5/17 - Monkey Business
It's 1:30pm on Tuesday the 17th. We're headed back to our bungalow after a morning of work at Monkey Beach on Ko Phi Phi Island. We arrived on Sunday via speedboat from the J Mansion. When we booked the ferry ticket through the hotel front desk we expected to be on a 300 person ferry that would take a couple of hours to reach Phi Phi . When we showed up to leave for the ferry we learned that the J Mansion's speedboat had 2 extra seats for their 4 island tour so we were getting an express ride to Phi Phi . The trip was only 50min and the J Mansion made another 500B - good deal for all of us. You never know where your money is going to end up. The views on the boat ride over were amazing.
So, why are we here? As most of you know, Phi Phi Island is/was our main destination for this trip. About 1000 locals and tourists died here on Dec. 26th in the Tsunami so we're here to help with the rebuilding effort. Phi Phi's unique geography made it susceptible to terrible damage. To see a map of the island, check out http://andaman-island-hopping.com/maps/aih_phiphi.jpg As you approach Phi Phi by boat, the devastation isn't immediately apparent unless you'd been here before the tsunami and know that you couldn't previously see from one bay to the other. After we took a few steps on land we instantly became aware of the huge trash piles and random swaths of rubble - reminiscent of a tornado's aftermath.
The isthmus is very developed - again, everything you could ever want is for sale in every store which are lined up one after the other. Libby, they don't need any pens. : - ) The population is about 2/3 travelers and 1/3 natives. Most of the travelers are young backpackers. Most are not from the US - we've met many from the U.K., Canada, and from down under. Many of the travelers are not here to volunteer. They're here to scuba dive, sunbathe, and party. The unique thing about the HiPhiPhi volunteer organization (see link to the right) is that they are very visible here and many backpackers end up lending a hand for an afternoon or more while vacationing.
When we arrived, we immediately set about getting a hotel room. We're staying at the P.P. Andaman Resort. We have a nice air conditioned room just 100yds from the beach. After dropping our packs off, we walked down to the HiPhiPhi volunteer area and chose a project to work on. That afternoon we worked in the Pee Pee Pavilion area. The entire swath of land in that area (2 football fields in size) was completely wiped out. We kept busy picking up surface debris including broken tile, building materials and general trash. We couldn't dig down below the surface sand and dirt because the land seemed to be made up entirely of debris. The idea here was to clean the area well enough to discourage people from piling additional trash, prevent current trash from being swept into the only waterway/river on the island and back out to sea, and finally to prepare the area for grass seeding meant to prevent erosion. The work was painstaking, tedious, dirty, and hot. There were about 15 other volunteers working on the project with us. While the task looked insurmountable when we arrived, we were comforted after a few hours because it actually looked like we'd made a difference.
Yesterday and this morning we cleaned "Monkey Beach" which is on the West side of Lohdalum Bay. This project, while more strenuous, is much more rewarding than the first. Here we are picking up much larger debris - clothing, furniture, bottles, cans, - you name it we found it. Everything is strewn about here and half of it is in shallow water and filled with sand. When the sun isn't shaded by cloud cover, it is blazing hot - we feel like we're going to ignite despite sweat pouring off of us. We're working with about 20 volunteers (1/3 local) and are totally amazed by other traveler's choice of clothing/sun protection. We know that we're overly sensitive about this, but yesterday we watched a couple of volunteers donate their skin to the sun god in all of it's possible glory. We're not kidding. One guy had bright red hair and fair skin - after an afternoon of work, his back looked like someone had taken a cheese grater to it and then doused it in Tabasco.
If anyone has questions or comments about our trip please let us know. It would be great to hear from you. We're heading back to our bungalow to clean up from this morning's work.
Easy Rider
So, why are we here? As most of you know, Phi Phi Island is/was our main destination for this trip. About 1000 locals and tourists died here on Dec. 26th in the Tsunami so we're here to help with the rebuilding effort. Phi Phi's unique geography made it susceptible to terrible damage. To see a map of the island, check out http://andaman-island-hopping.com/maps/aih_phiphi.jpg As you approach Phi Phi by boat, the devastation isn't immediately apparent unless you'd been here before the tsunami and know that you couldn't previously see from one bay to the other. After we took a few steps on land we instantly became aware of the huge trash piles and random swaths of rubble - reminiscent of a tornado's aftermath.
The isthmus is very developed - again, everything you could ever want is for sale in every store which are lined up one after the other. Libby, they don't need any pens. : - ) The population is about 2/3 travelers and 1/3 natives. Most of the travelers are young backpackers. Most are not from the US - we've met many from the U.K., Canada, and from down under. Many of the travelers are not here to volunteer. They're here to scuba dive, sunbathe, and party. The unique thing about the HiPhiPhi volunteer organization (see link to the right) is that they are very visible here and many backpackers end up lending a hand for an afternoon or more while vacationing.
When we arrived, we immediately set about getting a hotel room. We're staying at the P.P. Andaman Resort. We have a nice air conditioned room just 100yds from the beach. After dropping our packs off, we walked down to the HiPhiPhi volunteer area and chose a project to work on. That afternoon we worked in the Pee Pee Pavilion area. The entire swath of land in that area (2 football fields in size) was completely wiped out. We kept busy picking up surface debris including broken tile, building materials and general trash. We couldn't dig down below the surface sand and dirt because the land seemed to be made up entirely of debris. The idea here was to clean the area well enough to discourage people from piling additional trash, prevent current trash from being swept into the only waterway/river on the island and back out to sea, and finally to prepare the area for grass seeding meant to prevent erosion. The work was painstaking, tedious, dirty, and hot. There were about 15 other volunteers working on the project with us. While the task looked insurmountable when we arrived, we were comforted after a few hours because it actually looked like we'd made a difference.
Yesterday and this morning we cleaned "Monkey Beach" which is on the West side of Lohdalum Bay. This project, while more strenuous, is much more rewarding than the first. Here we are picking up much larger debris - clothing, furniture, bottles, cans, - you name it we found it. Everything is strewn about here and half of it is in shallow water and filled with sand. When the sun isn't shaded by cloud cover, it is blazing hot - we feel like we're going to ignite despite sweat pouring off of us. We're working with about 20 volunteers (1/3 local) and are totally amazed by other traveler's choice of clothing/sun protection. We know that we're overly sensitive about this, but yesterday we watched a couple of volunteers donate their skin to the sun god in all of it's possible glory. We're not kidding. One guy had bright red hair and fair skin - after an afternoon of work, his back looked like someone had taken a cheese grater to it and then doused it in Tabasco.
If anyone has questions or comments about our trip please let us know. It would be great to hear from you. We're heading back to our bungalow to clean up from this morning's work.
Easy Rider
posted by schartwig at 11:34 PM
7 Comments:
Steve,
We are happy to hear that you are finding the work satisfying tho strenuous. Also glad that you are being careful about the sun!
Did you manage to find a safe place to stay in case of future storms? What are you eating and how is the food. What is the sanation situation? M & D
What are you eating and how is the food. - The food is good. We're eating both "American" and thai food. We've had "pizza", eggs toast and fruit for breakfast, thai pancakes (fried dough with banana or other fruit in it), sandwiches, currey dishes, cabbage dishes, fish, white rice, fried rice, etc.
The housing we have is safe and sanitation is good.
- Steve
Hey Guys...
Sounds like you're having an incredible adventure. Wow...what a way to experience Thailand. Can't wait to hear more. We miss you out here in Tucson. Could that picture be more appropriate?!
=)!!!
Take care, Edy
Are you sure you can't post any photos? Have you met any locals who have told you of their experience on the day of the tsunami? Are you finding any personal effects like photos or jewelry?
Ann
Steve & Ken,
Glad to hear that you arrived safely & are settling into the work at hand. The first couple of nights/days seemed hectic - I think Steve wrote "surreal". It sounds like that best describes it. Steve: thanks for taking the time to post comments & details. I'm enjoying reading about your experiences.
Take Care,
Greg
We'll get some photos up as soon as possible - thanks for the tip Alana!
I can't take credit for the posts - it's been a team effort by Ken and I.
- Steve
Ann,
We find many personal items like lipstick tubes, cds, sandals, etc, but have not found IDs or jewelry. Yesterday we learned that someone recently found vacation film from the tsunami. We have not talked with any locals about their tsunami experience yet.
-Ken
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