Phuket 2014

Here's a little video I put together of Phuket 2014 so you get more than just the photos.
Enjoy!!

Let me know how I can make the next one better in the comments below?

It's the first video I've ever made so be kind.

Koh Yoong, Thailand

The last and final stop on our magical getaway was another snorkeling spot!
The water was pretty choppy, the boat was swaying to and fro, and I still wasn't completely over the first snorkeling experience.

My solution?
To put on a vest and flippers, and swim to the only small piece of beach in sight and sit there till everyone was getting back on the boat.

Chris came to fetch me after a few moments of solitude on the beach because apparently this place was WAY better and had loads more fish.
I believed him and swam back to the boat to see for myself.

He was right.
This place was much better.

The guys from the boat threw pineapple pieces in and the fish swarmed around us.

  

I was so happy bobbing along the surface that I didn't notice there was no one else around me.
Everyone had actually already gotten back on the boat and someone had to swim out after me letting me know it was time to leave.

Needless to say this was a much lovelier snorkeling spot, especially for beginners like me.

Back on the boat and heading back to port everyone fell asleep, probably from a mixture of adrenaline and heat exhaustion, mixed with happiness and the rocking of the boat.

Back on solid ground we were taken back to our hotel where we took a nap and got ready for more adventures.

Phi Phi Don, Thailand

The biggest (and the only island you can stay on) of the Phi Phi Islands is Phi Phi Don.

We docked here for some lunch.
And a fantastic lunch it was!

Fish with mango salsa.
Green curry.
Red curry.
Rice.
Chicken and cashews.
Fries (I guess this one is for people who can't eat spicy foods?)

After lunch we had a little walk and Chris took a nap.

After lunch we grabbed our towels and back on the boat we went to be ferried off to yet another new place!

Phi Phi Don was my least favorite island.

It was most polluted and most crowded.
Still nice, but not nearly as nice as every other beach I've seen.
Honestly, I even preferred our local beach as Karon Beach better.

But the next place we went to... the next place... *sigh*
Now that was real Heaven on Earth.
Come back on Monday (or subscribe by email!) to see for yourself!

Monkey Beach, Thailand

The next island we pulled up to was called Monkey Island.
And for good reason too.

The moment you see the island in the distance you can make out shapes of little creatures jumping and running around.
When you get closer you realize they're monkeys.
Unfortunately they've gotten quite aggressive and lazy over the years.
People used to dock here, come on shore and feed bananas and other fruit to the monkeys.
Then a few years ago a woman was attacked by these monkeys.
And now tours only really get just close enough to the shore to throw food to them and take photos...

Or so we thought!

Just because we didn't go on shore, that doesn't mean they were going to stay away from us.
They jumped onto the front of our boat like they owned the place, climbed right in and started roaming around.

I wasn't sure if I should push it off, pet it or feed it.
I decided a photo would be sufficient.

Looking back on that photo, I don't particularly like how this monkey is looking at me so I'm glad I didn't stand there any longer than I did.

There was a little boy on board who decided it was a good idea to pet the wild monkeys.
While teasing them with a banana just far enough where the monkey wouldn't be able to reach it.
The monkey finally swiped its claws at him and he jumped back.
All this happening while the crew and everyone on the boat yelling at him to stop.
And his parents reaction was to take photos of him...

Lunch on a new island was the next point of port!

Has anyone else been to an island of hungry, wild monkeys?

Pileh Lagoon, Thailand

Next up on the adventure was Pileh Lagoon.
A beautiful little turquoise water swimming spot surround by limestone cliffs.
And yet another filming location of The Beach.

Not to toot my own horn too much here, but I think I definitely picked the perfect birthday present for my perfect guy this year.
And the days adventures weren't even half-way done!

Paradise, isn't it?

#60: Learn to Snorkel

The boat sped off, but before we even got comfortable it slowed down, and a few moments later we dropped anchor in another little harbor.
This one had no beach in sight, only 2 other boats in view, and nobody really knew what was going on.

(Well you know because of the blog post title...

but let's assume you didn't know what was happening either...)

The scenery was beautiful, but everyone on the boat was a little confused what we were doing there.

Then the crew pulled out a box of masks and snorkels and told us we reached our first snorkeling spot.

Snorkeling???
I've never snorkeled before!!!
I didn't know we were going to get to snorkel!!!
That's on my bucketlist!!!

Chris was one of the first people in the water.

It took me a little more time to get comfortable...

First off, if you've never snorkeled it feels quite claustrophobic trying to breathe through a tube under water.
Secondly, breathing is key. Slow breaths, in and out. Only your mask has to be underwater, not even your ears need to be covered.

Thirdly, it helps if on your first time you can be in water shallow enough where you can touch the bottom with your feet.
My first experience was in 10m deep choppy ocean water.
Not ideal to say the least, I was a little freaked out for the first 15 minutes while I learned to breathe, float, breathe, spit water out, and swim all at the same time.

Once breathing is mastered you can explore anywhere you want... like one of our crew who can dive 10m with a snorkel!!!!

I got a lot more comfortable in the water and started attempting to dive.
And Chris and I thought why not take one of both of us diving together?!!

We'll pretend that was a successfully carried out idea...

So after about 30 to 40 minutes of snorkeling (and ticking an awesome bucketlist box!) we got back on the boat and were off to yet another mystery paradise destination!!