Koh Tao day 6

More sun, sea and sand. The sea is crystal clear today, very inviting. And oh so warm. A stroll into the village to buy postcards. Another abortive attempt to walk to a (different) bay on the other side of the eastern headland for some snorkelling and lunch (the idea of a boat trip having come to nothing) – only to discover that the public footpath has been built on to create the up-market Koh Tao Resort and the bay is no longer open to the public. Instead we have lunch at the pool bar of Bubble 5 Star Dive Resort. First impressions of this bar are good: a pool overlooking the beach, a poolside bar with submerged stools, decked poolside with low tables, parasols and cushions to lounge on. Unfortunately it doesn’t quite live up to its 5-star rating. On closer inspection the pool water is dirty and tainted with debris and there is green algae growing on the stools and the jacuzzi seating. What a shame! We stop for a bite of lunch anyway before deciding that the sand and sea is much more inviting..

In the evening we walk round the far end of the bay where a rather ugly, raised concrete walkway has been built in the sea under the cliffs to link the main bay with the small beach further round the western headland. Here there is a restaurant and a bit further on a beach bar. We eat in the restaurant and move onto the bar which is probably the nicest on the bay. Oil lamps burn in pits cut in various geometric shapes in the sand and seating is on mats and cushions on the beach and a raised open terrace. A fire juggler provides the entertainment – the skilfulness of his dazzling display made all the more evident when a western tourist takes up a single fire pole and makes a pitiful attempt to twirl and spin it . We take up our usual pastime of cards rediscovering ‘Sevens’ which we used to play often when the boys were young. And where, other than in Thailand, I wonder, could you go to the bar and order three beers and a Snickers shake??