Phi Phi
(Reminder: all the below photos are low res versions of the full-gallery photos there on your right...)
So, Ben was on the mend, so we decided to head to Phi-Phi Island, one of the most devastated areas and one of the slowest to rebuild because of little to no government aid.
This is one of the most beautiful places on earth...or at least the few places on earth we have seen. Wow. And to see such trash and refuse everywhere is beyond words. They said they have already taken off 7,000 tons of garbage since the tsunami. The government can at least be thanked for that.
We arrived there and found a hotel (thanks to Moo for her help in getting us discounts on the ferry and on our lodging...it's good to know locals!).
Immediately after unloading our stuff, we headed to Hi Phi Phi, where you can just sign in for the day (or week or month) and volunteer. Easy system really. Our project for the day was to help create a small garden near a bar on the back side of the island. The earth was so packed down and full of debris, that it was quite a job to get it 'garden-able' if you know what I mean.
While walking to our gardening spot, we got to take a look at the wall that we built last time we were here. We also got to see the restaurant we helped with and of course the house that we helped to clean out (which is now the Hi Phi Phi tool shop).
Ben took some good shots as well.
After finishing this, we headed to the pool to cool off...then some dinner...missed the meeting...checked in with a local bar to see if I could play some tunes...and then headed to a Bible study type thing that Moo set up with other Thai Christians on the island.
As soon as we were done, we headed back to the bar for me to 'gig'. Aw yee, it was sweet playing an out of tune, knock-off ovation with no strap. Actually, it was quite tricky, but fun all the same.
We found out that our second day there was Hi Phi Phi's day off. This is primarily because it is a Muslim-dominated island and Friday is their sabbath of sorts. No worries, we took a 2-hour tour of the tsunami's effects of the island. Be watching for Discovery Channel to do a great special on what actually happened out here. Interesting stuff... and interesting who knew about what was happening. Oh, also this day, I woke up sick...
Grabbed some lunch, did a little shopping for gifts and reading, and then back on the ship to head home.
The trip back to Phuket was very different than the trip to Phi Phi...really. 10-12 ft. swells left Ben puking of the back and Holly and Chara and I hanging on for dear life for about 3 hours. Moo sat inside clutching a life-jacket. All in all, a fun experience (but perhaps not for Ben), but one that did make me wonder if we would die. Check out Ben's thoughts here.
Landed, headed for some food and then home.
Hoping to do some work in Phuket and Phang-Nga this next week before heading to Malaysia and then spending most of our last week on Phi-Phi...it just seemed to be a place where we could be used easily. Please pray for us: vision and health. Thanks.
So, Ben was on the mend, so we decided to head to Phi-Phi Island, one of the most devastated areas and one of the slowest to rebuild because of little to no government aid.
This is one of the most beautiful places on earth...or at least the few places on earth we have seen. Wow. And to see such trash and refuse everywhere is beyond words. They said they have already taken off 7,000 tons of garbage since the tsunami. The government can at least be thanked for that.We arrived there and found a hotel (thanks to Moo for her help in getting us discounts on the ferry and on our lodging...it's good to know locals!).
Immediately after unloading our stuff, we headed to Hi Phi Phi, where you can just sign in for the day (or week or month) and volunteer. Easy system really. Our project for the day was to help create a small garden near a bar on the back side of the island. The earth was so packed down and full of debris, that it was quite a job to get it 'garden-able' if you know what I mean.
While walking to our gardening spot, we got to take a look at the wall that we built last time we were here. We also got to see the restaurant we helped with and of course the house that we helped to clean out (which is now the Hi Phi Phi tool shop). Ben took some good shots as well.
After finishing this, we headed to the pool to cool off...then some dinner...missed the meeting...checked in with a local bar to see if I could play some tunes...and then headed to a Bible study type thing that Moo set up with other Thai Christians on the island.
As soon as we were done, we headed back to the bar for me to 'gig'. Aw yee, it was sweet playing an out of tune, knock-off ovation with no strap. Actually, it was quite tricky, but fun all the same.
We found out that our second day there was Hi Phi Phi's day off. This is primarily because it is a Muslim-dominated island and Friday is their sabbath of sorts. No worries, we took a 2-hour tour of the tsunami's effects of the island. Be watching for Discovery Channel to do a great special on what actually happened out here. Interesting stuff... and interesting who knew about what was happening. Oh, also this day, I woke up sick...
Grabbed some lunch, did a little shopping for gifts and reading, and then back on the ship to head home.
The trip back to Phuket was very different than the trip to Phi Phi...really. 10-12 ft. swells left Ben puking of the back and Holly and Chara and I hanging on for dear life for about 3 hours. Moo sat inside clutching a life-jacket. All in all, a fun experience (but perhaps not for Ben), but one that did make me wonder if we would die. Check out Ben's thoughts here.
Landed, headed for some food and then home.
Hoping to do some work in Phuket and Phang-Nga this next week before heading to Malaysia and then spending most of our last week on Phi-Phi...it just seemed to be a place where we could be used easily. Please pray for us: vision and health. Thanks.
posted by Ryan Lee Sharp at 9:41 PM
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