With any good wanderlust session, the mind conjures up images of what the experience will be like once you finally lay your eyes on the scene you’ve imagined, be it a majestic mountain peak, a chaotic marketplace, a rustic cottage, or a pristine stretch of sand. For me, I’ve always lusted over finding myself in front of a wooden Thai longboat, sitting on white sands, looking out over crystal clear water and looming rock formations. If Leo could find it in the film, “The Beach,” there’s no way I wasn’t going to.
Setting sail from Phuket, Thailand, on our way to the Phi Phi islands (that’s PeePee) aboard an AirBnB turned private boat charter, fully stocked with tropical fruits and a little rum, I knew the next 4 days were going to fall somewhere between idyllic and sublime, depending on how sunburned I got. Either way, my contentment factor was going to be through the roof.
We broke the journey up into two days, stopping the first night just offshore from one of the dozens of islands along the way, taking a midnight swim in the warm waters filled with bioluminescent marine life, tracing every move my extremities made below the surface. The strong tide made for a Star Wars light speed experience as I hung on to the boat for dear life as the glowing organisms rushed past my face and body. I brought my head above water to make sure that this was all real, and wondered how I’d made my way to this spot without a soul around, save a good friend and a trusty captain.
We arrived to shore on Phi Phi Don, the largest of the Phi Phi islands, just as the sun was setting. An Astropop-like sky blanketed the cove, as the shallow waters gave way to beach with the regressing tide. Plopping down at the beachfront restaurant, the local waiter offered us a beer and spliff, an apparent reward for a voyage completed. The oranges and reds emanating from offshore quickly began emerging from the opposite direction, as acrobatic flamethrowers began their nightly shows on the beach, strobe lights and trance music in tow. The night consisted of a few Muay Thai fights, some ridiculous limbo-ing, fire shows that had to have singed at least a few backpacker’s brows, and most likely some permanently damaged eardrums. One or two buckets of booze may have been involved as well.
Exploring the island the next day, we made our best attempts to soak in the views from above, find the best mango shake, chase away those damn bag-snatching monkeys, and do a little deep water soloing (rock climbing over water). Sliced hands and feet, along with a quickly sinking kayak and rising tides made for a bit more of adventure than we’d planned, but, details…
On our final day at the island, we hopped aboard a longboat over to Phi Phi Ley and Maya Beach, the famous filming location of “The Beach.” Ignoring the hordes of tourists shuttled in and out (good luck), the setting was everything I’d ever lusted over. Boats on shore, white sand, clear water, and ominous formations guarding the entrance to the not-so-secret paradise. Exploring on and around the island was enticing, and I must admit, like Leo, I had my desires to find a new place, without the crowds, maybe even with a treasure map involved. Thankfully, it didn’t take long to find, as we set sail back north towards Phuket, stopping along the way on an uninhabited island, equipped with private beaches, sunken caves, lagoons, and bats. If the first two days of the trip were a real life enactment of The Beach, the next two would be Robinson Crusoe. Cave exploration, (failed) attempts to climb coconut trees and build beachfront campfires, late-night lagoon exploring, and crab spearing, all powered by rum-filled fresh coconuts, had me feeling like maybe it should be a pirate’s life for me.
When real life exceeds expectations, especially those of the wanderlust variety, it reinforces the notion that life can be as good as you ever imagine it. Just find yourself a good friend, a trusty skipper, some inspiration, and a little sense of adventure.
What’s the worst that could happen?
If you’d like to live my experience, buy a ticket to Phuket or Langkawi and get a hold of Drew Sinclair on Facebook, or find the Maurmurie on AirBnB.