With another beautiful sunny day in paradise, we walked over the hill to Long Beach to relax for the day. We had bough ferry tickets to go to Krabi for that afternoon, but as we walked down the beach, 2 American (can you believe we met more Americans? we were surprised) girls from California asked us to take their photo, and we ended up changing our plans and hanging out with them for the rest of the day. After they suggested we check out the nightlife in the main town on the island, we decided to switch hostels and moved into town. Given that we are strapped for cash, we found a hostel for 6 USD/night, freeing up plenty of money for liquor. We sure have our priorities straight.
The nightlife here is second to none, and would never be possible in America due the large liabilities. They sell mixed drinks by the bucket, which include a cupful of hard alcohol with your choice of coke, sprite, or redbull (which is extremely strong here, another thing which isn't allowed in America). We followed the hoards of people to the clubs, which are literally on the beach, and took part in the festivities.
They are famous here for their fire shows, which begin with a display of twirling fireballs, and quickly progress into extremely dangerous interactive drunken debauchery. We actually discovered a long repressed skill - synchronized fire jump roping. They tie rags together and soak them in buckets of kerosene, light the huge rope on fire, spin it between two locals standing on tables on the beach, and challenge anyone in the crowd to take them on. Knowing us (each a few buckets deep), we were the first to volunteer. Our skills were impressive individually, but then we had the great (albeit drunken) idea to do it together, which had not yet been attempted. Let's just say, we could probably join the circus. The crowd loved us, and we were awarded 2 free beers (probably the last thing we needed) for our ability to entertain the crowd.
When we first jumped in, they spun the burning rope at a reasonable pace, allowing us plenty of time to avoid being hit by the rope engulfed in flames. But, to keep things exciting and give us a challenge, they began spinning the rope faster and faster. As they were perched on tables, the faster the rope spun, the tighter the circle got, and it eventually tripped Ashwin. As he hit the sand, the rope came down and landed right on his arm, singing off all his arm hair, and leaving the permeating smell of burnt flesh - a battle wound to be proud of. Let it be known that this did not stop us. Not in the slightest. We attempted the burning jump rope at least a half a dozen more times, and Danny now has matching burns on his shins. We don't know why no one else wanted to try it. We've honestly never had so much fun.
The nightlife here is second to none, and would never be possible in America due the large liabilities. They sell mixed drinks by the bucket, which include a cupful of hard alcohol with your choice of coke, sprite, or redbull (which is extremely strong here, another thing which isn't allowed in America). We followed the hoards of people to the clubs, which are literally on the beach, and took part in the festivities.
They are famous here for their fire shows, which begin with a display of twirling fireballs, and quickly progress into extremely dangerous interactive drunken debauchery. We actually discovered a long repressed skill - synchronized fire jump roping. They tie rags together and soak them in buckets of kerosene, light the huge rope on fire, spin it between two locals standing on tables on the beach, and challenge anyone in the crowd to take them on. Knowing us (each a few buckets deep), we were the first to volunteer. Our skills were impressive individually, but then we had the great (albeit drunken) idea to do it together, which had not yet been attempted. Let's just say, we could probably join the circus. The crowd loved us, and we were awarded 2 free beers (probably the last thing we needed) for our ability to entertain the crowd.
When we first jumped in, they spun the burning rope at a reasonable pace, allowing us plenty of time to avoid being hit by the rope engulfed in flames. But, to keep things exciting and give us a challenge, they began spinning the rope faster and faster. As they were perched on tables, the faster the rope spun, the tighter the circle got, and it eventually tripped Ashwin. As he hit the sand, the rope came down and landed right on his arm, singing off all his arm hair, and leaving the permeating smell of burnt flesh - a battle wound to be proud of. Let it be known that this did not stop us. Not in the slightest. We attempted the burning jump rope at least a half a dozen more times, and Danny now has matching burns on his shins. We don't know why no one else wanted to try it. We've honestly never had so much fun.
So you've emerged from the cone of silence. After no posts in five days we were thrilled with 4 posts today. Delighted to know your brief bout of self imposed abstinence has ended. From being stepped on by elephants to fire dancing you've really had an authentic Thai experience.
ReplyDeleteKeep the posts coming (more regularly would be nice) and have fun.
Our love to you both.
There you happy, I am following, I had previously just listened to dad reading them allowed.
ReplyDeleteAll I want is a little coffee from Bali.
Remember that old adage: Scars on dark skin don't fade away; they just get darker and darker.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand I have to commend you both for living on the edge. (Danny, it's OK that you didn't go over it that one time!) Enjoy your fun while you can... imagine your kids rolling their eyes as you try to relate these experiences on your family trip to SE Asia in the not too distant future!! :-}
Three girls (blonde, red and brunette) and two guys! I like how you roll.
ReplyDeleteDrinking Too Much?
ReplyDeleteP.S Seglit is Your favorite brother Jeremy.
ReplyDeletewith the level of education you have both achieved, it surprises me the decisions you make... or maybe lack of judgement you have when intoxicated. you'd think maybe that a really smart person would just be a little less smart when drunk, but no... a really smart person becomes, well, a complete fool. pretty impressive, though.
ReplyDeleteyou guys continue to be a confusing contradiction of 'human' to me.
Fire jump roping!!! So cool! I have to say I was thinking “Uh-oh, Ashwin’s gotten over his experience in Taipei…” about halfway through the post, especially when you mentioned those bucket drinks! It reminded me of the half yard drinks in Vegas: dangerous little suckers. No wonder you both had the courage to volunteer and what a story to tell! Plus, you have the matching battle wounds to show the ladies, lol. By the way, I have to say I was a little disappointed that Danny didn’t cliff jump, but I think this more than makes up for it.
ReplyDelete