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| Kate, Elisha, and I covered in water and flour during Songkran celbrations |
We did a boat tour of several islands that included
snorkeling, dinner, on the beach, and swimming with bioluminescent (glowing)
plankton. It’s funny how the least
expected circumstances are always the most memorable. At one of the islands we stopped at, we got
caught in torrential rain. Most of the
rest of the group was huddled on the boat, but we discovered that the ocean was
actually the warmest place to be, and so we laughed hysterically and floated
around in the rain. I’m pretty sure that
doesn’t apply to any of the other beaches I’ve ever been to!
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| Snorkeling in Koh Phi Phi |
Another highlight was snorkeling. If you don’t know this about me, I spent my
childhood in the pool doing synchronized and competitive swimming. Sometimes I feel more comfortable in the
water than on land, yet this part of my life ended with high school. We snorkeled at a few locations near Krabi
and on Koh Phi Phi, perhaps the most well known of Thailand’s many
islands. I have always wanted to be a
fish or a dolphin or something. While
breathing through a snorkel mask is fun because you sound like Darth Vader, I
abstained from surface exploration in favor of diving as close to the reef as
possible. There were many different
types of colorful fish and I followed them around and explored. We also got to see the glowing plankton, and
swimming with them was like dancing surrounded by stars. Words actually are failing me a little on
this one. I know I will never forget the
pure joy and delight of that moment, and of seeing God’s incredible creativity
on full display in a way I never had before.
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| Happiest of days, Koh Lanta |
The story that has so far been the most retold from this
trip however, happened on Koh Lanta when I managed to crash my motorbike within
the first five minutes of being on it.
Though I take motorbike taxis to the train every morning here in
Bangkok, I had never driven one of my own.
I had to make a u-turn across the road to go the direction that we
needed to go, and in my inexperience I accidentally accelerated into the turn
and crashed headlong into the curb. I
think it is the funniest thing ever.
Kinesthetic intelligence has never been a gifting of mine. I would crash my bike. Of course I would. For what it could have been, it actually went
pretty well. I have huge bruises over
one arm and my legs, and I gashed my knee and arm open. I didn’t hit my head in any way, and the curb
that I hit was extra tall, which slowed me down much more than if it had been a
normal height curb. After making one of
my housemates splash my wounds clean and sitting with my head between my knees
for a few minutes (this girl does not do blood), I got back on the bike and had
the most lovely day exploring Koh Lanta with my friends. That day also happened to be Songkran day,
which is celebrated by people throwing water on you. Definitely the best day to learn a new skill,
HA. It was actually really fun. Koh Lanta isn’t very touristy at all, and has
many lush green hills and beautiful beaches.
We got caught in the downpour again and by the end of the day I felt confident
enough that I took a solo trip on my bike for some more exploring. Glory be.
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| Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi |
I love traveling. The
desire to see and explore is part of who I am. Krabi surprised me in how different it was
than any place I had ever been, and that’s what I love. I love seeing a new piece of who God is in
what He’s made. I love the thrill of the
unknown. I love how on the edge of the
ocean, there is all the room in the world for my thoughts to roam, and I know
how small I am and how big God is. It’s
the most comforting thing, to have even a glimpse of how vast He is, yet to
know how He sees and cares for me in the most perfect way. Praise be, I am thankful. Krabi, I’ll be
seeing you again someday I’m sure.
