Looking for the Perfect Beach Escape (Part 2)

"The Beach" movie was filmed in Maya Bay, at Koh Phi Phi Leh. When I travelled to Krabi in October 2007, it was the first month AirAsia flew there. We absolutely loved it there because it was far less commercialized than other tourism spots, like Phuket for example. The local people were more warm and friendly, prices were not hiked up that much, and the beauty of the place was relatively unspoilt. And none of the people I knew had been there, most have not heard of the place. After our visit, we've introduced many people who went there for honeymoons or holidays.

In the middle of our Krabi trip, we went to the famous Maya Bay by boat. We were awestruck by the beauty of the beach, surrounded by natural limestone cliffs. But we had to share the enjoyment of Maya Bay with hundreds of tourists! Most of them westerners. Thanks to the film, Maya Bay will never be quiet anymore, as locals continue to generate millions out of the place for tourism, year after year. Oh, I was told when the Tsunami hit the Phi Phi islands, it "cleansed" the place, and restored its natural-ness. But only for a while.

Our other great moments in Krabi were scaling up the majestic, natural limestone rocks and kayaking deep into the mangrove forests and ancient caves. Activities that only 5% of the tourists would do, at least during our time of travel.

We had a great time chatting with many people: our masseurs whose lives were forever changed by the Tsunami, a waitress dreaming of opening her own business, our German-Thai rock climbing instructors couple (with an adorable toddler boy) who use the vigorous activity as a form of escapism, a soft-spoken travel booth attendant with a permanent smile and fellow travellers from different countries. Talk about holidays, working in Krabi, the Tsunami, food and life. One common thing I observed was this: People were escaping where they came from to find the ideal peaceful life, hoping to find a piece of paradise of their own. And there were many who just wanted to sample a piece of it to bring it back to where they're from. But many stayed.

Here are only a few of the pictures I captured using my old compact Lumix.

This sunset shot was taken at Aonang Beach. A storm was approaching.

Slowly out of the deep ocean, a mysterious vehicle slowly approached the shore.
I was so fascinated by this vehicle which could move both on water and land.
Hmmm....maybe it came from the distant island.
Days later, we met a tourist who had the same sightings. He nicknamed it "The Amphibian".

The hotel swimming pool which we never use during our six days stay.
Didn't have time for it. Too much outdoor stuffs.

"Lower your heads, baby. We're going into the dark cave".

Maneuvering the kayak in the mangrove forest maze.

Wifey down. I've to kayak on by myself.

Maya Bay at Phi Phi Ley, where they filmed The Beach!
If only I had a DSLR with a superwide lens!
We snorkelled in the clear waters near the islands.

These world renowned natural limestone cliffs are found at Railay.
Look at the climber's legs almost 180 degrees!

This was me up there doing rock climbing for the first time.
Probably the most challenging physical activity I've ever done!

This was when we walked the whole length of Ao Nang beach and reached a hill. Most would turn back, thinking there was nothing else to see. But not us. We weren't satisfied, and curious what was on the other side of the hill. We approached near to climb it. But we had to negotiate our way past at least a dozen fierce-looking, hungry monkeys before we could get to this steep ladder. We climbed it and had a nice view up on the small hill. Soon we were on the other side and reached a private beach. The entrance was guarded by a soldier, who recorded down our names and time of entry into the restricted area.

One of the mean-looking guardians of the bridge.

Over on the other side of the hill, obscure from the mass of tourists was this exclusive resort with its private beach (probably the best beach there) and beautiful swimming pool.
Only for the filthy rich! Later I found out it is one of the highest rated resorts at Krabi.
I wasted no time in making myself feel at home. I was enjoying myself in the pool with the rich and good-looking people for about 20 minutes and was abruptly asked to get out....
Exclusively "members only" pool. But what a wonderful 20 minutes it was!
I joined wife at the beach and walked at least 0.5km on this floating jetty.

And then we saw "The Amphibian" up close. Now we know where it came from.
It's a private transport vehicle from the Centara Grand Resort. Mystery solved!

Loved the sunset view at Nopparat Thara Beach. Loved the reflection on the shallow waters.

I wonder as tourism hits full-swing into Krabi, whether is it still the same lovely place as we knew and tasted back then.

Come this Thursday, we're off for another adventure to a relatively unknown place...the "Ancient Realm" found at Koh Lanta. We just can't wait! :)

Divine Comedy

For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

When I was a child, I talked like a child,
I thought like a child, I reason like a child.
When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror;
then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully;
as I am fully known.
(1 Cor 13:9-12)

These sublime verses are found at the end of one of the most famous chapters in the Bible. Truly in this world, we're all myopic in vision, shallow in perception and immature in understanding. The sooner we admit it, the quicker we can begin the journey. We're caught in the vicious cycles of self-deception. But I'm holding on to the eschatological promises above.

So what's up with the title? It's found in another beloved Switchfoot song that just pop up into my mind as I clicked for this new entry.

All will be made well
Will be made well
Will be made well...

Is this fiction?
Is this fiction?
Hope has given himself to the worst
Is this fiction
Or divine comedy?
Where the last of the last finish first
Living is simple...
-Switchfoot's 'Living is Simple'

Looking for the Perfect Beach Escape (Part 1)

After what seems like an eternity of mental torture, I've finally completed a big project for my company. My boss presented the work to the KL mayor and Federal Territory minister yesterday. Good for him!

Time for me to go on another serial writings...to lose myself from work and all....

We all dream of the perfect getaway, from our endless dull routines and mundane lives. Though we're caught in our hectic lives of diffusing energies, hurrying from one task to another, we're really just sleepwalking through the different phases. Deep within, we're all bored, longing to wake up, dying to explode out to the universe like a supernova. Ha! Like real!

We all do dream of the perfect paradise, to escape from our grey, colourless familiar surroundings. We dream of lying on the perfect beach, a stretch of white soft paradise against the blue sky, clear ocean waters and the green tropical palms, in blissful silence. With absolutely nothing to do but just let go and relish every moment, every breath, every thought, receiving the healing rays of the friendly sun, energising the skin.

Almost a decade ago, they made the film "The Beach", based on Alex Garland's novel "The Beach", the story of a young Englishman Richard (it's an American in the movie played by Leonardo DiCaprio), leaving everything behind in England (or America), to live on the edge, in search of something radically different from everything he knew, everything he's from. The story somehow gripped my wandering soul then.

His introductory quotes in the movie immediately struck a resonance in me...

"My name is Richard. So what else do you need to know? Stuff about my family, or where I'm from? None of that matters. Not once you cross the ocean and cut yourself loose, looking for something more beautiful, something more exciting and yes I admit, something more dangerous. So after eighteen hours in the back of an airplane, three dumb movies, two plastic meals, six beers and absolutely no sleep, I finally touch down; In Bangkok."

And...

"The only downer is, everyones got the same idea. We all travel thousands of miles just to watch TV and check in to somewhere with all the comforts of home, and you gotta ask yourself, what is the point of that?"

And also...

"Richard: Trust me, it's paradise. This is where the hungry come to feed. From mine it's a generation that's circles the globe and searches something we haven't tried before.

So never refuse an invitation, never resist the unfamiliar, never fail to be polite and never outstay the welcome. Just keep your mind open and suck in the experience. And if it hurts, you know what? It's probably worth it."

Soon, he was searching for a rumoured legendary, untouched paradise, a lagoon hidden from the sea somewhere not found in common maps. There a small community of internationals have settled in their own Eden, created their own utopia. It's an engaging story right till the end....how even the perfect paradise can be ruined by the deceitfulness of human hearts. Lord of the Flies, anyone?

One last quote from the movie...

"Richard: But for me it's all about finding out something about a place, and something about yourself. And when you get off the beaten track, that's where you find out what there is to find out..."