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Koh Phi Phi Trip
While checking in at the airport, I saw a familiar face - it was Jenny. The girl met at Cherating and used to party with 7-8 years ago. She's going to Krabi with two other girls, her girlfriend Denise (who lives in Shanghai) and daughter. We were excited, we chat and chat and she said they planned to go to Krabi, but they didn't book any rooms, so they might follow me to Phi Phi Island to check it out.
When we arrived, it was 3.30pm (Thailand time), a guy was waiting for me to take me to the place I booked, just one night before. This is the first time I book a room before I arrive at destination for a backpack trip like this. The last time I went to Krabi, I almost ended up sleeping on the beach 'cos I didn't book in advance.
I told the guy I have 3 other friends with me, asked if he has any extra room, he called the chalet and said he'll give us a family room. It has 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom, but he didn't tell us there's no hot shower for this room. He gave my room with hot shower away to a guy. So there's no more room if I want to stay alone.
Luckily a guy came with a trolley to carry our luggage for us, it's a half an hour walk from The Pier to the place I stay. And look at the luggage the 3 ladies carries ... I only had one backpack. The place is somewhere up the moutain, a pretty quiet place with it's own character. When we arrive, there is a small argument between Jenny and Denise, Denise's daughter was unhappy 'cos she wants to live near the beach. Jenny suggest to stay for a night there, then we move to other places tomorrow. So I became the middle person. I explain what each person wants and asked both to agree on the same goal. So they decided to go and look for a new place. They dili-dala in my room till 5.30pm before moving out to look for a place.
As my place does not have hot shower, I was hoping they found a place with hot shower and I can go to their place and shower.
Found one pretty decent place, Cavista, clean with air con and hot shower, cost 1500THB a night. A guy told them you can save 300 baht going through an agent, so they went and look for the agent. The agent told them they cannot have 3 people sharing a room, Cavista does not allow. Dili dala for an hour, they want to book for just one night, the agent doesn't want to do their business, so the agent left. It starts to rain and the wind was very strong. The sand went into my eyes, my back was full of sand too. We have to walk here and there in the rain 'cos we're no where and no decision made.
Then Denise had to work, found an internet cafe, spent half an hour there. Look for another place - Anita, it was fullly booked. I was hungry, so I said I'm going to find some good food for dinner. They followed me 'cos I have a map & guidebook. I was thinking of getting some good fish, we walk and walk and Denise stop here and there to shop for clothes, the daughter is another shopper too. In the end, we had to buy a raincoat 50THB 'cos it's so cold.
At 8.30pm, I found this place that has fresh fish for you to pick .... finally I see a place that I want to eat. During dinner, I told Denise to make a decision. If they're staying or they're not. Because I have already told Wood that I'm staying alone in the suit, he's charging me only 600baht a night. They dilli dala 'cos they think if they can't find a place, they can always stay at my place. So all the places they go they say it's so late, u charge me this price ? and they walk off. So during dinner, Denise went to look for a place and she found one. 600baht with air con and hot shower. It's really a steal in phi phi island.
We all went to check out the place after dinner, it's ok, but Jenny didn't like it. I guess the room is a little small for her and she wants to stay near the beach. Denise wants to stay there for 3-4 nights for the whole duration she's in Phi Phi, but Jenny wants to stay only for a night. So the two had an arguement again. I came in and be the middle person again. So I said can we just book for tonight, it's almost 10pm. after half an hour there, they decided to book for a night. Now the guy working at the hotel wasn't too keen to help 'cos Jenny's attitude wasn't too nice when she faught with Denise. So, he said he can't carry the luggage for these 3 girls from my place. These girls have problems 'cos they're not back pack, they're travelling bags and it's big. Plus the distance is like 30 minutes walk.
I spoke to a guy - Eric who is taking his dive master course in Phi Phi, he told me you could get a local guy who has a trolley cart, pay him some money - 50baht and he'll carry for you. So I told the two girls. For godness sake, I needed a hot shower badly, i'm sticky and it's getting late. And I don't want them to stay at my place tonight. I had enough of being nice to these girls, it's my holiday. Denise saw one guy with the trolley pass by just as we talk, she ran out and chase the guy. The guy wanted 200baht, Denise didn't want to pay, so the guy went off. Hey! it's late and most of the hotels are closing soon, paying 15RM more is a wise choice to me. Then we ended up standing on the street again. It's 10:15pm, I told the girls I'll walk back to my place first. I can't stand them anymore.
The journey back was not easy. The path to my bangalow was dark and after the rain it's all the frog sound. One part where it's so dark, the frog sounds seems like they're just next to me. I'll freak out if there's any rats or frog jumping onto my feet.
So I reach home safe, I decided to give cold shower a try 'cos I really don't want to go thru the path with frogs again. So I did. I feel so fresh and really enjoy the peacefulness of being alone. I really don't want those girls to come back and say they'll be staying with me tonight. I'll chase them out.
They came back at 12:35am ..... I really thank god I didn't wait for them.
I learn a new term 'Flashpacker'. I think I'm a Flashpacker instead of a Backpacker 'cos I can't live without hot shower.