The travel days

The other day, he shared this quote with me.

I think it fairly summarizes how I feel right now.

“What we want out of a vacation changes as we age. It changes from vacation to vacation. There was a time when it was all about culture for me. My idea of a real break was to stay in museums until my legs ached and then go stand in line to get tickets for an opera or a play. Later I became a disciple of relaxation and looked for words like beach and massage when making my plans. I found those little paper umbrellas that balanced on the side of rum drinks to be deeply charming then. Now I strive for transcendent invisibility and the chance to accomplish the things I can’t get done at home. But as I pack up my room at the Hotel Bel-Air, I think the best vacation is the one that relieves me of my own life for a while and then makes me long for it again.” – Ann Patchett

One more wonderful yoga class, one more long bus ride to Bangkok, two final travel days, and several flights and then I’ll be home.

All of these images are from just one of the many boat rides this summer –> this particular trip was the one from Ao Nang to Railay.

Three months of sleeping in new places

As the last few days of summer travel, work, and play come to an end, I’ve lost count of the number of places I’ve slept the past three months.

These pictures were all taken from the hotel we stayed at in Bangkok for a day before heading North to Chiang Mai.

Over the past few months, I’ve rested in numerous hotels, bungalows, and apartments. Some have been great, others not so great (bedbugs in one and rats and roaches in the others). At night, I’ve fallen asleep to the sound of the ocean crashing by my head and other nights I’ve fallen asleep listening to the sound of traffic or Bangkok club music.

I’m going to miss the sounds, the good views, and most of all this feeling I have when I look back at the photos taken in the quiet moments this summer.

Goodbye for now

Currently in the Don Mueang International airport. Off to Yangon in just two short hours.

In Yangon, I feel my real adventure awaits.

Thailand has been a real blessing in my life so far and an entirely beautiful experience. In Thailand, I appreciate the kindness, feeling safe, the small comforts (from coffee to wifi), and most of all the moments I fell in love with the place (too numerous to count). In the midst of the coup, the curfew, everything, Thailand has given me a chance to explore a place without much restraint and for that I am thankful. I’ll be back again in 28 days, but for now, I feel sad to go.

Monsoon days, heat waves, and all are waiting for me in Yangon (and the rest of the country) and I’m ready. Its truly a strange thing to be living out a long time dream of mine. Burma//Myanmar has been in my thoughts and dreams for years and it doesn’t seem real that I finally get to go.

I’m off to explore another new place and throw myself in to something I deeply care about.

Internet won’t be available most of the time, so, for now . . .

Just adventure well.

“To venture causes anxiety, but not to venture is to lose one’s self…. And to venture in the highest is precisely to be conscious of one’s self.”- Soren Kierkegaard

Bits + pieces, Bangkok

 

Going to enjoy this city one more day before (*hopefully) flying to Yangon tomorrow.

Yesterday’s activities included a visit to the Chatuchak weekend market (apparently the largest market in the world, or Asia? or something. . . ) and I had the time of my life. I was so in love with all the beautiful things and the opportunities to people-watch that I didn’t know what to do with myself.

For now, I’m ready for the next adventure and the next new country!

Travel, glorious travel, you’ve been good to me so far.

Memories

“Everybody needs his memories. They keep the wolf of insignificance from the door.” -Saul Bellow

Back to Bangkok

This is a little of what my day back in Bangkok looked like.

I’m staying at this really quite (cheap and clean) hostel outside the city (*When I say quiet, I mean it too. I think I’m the only guest here).

The trip from Koh Tao (ferry –> bus –> train –> tuktuk) was very long and exhausting, but I still managed to spend most of my day traveling around and seeing new streets in Bangkok. So far, I’m really impressed by this city. It is full of far more surprises than I imagined and I am glad to be back for a little bit longer.

Grand Palace | Bangkok, Thailand

When I landed In Bangkok, I realized I had no idea what I had to see and do in Bangkok. I stepped off the plane and realized I should have done more research. In talking with friends who live there, everyone said I had to see the Grand Palace. I did. It was beautiful, but I have a really hard time at most popular sites, temples, monuments, palaces, etc. I don’t know why, but that’s just the way it is. It was hot, it was crowded, and I’m really glad I went. I leave the lovely Koh Tao today for traffic, noise, and excitement. Bangkok round two, here I come! Most travelers in Koh Tao these days are heading to Koh Pha Ngan for the full moon party and in order to avoid the crowds and the mess, I’m going back up north to the big cities and enjoy these next few days in Thailand.