I literally just did a victory dance cuz mine went down in one flush. Woo. Great start to Songkran. It's the little victories :)
I got up bright and early, in hopes of safely getting breakfast, before the war starts. Unfortunately, I was being too naive - locals holding white cream (I think it's made of baby powder + water but I can't be sure) were waiting in the streets, and did this to me as I innocently tried to walk past:
Also this:
So I rushed home to assemble my own team of soldiers (couldn't figure out how to rotate it sorry)
Before we headed out though, I had a little hostel situation - I had been booking my room one night at a time because I wasn't sure how long I was going to stay in Koh Phi Phi. But I met some great people and figured I'd stay one more night there - but turns out they're full for that night :(
The lady at the hostel recommended the place next door. I didn't want to walk my backpack around the island in this heat and water festival madness, so I put down the 800baht (~26$!) for the only room they had left there - it's a private room!!!!! The second I stepped inside I decided that the extra 500baht was worth it.
Clean, spacious, private, and most of all, with a functional toilet!!!! Such luxury, I was excited for a good night's sleep (which didn't eventually happen but I won't go into it)
My army kindly waited until I finished dealing with my hostel shenanigans, and then we set off into the streets.
Koh Phi Phi is a small island with no cars, and all the streets are narrow and windy - pretty perfect setting for some water gun fighting. The entire experience was madness, and you really had to be there, but I'll try my best to describe.
This is an event which sees no race/color. In really doesn't matter what your nationality is, your age, your status - if you're in the streets, you WILL get shot at, and you WILL get drenched. One thing to note though: traditionally it's done with bowls and buckets, and I believe the western tourists are who made this whole water-gun thing so popular. Don't quote me though.
Owners of some storefronts put giant water buckets out front, and filled it with (sometimes ice!) water for everyone else to get gun refills. People holding hoses used to fill those buckets will periodically use the hose to shoot giant jets of water at passersby.
As you walk down the street, you'll get water coming from every direction - you'll get buckets of water dumped in your shirt from the back (sometimes icey), buckets of water dumped on you from balconies, and buckets straight in your face.
Some locals circulated the streets with the creamy thing I was talking about earlier, and smacked it on everyone's faces (they get washed off pretty quickly by the water).
The poor people just getting onto the island from the ferry got it the worst - weapons and carrying big bags, they didn't stand a chance and got totally drenched.
The children are the WORST. They were the most dangerous enemies. Here is a picture of some cute and tame ones - I didn't dare take a picture of the older ones, I would've died.
Our team put up a fearless fight -
"Take a picture of us please? "
"Ok." Said the Thai man
*sprays right in our faces*
*takes picture*
After going on for about 4 hours, we finally retreated back to our hostels - who knew water gun fighting could be so exhausting!
After a brief siesta in my new room, I decided to take a walk to the tsunami memorial (Phi Phi was one of the affected islands). Christian from Germany was awake so we took off together. 5 seconds into walking, we heard music, drums, and cheering from a block away - it's a parade! Well we HAVE to follow it!
Had no idea where they were taking us, but we bought beers and just followed...the yellow brick road
They took us all around the island, past the houses where locals lived, chanting, cheering, dancing around. And then ended back right near where we started.... at an effing EDM stage! It was bizarre, Christian and I were the only two tourists in the crowd of Thais wearing flowery clothes, dancing to the music. The host took a hose and just sprayed unto the crowd as the music pumped on
Ok let me speed this up, too much happened in one day haha.
Christian and I headed back after the party, grabbed Sam from the UK and Joanna from Dubai, and we set off to look for the memorial again. Except this time we got distracted by the sunset:
Sigh. Just look at that for a moment. <3
Turns out the memorial we were looking for was torn down years ago and a hotel built above it :( But hunting for it brought so many surprises - there's always something happening around every corner. :)
After dinner, the gang headed to the Muay Thai fighting bar. The idea is, anyone can volunteer to fight in the ring, and the winner of 3 one-minute rounds gets a free bucket (of alcohol).
It was fucking intense. We saw two professional Muay Thai fighters, and the agility, speed, and force blew my mind. Multiple times they crashed into the sides of the ring, right in front of where we were sitting, and I felt the sweat spray my face.
Not surprisingly, we had a fighter in our group - Allan, a chef from Malaysia. He said he's never fought or learned how to fight before. Hard to believe because he fucking BEASTED and won!
Well, he did unfortunately throw up right after the match and had to go back, but still a winner!
The night ended at the hostel with some Never Have I Ever, some getting to know each other, and not a lot of sleep.
I miss the Phi Phi crew already.
No comments:
Post a Comment