Everyone here says "Same same, but different". There are even Tshirts. I guess you'd have to be here to really get it, but with their limited Enlish it's a very common Thai phrase...so common that even bars have adopted it as their name...anyway, an island is an island...we visited several today...they're all islands, but all unique in their own special way...so different. The phrase works for almost anything...go ahead, try it ;)
Waking up was rough after our late night last night, but we managed to do it on time. We had breakfast at our hotel...I'm on the western kick since I've been here and had cornflakes with milk. The milk here is super creamy (must be whole) and doesn't seem to be refrigerated...but indulging in cereal for breakfast was a nice change. Of course, breakfast is not complete in Thailand without a little nescafe. I have issue with Nestle as a corporation (that's a whole nother blog) but it's pretty popular in Thailand and difficult to boycott here...
Anyway, Hadas convinced me to pay extra to take a full day trip (vs a half day trip) with an English speaking guide (vs a Thai-speaking local)...the "extra" really isn't that much money when we're talking about baht, but it is when I'm trying to stretch out my money to the end of the trip...in the end the extra B was all well worth it. Mr. Dong was our tour guide for the day and we had a small group...only 6-7 people. Overall, we had a wonderful day.
Our first stop was Monkey Island...to the right of the main pier at Koh Phi Phi. This was my highlight of course! Monkeys were everywhere...baby monkeys, mommy monkeys, big fat monkeys. And everyone was feeding them. At first the whole thing was cute, monkeys eating bananas and pieces of watermelon. Then it just got ridiculous. People were giving monkeys bottles of coke! And they were just chugging them. Some monkeys were playing in plastic bags...those things are Everywhere. As soon as I noticed the trash all over the place, it was all I could see. There was trash everywhere. The monkeys were stepping on plastic bottles and bottle caps, foil bags from candy bars and chips, soda cans. I couldn't help but think what kind of savages go on vacation here? Are people that ignorant about proper disposal of trash? And it's not just here on Monkey Island where this is a problem...it seems to be a big problem on the main island, but I will save my rant for a different blog. The issue seems to be much much bigger than just careless tourists...
At any rate, the monkeys were fun, and Hadas has a video of a mommy monkey drinking coke if any of you are interested in it on her blog: http://www.hakuproductions.com/
After the monkeys we headed over to shark point for some snorkeling. I was assured that the sharks at shark point are harmless and Mr. Dong said we probably wouldn't see any anyway cause they like to come out early in the morning...Mr. Dong tossed a huge chunk of bread in the water as we were gearing up and an onslaught of tropical fish practically jumped out of the water to get at it. It was insane. The fish were beautiful but I can only handle so much snorkeling. I don't know what's wrong with me but I have a real difficult time getting my breathing coordinated. I was considering trying scuba diving while I was here, but I think that's probably a bad idea...anyway, fish, snorkeling, same same...but different.
Anyway, the fish were really cool. Some were even coming straight for me. It was like they thought I was food and then got close enough to see it was just a mask and a human and scurried off. Does a fish scurry?
In any case, I was the first to climb out of the water...started toweling off and noticed that my entire abdomen was covered with an allergic like rash...like a million mosquito bites but not itchy. I was quite a spectacle for the next hour as the Swedes wondered what it could be from...'did you touch the fish? graze some coral?". I don't know if I had a reaction to the Thai sunblock or the Thai water, but was relieved that it went away on it's own after about an hour...
After that we swung by Viking cave which was somewhat disturbing. Apparently people live in it which is why tourists can no longer trek through it. Which is fine by me (the not trekking through it part)...I just can't understand why people would live in a cave? Someone please enlighten me.
For lunch we stopped by Maya Bay, the infamous beach featured in "The Beach" with good old Leonardo. It was quite beautiful...white sand, crystal clear water. Same same, but different. You can even camp out on Maya Bay but I heard it's freezing at night this time of year. I think I'll pass on that. My hour long lunch break there was plenty ;)
Moving right along we went to a different Monkey Island where we got to snorkle again...this time there were different fish...same same, but different. Are you getting as sick of this phrase as I am yet?? I skimmed the surface all the way out to the beach and the monkeys here were straight up obese. If there was a monkey growth chart, they would be off the scale. In fact, some of us were wondering...'is that one pregnant? does that one have a tumor...?' Afterwards, Mr. Dong simply said that this Monkey Beach is the more famous tourist spot, hence the fat monkeys. Mr. Dong said "they're just like people, monkeys can get fat too."....haha!
We sailed a ways away...I love being on boats btw. I find them really relaxing. Well, aside from the sound of the motor and the exhaust fumes that is. Maybe I would like a sail boat best. Ahh, I think I'm too impatient for a sailboat. Unless I'm not trying to go anywhere in particular that is. Anyhow, on our speed boat, we eventually arrived at our destination: Bamboo Island...my favorite. A sleepy fishing village (why is that such a common description for fishing villages?) with small bamboo huts lining the edge of the vegetation on the island...Basically a desolate beach, soft white sand, crystal clear waters...just beautiful. Vitually untouched and best of all, no trash. I spread out my sarong and laid down to take in the scenery...breathe in the sticky, sweet, warm tropical air, taste the saltiness of the sea and just listen to the sound of silence...a welcome escape from the hectic island of Koh Phi Phi.
Much too soon we heard the loud honk of the boat's horn...it was time to go. The sun was descending in the distance and we were due to get back to Koh Phi Phi by sunset...Reluctantly we all boarded for our trip back...
I immersed myself in my book on the ride back...figuring I've seen all the scenery I need to see for one day right...? Same same? At one point I did happen to look up from my book and absolutely could not believe how beautiful everything was...it was nothing but water for endless miles and miles, but the water was an iridescent purple perfectly matching and melting into the sky...the sun was dipping deeper and the sky had turned into beautiful hues of various pinks and purples...the water was so glassy it looked like you could just stretch your whole body out on top of it and float...it was as shiny and smooth as Thai silk...I took a million pictures, but I don't think anything will ever be able to do it justice...
So, so very different.
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