(Daniel) I woke up early this morning.  The Thai border was less than five minutes away, as I stocked up on food and fuel in a petrol station, then drove to the border to cross into Thailand.

The immigration went smoothly, but the customs official at the border had not seen the carnet paperwork before.  As other officials crowded around to look at the Wolf, I took him through the sections that needed completing.  Everything seemed to go too easily, as having finished the paperwork with him, he thanked me for my understanding and waved me through.

Was that it?  I was in Thailand and it had taken only minutes!  I didn’t know then that although my papers were now filled out, the Thai carnet which was also required had not been completed.  A problem that would raise its head again when I went to leave Thailand!

I followed the sat navs instructions, having programmed it with a route to Koh Lanta, a small island off the west coast with a regular ferry from the mainland.  The route took me through Hat Yai then to Krabi.  I ran close to the dangerous and troubled provinces of Yala and Pattani, where the Muslim population is clashing with the Buddhists there.

I had been warned not to enter the two provinces, but had wanted to drive in myself and try to speak to some people to get the truth on the ground.  The Normally peaceful Muslims and Buddhists who practice peace as a religion, it just didn’t add up that 2000 people could have been killed there since 2004.

My drive took me through wonderful jungle and twisting mountain roads until finally the limestone cliffs and jutting tors of Krabi began to pierce the skyline.  This was what I had waited for, a return to the area which I have thought of as my second home since my first visit here in 1998.  Since then I have returned to the area over 10 times staying for periods of up to 4 months at a time whilst working as a diver on the beautiful Phi Phi island.

The ferry to Lanta was simple enough, although I didn’t realise that the island actually had two parts, and that the ferry only took you to the first part, where you had to dash to catch another boat to the main island.

Once disembarked on Lanta itself, I drove around the coast finding a picturesque resort called Green Garden, they allowed me to stay next to the beach for free.  Local people who were looking after the place were thrilled to hear about the expedition, and even happier to learn that I loved the local dish called Gang Som, that most foreigners can’t stomach.  We ate a dinner of the super spicy fish curry and discussed the countries I had visited.  I was back in paradise, tropical islands, fishing, adventure and goodtimes awaited.

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