1st Day in Koh Lanta

Finally... after so very long (yes, I know, it's only been a couple of months), I've set off for what I really feel is a HOLIDAY (6 days, 5 nites). In a way, this is my last chance at a good break before the job "peak" starts, what with the year end closing, and the system migration coming up. Unfortunately, it's a rainy day... and instead of getting myself nicely burnt and tanned... am stuck in the hotel room watching Joan of Arc (disturbing show really). Must confess that I feel that my holiday time is fast disappearing, and can't help but wish that the trip was longer, and that I've fully capitalised on the long public holiday and the weekend.
Anyways, after some frantic last minute packing, found myself on board a flight to Krabi (incidentally, got my swiss knife confiscated at the airport... a remnant from my Japan trip packing which I conveniently forgot). The first portion of the trip was interesting enough, found myself in a rare situation... flight all by myself, was picked up at the airport by a burnt looking Jules (who was really delighted with his dives, by the way); and we took a long drive plus ferry to the hotel.
Finally... Lanta Sand Resort & Spa... in it's hey days it must have been quite an "atas" hotel... of the 5 star chalet variety. Sadly though, it's starting to show signs of wear and tear. 'Twas a funny first impression really, not what I expected of Thailand. In all my previous trips, Thailand has always been a country bustling with people, especially tourists. Koh Pha-Ngan for example was quiet, laid back... but Koh Lanta... well, it's kinda bordering on being deserted. The entire island has a somewhat "unlived" in feel about it now, hotels and restaurants that were once bustling with life are now empty, and you see the remnants of many a previous establishment about. This was evidenced by our little adventure last night. We decided to venture to the village centre yesterday for dinner. Instead of taking a taxi, we wrongly assumed that it was withing walking distance... onto the main road, and half an hour later, all we were saw were locals... and nary a restaurant in sight. Gone are the characteristic little "hole in the wall" restaurants, with only a couple of minimarts to show for its tourist roots... After a water buffalo sighting, we finally got on the local taxi (a motorcycle with planks contraption), and 45 minutes after we set off... finally ended up at the pier.
Dinner was pretty cool... a seafood restaurant on stilts, kelong style. The food was pretty good (just loved the complimentary salad), and all in all... think we had an enjoyable dinner... seafood, beer, etc. However, looking around, could not help but to wonder how the place would have been a year ago, before the tsunami. To me, the lack of tourists and its related income was painfully apparent. And I guess, now that I'm working in the tourist related industry... finally realized the impact that such a calamity would have on a country that is so largely dependent on tourist income, not only the destruction that it has casued, but the repercussions... even one year after...
Thankfully though, think the Thais are generally a more easy going crowd, and they are largely adaptive to their surroundings. The people are still friendly, and there are signs of rebuilding now. So... the night ended with rather mixed feelings... and a general feel that this trip will be an eye opener for me, in more ways than one.