After spending a little over two glorious weeks on Tonsai Beach, Charlie and I made the plunge back into the outside world. It was sad to leave all of our new friends back in Tonsai, but some came with us on our adventure that took us from the Andaman Sea over to the Gulf of Thailand, to Koh Tao, aka Turtle Island. Our friend Justin, from Australia, that we met in Vietnam and have traveled with on and off for a while has joined us as well as a new friend from Tonsai (a San Francisco girl named Ashley) for some excellent snorkeling, sea kayaking and overall beach time. The beaches on Koh Tao are much more developed that our dear little Reggae Rasta Tonsai experience, but the waters around the island- which is the farthest from land in the Gulf- are crystal clear and full of beautiful creatures. There are tourist shops and Scuba Diving courses every few feet, something that we aren't used to because we have made such an effort to stay off the beaten track. The party's are insane, so much wild electronic music pulsing down the beach, people drinking and smoking to excess, swimming in the ocean, and socializing with people from all over the world. It is quite the spectacle to see. Charlie and I often make some friends and observe the chaos with ameusment. Today we head to Koh Phagnan for an international half moon party in the jungle. We are meeting up with some friends and putting together a crew to head out for one last big night on the beach before heading back to Bangkok on Friday. Then, we shop, dine and prepare for our journey home.
We will keep it updated.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Thailand therapy
So, we begin the grueling journey back to the states in three weeks. We have been bad about keeping this updated recently and know it. We are in Tonsai, a small bay outside Krabi town on the southwest side of the peninsula. It has been about 10 days since we arrived and we have not made it far beyond our hammocks. It's pretty nice! Thailand is so easy and there are no worries - everyone is so chilled out. Tonsai is apparently a top destination for rock climbers which brings many many people, but not too many. And they are always climbing. The bay is a small area consisting of a plethora of Thai rastas (I'm writing this in a glass Internet joint overlooking the sea and a big storm is occurring. The sky let out an enormous burst of thunder and the night lit up - at the same time my computer shut down. It was electric...So now I continue)and little bar/shacks to compliment. Oriana and I are quite enjoying ourselves. A couple days ago we did motivate and make our way several bays down, through the jungle and up a steep hike to an overlook where we could see for out over the landscape below us. Our next mission was to find a heard of lagoon. We did. The hike down into the lagoon was ridiculously vertical with three different levels. Nonetheless we made it and just lay around in our hammocks eating fresh pineapple. Today we rented kayaks and set out to sea. We explored some beautiful surrounding islands with perfect white sand beaches. We got extremely sunburned, but luckily, made it home to Tonsai before the evening, intense, thunderstorms rolled in from all directions- right on time.
For now we will make the dash home to our little bamboo hut in the jungle. The rain has let up a bit, so this is our chance.
Much Love.
For now we will make the dash home to our little bamboo hut in the jungle. The rain has let up a bit, so this is our chance.
Much Love.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
It's been awhile...
Sorry for the lack of posting, friends. Charlie and I have been on the move up Vietnam. From Dalat we took a 15 hour bus up to Hoi An, which is famous for the 500 Tailoring shops that don the quiet streets of this town. Charlie and I were only there a few hours before picking out fabrics and styles for our new attire. I got a beautiful wool pea coat made, and Charlie got a silk-line pinstriped suit- all for a total of $170. To say the least we are very happy with our purchases.
From Hoi An we decided to high-tail it up to Hanoi, the northern capital, so we could spend our last two weeks in, what has turned out to be, the most beautiful part of Vietnam. We have run into our Canadian buddies in many random places, met new friends to travel with, and spent some whiskey-ridden days kayaking through the grotto's and limestone peaks that loom in and above Halong Bay. Famous for its Islands of sheer cliffs and lush jungle, this National Heritage site was one of the most impressive sights yet on this trip. We took an organized tour, one of the few we have done on the trip, through The Hanoi Backpackers Hostel. The trip took us, and eighteen other young travelers, on a cruise through the Bay on an old fashioned, pirate ship. This mahogany boat was our home for 36 hours of drinking, fine dining and socializing as we cruised through the massive limestone islands. Our accommodation on-board was beautiful and romantic, some of the nicest rooms on our trip. The second night of the three day tour was spent in a three star hotel on the largest island in the bay- Cat Ba Island. This island, which is also a national park, had many quaint villages and one seaside town with many hotels and little Vietnamese restaurants. A group of five of us decided to stay on the island a few extra days to enjoy more scenery and the slower pace of the place. Another detail is that it is quite cold in Northern Vietnam. Coats are necessary and it has been raining on and off for about a week. This has made the scenery even for mysterious, with fog blanketing areas around the island reinforcing the local myths that the islands were once sea dragons that protected the villagers from harm. They settled on their stationary spots to provide protection from the sea and any enemies in might bring. We drank beer at the local climbing bar and stayed in immaculate $6 sea view rooms, only going back to the first hotel to utilize the top floor Spa. For $12 we got one hour massages and full use of steam bath, jacuzzi and sauna for two hours. We ordered beer, sat in the jacuzzi, and enjoyed luxury that we haven't had once on our trip- or perhaps ever.
After hopping on our ship, that comes every day for those staying longer on the island, we made our way back to the mainland, and eventually back to Hanoi. So now Charlie, Justin (our Australian friend whom we have been traveling with since Hoi An), and I are just enjoying the local Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup) before Charlie and I fly back to Bangkok the day after tomorrow.
Oh, and on a family note- MY SISTER HAD HER BABY!
Golden and her husband Sean welcomed in their son, Zayden Clark Rogers, into the world yesterday. He is a healthy 9 lbs 2 ounces and a pretty good looking baby (as far as newborns go). My family is so happy and proud, and I am very excited to get home to meet my new nephew.
Much Love.
Oriana and Charlie
p.s. We will post pictures soon.
From Hoi An we decided to high-tail it up to Hanoi, the northern capital, so we could spend our last two weeks in, what has turned out to be, the most beautiful part of Vietnam. We have run into our Canadian buddies in many random places, met new friends to travel with, and spent some whiskey-ridden days kayaking through the grotto's and limestone peaks that loom in and above Halong Bay. Famous for its Islands of sheer cliffs and lush jungle, this National Heritage site was one of the most impressive sights yet on this trip. We took an organized tour, one of the few we have done on the trip, through The Hanoi Backpackers Hostel. The trip took us, and eighteen other young travelers, on a cruise through the Bay on an old fashioned, pirate ship. This mahogany boat was our home for 36 hours of drinking, fine dining and socializing as we cruised through the massive limestone islands. Our accommodation on-board was beautiful and romantic, some of the nicest rooms on our trip. The second night of the three day tour was spent in a three star hotel on the largest island in the bay- Cat Ba Island. This island, which is also a national park, had many quaint villages and one seaside town with many hotels and little Vietnamese restaurants. A group of five of us decided to stay on the island a few extra days to enjoy more scenery and the slower pace of the place. Another detail is that it is quite cold in Northern Vietnam. Coats are necessary and it has been raining on and off for about a week. This has made the scenery even for mysterious, with fog blanketing areas around the island reinforcing the local myths that the islands were once sea dragons that protected the villagers from harm. They settled on their stationary spots to provide protection from the sea and any enemies in might bring. We drank beer at the local climbing bar and stayed in immaculate $6 sea view rooms, only going back to the first hotel to utilize the top floor Spa. For $12 we got one hour massages and full use of steam bath, jacuzzi and sauna for two hours. We ordered beer, sat in the jacuzzi, and enjoyed luxury that we haven't had once on our trip- or perhaps ever.
After hopping on our ship, that comes every day for those staying longer on the island, we made our way back to the mainland, and eventually back to Hanoi. So now Charlie, Justin (our Australian friend whom we have been traveling with since Hoi An), and I are just enjoying the local Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup) before Charlie and I fly back to Bangkok the day after tomorrow.
Oh, and on a family note- MY SISTER HAD HER BABY!
Golden and her husband Sean welcomed in their son, Zayden Clark Rogers, into the world yesterday. He is a healthy 9 lbs 2 ounces and a pretty good looking baby (as far as newborns go). My family is so happy and proud, and I am very excited to get home to meet my new nephew.
Much Love.
Oriana and Charlie
p.s. We will post pictures soon.
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