An expert in...

After a great and relaxing holiday of 10 days we have become experts in several fields:

…Making use of facilities of extremely exclusive resorts while staying in bamboo huts yourself
Koh Phi Phi, yes those are the islands were the movie ‘The Beach’ with Leonardo DiCaprio is being recorded. Booked some accommodation last last minute on the airport of Krabi (kind of necessary since there was nothing available on the Internet anymore…remember Xmas time…so yes I know, quite a risk to just fly there). The accommodation appeared to be very back to basic in the middle of nowhere. The only way to get there was by boat. We slept in little bamboo huts very close to the beach. I didn’t mind at all! Especially since our neighboring accommodation was a huge and luxurious resort. So: put on your I’m-actually-staying-in-really-cheap-crappy-bamboo-huts-but-I’m-prettending-to-belong-in-this-crazy-ass-expensive-resort-face and make use of all their facilities. Nice beds on the beach, showers, bars and a huge beautiful pool. Pools close in the evening (really a pity because in the evenings the temperature is still high enough to make swimming a pleasant experience) but Sander and I decided that it wouldn’t be a problem to swim there after closing time in a pool of a resort where we shouldn’t be even swimming in the first place. Really quiet we moved ourselves through the water, some underwater moments were necessary when a car or person passed by. Operation ‘illegal swimming by night’ succeeded!
When our I’m-actually-staying-in-really-cheap-crappy-bamboo-huts-but-I’m-prettending-to-belong-in-this-crazy-ass-expensive-resort-faces appeared to work we decided to apply the same principle in a number of other resorts in Ao Nang, Krabi as well.
Lesson learned: Never book expensive resorts, stay next door, really cheap and just make use of you neighbor’s facilities.

…Longtail boat handling
Quite a percentage of our holiday we spend on a longtail boat. These boats are very well known in Thailand, not too big, made of wood and make a hell of a noise. I love them, but then again I love everything that even looks like a boat. In front, one leg on each side, sea in front of you next to you everywhere, your legs catching some splashing warm water here and there, feels like you are flying over the water. Those moments couldn’t last long enough for me.

…Enjoying tranquility and getting used to the island life
I could totally get used to the island life! Everything you wear is: a bikini, and sometimes some shorts, shirt and flip flops. Everything you do: zipping cocktails, swimming in pools, swimming in the bluest end most clear water you have ever seen, playing in the most whitest sand, chilling under the palm trees, enjoying the most beautiful views. “Sigh” working abroad, a hard knock life!

…Driving 100 km/h with a scooter that is not suppose to go faster than 50 km/h
Back on the mainland we could finally use other transportation instead of only boats. Therefore we rented a scooter. Those things that are actually suppose to go 50 km/h in Holland can go 100 km/h here. Tom, Carlijn, Sander and me went to beautiful waterfalls. The park was actually closed already but with very sad faces and some extra money no doors stay closed.

…Being completely out of our minds when entering luxury after back to basic experiences
After staying on Koh Phi Phi for some days we went back to Krabi, the accommodation here we also booked last last minute on Krabi airport. Jungle Village still available, how much, cheap, ok whatever lets just do it, we don’t have much choice anyway. After our bamboo huts we didn’t expect much more by the name Jungle Village. Ok, the entrance looked very nice, very well maintained, flowers, small waterfalls, nice bungalows, swimming pool, welcome drink, small talk with the (Danish) owner, ok, now our room. We booked the cheapest room possible, all 5 of us in 1 room. We will bring you to your room by car… hmmm see here it comes. We were imagining 1 little hut with 5 people. But the car stopped at a huge apartment: Huge living room, enormous kitchen, BIG television, DVD-player, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, dimming lights and on top of all this it was all brand new. Some things were still wrapped in plastic. Price? About €8,- p.p.p.n! I haven’t seen a bunch of students much more happy than this. We were out of our minds. It was just great to have so much luxury after our back to basic experience.

…Celebrating Xmas tropical style
First Xmas day: swimming, chilling, the usual. Having dinner together and ending the day with a small dance and a drink in a beach bar.
Second Xmas day (a Dutch thing): since we have that huge kitchen in that huge apartment we should make use of it. Bought lots of groceries at the local Tesco Lotus and our kitchen princesses (the boys) prepared a great meal. Ending the day with a movie on our couch with our huge TV and our DVD player.

…Lobsterizing
Sun + Seawater + Redhead = Trouble. It doesn’t matter how much sun block I use, a sun burn is inevitable. Some sacrifice is needed when you want to see one of the most beautiful places on earth.

…Totally forgetting about Ayutthaya
Before going on holiday we spend a weekend in Ayutthaya, the old capital of Thailand. A large number of old temples can be found. Sun, sea and culture, really there is a balance…

To conclude: I would like to wish you all the best for the New Year! Hope to see you all soon again, for everyone in Holland: I’ll be flying back on the 31st.