Interlude in Paradise

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{backdating to pretend I'm keeping up on this}

Ko Phi Phi is the quintessential island paradise. White sand beaches, swaying palms, beautiful limestone cliffs dropping off into waters so clear you can see 30 ft to the bottom, while dangling your legs off the side of a boat and cruising by islands straight out of "The Beach". It is not, however, a hidden paradise, but rather (one of) the most touristy places I've ever been. Sandwich and 'pancake' shops far outnumber thai restaurants, and it's definately impossible to "eat local" as I've been trying to do. Everything and everyone on the island revolves around the tourist trade, and it's more common to hear Dutch, German, French, English, or any other western language, however random, than Thai. It still is beautiful though, despite the scenery being marred by pasty package tourists.

I hadn't even planned to go to Ko Phi Phi, but rather felt the need to escape Bangkok as soon as I'd arranged my flight to Delhi - a month in rainy Vietnam had left me with a hankering for some Thai beaches. I was leaning towards Ko Phangnan (god, I love that place) but the weather wasn't up to par, so was convinced to go to the other side. Ko Phi Phi just kind of... happened. I'm glad it did though, because it was exactly what I needed before India. One last burst of backpacker hedonism like only the Thai beaches can offer. Hooked up with a girl from Saskatchewan and an English girl on the boat there, and spent the next few days partying and lazing on the beach with them, plus the rest of the crew you always seem to amass. I drunkenly danced in a lady boy show (only in Thailand, only in Thailand), met some amazing people, had colourful tropical fish eat chips from between my toes, and kayaked to the site of "The Beach"... A very nice interlude.

To India!

- R.

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Photos

Welcome to Paradise
Bliss

Blue Sky
Bluer water

View from the Best Restaurant in Town
The sandwich shop!

Comments

[Elliot J]

Good News
What up! I'm going to be kickin it in Thailand starting in mid. Dec. for a month or so... Reading your blog is gettin' me stoked. Just to let you know they are appeciated. Pace!