An unspoiled corner of the world...
... which conveniently has internet access. Safe and sound in Thailand. Wwords cannot fully describe the uniqueness and utter beauty of this secluded island... its like a mini-commune almost. The community is very cohesive, and barely anyone wants for anything. Lodging, food, "entertainment" can all be had relatively cheap. From the lowest I've seen one can find a room for only 150 baht (about $3.75usd) and have a decent, filling meal for only 80 baht. The offerings are absolute bare bones, but completely sufficient for island living.
When we first arrived to Koh Samui, the larger island, landed and taxied across the tarmac, we couldn't figure out where the actual, physical airport was. We were dumbfounded until we spotted a large thatched roofed with colorful signs advertising SINGHA, the national beer, and a crowd of dazed, sandy footed travelers clutching a cold brew milling about this structure. Then we discovered a couple more similarly constructed edifices- the customs/immigration hut and the baggage claim hut. No walls, no doors, no windows- nothing except for a few desks and poles for support.
After spotting my poor, already beaten up silver suitcase with the "fragile" stickers dangling in the breeze (I pasted them on in an attempt to secure kind handling for my belongings) we jumped into a taxicab, aka the back of a roofed-in pickup, and drove 5 minutes to the pier. Upon first walking up to the large boat we were informed by a soft-spoken woman that the last boat to Koh Phangan had just departed, but would we like to hire a private one for 6,000 baht that could drive us there in 10 minutes? As we protested that the signs at the "airport" claimed there was one more at 6.30pm, and slowly resolved ourselves to coughing up so much cash so early in the trip, she suddenly appeared to change her mind and pointed us to next door where we could procure three seats on the next boat at 6.30 for a mere 150 baht.
Have to run now so the highlights I'll elaborate on later:
trekking up and down through the jungle, following the main dirt road, dragging my silver suitcase through roots, puddles, branches, and ending up by some miracle in a bungalow on the beach.
experiencing what cheap living is all about- the room boasted 2 beds, a dresser that should have been thrown away 10 years ago, a wooden box I'm assuming was a closet, and a closed off room which had running water- thats right, running water which came out of various contraptions resembling items in the west. A thai "sink" spouted a faint tan liquid, while 2 hoses attached to the opposite tile wall emitted hot water. And in the corner, an upside bucket for our shelving convenience.
And one more thing- since we've been here we joke that we really only have to worry about 3 things. Safety, ATM card, and passport. After an ATM machine ate my card on the first day and I almost broke out into a panic- third world with no cash is rough- I had to put ATM card as number two. (A small smiling thai man who worked for a neighboring money exchange establishment saved the day... it was a close one.)
Loving this place, and definitely coming back.
When we first arrived to Koh Samui, the larger island, landed and taxied across the tarmac, we couldn't figure out where the actual, physical airport was. We were dumbfounded until we spotted a large thatched roofed with colorful signs advertising SINGHA, the national beer, and a crowd of dazed, sandy footed travelers clutching a cold brew milling about this structure. Then we discovered a couple more similarly constructed edifices- the customs/immigration hut and the baggage claim hut. No walls, no doors, no windows- nothing except for a few desks and poles for support.
After spotting my poor, already beaten up silver suitcase with the "fragile" stickers dangling in the breeze (I pasted them on in an attempt to secure kind handling for my belongings) we jumped into a taxicab, aka the back of a roofed-in pickup, and drove 5 minutes to the pier. Upon first walking up to the large boat we were informed by a soft-spoken woman that the last boat to Koh Phangan had just departed, but would we like to hire a private one for 6,000 baht that could drive us there in 10 minutes? As we protested that the signs at the "airport" claimed there was one more at 6.30pm, and slowly resolved ourselves to coughing up so much cash so early in the trip, she suddenly appeared to change her mind and pointed us to next door where we could procure three seats on the next boat at 6.30 for a mere 150 baht.
Have to run now so the highlights I'll elaborate on later:
trekking up and down through the jungle, following the main dirt road, dragging my silver suitcase through roots, puddles, branches, and ending up by some miracle in a bungalow on the beach.
experiencing what cheap living is all about- the room boasted 2 beds, a dresser that should have been thrown away 10 years ago, a wooden box I'm assuming was a closet, and a closed off room which had running water- thats right, running water which came out of various contraptions resembling items in the west. A thai "sink" spouted a faint tan liquid, while 2 hoses attached to the opposite tile wall emitted hot water. And in the corner, an upside bucket for our shelving convenience.
And one more thing- since we've been here we joke that we really only have to worry about 3 things. Safety, ATM card, and passport. After an ATM machine ate my card on the first day and I almost broke out into a panic- third world with no cash is rough- I had to put ATM card as number two. (A small smiling thai man who worked for a neighboring money exchange establishment saved the day... it was a close one.)
Loving this place, and definitely coming back.
posted by Laura | 8:34 AM
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