magdalena-on-her-way

Saturday, 16th February

I went to Ko Phi Phi island (still Thailand) on Indian Ocean. It is supposed to be a paradise; however, I would say it was a paradise concerning an enormous amount of tourists in the Tonsai Village. Still, I have spent a great time (3 nights) in Run Tee Bay, at the other side of the island, lying on the beach , snorkling or visiting the neighbouring islands. We had a great time here... We means: of course my travelling friends and girls with whom I have spent my time here: Marina with her Mom from Argentina and Irina from Ukraine. And: Cristina (bella Italia): many thanks for recommending me a real paradise, Ko Lipe!

20 and 21st February I have spent still on Ko Phi Phi, but in the "city". Very busy, loud, overfulled place, where I met such a rude people as really seldom when travelling. Normally Thai are very nice and easy going, but here were some exemplars you dont wanna meet. Too much tourists... The reason why I stayed here was I had to be at 7 a.m. on 20th Feb at Vikings Divers shop where I had booked my first diving course. it was amazing... We went for 6-7 m deep for the first and for 12 m for the second dive. However, I had some problems with my ears. A day before diving I have got a little cold and the right side of my sinuses was a bit blocked... Actually I should not really dive, but I was to curious how it is and tried it taking easy. It was quite painful, but going slowly down and taking care of equilizing the pressure I could dive. An amazing experience, discovering a totally different world, which seems to be full of harmony (at the first sight, at least...).

The last night on Ko Phi Phi I have spent in the Banana Bar on the roof. I was wondering that in such a land as Thailand, almost every bar in the night is covered by a smoke of hash. I think one can get a death penalty for dealing of drugs, and here so many people were smoking it in such a obvious way. On Ko Phi Phi lots of inhabitants (local people but as well "white" people working here as diving instructors etc have a lot of problems with an addiction: drugs and alkohol... Hmm, the other face of the "paradise"... How sad.

Banana Bar.

Thursday, 21st February

In the morning I took a boat (6 hours ride) to a real paradise, Ko Lipe.

On my way to Ko Lipe.

Relax and enjoy the ride/Coke.

Or some music and sun...

I have arrived here in late afternoon and went with all of my stuff to search an accomodation. The island is very small and the offer is quite narrow, but I was lucky: I have found an amazing bungalow, with a privat area on the Sunrise Beach, on the (logical) east side of the island. Beautiful bungalow, I would say the five stars bungalow... When snorkling circa 10-15 meter from the beach, I have seen so many different kinds of fish, including Nemo (Clownfish)... One guy, a white one, with a few brownish spots kept on attacking me, more specific: my feet. Especially the red nail polish on my toes have made him crazy, I have an vidoe as a proof... Funny

My castle (moskito net above)

Sunset on the Pattaya Beach on Ko Lipe

Friday, 22nd February

After a breakfast I had a nice walk around the island and some snorkeling. In the afternoon I left Ko Lipe and took a speed boat to Langkawi, Malaysia...