A Great Sunset and Then…

***Disclosure to our parents that end our conversations with “Be safe.” Read at your own risk.***

Brooke is quickly learning that I am not a true R & R person. Even when it comes to living life on Koh Phi Phi, an Andaman Coast island off western Thailand. Many one would expect our times to be spent on the beach, soaking in the rays, enjoying the sand and crystal blue waters. Not me. I know I should be part of that group, but impatience and conquering the unknown always gets the best of me. And by default, Brooke gets sucked in too.

The tsunami in December 2004 devastated Koh Phi Phi. A tiny, flat stretch of island connects two bays, with large mountainous regions on opposite sides. Much of the town’s happenings (and the rest of the backpackers) are in this central location. Tired of being on the beach with other 20-somethings, beer bottles, loud music, and trash, we decided that Koh Phi Phi had to have a better beach. So, with the thermometer reaching a warm 36 degrees Celsius (I don’t know my Fahrenheit conversion besides it being ‘hot’), we decided to scale the mountain, conquer its point, then meander down to Rantee Beach, get R&R, and then hike back for the sunset over Viewpoint 3.

The new up and coming hiking outfit by Nike (wide brim hat, bathing suit, dress, white socks, cross trainers)

As we were climbing, we were assured that no one else was making this trek to Rantee. Right we were. We enjoy the afternoon; the other beachgoer, as the sun is setting, asks if we want a taxi boat around. “Nah, we will hike and catch the sunset.”

Beautiful Rantee Beach

And catch the sunset we did. It was marvelous, just like the other sunsets that we have witnessed in SE Asia.  We were 300 meters above the sea, looking straight out into the Indian Ocean from the highest point on this side of the island, by ourselves on this viewpoint, and just gazing…..

Viewpoint 3

……and not realizing that there was a storm approaching from the east.

Storm from the east

The town of Phi Phi, the tiny strip of land between the bays

In an instant, booming thunder and electriflying lighting snuck up behind us. There have been many times that I have been in the middle of a flat open space with lighting and skirted to safety quickly. But this time, while we were safe from some natural elements (namely a tsunami), being at the highest point on an island next to the island’s metal communication’s tower was not the place to be.

“I think we should go down.” No #*&%, Michael.

Do we run? Brooke’s knee has been bothering her for several years when she runs, especially when she goes downhill. But we both agree without really verbalizing that this is no time for R&R. Brooke, you are going to have to swallow it and scoot down the mountain with a great gallop. We will deal with your pain at the bottom.

Lighting close overhead. Thunder booming. We scurry ourselves down the island at a wicked pace. And Brooke’s knee holds up until the last step, making it inside our hotel one minute before the downpour.

“My knee did not hurt until the final step.” Adrenaline, Brooke, adrenaline.

And yes, parents, we understand that was not the safest thing to do. Nor taking a picture midway down the run. But these Thai rain storms will come on you quickly.

Okay, so maybe R&R is the right thing to do on a beach…..but it really was a great sunset.