The Rough Life of Southern Thailand... Yea Right

So the other day I took a little boat ride to an uninhabited island with my old buddy Sebastian from college. (and my new buddy Mah-Wee from the island) So off we go...

As you can see... the water was just awful!

And around this corner...

And after a brief climb of some sharp rocks trying to not kill myself... [note to self: next time bring flip-flops]

Manu Bay. (The Lagoon where the movie "The Beach" was filmed.)

I wasn't the only one camera-happy.

Then a little more climbing for a view of:

Nature's Perfection. I think this shot sums up my feelings on the place in general. But here's a few more anyways: (One can't help but get camera-happy when surrounded by such beauty.)

Then around this corner...

Pretty beach.

Then around this corner...

Yet another pretty beach.

Then around this corner...

You get the idea. I'm not sure how water can be so clear and so blue at the same time. The dark spots are rock or coral, and the light spots white sand. You can still clearly see the bottom at about 20 ft. or so. This is pretty close to where I did some snorkeling the next day in a shallow coral reef. No digital under-water shots. :(

But anyways... enough of my silly, sappy rantings about pretty water and rocks.

After a full day in the sun, a beach-side full-body aloe vera massage was 100% in order.

Kho Phi Phi. (Phi Phi Island) This is where we stayed for 3 days. Where time doesn't matter, there're no motorized vehicles, and your biggest worry is just all the money that's slipping through your fingers ever so quickly.

There were exactly 233,483,202 (give or take a few) steps to get to that vantage point above, so many stops to rest were made. This little guy was making a similarly exhausting journey across one of the stairs, as well. So I gave him a hand. I would've liked it if some huge creature just picked me up and put me where I wanted to go.

South Thailand is a bit more heavily Buddhist than the North. (where I live) Buddhists really like to wrap things (especially trees) with colorful cloths. Maybe for good luck or something. They're all very superstitious. After over a year here, I still don''t even pretend to understand it all.

The view from my breakfast by the beach.

During down time, this was my favorite little place to hang out. Comfy lounging areas and good entertainment at night. Which was mostly...

...people playing with fire.

Limbo, jump rope, etc. Several tourists, after a bit too much liquid courage, probably singed some eyebrows.

But then my favorite... watching the fire dancers. Cool stuff. And created some unique lighting so... once again... I get to play with my camera! :)

Leaving Phi Phi on the ferry back to Phuket to catch my plane 'home.'

Patong beach on Phuket. I had an afternoon to kill before my flight so I thought I'd check out the super-touristy commericalized beach on the big island. Row after row of rental chairs, umbrellas, etc. Still pretty, but just not the same.

I haven't forgot about the flowers for my ladies, though. :)

So now that you've seen a bit of South Thailand, just let me know when you get your ticket to come visit me, and I could fairly easily be talked into going back again. My arm is easily twisted.

Much love to all,

Nathan Kimmons

Chiang Mai, Thailand

2 August, 2009