The little Honda Civic was a clean mean machine, rented from Morn at Boat Lagoon and we were off for our 6 + hour trip to Burma (one way Phuket to Ranong). The ride was pleasant especially in the morning, less traffic and of course it took us longer than we had anticipated. And we were so hoping to stop on our way home at a pristine, beautiful beach with clear blue water and white sand.
This is a spot we happened upon with Garry and Ann,
some very close "x-cruising" friends. They had sold their floating home, Toucan Tango (a beautiful catamaran) and before heading off to New Zealand they honored us with a great visit in Phuket along their way. But that is a story for another time.We arrived at Ranong, Thailand to start our exit from Thailand and journey into Myanmar. Coming out of the immigration and customs offiice we were approached by a Thai man telling us we needed to have copies made for 5 bht each. We didn't believe him to say the least, however he was very patient with us and assured us not only did we need these copies he would take us to and from Myanmar for 200 bht round trip for the two of us.
Our trust in him began to grow so we not only agreed to the copies he hopped into our back seat and we sped away down the road to a local dock.
He motioned for a young boy to bring the boat closer and before you could say "same same but different", a famous Thai saying, we walked our way out to our awaiting vessel and headed out of the harbor.
The first stop, where the boy literally jumps from the bow of the boat to the steps, was declaring our exodus a floating water office.
Then across to Myanmar. It was a hot, pleasant ride to the check in point on the other side and I was so pleased it wasn't raining, because there is no protection to the elements.We arrived, met by several boat boys trying to sell anything they could even their money for US money. Steve was offered some pretty blue pills to enhance his evenings however we persevered to the immigration and customs did our duty and left.
The streets were filled with people, cars some small animals and lots of beggers. I had seen enough and we walked back to the pier with Burma's entrepreneur's close on our heals telling us of their goods for sale.
I was so temped to give the boys some cash but I knew it would not help them only convince them more that this form of exploitation was worth their days spent on this dirty pier, but then again maybe it was the lesser of two evils given the present day problems in this country.
One feels so thankful and helpless at the same time, waves of emotions that surf the mind looking for a beach of solitude and peace on which to rest.
On the way out we passed a couple of temples and made a pit stop to check out of the country. I was reprimanded quite sternly because I took photos of them at the check point.
I thought what if they confiscated the camera what could I do, who could I tell, who would care but me? So I cooled my jets and we motored back across to Thailand.
We said good bye to our new captain friend and young helper tipped them both and we were on our way home to Phuket, legal again for 30 days.
