Thom and Pai in the Land of Thai: Ko Ngai--Hotel Puppy

One of the puppies at our hotel

Hands down the most beautiful island we've visited. Ko Ngai (pronounced Ko "Hi") had the most gentle, stunning poetic views. With only 5 hotels on the island and very few visitors, relaxation existed in every step of each day. Our hotel, Mayalay Resort had its own pack of adorable dogs and four 3 month old puppies clamoring over everything and everyone. The hotel has bamboo cottages that are very 'Thai': modest, rugged comforts. Our bathroom built character as it was a porch of sorts off the back of our cottage with no screen to keep the elements out (like peeing in a jungle.) Tom says I did very well...and I did. Thankfully our hut's Templeton rat waited to visit us on the last night. Tom saw it and decided to tell me it was just a mouse. I figured it was bigger, but love him for the lie anyway. I loved this place despite the not so luxurious accommodations (a surprise given this was the most expensive hotel to date.)

We woke each morning one hour before sunrise to the piercing sound of insects that was deafening. Then the roaster crowed for a wee while. Finally, the dogs began their good morning howl. We were up and on the beach for our morning walk before the sun had a chance to even peek over one of the smaller islands that dotted our views. At least one dog (usually more) would greet us with you belong here affection. Sometimes the puppies came along on our walk and tugged at my skirt. The young mother of the litter was just like Ambear, our sweetly missed old girl. I wanted to take her and all the dogs home.

Our biggest adventure was taking a long tail boat to a few small island off of Ko Ngai At Ko Muk, we swam through a pitch black cave to what is called Emerald Cave (a beach within an island.) I have serious bragging rights for doing this, as it was the most terrifying 5 minutes of my life. Our guide had one small flashlight and 8 people clinging around him. It was a fun adventure, but as we were leaving we passed hoards of people (about 40 teenagers from Mylasia) waiting to have their boat's turn in the cave. Maybe we were not that brave.

We had planned to stay 6 nights, but Ko Lanta, a bit north called to us as we realized our time for Thailand adventures was running short. It was the right choice, but as our boat pulled away from the island, I felt terribly sad--I could have stayed longer.