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| The tranquil aquamarine waters off of Koh Lipe are a great place for snorkeling! |
August has been very busy, with Tiger and Bird focusing on extensive trips around a recently reopened Southern Thailand (Thailand has done a fantastic job containing the spread of the coronavirus. As of the time we began our trip, more than seventy days had passed with no domestic cases). A peninsula here, an island or two there- we plan to spend many days exploring areas that are usually crowded with tourists. These are strange months of a strange year since international visitors are still mostly barred and domestic visitors are far fewer in number.
The trip has so far been epic. Tiger and Bird found themselves strolling along empty white sand beaches before azure waters under a burning tropical sun; exploring pristine islands and hidden jungle lagoons with merely a handful of other people; and watching brilliant sunsets in busy but far less than full restaurants and bars that usually teem with tourists from across the region.
The adventure has also elicited mixed feelings- wonder, definitely, tinged with sadness, to see nature in all her beauty next to local businesses anxious for more customers. After a day of snorkeling through coral reefs teeming with wildlife mere steps from the shores of distant islands, we discussed next-day deep sea fishing options with a Thai boat captain as darkness began to settle on a small island town. Upon learning that we planned to stay only several days longer, his face lost the smile and for a brief instant his congenial demeanor dropped as he stared into the distance and wistfully stated, “Please stay longer. You should stay for another month. Or two months!” he added, as he turned back with a laugh. Then there was that beautiful sunset we watched from our stand-up paddle boards where the glowing golden red orb of the sun settled gently into the sea; and that other time when an old lady and her adult son walked the beach around the entirety of an island, near dusk, selling samosas and advertising their walking street restaurant. The old lady led the way, shouting “Big burgers! Very big burgers!” interchanged with "Samosas! Big samosas!" as her son plodded patiently behind her, with a mixed expression of bemusement and chagrin (yes, we ordered a big dinner from them. A true entrepreneur’s grit and drive should be rewarded!). There were also very unexpectedly amusing times, like when a troop of shy wild monkeys came to the edge of the jungle to peer through the leaves at Tiger and Bird as they relaxed at an adjacent café, or when a very young boy on an island wordlessly approached Tiger to give him a high five as he passed them on the beach.
The trip has so far been epic. Tiger and Bird found themselves strolling along empty white sand beaches before azure waters under a burning tropical sun; exploring pristine islands and hidden jungle lagoons with merely a handful of other people; and watching brilliant sunsets in busy but far less than full restaurants and bars that usually teem with tourists from across the region.
The adventure has also elicited mixed feelings- wonder, definitely, tinged with sadness, to see nature in all her beauty next to local businesses anxious for more customers. After a day of snorkeling through coral reefs teeming with wildlife mere steps from the shores of distant islands, we discussed next-day deep sea fishing options with a Thai boat captain as darkness began to settle on a small island town. Upon learning that we planned to stay only several days longer, his face lost the smile and for a brief instant his congenial demeanor dropped as he stared into the distance and wistfully stated, “Please stay longer. You should stay for another month. Or two months!” he added, as he turned back with a laugh. Then there was that beautiful sunset we watched from our stand-up paddle boards where the glowing golden red orb of the sun settled gently into the sea; and that other time when an old lady and her adult son walked the beach around the entirety of an island, near dusk, selling samosas and advertising their walking street restaurant. The old lady led the way, shouting “Big burgers! Very big burgers!” interchanged with "Samosas! Big samosas!" as her son plodded patiently behind her, with a mixed expression of bemusement and chagrin (yes, we ordered a big dinner from them. A true entrepreneur’s grit and drive should be rewarded!). There were also very unexpectedly amusing times, like when a troop of shy wild monkeys came to the edge of the jungle to peer through the leaves at Tiger and Bird as they relaxed at an adjacent café, or when a very young boy on an island wordlessly approached Tiger to give him a high five as he passed them on the beach.
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| While relaxing at a cafe, we couldn't shake the strange feeling that someone was watching us. |
Where are the photos? We’re working on them and plan to gradually post about various destinations in Southern Thailand starting in September! In the meantime, we would highly encourage anyone interested in visiting Thailand to look at various deals currently available with hotels in the region. The discerning tourist can find packages up to 50% off which provide vouchers that may be used at a later date, with some providing validity through the end of 2022.
Stay safe out there, folks! And for those of you searching for travel deals, happy hunting!!
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Coming up next, a fabulous trip to the southern isle of Koh Lanta!
Previous post: A beach exploration guide for the island of Phuket
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