THAILAND - Phi Phi Island - Part 1

Up early in the morning, Monica and I walked around town a little bit before our ferry set out for Phi Phi. Definitly changed my whole vibe of traveling with Monica. Nothing bad, just different. Now is a lot about listening to others needs and desires rather than your own, which is good practice. We check es out of the hostel, which was a pleasure to stay with them by the way, and then we got a ride to the port 20 minutes away to wait in line for our ferry. Being herded onto the big speedboat like a bunch of cattle was anything but fun, standing in the dead of the heat was horrible. Once on the boat, Monica and I made a perch right at the top of the boat, which later we got kicked off of sadly. So we retreated to the back and enjoyed the view of the bay of Phuket slowly disappearing into the distance as we set out. But we sadly were sitting in the trash ridden waters at the dock. Very unpleasant sight. To pass the time, Monica and I set out our yoga mat and stretched a little, then proceeded to do some acto yoga and later created a mini entertainment show for the rest of the passengers. Although the heat got to us quickly so we went inside to cool off until we approached Phi Phi. Our faces lit up with joy and excitement as the great limestone faces of the islands got bigger as we got closer. Pulling into the port was something else. The crowds and smog of over populated boats were a shock. So many people and chaos splattered the port. I could imagine this is what Ellis island looked like during immigration in the olden days. Horrible. After that we looked down the line of men holding signs for different hostels, hotels, resorts, and bungalows. We got to our sign and the man had us follow him to a cart/wheel barrel thing. In our bags went and we started to walk down the narrow, crowded, shop-ridden pathways. No streets on this island but it was covered in resturants, nasty bars, tourist shops, and most of all sunburnt drunk people. Very corner we turned, Monica and I were hoping it was out bungalow, but it wasn’t. After 20 minutes of walking in the heat and to nearly the end of the town we go to our place. Probably the 2nd furthest bungalow from the town. And it was up the steepest hill I have ever been up. I mean this hill was so steep I had to use my hands to climb up. Our bungalow room was nothing much but a thin wall of bamboo and two bed with a bathroom. We quickly turned on the AC and left because it was so hot. Walking down the hill we stopped at a small store to buy 2 large bottles of the local brew named Chang. Chang was the beer you could find in anyone’s hand at anytime, the streets were always littered with them. The first few sips were al right but after that it was a little rough... We wondered on to the bar beach and took a seat in front of the most popular one just just watched drunk people wander aimlessly into the ocean. The water was low tide so you could walk out super far and still have the water at your ankles. We went for a little swim but got a little grossed out at the floating trash and brown water, so much for paradise... Monica brought a small ball to the beach that was able to bounce off water so we stood and played a hard core game of catch which was fun and really intense after we played longer. For us one large beer was good enough to loosen us lightweights up. Once the sun got a little lower almost to sunset we hurried out and set out our blankets to have a acro yoga session. Oh course once I started flyin around in the air and doing the splits on Monica’s feet we quickly attracted a little audience. But after a while the sand between her feet and my skin got too painful. Next we went to get some food at a random resturant we happen to cross. 2 hours later we got our food... and I got next to nothing of what I ordered, which I expected rice to come with my stir fry but it didn’t so Monica was happy to share. And her green curry was a little too spicy to handle. After a good laugh and our stomachs partially full we were ready to head back to the bars to fill up on more alcohol. We arrived at the most popular bar called Slinky, this is where we saw a huge fire dance show going on. The dancers were so skill and their chiseled bodies glistened against the flame of their torch that they twirled around themselves in intricate patterned. Occasionally throwing it up in the air and catching it behind their back. Mezmorized by this, Monica and I found ourselves staring for a least an hour until we decided to get drinks finally. I just wanted a beer but I somehow convince Monica to get something called a “bucket”. You can buy these “buckets” almost anywhere on the island and they are literally a beach toy bucket with an unopened bottles of coke, Red Bull, and rum. And there were different types such as gin and tonic and whatever other kind of cocktail you could think of. Huge as this bucket was, Monica started to feed the beats of the dance floor and there was no stopping us now! Around 10 at night the fire show was over and we danced the night away. Free shots were given to those you completed the limbo and jumproping contest. Then free “buckets” were being handed out for some reason I don’t remeber, but all I can remeber is Monica somehow winning 3 buckets! Not sure what she was doing but they kept coming!!  I was having fun dancing as hard as I could, to a point of dripping sweat. Never have a felt so alive! I found myself an Italian model to dance with who continually lifted me up in the air and carried me around the dance floor as I reached for the stars above me. After a while I couldn’t hear myself think because the music was so loud and Monica and I needed a break to cool off. So as happy as we were we held hands and ran into the darkness towards the ocean. We thought the tide was still very far out but it turns out it came back up and we soon tripped and fell with our clothes into the water. Drenched  and finally refreshed we jumped up and danced around slapshig each other while laughing and falling over. We sat down for a bit catching up of how we felt and watched the party from afar. After we got
our hearing back, I wanted to go check on our stuff that we stashed under a bench. Thank god it was
all there except for the bag of pringles we bought early, someone stole that instead of our cash... we

were lucky I guess. A little bit more dancing finally did me in and I was ready to go home. I pretty
 much dance until I was completely sober, Monica not as much though... one the walk home through the village we bumped into many drunk wanders as well. We then came across “Buddah cat”. This cat was so serene just sitting on a bench completely content looking as music blasted around him. He was so big he looked more like a dog! Monica and I petted him awhile and named him the Buddah cat for looking so peaceful in the middle of this sinful island. Onwards we went to climb up the huge mountain to our bungalow. During the walk we planned to wake up for a sunrise hike to the viewpoint. Was a good first day here on Phi Phi, but we still had a long ways to go until we left...