Cloud 9...

...is what we stumbled upon on the island of Koh Tao, and more specifically, Nang Yuan. We contemplated what we could have been missing, only three days prior, over icy strawberry shakes in Koh Pha Nagn. "Everyone says it's just so beautiful." Sure, the southern islands are nice, but we were expecting to get swept off our feet, dazzled by the beauty of the tropical waters.

Ten days ago, we flew into Ko Samui and promptly left the next morning. Sure it was commercialized, we had been warned, but we hadn't been prepared for the beach. Garbage and driftwood lay scattered about and the water looked like the aftermath of a storm; large pools of water lay stagnant in clusters spanning the area. Dejected, we left for Ko Pha Nagn, site of the Full Moon Parties (we had missed it by several days). After four fullfilling days there, we headed off once again, for our final island.

Day 1 in Koh Tao greeted us with clear blue skies and blazing heat. We enquired about a water taxi to the enthusiastic group of men sitting at the 7-11, who seem always at the ready to drive you to your next destination. Stepping off the long-tail boat in Nang Yuan, it hits me that we've finally found 'it' - what anyone who has ever been to Thailand knows and raves about. Alas! A silky white sandbar stretched between the skinny length of the three islands, separating cerulean waters on one side from turquoise on the other. We spent four glorious hours basking in the sun before we realized the sky had turned black and a storm was about to take over the area. The waves were high and unruly and our Boat Driver thought we should wait it out. Still pouring thirty minutes later, we risked the ride back, ancient lifejackets that likely wouldn't have keep any of us afloat fastened snugly on. After a harrowing 45 minute ride, we arrived safely. Trudging through the streets afterwards, we passed fellow travellers, in the same drenched-rat costume we were wearing. We all exchanged meek smiles as if to say "whew! That was a close one."

Back in the city that never sleeps now - Bangkok.