So the last time I wrote I was in Lao - I am now reporting from the stunning Krabi Province..and alot has happened! So in a nutshell: MIssed the border crossing as the slow boat I was on was too bloody slow, had to change all my flights, spend an extra night in the middle of nowhere...Had a massive bout of depression owing to being bed bug bitten, out of pocket, losing a day and just general travel woes... But managed to sort everything out in the end and was on my way to Beautiful Krabi Province, home to some of the most stunning beaches in the world. Sheer luck re-united me with a girl I had met in Chiang Mai previously - Rachel, and she was with a friend Erin - both Americans. Spent an awesome 2 days in Railay with them - sea kayaked, lay on the beach, had some delicious food, had mellow drinks, swam and just chilled out. Had some good quality alone time too and just completely let go of all my stresses! What a nice change from the previous few days. The scenery here is just mind blowing, and on the way here when I first arrived, I got a long tail boat ride for the final leg of the journey - the sun was setting gloriously - bright golden orange, and it was as if every worry I had was setting with the same very sun. Had a bit of a mission trying to find accomodation - literally walked about an hour around in stinking hot heat up and down some serious stairs looking for places that werent going to cost an arm and a leg! Met some nice South Africans on the walk though. Had to settle for a costly but nice place in the end, but managed to move to a cheaper room the second night. Its a resort so its got a pool too which is great. Had some fun nights out - drank a little too much but met some cool people, watched some awesome fire dancing .. Annoyingly loads of couples on romantic getaways- you see them everywhere like vermin...canoodling and all loved up. Makes me hiss... but I suppose it is very romantic after all - heck maybe oneday I'll even come back with some of my cats or something.
The girls had planned a trip to Phi Phi which orginally I wasnt going to do this time, but decided to go with them in the end. It was one of the best decisions I made on my holiday thus far, and I absolutely loved Phi Phi. We booked a ferry to the island and our last morning here was quite eventful. Hungover, running late, we "sprinted" the 20 min walk to the departure point... My Sprinted = shuffled briskly like a odd backpack clad sherpa making alarming wheezing noises and sweating like a pig.. We werent late, and had to still wait another 30 mins before leaving.. The run alomst killed me..
Had a delightful ferry trip and arrived on Phi Phi - my happiness was shortly killed when I realised I had left my entire card wallet tucked under my bed in the last hotel... I kept it there for "safe keeping".. It contained my drivers licence, several important cards and 3 loaded emergency credit/debit cards... GREAT. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME - I literally CANNOT keep things!I was left wondering if I should
A) go back to the hotel which would have taken a day and try luck it was still there or
B) try phone the hotel and explain to the not very fluent receptionist where I had it stashed so they could keep it for me - a little risky, or
C) track down a guy I met who was the only person I knew still staying at railay- he works at a rock climbing place and see if he could try and get it for me and keep it safe?! or finally
D) Just cancel the cards and leave it all.
I then remembered the sheer horror of having to get another drivers licence again in SA, its the 3rd one I would have had to get in less than 2 years so I decided I had to try and make a mission to get it back! Anyway, decided to go with the combination of plans C & D... cancelled all the cards as a first precautionary measure - fortunately I did still have my main bank card... I then had to track down the dude - I knew the name of the rock climbing school, so googled it and made a phone call. Spoke to the boss, and awkwardly asked if there was a guy called Mike working there. He totally thought I was a stalker and when a confused Mike who I barely know eventually called me back, he too thought I was a stalker. Explained the stitch to Mike - lovely Ozzie guy, who went back to the hotel a few times and finally managed to get in the room - and got my wallet!! It was still there! Random... dinner for Mike on me! Funny that I have a strange man runing errands for me - but its travellers comradery for you!
Annoying that I cancelled the cards - but murphy's law!! Anyway - another lesson learn on Sarah's trip - the list is growing...
Back on Phi Phi things were pumping - being one of Thailands top destinations the little island is certainly pumping. Again beautiful scenery but also very touristy. Had to trek a bit for our room - the name UP HILL COTTAGE should have sounded the alarm bells... Again arrived drenched in sweat.. I have sweated so much here, its revolting.. I must honk most of the time too - but I am at least not alone!
We had a wonder around a bit, had a lovely swim and then plonked at a beach bar where we met some lovely English ladies. 3 of them - 2 sisters and a friend of theirs. We all teamed up for the remainder of our time in Phi Phi and we just had such a fun amazing time. Loads of laughs, and just a lovely bunch of girls to hang around with! Phi Phi has a banging night life - there are literally DOZENS of bars in the town and stunning ones on the beach - all with Chill out areas, fire shows, pumping music and lots of sweaty dancing bodies! Its customary to drink Buckets here - these huge drinks which are put into buckets which look like the kids sand buckets. They have like a half jack of booze in them, are often made with super strong Thai Whiskey and all the corner shops sell them CHEAP CHEAP - you can probably have 1 or at a push 2 and be completely blotto. Another thing is that all the places have flourescent UV body paint, so naturally we all painted ourselves up when we went out.. it was great :)
On one of the days we did a day trip around the islands - such an amazing amazing trip. We had a packed lunch on a fantastic little beach, went snorkelling in some lovely dive spots, and saw literally the most jaw dropping beaches/bays/lagoons and karst mountain/rock formations. Just stunning!! Loved it! Our last day - we just lazed on the beach and chilled out. Had a huge party there - we went out every night and got our bucket faces on... We danced like crazies on the beach, met loads of awesome people, laughed, caused trouble, skinny dipped, did the limbo, sang songs, drank horrendous shots and I was within inches of getting a bamboo tattoo on my toes - luckily I didnt have enough money - otherwise apparently I would have got the words "SARAH ROCKS" written on my feet. A letter on each toe. SHEEEW.
There was so much crazy stuff which happened I cant even begin to try and write it. The photos will tell a story when I eventually post them... Summary is: CRAZY MAD FUN. I unfortunately got a little carried away on my second night...and landed up ruining my camera by dropping it in my BUCKET, and if that didnt kill it - I went for a swim (so I could wee in the sea!!) fully clothed and forgot it was in my pocket! ARRRGHHH - 2nd camera, and this one wasnt even a month old. All the photos are fine though - so it could be worse!
I am now chilling out in Railay for a couple of days before making my way to India - Mumbai here I come... More news to follow!
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