We reached at around 3:30PM at pier, where I saw some members of the agency were standing with stalls on which photo frames along with our pictures of journey were available for sale.
I was surprised to see my photograph in one of the frames and my mind rushed to recall all events to know that at what time it was taken and where.
My photograph was taken while I was riding canoe inside cave so my search was limited to recall events pertaining to that time and suddenly I recalled that there was one person standing outside caves to take our pictures, which I mistakenly understood to be the tourist.
At that time I thought that he might be taking pictures for his records of having visited that place, as sometimes I had seen that people take pictures of fellow visitors for their memories.
But another aspect to wonder was the timing when picture was taken, sending it to mainland for processing and then making it available for sale in frames.
Only answer which I could think and was confirmed partially, that the person is authorized photographer for one to two agencies. He clicks pictures of tourists in-between journey, takes boat back to mainland based on availability including those belonging to fishermen, takes print out and insert them into frames for selling.
In this assignment, he takes help of ladies who appear to be from a local community and they earn their livelihood by selling mementos at high price. The cost of each frame was 150 THB which was equivalent to INR 300, so I refused to buy at that price being too high for one photograph and the frame was fragile too, since made up of glass with pasting of sand on border and sea shell. I assessed high probability of frame getting damaged during journey, being too careless and after all I was having sufficient photographs of mine for my memories.
Before stepping down from ship, we were requested for tip amount by the crew, for the work of cook as well as for the canoe driver. Some gave amount to cook directly and I also contributed some.
But when it came to give tip to the boatman, the fellow Australian man stopped me from giving amount and he took out 100 THB from his pocket and gave it to canoe driver. The man was happy to get that amount but my accountant mind started calculating cost of this tip for the Australian guy and I could calculate that the amount was equivalent to 5 Australian dollars, but the value of 100 THB was high for the boatman. This is how value of cost and reward matters from person to person and from country to country. My budget allocated only 50 THB for him but now my budget was left over for another expenses and now I could allocate some more amount.
Finally, it was time to thank everyone.
I greeted whom I met, talked, shared emotions, laughed and those who accompanied me during my journey. There was exchange of e-mail, Facebook ids and telephone numbers so as to maintain continuous communication. I greeted warmly to Indian fellow and to Australian fellow as both of them gave good company to me and at the same time I was complimented by both.
The Indian fellow greeted me by saying that it was learning experience for him to meet me, since it was first time he met an Indian who is solo traveler and this has boosted his confidence that even travelling can be done alone in overseas. He also mentioned that he will also try one day to go on a backpacker trip. For me, the statement was like feeling “accomplished”.
The Australian guy complimented me by saying that the conversation between us was knowledgeable as he got my views on political, social and other issues, along with that he also mentioned that I possess good knowledge of issues being discussed, since my views were clear in approach. He also mentioned that he was delighted to hear views from me being part of young generation who is updated on various issues.
It was very nice feeling to get such good compliments from a stranger. I wished to spend some more time with all of them but emotions had no place in my strict schedule.
With all lovely memories I continued my journey towards Krabi which my cab driver helped me by dropping me near the bus stand. As I was stepping out of my car, the Indian fellow asked me about reason for stepping out the car. I replied, that my stay at Phuket is over and next schedule is to reach Krabi. This action of mine again took him to surprise and I could see reaction on his face. He greeted me for my safe journey and the cab continued its journey toward Phuket.
I went towards the ticket counter, took out that small paper from my pocket on which it was written “Ticket to Krabi” (the same small piece of paper given by the girl at booking counter) presented that at the ticket counter and got the ticket.
I was lone passenger from that station and was told to wait for arrival of next vehicle. Finally, a cab arrived and I was asked to board the cab.
At first instance, I hesitated, as I thought that bus would be coming for pick-up but I was asked to board a cab. Naturally, service of cab is expensive than that of a bus and I was thinking that in case the driver demands extra money for taking me in a cab than it would not be economical for me. So, I confirmed again from the ticket counter and he asked me to board the cab with same ticket. I boarded front seat of the cab, handed over the ticket to the driver and started journey towards Krabi. Another surprise, ride in cab with fare of bus.
The road to Krabi was a perfect road journey and the duration of travel was 2 hours 30 minutes. The cab passed through caves, road along hills, lagoons and many such picturesque locations, viewpoints.
The journey was perfect for a bike ride rather than sitting inside cab and just staring passing one after another scenery. With heavy heart I was sitting inside cab and watching places passing one after another without leaving any mark of my presence.
After ride of almost 2 hrs. 30 minutes, I reached the outskirts of Krabi town from where I took another cab to my hotel, but my next problem was standing wide for me. I reached hotel around 7:00 pm and I had no plans for next day and it was closing time for markets of Krabi.