Around-the-World with Drew & Erin: Thailand #2
by Allie Comeau on March 14, 2008 
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Join The Blogging Post as we head around-the-world with our friends Drew & Erin. They’ll be sending us regular dispatches and updates from around, across and all over the globe. This is their second post from Thailand…
Are you familiar with Corona beer commercials? You know, the ones where the camera is situated behind two people, lounging in beach chairs looking out on the sun setting over a beautiful beach and calm ocean, with the sound of the sea gently lapping onto the shore? Well, Erin and I had just such an experience on Ko Lipe.
Ko Lipe
Ko Lipe is a tiny island way off the southwest coast of Thailand. It’s very small – less than 2 square miles – so you can walk from one side to the other in a matter of minutes. And it is remote – far off the Thai coast, surrounded by ocean and other nearby islands that are all protected as national park, although Ko Lipe itself is not protected. Life here is mellow and easy.
Days consisted of finding remote coves and beaches, relaxing in the sun, reading good books, and every so often mustering the energy to go for a swim or snorkel to cool off. Finding the motivation to snorkel was easy to do, as the rewards were immense. The snorkeling was incredible with an extensive coral reef ringing the island and two small cays offshore to explore.
During my many snorkeling excursions, I saw an incredible array of colorful soft and hard coral and swarms of fish including clownfish (like Nemo), parrotfish, angelfish, butterfly fish, yellowtail, snapper, barracuda, and many more. The most amazing sight was a five foot reef shark that I spied while snorkeling well off shore on my own. Even though I know these are not dangerous to humans, the sight of a grey shark darting through the water still spooked me and sent me hastily to shore. Too many Jaws viewings, I suppose.
Some of the remote coves actually have open air bars where you can grab a local Chang beer and watch the sun make its way to the horizon. These places featured sand floors, thatched roof huts, and bars and stools constructed of timber that had washed ashore. The vibe was laid-back and casual, to say the least.
After the sun went down, we would find a local restaurant to catch a bite to eat. Most nights we would we eat at Thai restaurants where you sit on the floor and eat at a low table. The Thai dish of fish and Matsaman curry and rice, accompanied by a fresh pineapple shake, has become my favorite.
Other nights we splurged and went to the local barbecue on the beach. The locals lay out the day’s fresh catch on ice, you pick the fish of your choice, and they cook it to perfection over a charcoal barbecue while you wait nearby at a candlelit table and enjoy the evening breeze off the ocean. Ahhh…life on the beaches and islands of Thailand. An enchanting experience.
