On the Road with Brent & Erika

Since we last updated, we have spent three days exploring this beautiful place. The first day we went on a day tour of the islands of Koh Phi Phi, a place hit directly by the Tsunami, although to us it looked like paradise. We snorkeled twice (we saw two pink jelly fish and lots of colorful fish), and visited several islands. On Phi Phi Don, we ate lunch and hiked to this viewpoint (a very tiring task!), but the view was amazing. One of the beaches we visited was Maya Bay, where Decaprio's The Beach was filmed. Possibly one of the prettiest places Brent or I have ever seen.

The next day we went sea kayaking around Phang Nga Bay. This was quite an experience--we would have to duck down in the kayak to glide under these cave openings that took us into these little, untouched open air coves with the sun streaming in through the tree tops. Really remarkable! Our guide that day was named Mam. In her sometimes broken English, she told us about how she had been working on Koh Phi Phi on December 26th, 2004, when the Tsunami hit. She made it to high ground, but described for us how the water receded uncovering rocks and fish and drawing people out to take pictures of the strange sight. Then three waves hit the island from both sides. They were as high as 25 feet. She described seeing the water swirl around and then wash everything out to sea, buildings and people included. What a tragedy, but I feel lucky to have talked with Mam about the experience from a first hand perspective.


Yesterday we took a long tail boat to Rai Leh, which is the next beach over and only accessible by boat. We soaked up the beautiful scenery, viewed some rock climbers and were victims of a higly skilled, nasty thief. We had sat down on the beach to eat some food we had bought, and I was most excited about the pineapple on sticks that we saved for dessert. We hadn't sat it down for more than a couple seconds before a little monkey (there are lots of monkeys around!) snuck over and snatched the pineapple up, ran up a tree, and helped herself to our food in full view. At least it was a mother (she had managed the robbery while also holding her baby), so I hope she enjoyed our food!

Today we are leaving on a night bus for Bangkok. We will see some of Brent's friends from the summer of '98 as well as meet up with my brother, Ricky. He will be our traveling partner for the rest of the trip. We are excited for more adventures, but are sad to leave this place. We run out of words to describe the beauty here--stunning, breathtaking, paradise--you just have to see it to believe it!


Koh Phi Phi viewpoint (I can't tell you how many steps it took to get here!)


Me at Maya Bay - 'The Beach'


James Bond Island - they filmed a villian's lair here.


Brent at Panong Beach

--Erika