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*NOTE* Please check out new pic in Cambodia section! Forget to install it last time. It's of the whole family at Angkor Wat!
KO LANTA: Luckily, on our return to Thailand, the border crossing was less harrowing but still long😊 We headed back to Bangkok via an "air conditioned" bus (I've learned this is an euphemism for "blowing hot air"). The next morning we headed to the south of Thailand to meet up with Dave's parents and family friends. We flew to Krabi and then took an extremely claustrophobic van (low ceilings, no leg room) that was also "air conditioned" for the three and a half hour drive to Ko Lanta. This is just one of the many islands the make-up the south of Thailand which were 'hit' by the tsunami. We had a great few days of sun, beach and fun.
Our best day was spent on an all day snorkeling trip. Along with approx. 30 other people we took a boat around the other islands and hit the best snorkeling spots. Dave grumbled at this openly "touristy" endeavor (god forbid we join OTHER people on our adventures!). But, the trip was great and well worth the other
travelers thanks to the Emerald Cave! At this spot, the boat dropped us off at a huge, rocky, cliff-like island which had , to my eyes, a cave with a far too small opening. As my stomach began flip flopping, I watched as another boat tour led it's group- all holding on to a long rope, conga style, into the cave. Let me mention here that this was the one spot that required life jackets. Pause. South East Asians are thoroughly UNCONCERNED with safety so, this alone had me worried. As I donned my XXL life jacket (totally useless- it would, maybe, fit my older brother), I jumped into the water and awaited my fate. Of course, by this time, Dave had perked up and was eager to explore the cave. Being the sissy I am, I meekly suggested we wait to grab onto our guide's "conga rope". Dave snorted with derision and plunged forward followed closely by his sister Sarah. Panicked, I scrambled along praying I wouldn't meet my Maker in a dark, scary cave in the middle of the Asian Ocean. (We had all just learned that several people had died in this cave when the tsunami struck.)
Initially exploring the cave was awesome, the water was a sparkling blue/green and it was an amazing feeling to swim around. Then our guide started leading the "conga rope" down one of the tunnels. Now remember, neither Dave, Sarah nor I are holding onto that rope because "we're too cool". With classic Asian aplomb, the guide pulls out an everyday, smallish flashlight to lead the group. You can't help laughing in situations like this, especially when the woefully underpowered flashlight (I have a stronger one by my bed at home) begins to flicker. So basically, we were quickly plunged into darkness, not holding onto the rope, bumping into bodies, scraping rock and groping our way through the tunnel. Needless to say, I had a death grip on Dave as I whimpered and for a few, short, dark, claustrophobic seconds had a full-on panic attack! (In defense of my cowardice: even Dave's sister (much braver than I) freaked out in the pitch black of the tunnel as she began to wonder "where the hell are these guys taking us!"). A small circle of light appeared as we unconsciously rounded a corner and I gasped with joy. We swam onwards and emerged through another cave opening into an oasis! Unbelievable... in the middle of this rocky island is an enclosed beach that can only be reached through the cave. Very cool and breathtakingly beautiful. So, the destination was worth the journey! But, let me just add that Dave insisted on being the first to leave the oasis to "beat the conga line". So he, Sarah and I were headed down a tunnel, sans rope, when our Thai guide began yelling and flashing his wimpy flashlight behind us. Turns out, Dave had led us down the WRONG tunnel!!!! Note to self: STOP LISTENING TO DAVE!
The locals were super nice and at one beach-side restaurant we heard first hand the ordeal of the tsunami. Ko Lanta was lucky only losing 30 odd people because it was sheltered by Ko Phi Phi which was utterly devastated. It's amazing to hear how this man held onto a coconut tree during the worst of the storm and then ran up country. He has rebuilt his restaurant in the four months since the tsunami and awaits business. So sad because tourism has deeply declined!! As a result of the Tsunami, the beaches have been literally washed clean and are are at an all time aesthetic high. The beaches here are gorgeous and need visitors!!
BANGKOK: We returned to Bangkok and spent the next couple of days shopping at the outdoor market and visiting the Royal Palace. The weekend market is simply amazing, with over 200,000 people crowding the streets each day. Totally overwhelming and very easy to get hopelessly lost. It's absolutely huge. You could furnish, decorate, and landscape your house as well as buy groceries for the week, buy all your clothes and purchase a pet and any other random live animal you may want. A plethora of smells and sounds as we wandered in and out of stalls and bargained for fans, chopsticks, and scarves.
The next day we took a boat down the Chao Praya River and headed to the Royal Palace. There are some amazing 5 star hotels on the river jutted up against decrepit buildings with lines and lines of laundry hanging from the windows. So funny and very Bangkok. The temple is a huge complex of ornately decorated buildings and spires. Sarah and I got busted for inappropriate attire (flip-flops! but, Dave, Donna and Harry's Teva's were ok- GO FIGURE!!) and had to wait in an incredibly efficient (sarcasm) line to be given smelly, beat up Asian versions of Teva's...and then were finally allowed into the temple. Bangkok is an interesting East meets West city. Most people speak some English and the Thai's are very friendly. Unfortunately, it was god-awful hot while we were there and it's hard to thoroughly enjoy a city in blistering heat!
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anonymous
non-member comment
mis you
gald to hear from you 2 again...love the narration and I can just see you 3 in that cave...Donna would have freeked out completely!!!Hugs and kisses to you all..keep the "reports" coming..Love barbie - Barbie