Mr and Mrs Ross abroad: Somewhere unplanned....

We still had a few days to see somewhere before the luxe week in Phuket (honeymoon territory), we’d originally planned to head to Khao Sok National Park but having done the elephant ride and hotsprings it seemed an expensive trip to do given that we’d probably end up doing similar activities. Recalling a conversation we had had with one of the many chatty bar owners on Koh Lanta we decided to head to Koh Yao Noi. A little island inbetween Koh Phi Phi and Phuket that although easy to get to (in fact the quickest and nicest boat journey we have had) we had not met one person that had said they were heading there or had even heard of it, sounded perfect!

Having learnt my lesson of not sorting accommodation, I had booked ahead and organised a pick up from the pier. Yet again it was just Ed and I getting off the boat to the island, brilliant sign.

What followed was a very chilled out three days of driving around the island on yet another moped, this time exploring rice fields and rubber plantations, dodging a couple of massive snakes, being the only tourists at the local's weekend market, eating doughnuts at the market (Ed) and enjoying more Thai curries (Sarah). More bliss, the beaches aren’t up to much on Koh Yao Noi-hence the lack of tourists- but it was the most normal/local island we saw. Every time we passed someone on the roads or in the small town they waved and smiled, welcomingly.

This island was not just about tourism, we constantly saw people working the land and building homes rather hotels. It was very refreshing. The handful of resorts/bungalows on the island did appear to be ‘Farang’ (Foreigner) run probably bought up years ago when they anticipated a tourist boom like Phi Phi and Phuket but now they seemed to just appreciate that they had a fairly busy tourist season and then got to enjoy their island again when the tourists disappeared in low season.
We had a very cute bungalow with a loft space with a bed, the only downside was the return of Rattie. Packing up our bags on our last morning Ed went to put his rucksack on and it completely fell off his back, I started the whole “I told you not to swing it with one strap like that, it's a heavy bag, of course it will break” line but before I could finish it became apparent the strap hadn’t snapped it had been chewed.....
On further inspection he had a hole in the side of his bag, through the handle and the strap. Annoyed we informed the owner, explaining what a lovely stay we had had yet this was an expensive bag that was now broken. She wasn’t very apologetic really, asking if we had had food in our room (of course not, don't want to encourage things) and exclaiming that rats were here before us and will be here after us!
Annoyed we tried to brush it off thinking about the luxury we about to get a boat to. Ed and I moaned to each other about how if we’d had food we’d understand but that it was just super annoying and a nuisance. I reassured him the next place would not have rats.
Waiting at the pier for our boat to Phuket, Ed took a closer look at his bag... and discovered an empty packet of dairy milk buttons... hmmmm seems he may have encouraged wee little rattie along himself, afterall!