Getting around Thailand would seem to many a logistical nightmare, but it really isn’t if you just go with the flow and have no deadlines or itinerary. We left the beach in the back of a truck (Sofa, the owner of Lola Bungalows gave us a ride to town) and hopped on the next train south to the city of Chumphon. Once there, we rode 12 km in a funny, open taxi to the shores of a river. We planned to hitch a ride at midnight on the open deck of a fishing boat for 250 baht each, but learned that that boat was ‘having problems/broken’. So we went down the way and found another boating company. There were boats docked around that looked decent so we paid 300 baht each for a birth. We waited until 11 at night and then were led onto the unlikely barge/boat that was loaded with supplies – literally beached and partially on its side. There were a handful of other foreigners with us. This must be normal. Dark out and calm, we watched and waited from the roof of the boat for about a ½ hour while they worked  to motor off the sand. Once free, the boat leveled out (a good sign) and began its way down the river to the Gulf of Thailand. The smell of fish was strong as we passed by miles of fishing boats at their docks. We were on our way to Koh Tao… finally. This was the “slooooow boat” so the sun was rising as we arrived at the pier. What a night! Travel Tip #2 – Don’t have any expectations! Click on the first picture here to see the story unfold.