What A Memory - Dear Luna



Dear Luna, 

You know at that stage of your life when you are entering adulthood, and all you can think about is how all your amazing and most exciting days are over. Sure, you have hardly lived most of your life, but at that stage, you believe that the best years of your life would be at university, as many many people say it is. But, they are all wrong. Sure, I have had a handful of great memories, but I can't go around saying that university was where I had the best years of my life... hello, Covid happened. 
The idea that the best years of your life can only happen if you go to university and you go at the typical age of being a young adult is actually bonkers, it puts this new pressure on students that they need to be doing things all of the time, otherwise they are wasting it because after, it's apparently all about those long nine to five jobs after you finish studying. 
No... that doesn't seem right. Instead, I like the idea, no matter what age you are, that you have lived some of your best memories, but you still have many left to see. For me, before today, one of my top memories was my sixth birthday and receiving a Playmobil house. But yesterday, I added a new memory that will forever be in my heart. 

Yesterday was the day when my cousin and I visited the Phi Phi Island, you know the one where The Impossible, starring Tom Holland, Namoi Watts, and Euan McGregor, was set in, based on the true story about the tsunami. Yep, we visited there. Was I worried that a tsunami could have occurred? A tiny bit, but everywhere they had routes to take if an emergency happened. 

I almost didn't go on this day trip. A few days prior, when my cousin was booking it, I first said no. My back was aching, and I was in the mood, to only realise that my period is just around the corner. Luckily, the wifi was acting up which meant I was able to change my mind and I am so happy that I did, it would have been a stupid mood if I stayed in and simply wrote. 
I love writing, but it doesn't mean I should be doing it all the time. 
Our day had seven stops and three islands. The first island was called Phi Phi Ley and there we visited, the Viking's Cave (well, we sailed passed it), then our first actual stop was at Pileh Lagoon, then Maya Bay. The second island was called Phi Phi Don, where we saw the Monkey Beach and Tonsai Bay. Our final island was called Khai Island.


Our first stop took us around an hour by speed boat. Even with a cover, the wind tumbled through us, creating waves in our hair as if we were a part of the sea, and if you were not wearing sunglasses, you'd most likely have gotten dust or sand in your eyes. I felt as if I was in a movie, music blaring all around us, transporting many of us back into the 2010s. It was as if someone filmed us and pressed slowmoe as our heads banged with every beat the boat took as it jumped against the water.


When we arrived, it was time to jump into the water and swim around for forty minutes, and if wanted to, you could jump from the top of the boat. Crazy me, did just that, twice. Now the first time getting on top was a struggle. You see, I'm Italian, which means I am small, I am 5 foot 3, which is 160 cm. Not only am I small, but I am rather large-chested which did not help with me trying to reach the top of the boat. 
Jenny, our guide told me to grab onto one of the poles that stuck out of the top of the boat, and jump to reach her hand... I just knew it was not going to work. Luckily, this man offered to put my foot in his hands and push me up. The second time I went up, they had placed a box, making it a lot easier to climb. 


Our next stop was Maya Bay. Here, you could not swim as they want to protect the coral life that lives in the sea, but if you were lucky you'd be able to see baby sharks. As much as I wanted to see them, I was not fortunate enough to witness these beautiful creatures of the sea. But the water here was a beautiful golden blue.



Before lunch, we visited monkey beach. However, due to the high tide, we could not land on the beach but were able to view the monkeys sitting on the rocks with one even eating a banana. It was sad to not actually walk on this beach and be around the monkeys, but perhaps it was for the best. Who knows, maybe if we were able to, I might have ended up being bitten for some reason, although, I don't know why I would as I know I would try my best and not do anything to aggravate them.
 

After lunch, it was snorkeling time. My first mask wasn't the best, it kept on falling, and thank god, I was able to switch masks. It was surreal, swimming underwater, hearing the low hum of your breath breathing through the tube, seeing the little fishes, some with colours of blue and yellow, darting around you. Every time I went under, it shocked me how many fishes were around me.


What was sad was the coral, most of it was all dead, no more were they filled with bright colours, now they were simply dull. There was only one piece of colour that was still thriving with life, holding onto a vibrant purple, standing its ground, as if it was saying I am here and not leaving. 
Even though I did accidentally swallow some seawater, this experience really made yesterday a top memory. 

At our last stop, Erin and I did some kayaking, where I nearly fell when getting out of the boat. But after we enjoyed swimming in the sea, and drying up in the sun. 


Yesterday will forever be in my mind, and I know every time I look back to it, I will be amazed that I did that. Living life with no regrets, trying out everything because who knows for how long this could carry on going. The first part of my travels (Vietnam, Laos, Thailand) is coming to an end, but I must say, yesterday will forever be my favourite day from part one, closely followed by the cooking class. 

What's nice to know is that I have so many other fantastic, beautiful, and once-in-a-lifetime memories to create, and I cannot wait to experience them all. I cannot wait to be older and look back proud of everything I have done. I mean, I can wait, I don't want to be in my eighties just yet. What I do know, is I want to live my life and take in every experience and joy. 
It's moments like these when you are grateful that you are here.

Until next time, Luna ❤️❤️❤️

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