Phuket via Near Death

If someone asks “what was your worst journey on the whole trip?” I can tell them without hesitation that it was the excruciating 90 minute boat ride across the Andaman from Koh Phi Phi to Phuket. The sea was rough and the boat was old. I was close to being sick. I closed my eyes every time a huge wave lifted the boat to a great height and then fearfully anticipated the harsh descend as we crashed back down against the water. I tried not to hear the smashing noises. I tried not to look at the floor bending. The entire structure of the boat looked as if it were about to fall apart. Swaying violently from left to right, waves crashing against the windows. Ali thought she was going to be sick and made her way up to the top of the boat to stand outside on the deck. I was convinced we were going to die and I’m pretty sure everyone else on the boat thought the same. I looked around to see the same worried look on everyone’s ghastly white face. It wasn’t long before I started calculating escape routes in my mind. I wondered how much insurance our families would get if either of us died. If the boat tipped over or sunk I questioned who had a better chance of survival - me inside or Ali on the deck? And the sharks…what were the chances?

Finally after what seemed like an eternity we safely arrived in Phuket where we made our way to a guesthouse. It took me the rest of the day to recover from shock and sickness. Frankly I think it’s a miracle we’re still alive.