Where in the world is Rachel?

A popular phrase used by the Thai here has already become ingrained into our vocabulary: "Same same" with our addition of "...but different." This has become the simplest way to explain the small cultural differences we encounter along the way, from ways of making desserts to modes of transportation. For example, an ice cream sundae in the States would have your basic banana, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and a cherry on top. Oh but here in Krabi...it's chocolate & coconut ice cream, bread crumbs, lychee (chunks of this clear fruit that tastes like gelatin), and CORN. Same same...but different. But that was only the beginning. We decided to be brave and take an overnight ferry to Ko Tao Island, where our sleeping quarters consisted of 50 mattresses side-by-side along the floor and we slept on our bags to prevent any pickpocketing. Oh, and did I mention the cages of wild pigs on the same deck as us? Same same...but different.

Yet all was forgiven as we cruised up to the tranquil island of Ko Tao at sunrise and discovered our hotel room was a spectacular hillside bungalow overlooking the ocean! It was a rough 2 days...jumping off huge boulders into the crystal-clear water and getting a Thai oil massage on the beach.