1st of April, 2024.
Hitchhiking in Thailand: Nui Beach, at Phi Phi Islands
Hey, you! Happy Fool’s Day!
One of the reasons why I came all the way to this side of the island, is because of a tiny beach called Nui, which is just beside Lana Beach. It is an intriguing place and let me explain why.
Nui Beach is a miniature of Maya Bay with James Bond Islands. Why? It is surrounded by limestone cliffs, and there is one at the sea, right in front of the beach, showing itself proudly. The sand is clean and white; and the water is turquoise. Differently from Maya Bay, the beach is free and much less crowded. There is one special note though: if you want to come by foot, you must come early in the morning, and leave around 11 a.m. tops. Why? Because of the tide. If you are not carrying your luggage (like I was); or even better, if you have a water proof bag for your stuff, I think it might be fine, really. I don’t know how high the tide comes after 11 a.m., but when I was crossing, I had water to my knees.
To the far-left side of Lana Beach, you will see some small fisherman sheds. There is one sign saying “Nui Beach”. I left my camping site around 7 a.m. Not so much because of the tide but because I wanted to have Nui Beach just for myself, for some special photos. And I managed! The only problem is that, because it was still a bit cloudy (sometimes in Phanat Nikhom, at 7 a.m. the sun is already shining bright, and almost burning you…), the turquoise colour of the water is not as vibrant as it is later, when the sun shines upon it. But is either that, or a beach full of people. Well, not full, full but after 8.30 a.m., shyly, a boat or two started to pass by and stop, for some tourists to take photos by the limestone cliffs. Then, a young couple from Thailand comes by and we chat a little bit. We also clean the beach, collecting all the plastic we could find. Around 10 a.m., a lot of people come. Many couples in kayaks, a noise big groups of people, with children, most likely family. My peace is gone, as also my patience, but at least I have got some nice photos.
What I don’t understand is why these people come to such quiet beach. They are, clearly, the type of people who don’t care if a beach is crowded, and are not looking for peace and quiet. So why to come here and disturb the people who actually care about it? Plus, it is not a swimming friendly beach, as the waves break strongly by the sand, due to huge rock blocks. Exactly! You cannot really have a smooth swim here, so you can kiss goodbye for the kids having a good time. And the same for the kayaks; with the rocks everywhere, it is not easy to get out / in.
I have had my breakfast while the beach was still quiet, so I enjoyed it. Now, I was planning to go quickly to the shops near Lana Beach, just to get some water, lunch, and come back here. My initial plan was to spend almost the entire day here, leaving in the late afternoon, back to Ton Sai Pier, and the cheap hostel I booked there. I leave The Hulk at Nui Beach and I am taking only my small backpack with me. But when I see how high the tide is, I completely change my mind and go back to grab The Hulk and stand by Lana Beach.
Going back is way easier. Although I encounter some angry monkeys, who try to intimidate me a little. I remain cool, and just pass them by walking fast, not running though, and with an attitude which shows I am not afraid of them (even though I am a little). They are about 5 or 7, so it is a group. But apart from making some noise and pretend trying to bite my leg, nothing happens. My history with wild animals precedes me. Laugh. I decide I will get to the hostel first, arrange all my things, take a so needed shower, finally wear something nice (a dress) to go with me finally smelling nice, and then go for dinner.
The Hostel I chose is the cheapest closer one to Ton Sai Pier, and it is called Lucky Guest House and Hostel. I paid less than 270 THB for a night. It is better than the hostels I stayed in Paris, to be honest. The room is large, with two big bathrooms. And it is clean.
After a lot of consideration about where to eat, I am most fortunate for choosing the perfect food stand. There are two young ladies cooking, and many locals eating, so that’s why I choose here. I order rice with Thai omelette and stir-fried vegetables. I know it sounds very simple but it is so delicious! I give up of having a coconut ice-cream when I notice that the price is the same as I paid for dinner. Yeah, I know.
Back to the hostel, I engage in a conversation with three guys in the dorm. I need to ask for one of them to set the alarm to 5 a.m., so I can get ready to leave the hostel quarter to 6, and that’s how we start chatting.
Giorgio (Italy), Alesh and David (Spain) are so surprised with my story that it is actually funny. I think that, by staying so long in Phanat Nikhom, I forgot how is the reaction of most people when we talk about my travels. Although, when it comes from other travellers, this kind of reaction still surprises me.
I tell them many tips about how to travel cheaper, and I am also pretty honest about everything. Most people don’t know of the “sacrifices” I make in order to keep leaving without using money. I don’t see it really in that way because for me most of these things are not really enjoyable, or haven’t been part of my life for years before I started travelling, like going out for drinks or food, buying unnecessary things, etc.
I prepare everything I can tonight, so tomorrow is just change and leave. Giorgio sets up his alarm for me, as I take the bunker bed just beside him.
Not surprisingly, I wake up at 5 a.m. And this time, luckily, as Giorgio’s alarm didn’t go off. I leave the hostel at twenty to six and arrive to Ton Sai Pier ten minutes after that.
P.S.: On my way to the pier, three completely drunk people ask me for directions. They are two men and one woman. She can’t remember the way to her hostel. The guys are saying that, even if they cannot find it, she can stay at their hostel “tonight”. Are these people truly happy by living such life?
10 Years Around the World 