We made it to Koh Tao. But it wasn't the easiest journey, by far! Who knew 2 hours could feel like 10... It started out with clear blue skies. We took a ferry boat from Koh Samui, and transferred at Koh Pha Ngan. Onto the next boat. The ferry wasn't small, probably could hold about 100 people. The life jackets drapped over each seat in plastic was probably an omen, usually they are hidden from sight on each boat. 10 minutes in, it is how I imagine the Bermuda Triangle would be!
One second we are headed up into the sky at a vertical angle, the next we are slamming the side of the boad into the water, then you can see a wave coming from the right, it looks about 8 feet high - but there is also one coming from the left, but it looks 12 feet high! The moment one of the crew (couldn't have been more than 12 years old) started handing out barf bags, I knew we were in it for the long haul. At first it was just kind of exciting - like the longest roller coaster ride of your life. But when you start flying out of the water, and the captain cuts the boats engine (or maybe you are just so far out of the water you can no longer hear it?), the stomache gets a bit queezy. Of the 15 people that were on the boat that day (we are here just at the end of the low season), 4 girls threw up - me included. And growing up on an island, I have NEVER been seasick in my life! At one point, Matt said that he went upstairs, to the outside deck. Everyone was laying on the floor, like zombies. Nobody talking. Just taking each wave that came with a deep breath.
But, we made it here safely. And it was worth it. From the moment we jumped into the flatbed of the pickup truck taxi, we knew we'd like this place. It is very laid back here. Not touristy at all in comparison to Koh Samui. And the beach is beautiful.
The Lantern Festival took place here last night too, and the festivities were taking place at an elementary school, raising funds for the classrooms. This was a really neat experience. Again, they had food stalls, dancers, singers, but this time they added a new element: a beauty pageant! About 50 children got up on stage, in the most beatiful outfits (most were handmade). They stood there in a line, and the MC asked each of them questions, some making the whole crowd break out into laughter. And then they would turn on the music every so often, and all the children would dance. Periodically, a child would run across the stage, or grab the mic, making some effort to bring the attention back to them alone. At the end of each performance, people could buy a rose, and then hand it to the performer. This was part of the fundraiser. Some people would get more than 50 roses! The interesting thing was that each performer would give back the roses at the end of the show, and they would be reused again for the next performance. We feel so lucky each time we are able to witness these little sneak a peaks into another culture.
Tonight we will be launching our own lantern into the ocean. Now to go pick the perfect banana boat!
P & M
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Hi Pippa and Matt! Ha ha, hearing about your boat ride has been one of the highlights in your postings, I know weird, but I am so terrified of big seas, and so terrified of getting seasick, I am fascinated you made it through unscathed, and talking chirpily about all the things you found on island!
ReplyDeletePippa, remember I was nervous just getting on that boat from Cancun to Isla Mujeres!
I had a similar trip once, from Athens to.... gosh! where? Mykonos! That's it. I was on the boat with my brother Brian, it was TERRIBLE!! The waves were HUGE and all the nuns were wailing and crying and people were running outside to barf..... I took Gravol and just kind of hung on in a Gravol stupor. It was a four hour nightmare....
Did you feel fine once you set foot on island?
Hope it's "clear sailing" back to port! OR maybe you're flying, ha ha!
Love mum