THAILAND - Phi Phi Island - Part 4

The next morning I felt fine and got up early enough to walk down and do some yoga on the platform that overlooked the ocean. I did an hours worth and wrote in my journal a little and watched the locals pick up trash and clean the party beach from the night before. I guess this is the daily life for them, night after night... I booked Monica and I a tour for the day since it just consisted of being on a boat and going to different islands around Phi Phi. She wasn’t feeling too good but she followed me through the maze of streets to the other side where the pier was. We got to the boat and it was like a relay race of people that led us to it, we just kept being handed off to the next person which was quite interesting to see how they did things like this all the time. We ended up on a boat all to ourselves and headed to Monkey Island not too far away. Here we were let off to explore the tiny beach where monkeys were roaming everywhere. From small to large the all seemed pretty interested in the crowd of tourist pointing their camera in their faces and trying to touch them. All I was thinking in my head was how messed up this was and how these monkey’s habitat and peace of nature was being destroyed daily. We then were notified by a new bot guide that we had to join his tour group that consisted of 7 other people. On the boat we were herded like cattle to the next island called Maya Bay were some famous movies were shot with Leonardo Decaprio I think. The limestone cliffs were glorious shining in the light as we approached the island, this just made my skin itch at the thought of possibly rock climbing these beauties. The bay was coming up soon but all I could see was tourist boats and a beach of people. Not a good sign... our boat squeezed into the last open space but still we needed to climb out and walk in the water to get on shore. Also we weren’t allowed on the beach without paying $10 but I was told on the island that it was only $5 and that our tour guide was stiffing us. I argued with him as Monica later delirious in the boat waiting for direction, but the guide simple didn’t listen and said I would have to wait in the boat an hour and not go on shore. So I gave in and paid the $10 just to get off the hellish boat. The beach wasn’t any better though. As soon as I stepped onto land I was pushed and shoved by chubby tourist in every direction. Trash was literally spilling from their pockets and they all seemed like a big blob to me. Monica and I set my backpack down and we went straight into the water where it was less crowded. We went far out enough to start swimming to a beach in the next cove over where no one was at. Monica swam straight there while I put my mask on and observed the fish, slugs, and snakes beneath me. I saw a few blue and black striped snakes swim passed me but I thought nothing of it, only to discover later that they are very poisneous... YIKES! I got to the next cove where I found Monica laying face down in the sand trying to heal her poor stomach. I walked around and looked at all the shells strung together and hung from trees, it was like a modern art show over here! There were hundreds of these things and also stacks of rocks. I laid down next to Monica for a quick nap and then we both realize my backpack was unattended at the other cove which made me jump up super worried that it was taken. So I swam as fast as I can back only to find it was safe and sound in the same place. I watched Monica try to walk on the rough coral but being stopped by snakes slithering past her. Once she was back it was time to leave Maya Bay and go on to the next stop with the tour. Monica still was feeling rough and I just felt horrible about dragging her along on this tour of hell. The next place was somewhat better. We stopped at a random cove were we put our anchor down and were allowed to snorkel around for 30 minutes. I got to see schools of fish and really just be in my element of water. The last stop was one more cove that had the most light blue water I’ve ever seen, not much though because it was so crowded with your boats... Monica and I sat on the top of the boat talking about the tour and how horrible the whole system was. We were so disappointed to be supporting this. On our way back we sat at the front of the boat hoping for some nice fresh air breeze in our faces. But we kept being splashed in the face which just made us laugh at ourselves and the situation. Monica had the brilliant idea of putting a snorkel mask on which worked great to stop the water from hitting our face! As we tried to enjoy the last bit of the tour I happened to look down at my skin and noticed the redness showing, I needed to get out of this sun now. Once we got to shore I sped walked to the bungalow to hide myself. Monica slowly followed behind. At the bungalow we rested and smacked a little bit. Around 4 I had to walked to my scuba diving class which Monica was supposed to do as well but due to her illness she canceled. So she stayed behind and I went to class. I was already scuba dive certified but this class was going to make me open water certified, so just the last 2 chapters of the book and watching a few videos. After I went to the atm to get money out to pay for my class and then i messaged Monica to meet her at another secret spot we had at an abandoned bar for some dinner, which consisted of just fruit... a shit ton of fruit to be exact. She was feeling better and we talked a lot about the problems our world faces with pollution and how it’s hard to promote being environmentally friendly when sometimes you yourself are not. A very big conundrum we had to talk out. The sun was setting and the colors of the sky faded into darkness. Monica’s music was flowing with our vibes and we stretched, meditated, and danced. We starting singing, humming, and clapping. Then this one song came on and we stopped moving and I sat on the edge of the deck overlooking the shadows of the great big cliffs and meditated. I think one of the best highlights of my trip was being brought to tears. It was a beautiful moment I will cherish forever. And after the song was over I looked at Monica and she experienced the same feeling. So high on life we got up and danced our hearts out! Just 2 crazy girls jumping all around on this abandoned deck listeneing to bumping music!  After it got really dark I went back into town to get some fresh bread for Monica and then cup of noodles for me. I got back to the room after about 40 minutes and then something didn’t seem right. I checked my wallet and relaxed my debit card was not there. Shit. I dropped everything and put my running shoes on and booked it to the atm i last used that day. Thoughts racing through my head of how this could have happened and I guess the machine gave me the cash first and then my card but I left before it came back out. At the atm my card was no where to be seen, just as a would have guessed. Running back to the room and got on my phone and canceled my card. There’s was nothing else i could really do that night about the card so I just had to wait till morning. Monica was nice enough to offer a guided meditation so I would be able to calm down and relax. Tomorrow I had a big day ahead of me going scuba diving!