Playtime at Phi Phi

Here I am laying at the KL House in Krabi, Thailand. We're all sitting here trying to prepare for our upcoming day tomorrow but I have absolutely no desire to pack any of my belongings. I also believe I have contracted a stomach ache from our dinner, so what better to do than put off everything and instead update you guys!

Our first stop was Koh Phi Phi. The first I had ever heard or seen anything about this island was when I watched the 2000 Leonardo Dicaprio movie, 'The Beach.' If you haven't seen the movie it was good, but the scenery was amazing. We only had one night enjoying the island so we had to fit everything we could in.

The two of the six Phi Phi islands we visited were Phi Phi Don (big) and Phi Phi Lee (small.) From Don we hired a long tail boat to ferry us over to explore. Our first stop was an inlet that we took a dip in. It was just like a swimming pool, completely crystal clear with huge limestone rock cliffs encasing three sides.

From there we stopped to snorkel. Rin, our captain, had bread and once we held it out we were surrounded. There was a thick wall of colorful fish in between myself, Mike and Whitney. Thank goodness they didn't have teeth because they were definitely nipping at me. After we just drove through Maya Beach to grab a quick photo of where the movie was shot because there was a fee to actually dock.

Now we keep pushing our luck with this monkey business because our last stop was monkey beach. All around the beach are dozens of monkeys of all ages. There are also dozens of silly tourists taking photos and gawking at the cute little monkeys (us included.) Now there was one woman in particular who decided to cross the boundary and have no fear when it came to these primates. The pack of monkeys didn't like her invading their bubble, especially the big daddy leader. They started advancing on her quickly and she tripped over her feet while fleeing them. The leader latched on and she walked away with blood dripping down her leg. I hope she takes my advice I was screaming as she limped away, "rabies shot!!" This put Whitney's tiny scratch to shame, and now we can say we truly witnessed a monkey attack.

Retreating to our rooms we decided to grab a quick massage before nightfall. If you haven't had a true Thai massage before I suggest everyone get one at least once. It' s definitely an experience.

Once night fell the beach came alive with young westerners, alcohol and fire dancing parties. Each bar had their own show going on with thai fire poi, sticks, and even fire jump rope. Mike and Whitney both had a go at the jumprope but since I have already burned myself I though it would be wise of me to skip.

Phi Phi proved to show us a good time, and our mark was made especially when Whitney was the only one to win the limbo contest. Her winnings are still sitting nicely tucked inside Mike's side backpack pocket, which is i'm sure a very cheap Thai vodka.

Laa kawn

Kt

End of the road Phuket

I want to start off saying that I officially got two Thailand tattoos a couple days ago. Yes they hurt. And i'm sure your all wondering what they are, wait for it... Wait for it... They are the infamous motorbike tats on the back of each of my calves. Might I add not my smartest day considering both happened on the same day at varying occasions. Refer below for photos.

Our time in Phuket came to an end on the 28th, but not before headed back to the hospital to get the second dose of Whitney's non-foam at the mouth shot. Which is good considering I told her if she started I was going I take her out 'Outbreak' style.

Before leaving we visited monkey hill to test out whit's rabies shot, just kidding. But there were swarms of monkeys right next to us sexing and playing. Pretty neat.

Also we met up with two of Mike's friends who are both originally from Orlando and came to teach english. Megan and Bryan are a newly engaged couple that have been living in Thailand for two years now and planning on a possible third. Super cute couple who we are going to meet up with in Bangkok and Chang Mai as well. I lucked out with only bike burns. They were unfortunate enough to have the scary stuff happen, a successful robbery and crash. Megan had her bag freely nestled in-between them and a man grabbed it while they were driving. She struggled with the man that led to them wiping out. Lucky nothing more than some road rash and stolen property, but walked away not being a true horror story that are found all over the Thai newspapers.

Bikes are the primary form of transportation found due to mainly not being able to afford any better. Having a vehicle is normally a sign of status, but really they are just a nuisance in the streets to everyone else.

Anywho, that day we visited Kathu waterfall, which was a considerable amount smaller due to it being dry season. After, we visited Freedom beach, enjoying basking in the sun and eating fresh coconut.

Phuket showed us an amazing time, but it's time to move on and get the traveling part started. Excited for whats to come. Over and out.

Phi Phi here we come.

Kt

Mad Monkey, Buddha, and Bugs! Oh My!

I'm pretty sure I've seen almost all of Phuket island in the past couple of days. We have been nonstop tramping around this town. The Big Buddha was for sure on our list of things to do. I would maybe say The Big Buddha was the Hollywood sign of Thailand. From anywhere in Phuket city you have a view of this enormous statue. So we set off up the mountain to go and check it out. Upon arriving Whitney and I were given skirts and scarves to cover our shoulders and knees to show respect. Walking up to this landmark we were in awe of how large it was, standing at around 150 ft. tall.

After the obvious tourist photo shoot we set off inside to find monks chanting prayers, and a line beginning to form on the right side where there were young monks, in training maybe? The crowd was lining up to give their offerings of rice to the boy monks. Since everything monks receive is given to them there is no exception with food. Whit and I hopped in and went down the line scooping out a spoonful of rice for each.

Ascending the stairs was killer, but the view that came afterwards was stunning. With a year predicted until Big Buddha is completed, there is still construction happening on site. Our wolf pack decided we needed to be encased in this landmark forever. Therefor we donated by purchasing a small block of marble that will become part of the statue in the future.

Now there is one thing I forgot to mention about on our scoot up the mountain. With Whitney charging on in front of the pack she decides she needs to make a pit stop. Where else other than a slightly grimy monkey show? Following her in, by the time Mike and I make it inside she is already off her hog and nose deep trying to figure out if she can get a photo with these foreign creatures.

After some wagering she's allowed and I'm tossed the camera to capture these UNFORGETTABLE moments. The first was a larger monkey nice and proper even crossing his legs to sit next to her. Now over to the little baby monkey everything changed. This rampant thing was hopping about everywhere..head..shoulder... swinging off arms, I couldn't even keep the camera in one spot. And then a big truck drives by and ....BAM..CHOMP..

Getting to Thailand: $750

Having photo taken with cute monkey: 100 baht

Doctors bill: 1500 baht

Getting to hold Whitney's hand while she receives a rabies and tetanus shot? PRICELESS

Let this be a lesson to everyone when the monkey guy says don't grab the monkey. Don't grab the monkey. Lesson learned. Here comes the tour of hospitals in Thailand!

Moving on, we've seen so many beaches and viewpoints I can barely keep their names straight. Each is more gorgeous than the next.

Kata Noi

Now I'd like to mention to Sami and Nina, you hookers, they do have 'Hunger Games' here. Mainly to Nina since you teased me that I wouldn't be able to see it :)

Markets in a lot of places have the same things. Cheap clothes and souvenirs from their country and of course the local food. One things you can find here and not back home...bugs. I feel as though this is a rite of passage if you visit Southeast Asia. Whitney and I decided to jump in bellies first with Mike eating for moral support. We dined on grasshopper, cricket and mealworms. The worms were probably the most tasty.

Just a couple days left in Phuket and we are off to more surrounding islands off the east and west coast of Thailand. The promise of more entries to come depending on the wi-fi maybe a couple at a time!

Time to start my day

KT