Thailand

Tanote in Koh Tao, Thailand

Beach, Family, koh tao, motorbikes, Places, tanote bay, Thailand, Travel

Jumping on the back of a motor scooter my sister was driving and listening to her say how she has had a little experience on one of these. I really didn’t have experience driving one at all. Coming down one of the alleys following my mom and her boyfriend, I noticed they took a sharp turn up the hill towards a gas station. My sister guns it a little to much and we head toward a pancake stand on the corner scaring two thai ladies who were running the stand and all there customers. They remembered us every time we drove by and they probably shared looks of warning as they saw us approach.

We rented motorbikes so we were able to go to multiple bays in one day. We went to about 7 to 8 bays for the amount of time we spent on that island. My favorite bay was Tanote. Tanote had so much to do, we spent the most time there. The first thing we did was jump off a rock out in the deep water. The way to get up there was to shuffle your hands up a rope. The rock was about a 60 meter foot jump. Climbing up was easy, but jumping off was harder then I thought after peeking over the side. I was up there tripping about jumping off incorrectly long enough my sister told me I didn’t have to pay her back for what I owed her and my mom would give me money to get a temporary tattoo or my hair braided with beads at the end. I finally got the nerve to jump off and not be a looser and climb back down the way I got up there. Now I can say I jumped off a 60 meter rock in Koh Tao,Thailand. The advice I give you today, is jump off the rock at Tanote Bay. Plus your only in the air with butterflies flying all over in your stomach for 5 seconds and it gives you something to brag about to your friends. Just know climbing up there means you have to jump off in order to get down.

Another activity we did at the same bay was snorkeling. This island is known for scuba diving but my mom is the only one PADI certified. That was the first time we went snorkeling on our own for this trip. I enjoy snorkeling for about 15 minute at a time. Every time I have gone the mask doesn’t fit very well and I am the type of person that breaths out of my nose not the mouth. So to breath out of my mouth for a long period of time is challenging. The fish were very interesting and colorful, the coral was coming back to life so there were spots of purple, pink and green. Coming up for the last adjustment of my mask, out of the corner of my eye I noticed there was a beach volleyball court, net and ball. Nudging my sister asking if she wanted to go play. Both of us were sick of seeing to same fish over and over so we swam back in to play volleyball. Don’t get me wrong, coming from winter wonder land (Breckenridge Colorado) where I live, swimming in the ocean looking at all the fish is amazing but after a while you get bored.

Finally getting to the volleyball court, we passed the ball back and forth. Not being used to it, our arms turned out to be red as the celebrity red carpet. After my mom and her boyfriend returned the rented snorkeling masks they joined us for a 2 on 2 adults against kids game. For sure the kids obviously won. This bay has so many activities to do for so many different types of people I recommend going there in a heart beat. Check my “How i see it” page for more photos.

Beach Soccer Railay Beach, Thailand

Beach, beach soccer, Cool People, Places, railay, Stories, Thai People, Thailand

After a long day hanging out at one of the three beaches. Heading back towards our bungalows to shower, we noticed there was a lovely sunset. Enjoying the moment, out of the corner of my eye I saw older men playing soccer. The field was dependent on the low tide, everyday was different so some nights they played at 5 other nights at 5:30. The goals were about 5ft tall and wide made of little wooden branches and netting.

After watching them for a while we noticed our resort manager named Ann was out there. It was very educational for me to watch them play. The field was not long but it was wide so it didn’t have as many players running down the field dribbling, but give and goes towards the goal. Lots of the men had good foot work and could do all the different moves to get around you. The men would just randomly come from areas when ever and join the game. They would come as soon as work was over and just jumped right in. In fact, not only can you show up when ever but you can take a break or leave at anytime all so.

We left right before dark to get to the other side of the island while we could see. Walking back to the bungalows the manager passed us and I asked him if I could play with them tomorrow. He asked me if I played soccer. I said yes, thats my favorite sport. He replied, show up tomorrow around 5 with tennis shoes and sport clothes and we will figure out team. How do you guys assign teams questioned Jeff my moms boyfriend. One team is shirts one team is skins.

following afternoon…………

I showed up all ready having butterflies in my stomach thinking how am i suppose to comunicate with my teammates if i dont even know thai. as well as noticing ann wasnt there yet. turning around seeing ann running towards me grabbing my hand and dragging me out there. pausing the game telling the guys i was going to play with them and deciding which team i should be on to even it out. the first impression i had with them was they wanted my to take off my shirt and play on the skins team. as i was slowly taking it off they all were laughing because it was a joke. they ended up apologizing and having a guy from the shirts team change to skins so i was on shirt. i was not used to there game so it took me awhile to get used to it. the final score was 4-9, sadly I was on the team that did not win. but winning wasnt what it was all about. it was the fact that i could communicate with thai men that didnt speak english by knowing the basics of soccer and how they played. as well as being the only white american 13 year old girl to have the guts to get out there. Towards the middle of the game some other americans came but I got the feeling they only came because I was out there first. I am glad i did nit miss the chance and chicken out to do it. it was an amazing experience and i would recommend attempting to do a hobby of yours in a different country if you get the chance. Even if you look weird or crazy maybe stupid just remember you will probably never see these people again.

(see photos on “How i see it” page).

Deep Water Soloing – Railay Beach, Thailand

Beach, Boats, Places, Thailand, Travel

Have you ever heard of Deep Water Soloing?

Deep Water Soloing is where you rock climb without a harness or tied to a rope so you can really just climb on you own at your own risk. Getting up high on the rock is easy. It’s getting down that is the challenge.

Soaking in the warm water

If it wasn’t for one of my favorite Math/PE teachers, Mrs. Kirkland, I probably wouldn’t have heard of this. In doing so, I asked my mom go and investigate where we could find deep water soloing. It was the best experience I have had on this trip. So far, it was my favorite day out of all the activities.

Our guide, Jason, from South Africa gave us the rules and instructions. As we all put on the climbing shoes, he promptly dove in the water to enjoy the climbing for himself. As soon as I looked up he was already at the top. Then I asked my mom to take a jumping shot of me and my sister off the boat. Chilling in the nice cool salty water watching everyone else attempt the wall I decided to try it myself. Following my moms boyfriend Jeff up the sketchy rope ladder grabbing on to the chalky wet slipper rocks. Making it across the rock wall to the steep stair case part watching jeff not being able to do it, my competitive nature kicked in and I was determined to get feather then Jeff. Jason, our guide, helped me along the way telling me exactly where to put my feet and hands.

Making it higher then half the men in the group was surprising to everyone. It felt awesome! My mom wanted to get a jumping shot before she tried it herself.

i would do this again in a heart beat, would also recommend it to my friends.

(check out my photo gallery on the “how I see it” page.)

Spicy, Tuk Tuk and The Grand Palace

Bangkok, Family, Thai People, Thailand

Hungry! We found some SPICY food just down the street. On a humid hot day, spicy food is not good. We got through it by drinking lots of Fanta and water. Kenady had the spiciest Tom Yum seafood soup. It blew her head off it was so spicy. She was sweating and not from the warm temperature. She made an effort to eat it because she was so hungry.

We hit the sky subway shortly after that on our way to the National Stadium and 6 story MBK Mall. The MBK Mall was cool to walk thru as a tourist, but there was so much going on on every floor it was overwhelming. We left pretty quickly.

Leaving the MBK we found a tuk tuk that transported us to the Grand Palace. A tuk tuk is a motorbike with a carriage on the side or back. It was the best transportation experience ever. There is no such think as lanes in this country, so it was like a video game in real life. It was super crazy in a good way.

The Grand Palace is known for the Leaning Buddha and temples. We got there at dusk so the crowd was gone, the sun was reflecting off the gold & details of the temples and buildings. So that was cool too. So much detail. (see photos on the “how i see it” page). As we got to the Grand Temple that shimmered with gold everywhere. We had to remove our shoes and cover our shoulders and legs as a show of respect for the Buddha. A little “monk in training” helped us with clothing to cover up. He was a cute little guy. We tipped him one US dollar. See his photo in my “how i see it” gallery.

Our final stop of the day was the famous Khao San Road where all the packbackers hang out. That road I didn’t like very much because the food smelled awful and every foot along the way, the vendors yelled at you to buy something. Maybe I was just over it because it was a long busy day in Bangkok.

Once we sat down to relax and have drinks, It was interesting to people watch. At last we crammed into on last tuk tuk to get to the subway station and then back to the hotel. Seeing the Bangkok skyline in the subway at night was way cooler then during the day.

At the hotel, I passed out in record time.

The best part of the day was going to Grand Palace and meeting the little Monk. If you ever get the chance to go to Bangkok, Thailand I recommend seeing the Grand Palace.