This is ALL BACKWARDS!!

Ok, I know that when photos are posted one at a time as this program and associated photo editor force you to do should not be that hard. Problem is I start posting in a chronological order, according to the trip...first New Zealand, then Thailand. This is how I go through remembering the details and locations of the images. It takes a bit of time.

In order for me to do that so that it makes chronological sense to the reader, I would have to jot it all down, and post it in reverse, because the latest post always appears at top. But, as much as I like you all, I just can't be bothered to do that....I am tired, sunburnt, a little sleep deprived, and I just don't feel like resorting everything I have posted. So, if you'll bear with me, this series of posts is all backward. If you start with the New Zealand, 2005 posting, about half way down the page, and work up, you'll get the order as I plugged it in. It is certainly not necessary.

In the meantime, I will look to find if there is a way to reverse the posting for more chronological continuity, or maybe even think about how I post things in the future. Enjoy~!

This is leaving Phi Phi. 

Arriving on Phi Phi. 

Arriving on Koh Phi Phi for a few days' R&R. 

Tall shot of Phi Phi's harbor. 

The beach. There is nothing better than walking along this with Jack Johnson playing on the mp3 player, peeling off your clothes when you get to hot, and running in for a swim or snorkel. 

Limestone karst, made famous as backdrop for settings in Goldfinger. Not this spot, but one just like it.... 

The NE harbor is too shallow for boats...you can walk out to that limestone karst. 

The northwest side of Phi Phi on arrival. 

Typical thai fishing boat. 

Tsunami effects. The locals who were displaced afterward were allowed to live free in the upper levels of this once luxurious hotel resort. I have to wonder about the structural soundness of that...but necessity probably outweighs safety in that regard. 

Tsunami effects and main dump site. 

Tsunami effects. 

Tsunami effects. 

These were post tsunami effects on the main swath of the level portion of the island. 

I didn't remember this from my last visit. These are effects of the tsunami from Dec. 26th. There were lots of folks on the island volunteering to move debris to a central dump site. Have to hand it to these kid backpackers, even tho they are half my age and very different from those in my day.....they were almost all helping the island in some way beyond that of spending tourist dollars there.

When rounding the bend into Koh Phi Phi's harbor, it looks breathtakingly beautiful, as I remembered from over 10 years ago. 

These were salvaged vessels (post tsunami) at Phuket's harbor. Our ferry looked better.... 

This is one of the ferrymen who took folks to Koh Phi Phi (pronounced Ko Pee Pee, no giggling).  

This is a view from Phuket Hill. Phuket is a large island on the west coast of Thailand, sticking out a bit like a thumb in the "hang loose Hawaii" logo. This is from the top of the highest hill on the island. It holds many small villages as well as Phuket town.

Temple reconstruction in progress, but looking pretty good so far! 

Temple guardian.  

More temple reconstruction...detail of a dragon. 

Another view of the Meditating Buddha. 

Meditating Buddha. 

This was the view from my hotel at Karon Beach. With some extreme zooming. It was a temple being rebuilt after the tsunami. This area was not too hard hit but there are still visible signs of the disaster, outweighed by more visible reconstruction and improvements. 

The view from my hotel room window. Really, honestly. It was an alpine lodge at St. Arnaud, the only place in town to sleep.