Live! Koh Phi Phi!

Please read the last 3 posts first for chronological order. I have been writing daily, just haven't had an oportunity to post everything. There are times that my laptop doesn't like wireless networks.

But on with the show...

Ok…Enough travelling! Time to relax, swim, and snorkel! We woke up this morning in Patong Beach, Phuket with a slightly ‘cloudy’ head not really in need of another day of traveling…yet, we had plans to hop into a cab, taking the 45 min. trek in Thai traffic across the island, and hop on a ferry that would take us to Koh Phi Phi….then that is IT! No more for a couple of days! Just beach and heat!

There were no problems at all with the trip….just a couple of observations. Thai traffic is pretty reminiscent of what I saw in Buenos Aires…basically lawless roads. Here are some things I have seen:
- Motorbike – Thai driving it, wife on back holding their (approx) 1 year old baby.
- Thai driving a motorbike, wielding a propane tank by his side.
- Literally bumper-to-bumper traffic at 80KMs…
- Man driving motorbike. Between him and the handlebars was his (approx) 3 year old son. Holding on behind him was his (approx) 5 year old daughter. No helmets to be seen.

It’s quite the experience…so much so that Michele suffered a little motion sickness yesterday in the ride from the Phuket airport.

So…Koh Phi Phi. We arrived in the sweltering heat, with images of saltwater and kayaks dancing in our heads. As the Ferry turned into the bay, I think you could audibly hear both Michele and I say ‘Holy Shit!’. The beauty of the island, and surrounding area (Koh Phi Phi Ley is a sight to behold) was breathtaking, other than the previously mentions ‘holy shit’.

I was sweating. A lot. The stagnant 40 degree heat apparently doesn’t mix well with the spare tire around my waist, but my problems would be solved soon enough…

After trekking through the car-less town in search of the perfect guesthouse, we finally settled on the first one we saw. Sacha’s Guesthouse is run by an Aussie named Carol, and provided us with a bed and….well, a bed. Just as we had gotten settled, the heavens decided to answer my prayers, and open up with a cold shower. So the beach would have to wait, and the showers lasted an ‘amazingly long time’…close to 3 hrs. We made friends with a group from Victoria BC who mentioned that this felt much like home.

Side Note about BC’ers: They knew where I was from immediately from the Clagary Flames Tshirt I was wearing. They also really enjoyed learning that the Canucks had taken the divison lead from the flames a couple days ago. I haven’t heard the end since. MFers.

So after supper, a walk through town, and a small nap, I know sit in an outdoor coffee shop/bookstore people watching, ‘dinging’ to myself, and writing about my day, while Michele takes a sun-induced siesta. Tomorrow, we’re attempting to kayak to a cove we saw on the way in on the Ferry, and potentially experience the taste of salt water for the first time since embarking on this fantastic voyage. Also, my buddy, Dave, from Leeds, England is due to arrive sometime tomorrow. That could cause my liver to take a serious hit.

That is the update from Phi Phi. Hope all is well back home, and GO FLAMES! I have 20 Baht on them beating the Stars tomorrow night.

DING!
MB