Ko Tao--
This is a rad little island where youngsters from all corners of the world come to dive, meet, talk, drink, eat, and dance early into the morning. It is a consistant hub of barefoot vagabonds looking to chill out and forget about the pressures of home or even the next stop on the travel itinerary. We've met a number of people from Englang, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Austria, New Zealand and Australia; and each seems to ask the same question, "what are you doing later on tonight?" in a variety of ways. My answers become increasingly more creative depending on the level of English the person can speak. As much as I love Ko Tao, it is meat-central, and it takes some getting used to, especially with people being so forward while on the booze. I've had some good laughs at their expense. On a similar note--I keep getting chatted up by men over 50...this perplexes and entertains me to no end. I know I'm almost 26, but, come on. They do make great conversationalists in comparison to the young ones, I'll give them that.
Okay, so onto more important details of the week, let me begin by stating that I am an absolute idiot. We rented scooters a couple days ago, and without even second guessing my choice, I left my passport with the sassy little Thai girl who owns the company. What she failed to mention is that all the roads outside the town we are in are basically an off-road dirt biking track and many include inclines of like--70 degrees. I was driving alone and doing pretty well for the first 20 minutes, but then I lost momentum and kind of went off a small cliff...yeah. The bike was flipped over and comehow I managed to plant my feet and remain unscathed. Shockingly, there were only a couple small scratches on the bike, but I was all shook up, so I flagged down a local to help me drive the bike back into town. Naturally, the Thai was irate, and wanted $600 to cover the damage of the scratches. When I refused, we were in an all out battle over my passport. I decided to sleep on it and think of other options, all of which were entirely complicated. The next day we battled some more and I walked away sans-dignity again. In the end, I managed to barter her down to $300 in exchange for my passport but she was getting all sketchy and she wouldnt give my passport up until she had the money in her hand. I of course began to rage on the inside-which I'm sure showed in every inch of my face and she even offered me a hammer to hit her in the head with if she decided to run with the money and my passport into the back of the shop. Eventually, I found a Thai person from my hostel to do the exchange for me and I am happily holding my passport in my undies at all times, and thinking of all the other things I could have done with $300. Ce la vie.
Other than that, I went diving one day and pretty well decided to move to Ko Tao and become a mermaid...I've never seen more beautiful sights in my life, and I am not just referring to the ocean--the dive master was a total babe and had me tongue tied all day. Way to go, Crimmins. I could have cried when I saw this dark sea plant (maybe a plankton?) that had glowing neon lights all over the inside, I just wanted to crawl into it and have a onsie-dance party for the rest of my life!
We've also been on a Ko Tao 'Bloody Mary' search, wherein each day we try a new Bloody Mary (because Ceasars only exist in Canada), and even instruct bars how to make them for us if they are not on the menu! The best one yet is at this seaside patio called King Crab-it was almost the real deal and was paired nicely with a BBQed Blue Marlin kabob and potatoe. We celebrated Australia Day at this Aussie pub in town and danced our faces off with the most beautiful people with the worst accents. I put my personal distate for the Aussie accent aside and even posted their flag via temporary tattoo on my face.
Other than that, we've jumped on the European "football" train and I am avidly cheering for Blackpool at every game. It is my favourite place in England afterall, and when I inform the English of this fact, they all puke in their mouths a little and turn away desperately looking for a distraction.
Tomorrow we head to Ko Samui so tonight we are going to watch the fireshows on the beach and dance until we wanna die.
exes and ohs,
Mich
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