There was a devastating genocide which occurred only 30 years ago.  Over 2 million Khmer people were killed.  Many were tortured at S-21 for 3- 6 months only to be inhumanly killed and thrown into mass graves.  Mothers, infants, brothers, sisters, fathers, whole families were killed.  The trauma can still be seen on the faces of Cambodians today. 

Though difficult to experience, it is important for us to be aware of this event.  Walking through S-21 and the killing fields keeps the memories of the victims alive.  Please take a few minutes and educate yourself on the events in Cambodia by clicking on the above websites.

But there is hope!  Organizations such as NataRaj and Rainbow Orphanage provide hope, skills, and comfort to those who suffered the most from these traumatic events.

One of the classrooms at S-21 that was turned into many single cubed cells.

It did not feel appropriate taking pictures at the killing fields.

Shooting guns was Sebastien’s idea.  Another interesting experience.

In Cambodia you can shoot a bazooka for $350.

Once we settled in to our hotel (different night differnet bed) we got some lunch and hired a taxi for a day to take us to both sites.  It cost us 1,100 baht ($35) for about a 3 hour tour.

Our first stop was to see the Big Buddha.  I am not sure that I have words for our experience there.  The highlight was being blessed by a monk who gave us bracelets to wear.  Being in the presence of this being nearly brought tears and profound joy to both Sebastien and I.

The second stop was to see the mummified monk.  I had read that this monk actually died in meditation and so his body was preserved in the sitting position.  This is not the case.  At the age of 50 the man became a monk and created his own meditative practice.  He did not die in a sitting position but because he dedicated himself fully to a meditative lifestyle (after the age of 50) his fellow monks decided to honor him after death and put him into this position.  Though the tourist pamphlets will tell you that he died in this position.

The monk who blessed us.

Big Buddha

Mummified Monk

Our blessed bracellets.

That evening we scheduled to go out on a dive for the following day so that I may have a chance to see one for myself.  It was also our first certified dive together!  Long story short we did not see  a whale shark but we had two really good dives.

Again we went out with the Sairee Cottage Dive “team”.  Our first dive was at Mango Bay in which we saw some trigger fish, yellow tail barracuda, and french angel fish.  On the second dive we were dropped off at Green rocks and dove to Twin peaks.  Very cool dive and unique (that’s what our dive masters told us).  We saw a HUGE puffer fish, schools of barracuda, banner fish, blue rig, angel fish, and needle fish.

A beautiful view near our hotel.

Loving Ko Tao!!!

The following day we decided to go to  Ko Tao.  Which is known as a great place to get your scuba diver certification.  We took a fast pontoon boat (dad you would have loved it!) about 2 hours to beautiful Ko Tao.  Which means Turtle Island.

After finding a hotel on Sairee beach we searched for a discovery scuba dive.  Which is easy enough because every 10 steps is another scuba resort or school.  All of the hotels/resorts offer scuba and if you are after your scuba certification they provide you with a free bungalow or a discount on the nicer rooms.  Good Deal!  We decided to go Sairee Cottage Diving School because they offered flexibility with the discovery scuba dive.  Which is for people who do not have a certification but want to try scuba diving.

Our diver’s name was Neil and Sebastien and I were the only ones who went out with him on the dive.  We went out about 8 meters deep, practiced some skills, and meet a few fish.  Sebastien was very friendly with a few Nemo’s they even let him pet them.  It was really cool!  I felt really comfortable underwater and enjoyed exploring more than I thought I would.

After resurfacing I decided I wanted to go through the certification course.  Sebastien just thought that I wanted to do it because it was cheap so he opted not to go through the course.  Plus, I think we really needed some time apart.

Since we had already done a dive I was put on a fast track.   That evening I started watching the SSI videos and had homework.  The following day I watched so more videos and practiced some skills in the water.  The only skill that was challenging was when I had to take off my mask and put it back on but Neil said I did fine.  That evening I had another video and more homework.

The following day Neil said we would be going out on 3 dives and after passing a 50 question test I would be certified!  SWEET!  The dives were incredible!  We saw lots of fish, some sting rays, beautiful coral, and I had no difficulties with the skills or with being underwater.  We went to two different dive sites and then dove in closer to shore for the last dive.  We even did some break dancing under water.  After passing my exam I was certified.  EASY!

As I am posting this, Sebastien is out on the boat diving to 18 meters and practicing his skills.  I think he was a little jealous and now wants his certification.

There are two different sunset snorkeling trips you can take from Phi Phi.  We took the one that started 3:00 pm till 8 or so.  Ours provided a buffet dinner on the boat during the sunset.  Beautiful experience.  You could also kayak if you preferred as well as jump off the top of the boat into the ocean.  Which I choose to do a few times.

Yesterday, Valentines Day, I treated myself to a yoga class.  It was held on top of a building with an amazing view during the sunset.  The instructor does a class a day in two different locations.  I went to the one at Carlitos.

Today, Sebastien and I did a fun rock climbing adventure.  We meet at the shop and then walked with a few other people to the climbing spot.  I managed to complete 4 climbs.  It was challenging but the views were spectacular.  There is only one company that does climbing on the island.  Spider Monkey is the name.  Our guide Judy was supportive and a great coach!

We also met another couple and hung out with them a few nights which was a nice change.  There is a bar on the beach called Stones which we found ourselves at several nights.  Ha ha.  We also saw some WWF Thai boxing.  This was quite entertaining.

Tomorrow we head to another island about an hour boat ride from Phi Phi called Koh Lanta.

Feels like paradise…

We took a long tail boat from Ao Nang to Rei Lei for $6.  The long tail boats are long wooden canoe boats with have a long motor on the end.

We are staying a couple of nights on Ao Nang Beach and then thought we would stay a few nights on Ton Sai.  We had heard Ton Sai was a cheaper beach area and very chill.  However, we had seen a place on Phi Phi which was ideal.  The places we found on Ton Sai and Rai Lei were a let down for the price.  About 70$ a night for a new bungalow a few meters from the beach that did not have Internet or electricity for a few hours a day.

Krabi beaches are full of laid back locals and rock solid bodies.  It is a place to get lost in and relax for days.  Sebastien has said that it is the most beautiful place he has ever been to.  When you look out towards the ocean you see scattered islands and the water is a beautiful light turquoise.

After deciding that we would just go back to Phi Phi island the next day we hung out and watched the climbers scale up cliffs.  I went snorkeling but was quickly stung by several jelly fish.

When we retruned to Ao Nang beach we got our usual massages and had dinner.  Tomorrow we will head back to Phi Phi island.

When we landed we had to take an hour long cab ride to Patong beach (the most populated tourist area on Phuket).  Phuket is very developed and Patong beach was not impressive.  I didn’t even take pictures of this place.  Sorry.

We stayed that night and the next and then took a boat over to Krabi with a stop on Phi Phi island.  I’ll post about that next.

However, I did get a haircut in Patong beach.  The hair cut was just as good as a $40 one at home but for $12.  Seb also got a man purse.  He loves it because now he can wear his fisherman pants and still carry his iphone.  He is starting to look like a real hippie.

Sebastien decided that he wanted to have an alone day. This would be the first day in which we had separated in over 3 months.  It was time we got a day to do our own thing.

It was really nice to hang out with other American girls! Though Pom is not American she is as close to it as a Thai can be! She even had to get Starbucks on our way to Amphawa.

We had a full day in Amphawa.  From eating whatever was offered by the boat market people to searching for swimming monkeys.  The monkey part was tricky and if it wasn’t for Pom we would have never found them.  We had to take a long boat out to the ocean and then ask the locals where we could find them.  Our boat driver didn’t really know where to look.  The river ride was my favorite.  Seeing the locals in their houses built up over the water.  Very cool!  There were some beautiful homes.  My next favorite was eating these amazing spring rolls.  I had never had such good Thai food in my life!  30 bhat.  Can’t beat it!

It was one of my top favorite days so far!