Koa Pha ngan
Koa Pha ngan is the title of this entry is also the title of the island we spent the last week or so on, and because of that, this entry is actually titled, unbelievable beauty.
In my last entry I mentioned that I missed grassy soil and undergrowth, in this entry I will declare undergrowth satisfation.
We started early saturday morning and travelled north to Bangkok, then the van proceeded west around the top of the gulf/bay of Thailand and began south. A couple hours driving in a southern direction I began to realize that Southern Thailand was much greener and much more beautiful than the other places we've been. There were trees, there was grass and there were green hills and cliffs jutting right out of the landscape to our right and left. It was incredible.
That night we stayed in a hotel which was freakin awsome. But due to monster lines and unneccary confusion the next morning we missed our ferry and had to wait five hours before departure. We passed the time with hot handed games of rook and hearts, a few of which I was able to claim victory over. At about four in the afternoon we set foot on Koa Pha ngan and met up with the pastor and the church we would be staying at. Now, I provide for you a collection of experiences from the week that came to pass :
-three full days in one of the most beautiful places I have ever been in my life, white sandy beaches, private bungalows, hills and mountians covered with tropical vegetation and giant rocks as well as stunning white beaches with the ocean streaching out blue and mysterious before it gently washed up against shore
-climbing around on and swimming in a high, rocky, melow waterfall surronded by the most tropical vegitation one could expect
-scooter-dirtbike hybrid rentals for less than 10 dollars a day and adventures in awsome on various roads that wind through lush hills and tropical valleys. Included in this are roads with 20% road grades(super steep) and sharp turns. I lost my bike on a sloped 90 degree corner that I came into too fast. I didn't suffer any injury but did have to replace two turning lights.
-performing on the beach the night before the full moon party, not to many people watched as we performed early and most of the people we're in the streets eating and lounging in the bars. Still a good performace and we were able to meet a few people coming out of it. The girls we're also introduced to some new fire dancing moves by a local performer and a old drunk man wandered around but did nothing whatsoever of consequence that would even make mentioning him worthwhile.
- as a team we went to one of the largest beach parties in the world for about and hour or two. There we saw some amazing fire dancing and a ton straight up partying. It wasn't as debachourous as I imagined it would be, there were drugs and lots of boozing but nothing you couldn't find at a high school or big new years party. The amazing thing about it was the size, masses of young travellers from all over the world, filling an entire beach, dancing and boozin to rows of speakers with a bright full moon overhead lighting up the bay.
-travelling around the island with the pastor we got to hear many stories of people who had been touched by God. One man was almost blind in one eye due to catarats, He started going to church and the pastor, a man of amazing childlike faith, prayed over him for healing. When the guy went back to the doctor the doctor told him that he amazingly didn't need surgery any more as most of the cataract was gone. A little of it was still left in his eye when we came and we prayed for complete healing. It didn't clear up while we were there but the man expressed an intnese feeling of inward clarity after we prayed over him. We also got to meet many other people and hear different stories.
-we got to meet with the church for an evening group and do our performance for them, Dave also preached and the evening was declared good.
-snorkelling off the island
-visiting an amazing bay that pirates once frequented where now the ocean beats against cliffs and rides up onto a long white beach bordered by palm trees and private bungalo's. I decided that I would return someday with a month or two to spare.
-watching one of the most intense sunsets from high atop a rock overlooking the ocean where the oranges and reds danced played as they reflected off the water
The island was incredible, these are just some of the stories. We talked alot about how easy it would be to come back in the future. There were many young white people which was a nice change from Pattaya where most of the tourists are old and disgusting. I also realized what a hole Pattaya is, before I couldn't believe such a scuzzy place would be able to lie along such a beautiful beach. But after visiting the south I realize that Pattaya's beach isn't actually that great and really, the only thing that would draw travel concious people here as opposed to other Thai destinations is the prostitution.
Well, we get a second house today and I'm off to move my stuff to that place. There will be one for the boys and Angel and then one for the girls and Joel and Sonja. It's going to be so nice to have some more space. Don't get me wrong, the people on my team are all great, but when you've been travelling and living in a small house with the same ten people it can get a bit tough at times.
sawasdee cup,
daniel
In my last entry I mentioned that I missed grassy soil and undergrowth, in this entry I will declare undergrowth satisfation.
We started early saturday morning and travelled north to Bangkok, then the van proceeded west around the top of the gulf/bay of Thailand and began south. A couple hours driving in a southern direction I began to realize that Southern Thailand was much greener and much more beautiful than the other places we've been. There were trees, there was grass and there were green hills and cliffs jutting right out of the landscape to our right and left. It was incredible.
That night we stayed in a hotel which was freakin awsome. But due to monster lines and unneccary confusion the next morning we missed our ferry and had to wait five hours before departure. We passed the time with hot handed games of rook and hearts, a few of which I was able to claim victory over. At about four in the afternoon we set foot on Koa Pha ngan and met up with the pastor and the church we would be staying at. Now, I provide for you a collection of experiences from the week that came to pass :
-three full days in one of the most beautiful places I have ever been in my life, white sandy beaches, private bungalows, hills and mountians covered with tropical vegetation and giant rocks as well as stunning white beaches with the ocean streaching out blue and mysterious before it gently washed up against shore
-climbing around on and swimming in a high, rocky, melow waterfall surronded by the most tropical vegitation one could expect
-scooter-dirtbike hybrid rentals for less than 10 dollars a day and adventures in awsome on various roads that wind through lush hills and tropical valleys. Included in this are roads with 20% road grades(super steep) and sharp turns. I lost my bike on a sloped 90 degree corner that I came into too fast. I didn't suffer any injury but did have to replace two turning lights.
-performing on the beach the night before the full moon party, not to many people watched as we performed early and most of the people we're in the streets eating and lounging in the bars. Still a good performace and we were able to meet a few people coming out of it. The girls we're also introduced to some new fire dancing moves by a local performer and a old drunk man wandered around but did nothing whatsoever of consequence that would even make mentioning him worthwhile.
- as a team we went to one of the largest beach parties in the world for about and hour or two. There we saw some amazing fire dancing and a ton straight up partying. It wasn't as debachourous as I imagined it would be, there were drugs and lots of boozing but nothing you couldn't find at a high school or big new years party. The amazing thing about it was the size, masses of young travellers from all over the world, filling an entire beach, dancing and boozin to rows of speakers with a bright full moon overhead lighting up the bay.
-travelling around the island with the pastor we got to hear many stories of people who had been touched by God. One man was almost blind in one eye due to catarats, He started going to church and the pastor, a man of amazing childlike faith, prayed over him for healing. When the guy went back to the doctor the doctor told him that he amazingly didn't need surgery any more as most of the cataract was gone. A little of it was still left in his eye when we came and we prayed for complete healing. It didn't clear up while we were there but the man expressed an intnese feeling of inward clarity after we prayed over him. We also got to meet many other people and hear different stories.
-we got to meet with the church for an evening group and do our performance for them, Dave also preached and the evening was declared good.
-snorkelling off the island
-visiting an amazing bay that pirates once frequented where now the ocean beats against cliffs and rides up onto a long white beach bordered by palm trees and private bungalo's. I decided that I would return someday with a month or two to spare.
-watching one of the most intense sunsets from high atop a rock overlooking the ocean where the oranges and reds danced played as they reflected off the water
The island was incredible, these are just some of the stories. We talked alot about how easy it would be to come back in the future. There were many young white people which was a nice change from Pattaya where most of the tourists are old and disgusting. I also realized what a hole Pattaya is, before I couldn't believe such a scuzzy place would be able to lie along such a beautiful beach. But after visiting the south I realize that Pattaya's beach isn't actually that great and really, the only thing that would draw travel concious people here as opposed to other Thai destinations is the prostitution.
Well, we get a second house today and I'm off to move my stuff to that place. There will be one for the boys and Angel and then one for the girls and Joel and Sonja. It's going to be so nice to have some more space. Don't get me wrong, the people on my team are all great, but when you've been travelling and living in a small house with the same ten people it can get a bit tough at times.
sawasdee cup,
daniel
posted by Dan @ 9:04 PM
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