5/24 - Timing Is Everything
It's 10:00pm on Tuesday and we're sitting in one of the 3 camera stores within one block of our hotel. We've included some pictures throughout our posts below - scroll down if you'd like to check them out.
Sunday morning was one of the best of our trip. We rented snorkeling gear and hiked back up to Viewpoint, the mountaintop lookout that we mentioned in our previous post. (FYI - Viewpoint is 610 feet above the Andaman Sea.) We met back up with our friend Artie, the store owner and sole resident of Viewpoint, got directions, and then headed down a trail on the backside of the mountain to snorkel. It took us less than 1/2 hour to hike down through the jungle to Phak Nam Bay. The hike included some distant monkey calls and some stretches of deafening buzz from cicadas. When we arrived, we discovered a beautiful beach with a few deserted bungalows. We snorkeled for nearly two hours and saw even more amazing sites than before - including schools of angelfish, an eel, and coral that was pulsing with brightly colored fish.
After snorkeling, we hiked back up to Viewpoint and spent some more time talking with Artie. As we talked, Artie cracked open a coconut and shared it with us. He also opened up about his experience with the tsunami. He told us about his friend William, from Holland, who "never woke up" on Dec 26th last year. William had arrived on the 25th and slept in late that day. Artie showed us a photo of William that William's parents had given him. It was a solemn moment.
That was not the last time we saw Artie. On Monday morning, before leaving the island, we decided to hike back up to Viewpoint to enjoy the view while reading and relaxing. On the way, we stopped at a new restaurant (for us) called The Garden. We were pleased to have some baked goods - a good cinnamon roll and an excellent carrot-raisin muffin. Eating has become a bit of a chore for us so this breakfast was a nice treat. When we arrived at Viewpoint we walked out to the rocky overlook under a large tamarind tree. In typical Thai generosity, Artie brought us mats to relax on and several books to read. He suggested we "relax and enjoy." He read our minds.
After Viewpoint, we packed up our stuff, checked out of the Andaman Resort, took some pictures with a few of our local friends, and walked down toward the pier to buy ferry tickets. With tickets to Ao Nang in-hand, we were told by the dock captain that the ferry to Ao Nang wasn't running today. So, we had to go back to our ticket broker and get our tickets changed over to Krabi. Our trip to Krabi on the ferry was quick and fairly painless although we have christened the boat "The Sweatlodge." We each lost about ten pounds during the 90 minute voyage. When we arrived at the pier in Krabi, we stopped at the taxi desk with several other people who also wanted to go to Ao Nang. We asked "How many people can fit in the taxi?" "Three" we were told. So, we hired two taxis to take the six of us. As the three of us boarded the first minivan, which could easily hold nine people, we knew we'd been had again. Since it was only $2.50US per person, we just smiled and enjoyed the ride.
The objective for our second visit to Ao Nang was to find the "refugee camp" that houses people from Phi Phi who's homes were destroyed during the tsunami and who have not been allowed to return by the government. We hoped that we'd be able to spend some time with the orphaned children - playing games and generally helping out in any way possible. We had to do some work to find the location because our hotel staff wasn't familiar with Nong Kok, the only name we had for the camp. We didn't know if Nong Kok was the name of the school, the street, or the village. We hired a private taxi and after about a half hour and several U-turns, we made it to the camp.
Upon arrival, we were introduced to Jan, the camp director, a native of Phi Phi. We also met Amy, a very sweet Aussie who was finishing up her brief volunteer efforts at the camp. We learned that things are well in-hand at the camp. A number of organizations including UNICEF have already provided appropriate assistance and the children are now in school all day. The families have housing (although cramped), a small crafts business, and lots of art supplies for the kids. The few children present were playing and having fun. There was really nothing for us to do. Amy sympathized with our efforts and made it clear that if we'd arrived a month earlier there would have been plenty for us to do. Timing is everything.
On the way back to the J Mansion, we redirected our taxi driver to a well known Buddhist temple that is perched on top of a mountain and climbed the 1,250+ stairs to the top. The view was well worth it!
Now we have a clean state for the next week. We're not sure where we're heading. Stay tuned.
Bye Phi Phi
Sunday morning was one of the best of our trip. We rented snorkeling gear and hiked back up to Viewpoint, the mountaintop lookout that we mentioned in our previous post. (FYI - Viewpoint is 610 feet above the Andaman Sea.) We met back up with our friend Artie, the store owner and sole resident of Viewpoint, got directions, and then headed down a trail on the backside of the mountain to snorkel. It took us less than 1/2 hour to hike down through the jungle to Phak Nam Bay. The hike included some distant monkey calls and some stretches of deafening buzz from cicadas. When we arrived, we discovered a beautiful beach with a few deserted bungalows. We snorkeled for nearly two hours and saw even more amazing sites than before - including schools of angelfish, an eel, and coral that was pulsing with brightly colored fish.
After snorkeling, we hiked back up to Viewpoint and spent some more time talking with Artie. As we talked, Artie cracked open a coconut and shared it with us. He also opened up about his experience with the tsunami. He told us about his friend William, from Holland, who "never woke up" on Dec 26th last year. William had arrived on the 25th and slept in late that day. Artie showed us a photo of William that William's parents had given him. It was a solemn moment.
That was not the last time we saw Artie. On Monday morning, before leaving the island, we decided to hike back up to Viewpoint to enjoy the view while reading and relaxing. On the way, we stopped at a new restaurant (for us) called The Garden. We were pleased to have some baked goods - a good cinnamon roll and an excellent carrot-raisin muffin. Eating has become a bit of a chore for us so this breakfast was a nice treat. When we arrived at Viewpoint we walked out to the rocky overlook under a large tamarind tree. In typical Thai generosity, Artie brought us mats to relax on and several books to read. He suggested we "relax and enjoy." He read our minds.
After Viewpoint, we packed up our stuff, checked out of the Andaman Resort, took some pictures with a few of our local friends, and walked down toward the pier to buy ferry tickets. With tickets to Ao Nang in-hand, we were told by the dock captain that the ferry to Ao Nang wasn't running today. So, we had to go back to our ticket broker and get our tickets changed over to Krabi. Our trip to Krabi on the ferry was quick and fairly painless although we have christened the boat "The Sweatlodge." We each lost about ten pounds during the 90 minute voyage. When we arrived at the pier in Krabi, we stopped at the taxi desk with several other people who also wanted to go to Ao Nang. We asked "How many people can fit in the taxi?" "Three" we were told. So, we hired two taxis to take the six of us. As the three of us boarded the first minivan, which could easily hold nine people, we knew we'd been had again. Since it was only $2.50US per person, we just smiled and enjoyed the ride.
The objective for our second visit to Ao Nang was to find the "refugee camp" that houses people from Phi Phi who's homes were destroyed during the tsunami and who have not been allowed to return by the government. We hoped that we'd be able to spend some time with the orphaned children - playing games and generally helping out in any way possible. We had to do some work to find the location because our hotel staff wasn't familiar with Nong Kok, the only name we had for the camp. We didn't know if Nong Kok was the name of the school, the street, or the village. We hired a private taxi and after about a half hour and several U-turns, we made it to the camp.
Upon arrival, we were introduced to Jan, the camp director, a native of Phi Phi. We also met Amy, a very sweet Aussie who was finishing up her brief volunteer efforts at the camp. We learned that things are well in-hand at the camp. A number of organizations including UNICEF have already provided appropriate assistance and the children are now in school all day. The families have housing (although cramped), a small crafts business, and lots of art supplies for the kids. The few children present were playing and having fun. There was really nothing for us to do. Amy sympathized with our efforts and made it clear that if we'd arrived a month earlier there would have been plenty for us to do. Timing is everything.
On the way back to the J Mansion, we redirected our taxi driver to a well known Buddhist temple that is perched on top of a mountain and climbed the 1,250+ stairs to the top. The view was well worth it!
Now we have a clean state for the next week. We're not sure where we're heading. Stay tuned.
Bye Phi Phi
posted by schartwig at 8:07 AM
5 Comments:
Love, love, love that picture of Viewpoint! Are you seeing any flowers or vegetation that looks familiar? Can't wait to hear where you're off to next...
Ann
It was neat to read your latest entry. I'm sure time is flying by for you! Wish I could be there... Was wondering how the English language is for the locals or are you getting by learning their lingo?
Sis Sue
Thanks for putting up the pictures; it was great to see them. Keep us posted on what you are up to. M & D
I have such mixed feelings about your visit to the camp! On one hand I'm so sad that you guys went out there and there was nothing to do. On the other, I'm very happy to hear that the kids have plenty to do and are in good shape.
It's good that you met Jan. She's doing a fantastic job of managing things out there. Were any of the children around at all while you were at the camp?
Hello gents,
Darius here. I'm safely home in the US and it sounds like I missed you guys by only a few days. It sounds like you're doing well over there and I hope things continue to go well. Tell everyone I said hello.
-Darius
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