I left for Thailand with the intention of coming back to Hong Kong with a tan and nothing more. Naively, I left for Thailand with no other expectations - I just wanted mere fun in the sun...BUT I came back from Thailand with a much broader sense of reality and, most importantly, a different angle on experiencing life.
I will not attempt to bore you with the minute by minute details of my 7 day trip in southern Thailand. There are not enough words in English to describe my time in Thailand - and even if I do attempt it, those words would not do this wonderful country justice. It is one thing to read about my experience in Thailand, but why read it when you can experience it for yourself and create your own memories? Beyond the superficial stereotypes of lady-boys, prostitutes, seedy go-go bars, and cabaret shows, lies the inner essence of Thailand - its beautiful landscape, gorgeous emerald-green water teeming with colorful coral and fishes, and, above all, the Thai people.
Maya Beach - where the film "The Beach" was filmed (Leonardo Dicaprio)
Of all the islands that I visited in Thailand, Phi Phi Island (pronounced Pee Pee Island) is by far my favorite. It is truly a paradise. This tiny island is beautiful in everything from beaches to its people that inhabit this island. Phi Phi has definitely rebounded from the wake of destruction brought on by the 2004 tsunami. It was hit hard by a 10-meter wave that fateful day, but no one would have known it by just walking through Phi Phi today. Koh Phi Phi is a testament to the work ethic of the Thai people and reflects Thailand's heavy reliance on tourism (90% of Thailand's economy is sustained by tourism). Everyone should make a trip to this island at least once in their lifetime - I guarantee you will fall in love with it and its people the minute you step onto the pier.
The best aspect of Phi Phi Island is the genuine smiles and expert service you receive from the Thai people. Of all the Thais that I have met, two locals will always be remembered. Their conviction and work ethic are immeasurable. We, as Americans, often believe that there is nothing a 3rd world country, stricken by poverty, will be able to offer us. But meeting Yuth and Puntal will surely change this belief. Both are very young, yet they work more than 10 hours a day on this tiny island to earn and save money to one day continue their education. Living in the States where the opportunity for higher-level education is available to everyone, it is often easy to overlook this luxury. Taking the time to listen to Puntal speak about his hopes and dreams to continue his education, to one day travel to India to complete a degree in Theology, and to talk about his passion for philosophy, I came to better understand myself as a person. Puntal taught me that, with even the greatest circumstances against you, conviction and perseverance will help you achieve your dreams. And I have no doubt that when I return to Thailand, Puntal will have achieved all his hopes and dreams, if not more.
One of the local houses on Ko Phi Phi
In a country stricken with poverty, it is extraordinary to see genuine happiness among its population. Although Thailand is not necessarily the poorest of the poorest 3rd world countries, it is still underdeveloped. Meeting Yuth on Phi Phi Island was perhaps a chance meeting; he happened to work at the "hotel" we were staying in and knew another traveler we had just met earlier that day. Through mutual contacts, I met someone who, even after working in the sweltering heat pushing and pulling tourists' baggage from the pier to the hotel for hours, still possesses a fervor for enjoying and experiencing life. Even after working on the island for one year, and meeting tourists who have the money to spend and enjoy a vacation in Thailand, he held no bitterness towards his lifestyle or anyone else's. Yuth's work ethic is incomparable, and his spirit for life is what I hope to possess.
The Viewpoint - an overview of Kho Phi Phi where the tsunami struck.
The memories I have made in Thailand will never be forgotten - from snorkeling and pushing my limits, kayaking and capsizing, losing the snorkeling mask that costs 1500 Baht (roughly 50 USD) only to have it recovered from the ocean floor by a Thai, drowning my camera, riding an elephant, feeding a baby tiger, hugging a full-grown tiger...the list goes on.
Before this semester, and definitely before Thailand, traveling used to be about seeing a new place of marvelous beauty and architecture, taking a few pictures here and there, and then repeating the process. But after what seemed like an innocent vacation, I've had the best time of my life, did a little soul-searching, and found that traveling is more than just seeing the sights. It is about submerging yourself in a culture so different from what you know. It is about trying new foods, talking with the local people, and not just living, but experiencing life, making the most of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
If you learn nothing from my own traveling experiences, learn this one thing:
There is much more to see in the world than what you know, so open your mind to new cultures, ideas, and beliefs. You'll be surprised by what you learn not only of others, but of yourself.
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