only one we found had a long queue so we headed back to out island and relaxed at the pool in the afternoon.

"Group dinner" in the evening. As always very nice and laid back - and a good option to socialise with some of the other guys. The food was great - just as the other nights.

Lazy feet

Busy taxi boats around Bocas Town

Christmas is getting closer