Honeymoon Paradise, Part 2

Days 75-83: Ko Chang and Ko Wai, Thailand

After weeks on the dusty backpacker road - early morning starts, bumpy taxi rides, thousands of temple stairs, long days on our feet (rough life, we know) - well, it was time for a bit of "aaaaahhhhhh." It was time for some beach paradise - Thailand style. Just a boat hop away, we happily entered a lazy land where the sky to ocean to beach makes that perfect, continuous transition from blue to turquoise to green to gold. Aaaahhhhhhh. Soon, the toughest part of the day became deciding what type of fruit I wanted my morning shake to consist of, or, in Al's case, whether to execute yet another handstand in the ocean. Seriously. I became further conviced that I married a fish, oh wait, I mean, a mermaid, honey.

Our first few days were on "Lonely Beach," Ko Chang, where we found just a bit of activity, centered around an ewok-like, wooden deck-structure hostel aptly named the "Treehouse." Tattoos, silk pillows, funky lamps, reggae, and best of all, the "Thai rasta-man,"
came at no extra charge. Plus the food was lovely - big red snapper and giant squid barbecued on the beach. Best of all, Al showed her prowess for lotteries. Our first night was party night at the Treehouse (we later learned that every night is party night.) But this night was particularly special in that they were giving out free loot, by drawing out of a hat. Al, god bless her, reached into the nappy rasta hat of prizes, and innocently pulled out the the grand prize: a romantic, candle light dinner for two! Plus, lo and behold, the next night was Thanksgiving! She won a free, and massive, Thanksgiving feast. . . . So after watching an amazing sunset while swimming in the crystal clear and incredibly warm waters off of Koh Chang, we feasted on strawberry daiqueries, steamed whole red snapper, calamari, indian curries, BBQ beef skewers, and a bucket (yes, a bucket) of L.I.T (always a nice night cap after a satisfying meal, yes?). Just like back home, the Thanksiving feast was finished with some very solid fire dancing on the beach a la circue du soleil, but, once again, Thai rasta style. It was a night fit for the pilgrims. Gobble, gobble.





We eventually got rastaed and fire-danced out, and wanted things to get even quieter. So, we left Koh Chang for a small island further out in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Wai had only a few bungalows on it, no electricty and incredibly clear water perfect for handstands, or, in my case, floating on my back and patting my smoothie-filled belly. Beyond a short walk here, or a chess game there, plus a day of diving, we did absolutely noooothing.

Our little hut was set in the trees, with a a balcony that over looked the ocean. We spent the days lying on the beach, drinking mango shakes, and scrambling up the steep path to watch the sunsets from the rocky cliffs on the other side of the island. We went diving for a day and saw blue-spotted sting rays, moray eels, and enormous schools of fish that wrapped around us like bending, moving walls. Just awesome. At night, we held an international round table of sorts with our new friends Ole (Belgium), Willow (Canada), Joe (New Zealand), Jasna and Andraz (Slovenia), and Charlie(Canada) and Mona (Germany)-- marveling at Joe's funny Kiwi words, Ole's circus tricks, and Andraz' wonderful quality of laughing at all of my jokes. Now I must visit Slovenia.

The days melted away. Laziness became our profession. And our minds and bodies were settled deep into the sandy beach. We were relaxed and rejuvenated. And ready for Africa . . .