Sadly at 7:45 am my alarm went off. Lynn an American teacher with the foundation picked me up around 8:30 and we drove to Nai Harn beach. Nai Harn is on almost the southern most point on the island. It was great to be a passenger on the drive down there so I was able to take in the sights. Anytime I drive myself, on my motorbike, I get too caught up on the road in front to really appreciate paradise. We drove through Patong (ie party central), then through Karon, Kata and finally into Nai Harn. We didnt go to the main beach we went to a little one farther south. Nai Harn is a big bay. We got to this beautiful secluded little beach which I would never have known existed. We dropped our stuff after meeting up with some of Lynn's friends and snorkeled off the beach. Highlight for me was seeing a sea snake which was about 3 feet long hanging out on the sea floor. We spent some time relaxing on the beach as all the families arrived. Lots of little kids and Italians. Interesting mix I know. We then went to get food at a nice trendy little joint called Delish. This is not Thai food. Lynns friend got a quiche and I got a toastie which was salami, parmesan cheese, rocket, mushroom, and pesto. Like I said not exactly Thai food. Lynn then dropped me off back at home and I passed out. Around 6:30 pm I woke up and went out to get some food before going to a bar and watching the second half of a soccer match.
10pm came around and I headed back to Bodega in Patong to meet up with Claire and friends for her birthday. We all met up had some cake and drinks before deciding it was time to hit the town at 1:00am. You cant exactly do this in Luang Prabang. Claire wanted to go to the Lady Boy section of Patong. I was surprised at how packed the town was that late. We pulled up to a large alleyway lined with bars on each side, tables in the street and a few dance platforms in the middle. This is something I would never do by myself but was a fun time in a group. Dancing on the platforms were, well, Lady Boys. When I heard Lady Boys I just thought guys in drag....OHHH NOO. These are mostly post op trannies looking to be taken home for the night. They ranged from the Wow she is absolutely hideous and could probably bench me to the What thats a, What? Are you sure What??? They dance up on the stages until people want to take their photo and then the jump down pose for photos (sometimes with their tops off) and then charge the person taking the photo. A guy in our group took a photo so this woman came over and took photos with all of us and I got a kiss on the cheek. Hopefully thats the only/last kiss I ever get from a Lady Boy. Some of these Lady Boys wore the most revealing clothing I have seen yet. Sometimes a goofy farang, mostly girls, will jump up on stage with them and dance for a little bit before getting shooed off the stage. Only lady boys dance on the stage and supposedly must pay for the privilege of going up there. Their goal is to dance well enjoy for a guy to take them home for some extra curricular activities. Thats were the real money is. One of the least attractive, ie very obvious that they were a dude, went up on the stage and then exposed more than her top. Later on that night she was on stage with a drunk white guy and she basically stripped him. Another item on the list of things to hopefully never see again. Around 2:30am the road shut down and the lady boys tried their best for one last shot at going home with someone. It seemed to meet like it didnt work out very well. We walked back to Bodega then I drove home. The roads much busier at 2:30am than 1:30 am. It was a night I wont forget, and may never repeat but it was a must do. It confirms that Patong is where the soul of Thailand goes to die.
One thing that is always hilarious to me is how often travelers, primarily back packers, bring up the movie "The Beach". Its an interesting film and you should all rent it just for the scenery. I would think most of you wouldnt enjoy the story line. The thing that is hilarious is that people think that this ideal untouched beach would be available to find considering they have heard where it was filmed. Every other person talks about it so they cant possibly think that they will be the only ones there. Sometimes people amaze me. They will be the only ones on this beach that is still under the radar...I think not. Every backpacker wants to find it and since the Thai know that its now just another tourist spot not the perfect place the movie makes it out to be.
Of course your favorite part:
Sorry about the lack of photos with Lady Boys. I hope you all are enjoying yourselves in the much colder weather (I assume). Always love the comments. No top 3 list this time.
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