Redefined Timeline

Ko Lanta is located in the Krabi Province of Thailand. Another death trap boat ride (see previous post) and a tuk tuk jaunt lead us to Andaman Lanta Resort. Andaman Lanta Resort, please do not be as frightening as the one on Ko Ngai. Relief hit after we slowly opened the door to our room with extreme trepidation. While it was nothing fancy, it thankfully lacked the duct taped walls and questionable means of waste water disposal.

I feel more comfortable calling this place a resort. The rooms were on either side of a wide hall that lead out to a gorgeous garden full of flourishing flora. It was beautifully maintained. Stroll through the gardens to a large pool (complete with clean water this time, unlike the last “resort”). On one side of the pool was a gazebo where guests could elect to get a Thai massage. Hubs took advantage of this, but being incredibly hot, that did not sound at all relaxing to have another human’s sweaty hands squeezing my muscles. Instead, I read by the pool. On the opposite side of the gazebo lay the café/bar with a long wood, boardwalk leading up to it.

Nightly beach walks lead to the discovery of an inordinate number of hermit crabs. Size, color, and shell preference varied greatly, and made strolling the beach challenging in good ways and bad. There were so many, we had to make sure we didn’t step on any, and it was fun to locate as many variances as possible.

Yet again we went on a boating tour, but this time it was via a solidly built vessel, and not a degrading, wooden carcass with a car engine nailed to the planks (also in previous post). However, it was not just our group. The company packed us in on the boat like smelly sardines, so tight that none of us could move our limbs. Hubs had a small girl on his opposite side that fell asleep on his shoulder. Not being child people, he and I did not find it cute as some would. Instead he periodically tried to jostle her awake.

The first stop was the glittering lagoon, Pi Leh Bay. There was no beach, so leaping from the boat was our only means of enjoying the water sparkling amongst the secluded limestone cliffs rising majestically from the loch. Of course I decided to execute a front flip from the bow of the boat because… former gymnast. The agua was not great for snorkeling, but it did help us cool off after being crammed into the boat, inhaling everyone else’s body odors and absorbing their excessive heat. Onward to the next destination!

Maya Beach was made famous because of the Leonardo DiCaprio film, The Beach. Be prepared for insane throngs of people. From the boardwalk, the white sands look to be crawling with ants as people meandered up and down the beach. We were not permitted in the water, however, as they were in the process of repairs out at the cove entrance. We were at a beach with crystal clear water lapping up. Who is going to stop us from sneaking a dip? Oh, the guards patrolling near the palms lining the area. Those plans foiled, we finally found some open space at the far end since apparently walking that short distance was too hard for most. Somehow, my photos do not make the place look so crowded. Pro tip: Pick a different beach. There are plenty of unspoiled ones littered among the islands.

When in Thailand (specifically, Ko Lanta), one must partake in a Thai cooking class at Penn’s Thai Cooking School. As the phrase goes, when in Rome! After donning aprons with the school’s name and logo scrawled across the front, we lined up for our instructions from the very enthusiastic teacher. Cooking in Thailand involved a decent amount of physical activity… lots of crushing ingredients in a small bowl while sitting cross legged on the floor, wok flipping, standing and walking around our work stations, and playing with large knives (photos to follow). I think I wore an appropriate shirt for the occasion.

We made four dishes each that were ENORMOUS! Everyone that participated walked out of there with a take away bag. Which, by the way, was literally a plastic bag with soup and other semi-liquidy dishes inside a knotted closed baggy. Not the most sturdy of transport vehicles. Anyway, using woks, fire, far too much oil, and some very large knives, we made fried papaya “salad,” chicken and veggie stir fry, red chicken curry, and prawn fried rice. Food walking tours and cooking classes have become one of my favorite ways to see and navigate cities.

Traveling allows you to learn a multitude of fun phrases from a variety of different cultures. One of the most entertaining has been bathroom. In the States, we refer to it as a bathroom or restroom. Generally across the world, toilet is the main word utilized. However, when you go to Peru and hike the Inca Trail, your guide differentiates the many styles of pottys – regular toilet vs. panoramic toilet (aka. peeing into nature). Our guide in Thailand had devised another word for it… the Happy Room! Depending on what you are using the throne for, it may or may not be a happy occasion, though.

And now on to Ao Nang and a Thai New Year celebration! Nope, still not finished with Thailand (or even this trip), but I’m finally making some progress.