I've been doing a little research on The Beach (good starting point here) and so far here's what I've found...
The Beach that Alex Garland wrote about (excellent so far - the first 50 pages give a great description of life in Thailand) was based near Ko Samui and Ko Phangen (where I currently am)
, but the filming was done in Phi Phi Ley (specifically Maya Bay. Also, some waterfall scenes were shot in the Khao Yai National Park), all of which are closer to Phuket (where I'm heading in 10 days or so). The last major difference is the small town of Krabi doubled for Bangkok.
Which begs the question - is it possible to get to the actual beach that Garland was talking about or is the location of the island in the book just made up (I've been wondering about a few other things in the book - ex: that you can pick up a jellyfish without it hurting - as long as it only touches your palms)? Then again, there's probably a reason they call it fiction...
And to quote Leo: It’s where you are now – finding and experiencing things on your own that will make you happy.
nada
Posted by: jake juliano | 31 March 2007 at 17:01