Alexis Yap
Lex in the city
BACK in 2000, The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio was released in theaters worldwide. His character in the film, Richard, comes across a strange map that leads to a place where, rumour had it, one can find a solitary beach paradise: tropical bliss. He sets out on this trip and so begins the story. As I was watching the movie, I vowed one day to visit that beach, and just last week, after over a decade of waiting, I finally got the chance to.
The film was shot in one of the many islands off the coast of Phuket, Thailand. To get there, one must catch a flight to Phuket and take a boat to Maya Bay the actual setting of the famous beach paradise. Fortunately, it is not hard to find. In Patong Beach, the busiest tourist area of Phuket, one can find many travel organizers along their main streets. They offer a variety of island tours including snorkeling, diving, parasailing, and island hopping. I chose to get the island hopping package to Phi Phi Islands that included a trip to Maya Bay, Khai Island, Monkey Beach, Pileh Cove, Viking Cove, Loh Samah Bay, and a buffet lunch at Phi Phi Don. This was the most attractive package for me since it included a visit to the actual spot where they shot the movie! Plus, it included a free pick-up and drop-off to your hotel, all for only THB 1,100 (PHP 1,650)!
The day started with a 7:30am pick up at the private villa we were staying at. We were seven people in the house but only three of us went on the island hopping tour- me, my Taiwanese friend Lewis, and his South African partner, Wessel. We were the first people in the van so we had to go pick-up two more groups of people who were on the same tour.
The driver then took us to the pier where about fifty people gathered to listen to the lengthy but very entertaining pre-departure briefingof our beautiful tour guide, Shakira and her assistant, Jennifer. We then left at around 11 a.m.
Our first stop was Maya Bay where the breath-taking rock formations and sugar-fine, white sand beach told me this was it! Around twenty other boats were parked by the shore. As we got on the island, we started taking pictures along with hundreds of other tourists! How I wish I had the island all to myself to avoid hearing whistles blown in the background while tour guides were calling out to their respective groups so theycould move on to their next destination. Shakira had earlier instructed us to meet at the boat after 25 minutes of sight-seeing, swimming, and picture-taking. I wish we were given more time to enjoy the beautiful place.
On our way to Monkey Beach, we passed by Viking Cove, Pileh Cove, and Loh Sama Bay where we stopped for a photo opportunity and short spiels about each place courtesy of Shakira. Oh, did I already mention that all the passengers enjoy unlimited ice-cold water and soda throughout the trip? Ms. Jennifer is our very hospitable and funny “float” stewardess.
Monkey Beach was so exciting. Monkeys of all sizes were hanging out by the shore and you can feed them with bananas but remember to be careful. One monkey was even drinking out of a soda bottle, holding it with its two hands! It was an amusing sight to see. Unfortunately, it started raining so hard. That’s why I didn’t get to take pictures of the monkeys. They were so fun to watch though but personally I was afraid of them. I started running back to the boat when I saw one monkey start to approach me! One of them was already hugging the leg of one of the Indian guys on our boat. No way was I going to let that happen to me!
We spent only about 15 minutes in Monkey Beach and only those with waterproof cameras enjoyed taking pictures (note to self: buy a waterproof camera next time). We then headed to Phi Phi Don for our lunch buffet and it hadn’t stopped raining since we arrived at Monkey Beach. Instead, the rain and wind grew even stronger. It was a bumpy and exciting 15-minute journey to our lunch destination but it was well worth it. Everyone was drenched in rain and sea water but it did not stop us from attacking the buffet table that offered delicious hot courses complete with pasta, hot seafood soup, an assortment of savoury dishes, and tropical fruits. God only knows how much I really ate! The lunch was yum, yum!
We stayed at Phi Phi Don for an hour so we still got the chance to check out some souvenirs. Our next stop was snorkelling and swimming in the open sea, just five minutes away from Phi Phi Don. The rain had stopped and the waves were gone. It was perfect for snorkeling. We had free use of the gear but I hesitated to use it after hearing stories from my friend Wessel whose friend got conjunctivitis from using the gear from these boats. Another American tourist sitting next to me brought her own gear after contracting conjunctivitis from her last trip to the islands. I was sad I didn’t bring my goggles but the water was so clear that I could see the fish swimming by me from above the water. It was beautiful!
Our final stop was Khai Island. On our way there, the horror began. It started raining again but this time, it rained even harder. The waves were almost five feet high, the boat was bouncing up and down the water, and from time to time, tilting left and right. Most of the passengers were screaming for their lives but no one was screaming more than I did! Seriously, the only thought on my mind that moment was whether or not we would live through the ordeal. And if we didn’t, would anybody know? I didn’t sign any waver. They didn’t make a list of people on the boat. On the receipt, only Wessel’s name was written. How would my family find me if I were to perish in the “tropical paradise” of Phi Phi? Okay, I know I was being too dramatic but really, I had never been so scared, ever!
The 45-minute trip to Khai Island seemed like forever- especially that I really needed to pee from the beginning of that trip. So finally we arrived in Khai Island safely.
It was comforting to see many other tourists enjoying the fine, white sand, the relatively calmer waters, cocktails, and bottles of beer by the beach. Some of the locals living on the island were playing Sepak Takraw and I smiled to myself, proud that we also play that here in the Philippines.
Wessel and Lewis rented a beach chair for THB 75 each. Shakira had already briefed us that it is wiser to rent a beach chair than to pay THB 400 environmental tax for putting your stuff on the shore and hanging out there. This was probably some weird rule the locals impose on the tourists to encourage them to rent their beach chairs.
She also made sure to remind us to be mindful of our things since there were thieves about. I didn’t bother getting a beach chair though. I left my bag with Wessel and Lewis while I swam, and took my bag with me while I was exploring the island. The two slept the entire time we were there.
As per schedule, we had an hour and fifteen minutes to spend on the island. I spent most of it hanging out in the water and sharing interesting conversations with some people on our boat.
Shakira had prepared some watermelons and pineapples for all of us. Ms. Jennifer was walking around with a tray of fruits for the members of our group to enjoy. It made the afternoon just perfect!
It was time to leave and the twenty-minute boat ride back to Phuket was not as life-threatening as the previous one. Some of the members of our group even got to sleep on our trip back. It was quite a memorable island hopping experience. What did I think of it? Yes, it could be a beach paradise, minus the thousands of other tourists sharing the islands with you. I don’t want to be selfish but I wish I could have the islands all to myself even for just an hour. Now, that would indeed be tropical bliss.
On another note, I would like to say:
Happy birthday to: Regal Oliva (today), Shanna Lopez (tomorrow), Marie Fe Gelbolingo
(my Aunt) and Rey Dauz (June 20), Senyo Torres and Teddy Cabucos (June 21), Jay Unchuan (June 22), Jp Chiongbian and Angelli Lua (June 24), Golda King (June 26), Miguel Lumapas (June 27), Myk Tolentino, Jewel Jalandoni, and Marlon Orellano (June 28), Jett Pe and Leonore Laluna (June 29), Judith Lawas (June 30).
Don’t forget DJ Miss Nine at the Penthouse tonight! See you there!
Thank you to all Lex In The City followers: Christian Vasquez of CIT, Mark Menchavez and his classmates at Concorde High School, and our friends at Treff- Greggie, Ritchie, and Miles.
Follow me on Twitter @iamaroundtown