Ko Phagnan (Thailand, part 3)

12/26

To be honest, I cannot recall the daily events since the last entry. I only recall faces, foods and sandy beaches. We have been joined on this leg of the journey by our friends Stephanie and Melissa. Both are teachers whom we worked with last year. They are still working as their trip to Thailand is a needed getaway of relaxation.

It was by chance we met them in Ko Tao, as Lisa and I were walking to breakfast. We saw Stephanie and Melissa in a travel office as Stephanie had her wallet taken on the morning boat ride. After all of the details were sorted out, we cruise the island like a gang of girls (plus myself) have become.

The tide is high as the typhoons of the Phillipines affect the weather ever so slightly. The beachlines in Ko Tao shrink by the day, as we are forced further back into the grass. We decide to take an excursion to a monkey reserve on the south shore. We see a handful of monkeys navigating tree branches and canopies using their limbs as easily as we change lanes in traffic. They seem effortless as well as human like in their movements. One monkey, in particular, stands out. Tito, the cheeky black monkey, was the troublemaker of the group. Tito likes to play tag and chase people around. Tito interrupts two other monkeys during their romantic dinner of bananas and peanuts and harasses the male. The chase is on. Tito looks to have the other monkey cornered when the other monkey jumps to the highest balcony. Tito grows tired and gives up, as he comes to us to perform some tricks.

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The following day we reach Ko Phagnan -- the middle sized island in the Gulf of Thailand archipelago. We were forced to take the express vomit cruiser. The Thai crew hands out barf bags before takeoff. About a half an hour into the ride, the first victim falls across from me. Soon thereafter, the child reaches for his bag and deposits his excess. Soon enough, about a dozen passengers join into the fray. Lisa holds her ears as I close my eyes. At least they could have other than the clear colored bags for me to view the evidence.

We stay at a place called the central cottage - an hour's drive on the other side of the island. We huddle into a pickup truck and drive over what could possibly be the poorest maintained roads in all of Thailand. It takes us one hour to go twelve miles, about the same pace as L.A. traffic. We go up and down and up again like popcorn kernels. As long as we don't pop we should be fine.

The cottage is located on the Thong Nai Pan Yai - the big beach of the area. After two days of clouds, the weather turns sunny as the tide recedes. We walk every day to the neighboring beach as it reminds me everything about beaches back home: warm water, nice beaches, good waves, and handsome sandwiches.

Indeed, we eat at a place called 'Handsome Sandwiches'. The Thais make sandwiches and burgers here made to order. One sandwich will put you in pure bliss for the rest of the afternoon. They have tuna sandwiches, burger sandwiches, ham and cheese sandwiches all on a sesame seed bun. I even purchase some T-Shirts to commemorate my journey to the Handsome Sandwiches shop.

The Thais push Christmas on the Tourists as jingle bells, Santa hats, fireworks and Christmas carols fill the holiday. One tradition they have is lighting a small fire within a kite lamp and launching it into the sky. It is a sight to see until the fire kite falls into the trees. My fearsome worries of the kites catching fire in the forest are put to rest as the last fire burns out. We spend the rest of the evening having dinner and swapping stories. While the girls are reminiscing about Christmas at home, the lone Jew could care less. I'm demanding some Dreidels and chocolate gelt for the next trip.

So here we are today, the day after Christmas. The waters are much more calm as I write. We are on our way to Ko Samui, the third of the Gulf of Thailand Islands. Another set of adventures await as you will hear about it first by me. Anchors away. Another island, another day.

-Travelling Sherman