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Published: July 20th 2006
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Sorry to everyone who wasn't sure whether I was alive or not, I've been traveling for the past few days and haven't been able to get online. Speaking of traveling, I'm leaving in the morning to head up north to Chang Mai so I will once again be out of reach.... hehe.
So last week, me and all the roommates took a 12 hour bus ride south to Phuket. This might sound like a very long ride, however, most of it was overnight and therefore we slept through it. Also, bus agencies are really nice and give you snacks, pillows, blankets, etc. Almost like you are on a plane, really. We then arrived in Phuket (thailand's most popular tourist destination) at around 8 in the morning. We checked in to our hotel and spent the rest of the day jumping in huge waves, ALMOST drowning, but thankfully...we are still alive. Then we went out that night to explore Phuket's very crazy nightlife scene. I had heard that it was pretty good, esepecially on Patong Beach which was where we were. Well, normally its good, but with the U.S. Marines and Air Force in town, I think it was kinda out of
control. But hey, I'm not complaining. We definatley had a great time. We went to a club that actually had a cover charge, so all I had to do was complain to a U.S. Airforce guy that I REALLY wanted to dance but didn't want to spend 120 baht (equivalent to 3 dollars) to get in. He was like, Ill buy you a ticket, and before I could protest, he was waiting in line to buy my way in...haha, way to easy. It was nice to be around some Americans again though and see there take on Thailand, although it was very limited. Oh yea, something kinda strage. With all the foreigners in Phuket, people often meet you and guess where you are from. Well, three out of three times, they guessed Australia?!!?! So apparently, I have lost my beloved Southern accent and now sound Australian? Not sure how that happened....anyways, So we all danced the night away before heading to bed at our hotel, SevenSeas Hotel. I think the room cost each of us about 5 dollars each, gotta love Thai prices! Then the next day we took a ferry cruise to the Phi Phi Islands, our next destination
for the next three days. However, on the way we stopped to go snorkeling around the bay for a while and saw some incredible marine life. So many fish!! The water was gorgeous and very clear. Then it the ferry took us on a quick tour around the islands and I just watched in awe as I tried to take it all in. Oh, and occasionally snap a few pictures, knowing that a picture would never do it justice. I think its definately something you have to be there and experience.
Then next day we stayed at the beach and the pool the entire day. So lovely. We also walked around the small island some. It was not hard to see that there had been a huge disaster not too far back from all the reconstruction going on. The tsunami back in 2004 hit these islands very very hard. One thing I loved about the island is that they had no cars. Only pathways for walking and riding bikes. It definately added to the quaintness of the little tropical paradise.
The next day, we went SCUBA DIVING! I know what you are thinking, you have to be certified to do
that. Well, in thailand you can do a mini-course that teaches you the basics so you can still experience scuba diving without the time consuming course. So that morning we learned the skills we had to do on the boat, then stopped at a small, shallow bay to practice them underwater. We did a little exploring there but then headed to another island to do another dive. In between we swam to a little cave, hiked through the rocks, walked along a path in the middle of what seemed like a jungle, and ended up on a gorgeous beach. If any of you have seen the movie, "The Beach" with Leonardo DiCaprio, this is where is was shot. Basically in the movie they are searching for the most perfect beach paradise, and what do you know, they found it here. In Maya Bay, at Phi Phi Islands, in Thailand. Precisely where I was. I wish I could show you pictures, but b/c I swam to get there, then hiked, a camera just couldnt make the trip. Oh well, you the rent the movie! 😊On our next dive, we saw a million fish, and if I was a fish expert, I
could tell you all the names, however, I'm not. But I do know I saw a bunch of little Nemo's, some flute fish (which were my favorite), water snakes, blowfish, small silver fish that always swim with a million others of the same kind, and well, thats all the names I know. Our guide thought for sure we would see some Leopard Sharks b/c they almost always do at the bay we were at. However, none of us saw one, very sad. However, scuba diving was incredible and I'm so glad I got to do it while I was in Thailand. (As if I haven't had enough adventures, haha).
The next day we stayed at the pool for part of the day, caught a ferry back to Phuket, then a van to the bus station, then another 12 hour/ overnight bus ride back to Bangkok. Arriving at around 6 this morning. Leaving one day to chilll before heading north. Thank goodness we are flying to Chang Mai!
Tootles everyone! oh, and don't forget Ill be home in a week!!
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