The Beach -Thailand

March 6, 2008

Ben says I should post about Thailand. I don't really want to. There is not much to say. Its not like Cambodia either, which left me speechless but in a surreal, moving sort of way. Its just Thailand was basically a beach vacation and what can you really say about that.

We did spend one night in Bangkok (actually two but that is not how the song goes) and explored the city a bit. It was admittedly pretty unexciting for the two of us. The traffic was as stunningly awful and gridlocked as I expected but there was not that 'exciting markets and people overflowing into the streets, motorbikes and trickshaws taking over the sidewalks' craziness to it that would make it worth writing home about. It was just miserable, horrible traffic jams everywhere. Khao San Road (the world's stinky backpacker headquarters) was lined with guesthouses, cozy cafes where you could get your standard crunchy morning breakfast of granola, yogurt and coffee, massage parlors, cheap clothing and jewelry stalls but there was nothing outrageous. Nothing obvious anyway. Actually, many of the guesthouses on Khao San Road were nice. There was even a KFC! I don't know I expected to be shocked by Bangkok but it was pretty ho-hum. Of course, we did not venture too far and I am sure there is all kinds of trouble to be had, you just have to look for it.

We weren't looking for it though because all we were thinking of was The Beach. Literally, The Beach. We stayed four nights on Ko Phi Phi Don, the sister island to Ko Phi Phi Ley, the island where they filmed The Beach. Both Ko Phi Phi Don and Ley are supposed to be two of the most beautiful islands in Southern Thailand and they were pretty amazing. Ko Phi Phi Don has a reputation for being a lost paradise due to crazy beachfront development on its main bay but there are still quiet, secluded spots on the island and we managed to find one the best. Our resort was small, on its own private beach with the best coral reef the island had to offer. So needless to say, we did not do much but relax, float in the clear waters, snorkel, and relax. We took one snorkel trip to Ko Phi Phi Ley (which is a protected area so only daytrippers can visit) and The Beach but otherwise, we barely moved. It was a nice way to end our vacation.

Here are some pics of the Thailand leg of our trip. Run your mouse over them to see the full size picture. That is Ben in the hammock, he spent a lot of time in that red hammock.