Stacey's Happy Place

We took the ferry from Railay to Koh Phi Phi ("pee pee island"). The ferry ride made me feel like a kid at a carnival, in one of those rides that suspends you in the air, soaring up and down and makes you feel like flying. We rode on the bow of the boat, legs dangling over the side, the boat's wake spraying our feet so forcefully that it lifted our legs and soaked us to the waists.

Once we disembarked on the pier, we were greeted by hoards of people waving signs for hotels ("Where you stay? Cheap! Cheap!"). They actually started to blend together like a flock of very enthusiastic birds, yelling "cheap, cheap" all down the pier.

It became clear, as we made our way through small alleyways full of vendors and food, that Stacey was feeling at home already. I had forgotten, in my quest to find the most remote, non-touristic island for us, that Stacey likes pretty white beaches, the availability of western (or as she puts it--varied) types of food, and some more of the creature comforts than what was (sparingly) available on our little deserted stretch of beach. I'm not saying she's a prima Donna by any stretch, but if you could see the way her face lit up when we reached the pristine white beach and clear turquoise water of Phi phi, you would know what I mean.

She jumped in the water immediately, and even I ventured in a ways, camera carefully in hand.

Me: "you look happy."
Stacey: "Who wouldn't be happy? This is paradise."
Me: "yeah, I like that I can see where I'm walking."
Stacey: "Are you going to put your bathing suit on and come in?"
Me: "no."
Stacey: (laughs)
Me: "I am quite happy to stand here."

I drifted back toward shore, taking pictures of these awesome white birds that were diving straight down into the water to catch small fish. They looked a bit like tiny kingfishers, or maybe kamikaze hang-gliders. Couldn't really get a good shot of them with my wide lens.

I zeroed in on the beach chairs that came with umbrellas. I rented one for 100 baht and settled in with my book. My afternoon got even better when Stacey came up an hour later and pointed out that the stand behind is sold Oreo shakes. Two, please. This, truly, was paradise.

In love with the island, we've decided to come back tomorrow and stay here one night before heading back to the mainland on Sunday. Hopefully I'll get some rock climbing in before we leave!