the ocean: where everyone should go when visiting thailand

You really need to go to Thailand.  I mean, only if you like ridiculously good food, amazing beaches, and general merriment.  So, go now, yeah?

And you should most especially take time to go the Similan Islands, in southern Thailand.  A series of islands (nine, I believe) that are protected as a National Park, with the clearest, most pristine water I have ever seen in my life.  White beaches with sand so fine it is literally (LITERALLY (not metaphorically)) the same texture as sifted white flour.

Chris and I had the chance to visit the Similan Islands as a part of a two week vacation we took earlier this month.  Much like last year (when we went to Vietnam), we took advantage of the break that our schools have in April to venture elsewhere.  This year, however, we left a bit earlier so that we could return in time to experience the whole reason for the season- Khmer New Year celebrations with our host family.

 

We left on a jet plane on Easter Sunday.  After a bumpy beginning to our vacation (nearly two flights missed, in a row), we ended up on the island of Phuket for a night, and then, here:

Khao Lak, Thailand.  Our hotel/bungalows had a little beach and inlet just for them, and it boasted beautiful blue waters, and a monitor lizard or two, too.

We hated it.

We spent an evening soaking in the sunset...

And the next day, boarded a boat for a three day, two night stay at the Similan Islands.

We began the boat/Similan Islands portion of our holiday by cruising in open water for a good four hours...

...until we anchored and began the cycle we would repeat over a dozen times throughout the next few days: jump in, snorkel, see hundreds of varieties of sea life, crawl out, dry off, repeat, repeat, repeat.

The water was so clear near the reefs that snorkeling was hardly needed to see so much.

And the view outside of the water was nearly as magical as the one viewed through goggles.

On the first evening, we hiked up a small trail to a lookout to watch the sunset, drink a cold one, and take it all in.

Contrary to how it appears, I am, in fact, wearing a swimming suit.  Yellow, so of course, difficult to see through my sunblock (or, tee shirt.)

We alternated drying one shirt and swimming suit off the rails of the boat as we snorkeled and swam in another set.

 It was truly astounding to witness life under the sea.  And the moment that a huge sea turtle swam right by me and brushed my arm with his fin?

There are no words.

Add that to seeing lots of "Dories" in action, and the most amazing tropical fish with colors I didn't even know could be found nature, plus a lively and hilarious family from the UK with the sweetest, most inquisitive three kids, and it made for the ideal beginning of our trip, if not the highlight of our year thus far.

One last look...

After our Similan Island adventure in paradise, we jetted off to not-so-nearby Krabi, and the beach town of Ao Nang.  Our hotel was a ten-or-so minute walk from the beach, but was worth it because of our pool and view...

Part of the charm of Ao Nang was the ability to take a long-tail boat to other, amazing beaches nearby.  Which is just what we did on our second day in Ao Nang.

They are bedecked in colorful flags off the bow.

An amazing day spent lazing on the beach, capped off with buckets of amazing noodles, curry, and iced tea.  We only wished we had another night to spend in Ao Nang- it was kind of touristy and kitschy, but it wasn't overwhelming in that regard, and we found ourselves loving the vibrant yet laidback feel of the town. 

And the limestone craggedy peaks juxtaposed with the brilliant, tourmaline waters wasn't too bad either...

But it was time to jet off to Malaysia!  And after a week of heat and a really bad sunburn on my back (don't tell my mom!), I was ready to be a bit chilly!

.....