Island Time

Hi All,

It's been a while since our last post due to a lack of free internet at recent accommodations and an aversion to sitting and typing while near the beach -- you understand. That said, we've been to a number new places (mostly islands), and experienced much of Southern Thailand. "Same, Same, but Different" as they say.

As has been the norm, we'll list out some experiences via brain dump. No particular order, just as they come to mind. We think this offers the most free expression or just saves the most time.

1) As long as we used it, it should probably be explained. "Same, Same, but Different" is known as said by almost all Thai people that deal with tourists. It is most often the answer to a comparative question of degree (amount of food, cleanliness of room, effectiveness of air conditioner, safety of anything). If you were to ask: "what is the difference between taking bus trip A and bus trip B", the likely response would be "SSbD". It's exactly as unequivocal as it sounds. In fairness, it's our fault we don't know the language, and they can't articulate the differences in English. This can make decision making frustrating.

2) Southern Itinerary to date: Chiang Mai by plane to Phuket for one night. Ferry to Koh Phi Phi for two nights. Ferry and longtail boat to RaiLay (Krabi) for three nights. Longtail, pickup truck, Bus, Bus, Ferry, Minibus to Koh Samui for two nights. Ferry to Koh Tao for four nights (we are on night three now).

3) If you read #2 carefully, you might notice that the route from RaiLay to Samui was especially trying, let us succinctly elaborate (succinctly because we could go on infinitely). Thai tourism tackles the language barrier during multi connection travel by using a sticker system (said stickers are stuck on your chest). Given a particular sticker, you are meant to be passed from bus, to truck, to taxi, etc..., seamlessly by one operator to another based on your sticker. If you purchase a trip from a tourist office (which is often the easiest way to travel), they will give you a sticker and a time to show up. The remaining details will be generally passed along (very generally - "Same, Same, but Different") and you will wait for the first person to recognize the sticker at stop one. At stop two, you will then wait for another operator to see your sticker, all the time hoping he/she actually arrives. If you have any inclination for control (or have borderline control problems), this will be difficult for you. Especially when a connecting sticker recognizer is late. For more information, give us a couple drinks and an hour.

4) Koh Phi Phi Don is a great place for 18-22 yr olds to party like it's spring break (Angela is 26 and Jon is 28). Koh Phi Phi Leh (see movie: The Beach) is amazing, idealic, unreal.

5) RaiLay, somehow, is more incredible than Koh Phi Phi Leh. Inconceivably large limestone cliffs less than 1 mile apart with a beach in the middle. We stayed at an awesome place with a pool only feet from the beach. (Side note- almost gave the distance in meters there. Perhaps it's time to get back to America for some good old standard rule).

6) The south of Thailand is decidedly touristy. Pro - More English speakers including Thais. Con - Less Thai immersion. Somehow we stayed in a German destination in RaiLay and a French destination in Samui. Who's better? We sorta kept to ourselves.

7) We are currently in Koh Tao learning to scuba dive. Today was our first two ocean dives submerging to roughly 12 meters (yes, the instructor is forcing metric down our red white and blue throats). Breathing while underwater is as cool as it sounds. More to come.


That's it for now. Hope every one's doing well wherever you might be. (again, not proofread)

Angela and Jon