Our journey to Koh Phi Phi ("pee pee") left at 6am. We booked the earliest departure thinking we could just sleep on the bus. We should have learned from the bus ride from hell earlier on that no journey is ever that simple in Thailand. Our trip ended up as a van--> bus--> ferry--> back on the first bus--> another bus --> next ferry. 11 hours later we were on the island without a hotel booked. We had a recommendation from my lonely planet book, and after seeing decent pictures at a hotel booking agent right off of the pier, we decided to book it. I realized at this moment that when we were in Samui, I didn't want to take all of my 15 thousand baht out to the bars, so I left some in my from pocket of my backpack/luggage, and forgot to move it to a safer spot during transit. My fears were proved right when I found an empty pocket. 5,000 baht ($165) gone. My bag was away from me on the ferry with the other cluster of bags. I would bet money that the thief was a tourist, and not a Thai person, since I've found (most) Thai people to be very honest and nice. I was mad mostly at myself. For my stupidity in leaving my money in such an easily accessible pocket. I tend to always have a positive outlook, so I moved on being thankful that I was safe, so was my passport, and I still had money left in my purse. The next day I checked my email and had a message from my dad that said, "Haven't heard from you. Taken?" Before the trip, my family was taking bets how long I would survive Thailand before being taken. My dad told me not to worry though, he had all of the Liam Neeson's lines from Taken memorized...."I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you let me daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you". When I asked him if he would really come look for me he said no, probably not. Back to plan A: don't get taken. I responded to my dad's email and said I have not been taken, only 5000 baht was.
After booking the hotel, someone came to cart our bags the short walk away. We got in our room and Danielle's first word is "eww". They looked like prison cells with the only window facing a cement wall 6 inches away and a moldy bathroom. How did lonely planet recommend this?? It wasn't that cheap, by Thailand standards. We were ready to make the best of it (Danielle said she just wouldn't shower for 3 days) until I checked tripadvisor reviews of the hotel out of curiosity. 2 reviews in a row complained of bed bugs! I started inspecting the beds and didn't see real "bed bugs" but did find some sort of little bugs crawling throughout. We went to complain and request a refund, not expecting good results, but got a full refund so easily! I love the Thai. The hotel booking agent recommended another hotel that we decided to go see before booking this time. It was soo much better for only $3 more per night.
vodka tonics and watching a fire show. There were more fire shows going on in both directions. They set up a limbo contest after the show. Each round you go under gets you a free shot! After each tourist faced their limit with the final "tourist height", they put the bar even lower and had a local go under, no sweat. Then, they put the bar BELOW all of the pegs, rested it on 2 cans, and he really showed off his talent. After limbo, I couldn't have been happier. The fire jump rope was back!! We sat back sipping on our drinks, while entertained by the tourists getting burned and getting mad at the one who was too good at it and ruined our videos of stupid tourists. After awhile the fire shows turn into beach dance parties that go until 4am, so we danced our pants off. Phi phi night life was amazing, it was like a mini full moon party every night. We couldn't hardly pass up the buy one get one buckets!
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| fire jump rope! |
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| The most impressive limboing I've ever seen! |
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| A nice spot to watch the fire shows! |
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| Too much time in the sun!! |
The next day was a relaxing beach day. Danielle and I got Thai massages. I am surprised it took me half way through the trip to get one, but my painful sunburn earlier on was part of the reason for waiting. It was the best $6 I've ever spent. I didn't even mind that there was a not so small Thai woman on all fours on my back. After this massage, I got several more on the trip.
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