Junior Gypsy

March 15, 2010

A smiling Chao Leh sea gypsy baby. - Ko Lipe, Thailand - Daily Travel Photos
(Ko Lipe, Thailand)
f/5 ▪ 1/100s ▪ @50mm ▪ ISO200 ▪ Canon 5D ▪ Canon 50mm f/1.4

A smiling Chao Leh sea gypsy baby.

Although they inhabit the same country, the Chao Leh people are ethnically different from the Thais and speak a native language more resembling Malaysian than Thai. In days past, they spent most of their lives roaming the ocean as sea gypsies but one lucky group happened upon a beautiful island to call their home. This baby is the face of the newest and wealthiest generation of Chao Leh, heir to a large chunk of Ko Lipe real estate and the resulting tourist Euros. She may also be its cutest member.

The chubby legs of a Chao Leh baby. - Ko Lipe, Thailand - Daily Travel Photos
(Ko Lipe, Thailand)
f/4.5 ▪ 1/100s ▪ @50mm ▪ ISO200 ▪ Canon 5D ▪ Canon 50mm f/1.4

The chubby legs of a Chao Leh baby.

Perhaps as a direct result of having the chubbiest legs on Ko Lipe, this Chao Leh baby is considered the cutest in all the islands on the Andaman sea. If you ask me, I think it's because of her personality. Like a typical baby of Buddhist origin, she rarely cries and can hold a smile for as long as she's awake... which isn't long since she sleeps nearly 19 hours a day.