(Daniel) The next day, after a long lie in, Nii and I checked out of the Amari Hotel telling them that we may be back to use the fax machine!  I bought a diving Knife, weights and a weight belt for spearfishing, then Nii and I had breakfast before exploring the island.  The developers had been busy, but here they have built houses rather than bars and restaurants.  Koh Chang property is in high demand.

We drove through to the other side of the island, where the road ran out at a track leading to a deserted beach.  A tiny restaurant stood alone in the wood behind the white sand beach.  The place was closed, but a family still lived in the house there.  They agreed to let us camp on the beach for a few dollars a day.

I have always thought that the Hannibal Trailer tent, which is so impressive and comfortable, has never been used to it’s true potential.  Here was the perfect opportunity, a few days on a deserted beach, we could buy ice and supplies then finally give the tent some use!  The best thing, for me at least, was that the weather had begun to turn, as monsoon season set in.  We certainly wouldn’t see four clear days, but the nights would be stormy and wet with lightning and thunder!

I worked hard for an hour to assemble the tent single handed with extensions all fitted, the table and chairs were laid out inside the living area like an office.  For electricity an extension lead to the mains wiring in the trailer was hooked up to the vehicles 2000W inverter.  With everything sealed up and safe, we headed to town to buy supplies, then prepared for the night of storms.

The rain began as the sun went down.  I cooked a Pasta dish in the kitchen with chilli and tomato while Nii entertained a Thai man who we had met whilst shopping.  After eating our new friend left before the weather got too bad.  Nii and I checked the tent pegs and lines for strength.  As we closed the window from outside the rain suddenly went crazy, huge droplets soaking us both to the skin in seconds.  We ran inside switching on the fluorescent lights.

The heavy wind battered the tent walls, the sides bulging in around the poles, gusts of wind made the whole tent feel like it was lifting up.  On inspection, the poles and pegs seemed to be holding up, but for how long?  What would a heavy wind do?  Could it lift up the whole trailer?  We climbed into bed, the rocking motion was like being at sea, the rain lashing the roof sounded like a machine gun, somehow in the melee of noise we fell asleep.      .

I woke at 3am, the wind was howling, through the wall in the living area I could hear a loud flapping.  I left Nii asleep and got up to find the source.  Some of the pegs had pulled out of the sand, leaving one of the walls free to flap around in the wind.  I walked out in my shorts to hammer in the pegs again.  The night was brightly lit by the moon which was now visible in the clear skies.  Stars shone like Christmas lights as I looked out across the sea.  The only sound was the lapping of the waves and the rushing of the wind.  It was one of those special moments that a camera could never capture and a story never justify.  These are the moments a traveler lives for.

I spent the next few days cooking, typing up diary updates and falling in love with Nii.  Although I won’t bore people with details about our relationship.  I will say that what started as an invitation for an adventure and a recognition of attraction, has blossomed to a special love combining so many wonderful things that I have always wanted.  Nii is so strong and wise, I cannot imagine myself without her by my side now.

PREVIOUS |  NEXT