Koh Phayam
08 February 2018
While the sun was still rising we made a start to cleaning the other side of the boat using a week solution of oxalic acid and manage to brighten up one side of the boat. We went ashore and walked the mile along the beach to hire a motorbike so we could head to the main village and their medical centre. A nurse was on duty and they seemed to have quite a range of equipment. I was a bit concerned by the rash and vesicles on my leg which have now been there for almost two weeks and if anything seem even redder and itchy. We assume it was a jellyfish sting though I was not aware of any stingy when in the water or after. She prescribed my a steroid cream and antihistamine tablets which I had already tried but will try these new ones for a few more days.
There is a Buddhist retreat on the island and as well as individual meditation cells there were dozens of single tents hammocks and shelters dotted around the woods. They have a temple on the end of a pier as well as many other symbolic structures and statues including a very large gold Buddha. There seemed to be 50 plus monks there but we did not want to wander around to far or to disturb them.
The busiest road across the island is also the narrowest road with many potholes and bumps which means careful driving and I just hope the island does not get too many tourists that it starts to spoil the tranquillity of the place. There are no hotels but endless groups of chalets with varying sizes of bar/restaurants. Mostly Northern European visitors and lots of "hippy and Rasta bars" I just need long grey hair in a ponytail and plenty of colourful tattoos and I would fit easily into the crowd here.
We stocked up with plenty of fresh fruit again and then back to the boat. Using the dive master I went to give the hull a clean and was really disappointed at the growth on the propeller of early barnacles so I removed the zinc anode from the shaft until I have investigated further.
We shared a dinghy ashore with David and Margaret to have drinks at one place and dinner at another. They are beginning to recognise us now.