weeks we started in Cambodia where we got to explore the temples of
Ankor Wat on cute little beach bikes. We found a HUGE black scorpion
(dead) and fed lots of monkeys. We haggled at markets and started to
develop our obsession with fun bracelets and fake ray bans. Oh yeah,
and we sweat... a lot.
Then headed straight for the coast and spent a few days in
Siounakville. Besides the disgusting old men trolling about in search
of child prostitutes and the used syringe I fed on the beach, it was
really quite nice. Bought more bracelets from adorable Cambodian
girls that were impossible to say no to. Except when we refused to
buy fruit from one girl because she was really mean and bullied
everone... and she cursed us and wished for our boat to sink and for
us to die. The next day coming home from a snorkel trip it started to
monsoon rain and we did get slightly nervous. Luckily, another sweet
little girl made us goodluck bracelets after hearing what the other
girl said so we made it home okay.
At night we partied at some of the bars and met a really rowdy group
of aussies whose age range was 19-22. I expecially enjoyed the 19
year old, Peter's explanation of how age is just a social construct
and doesn't really exist. Then I had my favorite interaction of the
entire trip with his friend Aaron. It went like this:
Aaron: 'Ouch, I just got bit!'
Me: 'Oh no, by what, a mosquito?'
Aaron: 'No, by that guy'
Then when Laura and I hopped on the back of a motorbike to head home
Peter followed us yelling, 'What am I to do now, ladies?? What am I
to do???" with the saddest drunken puppy dog face I've ever seen.
The next day I was reunited with an English friend I made in Siem
Reap, who I had accidentally wandered away from and lost. We had
dinner in one of the beach huts and a storm hit that was so powerful
we were basically huddled in the corner waiting for the roof to fly
off and get swept out to see. After it passed, it was actually one of
the most beautiful things to watch the lightning over the ocean.
Our next stop was originally going to be straight for the islands in
Thailand, but when Laura saw a picture of one of our friends petting a
tiger our plans immediately changed and we rerouted to Chang Mai,
northern Thailand. Thirty hours consisting of a tuktuk, bus, walk
across the border, van, taxi, train, taxi and we were there. Within
two hours we were petting tigers. It was probably one of the coolest
things I've ever done. They were so beautiful.
The next two days were packed nonstop with activities. We ziplined
through the jungle, saw more monkeys, went to an awesome Muay Thai
boxing match (I bet this old Thai dude 100 baht on a match and won!!),
partied, got tackled on the dancefloor by a certain, large aussie
friend, more swimming pools, got groped (for the second time on this
trip) by a ten year old after refusing his request to look at my
boobies, rode more elephants (I got to ride right up on his neck),
went trekking, swam in waterfalls, white water rafting, bamboo raft
boating, met some really fun Americans from Chicago who are aussie
friend Tim claims the volume of our voices went up like 5 knotches as
soon as we started talking to them. Apparently, Americans are known
as extremely loud talkers... not that I'm admitting to it or anything.
We barely had time to sit down (or sleep) before we were on a flight
straight to Phuket (island on the western coast of Southern Thailand).
We took the ferry to Ko Phi Phi when our jaws dropped as soon as it
come into view. So gorgeous. The island is tiny, with a little
central town area with a maze of markets and bikes and 'taxis'
shuffling past you. And by 'taxi' I mean wheel-barrel style carts you
could put your stuff in and walk next to. There were no cars on the
entire island.
We didn't waste much time finding the party on the beach with
incredible ninja-like fire throwers and fun music. They serve their
drinks in buckets... which ultimately lead to me waking up with half
of my front tooth missing. When it happened Laura gasped and all I
could say was, "...well, it was bound to happen eventually..." It
took Laura less than 24 hours to tag me as Lloyd Christmas in Dumb and
Dumber on facebook. Bitch.
The following day we took a boat tour around the islands, went
snorkeling, kayaking, got to see where they filmed 'The Beach'. It's
the most spectacular place I've ever seen. The water ranged from
crystal clear blue to brilliant emerald green and teal(spelled that
wrong). The islands are made up of massive cliffs that soar straight
out of the water. And the new friends we made were so fun... from San
Fransisco, England and Canada. We all ended up at the same beach
party that night and had a blast dancing. Laura and I were in a head
to head sweat off, but I'm pretty sure I came out on top, not to brag
or anything. By the time our dresses were just about entirely soaked
through we decided to run into the water, which was knee deep and
extended out really far.. perfect for running and playing and dancing
in the water. Thinking it was too dark for anyone to see us from the
coast, I of course had my dress off daning in my underwear in the
moonlight. Then once we were fully clothed and running in to the
beach, there was a guy standing there watching the whole thing. As I
ran past him he had a huge smile on his face and his hand up to give
me a high five. I excitedly ran towards him and tried to high five
him back but totally missed and poked his eye... hard. Poor guy
dropped to the fetal position and didn't respond when I asked him if
he was okay. Hmmm,. I wonder if it was worth it.
The next day I went rock climbing and got beautiful views of the
island from the cliff. There were 4 other guys with me bvut somehow I
managed to be the sweatiest one. I pointed out how much of a sweaty
beast I was and the guide just laughed and said, "yeah you are."
We decided to stay in Ko phi phi rather than go to Ko Phangan for the
full moon party in order to find our lost camera. Most distressing,
awful 24 hours ever, but our perserverence paid off when we got it
back! Our extra day there turned out to be an incredible day on a
sail boat with cliff jumping, feeding monkeys, snorkeling, awesome
kayaking and some cold beers with our own choice of music playing.
Ballers!!
Today - en route to the eastern islands - Ko Samui and Ko Tao. Party on!!
~Cat
