Metro, bus, plane and taxi was all it took to get from one country to the next (Malaysia --> Thailand).
Tired from the first few days of our trip and the double marathon we walked in exploration, by the time we arrived at our hostel in Phuket (1/16) all we could do was shower and fall asleep. The next morning (1/17) was an early start - first ferry out to Koh Phi Phi Island and the beach!
I must say that Thailand is great about door-to-door service.
Airport -> Hostel :: door-to-door
Hostel -> Ferry :: door-to-door
Ferry -> Tropical Gardens Bungalow :: ...
well not door-to-door per se, but that's only because there are no cars on Phi Phi. But we were met by a young man with a cart who pushed our packs through town and even carried mine the rest of the walk to our bungalow's door, so in a long way of getting to it... Door-to-door.
The night before our ferry ride Jeff had a genius idea! He was going to travel in his suit!! Save time!! Yes! brilliant! Why waste time changing?! Plan ahead! We had a minute look around our bungalow then we were right back out the door, following the path downward and spreading out our towels to lay on the beach!!
Oh it was heaven! The water. The sand. It was all so stunning. I love the beaches in America. The Outer Banks is one of my favorite places, but... Wow!! Thailand's beaches are a far more beautiful sight!
Water that's transparently clear and a dazzling shade of turquoise. Even the temperature of the water is welcoming you in. So warm it's almost not refreshing, but still better than the frigid temperatures of the Atlantic.
It was my first experience of Island Paradise! A 180 degree view (the back half was lined with bars) of perfection!
And the bodies! We have beaches in Korea, but they're full of Koreans - all covered up in long-sleeves, pants, huddled 20-deep under an umbrella. Not in Thailand. Skin was on show! Tan and lovely!! People were eager and grateful to have their skin kissed by the sun. And I was no exception.
Make room for me! I want a tan!! This pale and pasty look has never been desirable! It's got to go!!
For 4 hours I laid, napped and enjoyed the beautifulness of Loh Dalum Bay. It was only when I left the beach that I realized what a complete lobster I'd become. I was crispy!
It probably wasn't the best choice to go for a Thai massage with such fried skin but... ah. I scared the ladies a little. All they could say was how red I was. Of course this wasn't said in English - Jeff, very handily speaks Laos, and the ladies (despite working in Thailand) were speaking Laos, was able to understand them.
Good first day at the beach I'd say! Even with glowing red skin.
The following day (1/18) was much the same - a walk around the island before heading down to the beach to lay about relaxing.
This time I tried to spend more of my time under the care of an umbrella and not completely exposing myself to more skin damage. SPF 10 just does NOT work in the Asian sun. I used to believe I tanned well - easily browned, burned rarely, if never. But here in Asia I seem to boil. My freckle count has increased. My chest and shoulders are now dotted with little marks of battles lost to the sun. I have learned. I will use nothing less than SPF 50 from now on. Cancer do not find me!!
When we left the beach we stopped to have a pedicure. Done by fish!! Weird. It's weird having fish nibble at your toes, but neat too!
Feeling extra, extra crispy, we both went for Aloe Vera massages instead of the tradition Thai message. It was a curious mix of chilled goo and pain induced squeaks. But it was nice to have my body treated and cared for.
There wasn't anything left to do in the day but eat!! And what do you need after you eat? Well a drink that comes in a bucket of course!! And where should you go with such a large amount of alcohol? To the beach!! With our sand pail in hand we wander out into the sand and onto a fire show. It wasn't the best show on the beach, but we were content to watch, drink and take it all in.
Not even the rain could move us from our seats.
Jeff: I'm getting wet.
Me: Me too.
Jeff: I'm getting slimy.
Me: Me too.
Jeff: Should we move?
Me: Na.
So we sat. And we watched. Until the rain really fell and then we moved under the cover of the Slinky's Bar. With the fire show over, the evening turned into a dance party. Unable to escape from getting wet, we moved out into the open and danced in the pouring rain for hours!!
There was nothing overly exciting or amazing about the night. Just music and dancing. But it was fantastic!!! I can't not think back on it and not smile or be so happy that I had that experience. I'd be dancing and hopping around only to stop, look around and see Jeff off in another spot of the dance floor doing the same. We'd share a smile and keep on jumping around. It was truly spectacular. A moment I'll always treasure - the night I danced in the rain in Thailand.
It might have be that we were tired or that not much could live up to the night before, but on Thursday (1/19) we went on a less-than-stellar boat tour of the islands. Of course it was beautiful, picturesque and all of that, but just not the best. The first time we stopped to snorkel I was stung by a sea urchin right off! Sort of put a damper on my desires to jump back in. But it was nice to be out on the water and even better to have a day avoiding the sun.
And that night, bigger plans got under way!
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