The sand and sun! Visiting Krabi with a bunch of friends has been on my list of things do this summer. A group of 6 of us were there. I went 3 days later on February 8th while all the others were there since the 5th. I wanted to spend some time with other friends. Time was really short for me, just 3 weeks in total was barely enough to do everything I've set out to do. Anyway, Krabi, Thailand. A nice sunny tropical getaway renown for it's beaches, corals and spectacular rock formations. One of the Bond movies was filmed here. AirAsia made getting to this place easy for a fee of RM300 for a return flight from Kuala Lumpur. It's quite easy to get around Krabi with the number of cabs around.

 
  

I was to meet the rest at Au Railay West beach, which was accessible by long boat. It cost around 80 bath (RM8), one way. The beach itself was pretty good, loaded with cafes and tourist, mostly European. I was unaware it was a nude beach. Upon getting to Railay I linked up with the rest and jumped straight into the water. we wanted to head to a nearby beach north of Railay but was detered by rocks. I fell down chasing a mudskipper, sustaining some cuts to my arm.

We spent most of the day at the beach, either in the water, sunbathing, playing sports or just cam-whoring. When it gets dark a totally new set of activities emerge. Hitting the pubs! Of course we needed to wash up first. Dinner was classically and authentically thai with the standard sets of tomyum kung (prawn), green curry chicken, yellow curry, with random types of fish and vegs.

I'll leave it to the imaginations of the masses of what happens when we drink. All I'll say is that I've seen different colours of the friends I knew. Not to worry, no one got drunk - only really high, but sober (or at least that's what they claim). Drinks there were relatively cheap, on average about 140 bath (RM14) for a cocktail and 70 bath (RM7) for shots. We really drank alot. It was a little over done unexpectedly when we bumped into a bunch of Swedish tourist who invited us for drinks. Too bad we didn't talk too much. They left halfway without saying goodbye at the end of the session. They probably found us too quiet and boring. Oh what to do. We're Asian =P

Bumped into this kitten during the first night. It's so fluffy I called it Fluff. It's not it's name of course. I had a good laugh when it "attacked" Elisa who's afraid of cats

Left: Roti (basically prata, but with a difference. Usually coated with condense milk. Right: Kayaking on the second day

Left: Scooting around town. Bike rental was just 140 bath a day (RM14!!!) Right: Typical sight at town.

 
Left: Horse shoe crap. Texture was like gum. Right: Anyone wanna get high?

 

After two night at Railay we were ready to head back to a more happening environment back in Ao Nang. It was mainly shopping, eating and feeling the reluctance to head home. Although spending 3 days shorter than the rest, I really enjoyed myself at Krabi. Kap Kun Cap Krabi!

       

Me, Yasmeen, Elisa, Aun Ling, Julian and Marc

Markus Ng, a friend and classmate of mine while I was still studying at HELP Institute passed away suddenly yesterday, on the 4th February 2009. He was 23. Markus came home the night before around 3am, just like any of us do occasionally and his family found him lifeless the next morning. I do not yet know the cause of death.

We weren't close friends but we still have several conversations regularly while we were at HELP. Once in a while, he'd join us for a few rounds of table tennis. He also got me curious with HELP's Christian Fellowship, dragging me along with their Christmas presentation where he was leading choir. Occasionally, we visit each other's blogs (based on the the footprints Xanga provides). After HELP we both moved on to other universities. He went on to Essex doing philosohpy, politics and economics where he completed his degree last year in 2008. He was working with UNICEF at the point of his death, putting in many hours at work. Markus is a very active social activist often involving himself in events such as the anti-ISA vigil. While he was studying in UK, he organised a charity marathon. There are probably countless other causes he got himself involved in.

The most evident part of his legacy is the number of people he has touched. Looking at the testimonials on his memorial website and the Facebook wall post from so many people leaves me amazed of the immense number of people he has reached. He doesn't discriminate on race nor religion and shows his love for God's people whoever they may be. If anything, Markus has lived his life to the fullest. I don't know what dreams he's had in store for himself and I pray that this dream will never die despite his passing.

Markus's passing truly saddens me. Looking at his MSN nickname, the shout out on Facebook which has still yet to expire, the pictures, the song's he wrote on his Myspace page... the world truly lost someone very special. I pray for his family that they will cope with his passing. But there is good news, that Markus is alive and well in heaven and all of us who know God personally will meet him again some day. Let his legacy live on high by continueing his works.

See you soon Markus.