ocean

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.

Life lessons

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.”- Mother Teresa

Currently writing from an adorable cafe in Chiang Mai and sipping on the best coffee I’ve had all summer.

Today marks one week – one week left in Thailand and one week left traveling this summer.

Overall, the past three months have taught me more than I thought they would. It has been hard, really hard at times, but also incredibly important. Moments have been so beautiful others have been hard, but I’ve found they have all been equally memorable. At the end of each day, one thing is certain and that is I am incredibly grateful for this summer and all these experiences in places far from home and special.

Current obsession –>

The rocks and cliffs at Tonsai.

I just cannot seem to get them out of my head. They’re so entirely beautiful and powerful and I’m anxiously anticipating my next trip back!

I’ve tried drawing these cliffs dozens of times, but now I feel what I really need are my paints.

The past few days

Back in Thailand, in Krabi Town, and in recovery mode!

Up to this point, my days back in Thailand have been a hilarious blend of extreme highs and lows. In Phuket, I got to spent time with Eva, Peter, and Donna (for a few hours). Once they left, I realized Phuket and I didn’t like each other much and I made my way to Krabi.

From Krabi, I somehow ended up on a boat, then on a trek through the jungle barefoot (with my pack and all my gear), and then to a tiny beach surrounded by beautiful cliffs made for the real rock climbers of the world. I had made it to Tonsai beach.

Tonsai is certainly one of those places that will be hard to ever forget. The three nights I spent there all seemed like a dream. The views are glorious, the people cool and friendly, and the activities are endless (Tonsai is where some of the best rock climbers in the world hang out and now I know why).

I would still be there now in my little jungle hut without electricity if it wasn’t for getting sick. On night three, all my years of bragging about not getting any stomach sickness from Indo, India, Nepal, etc came back to me and hit me hard. Getting sick is fun nowhere, but getting sick in the jungle without electricity or running water (*and with only roaches, frogs, geckos and mice as company) is really fun. The next morning, I found another boat and a truck and made my way back to Krabi Town (apparently the place to get sick, electricity everywhere, real showers, and a pharmacy on every corner).

Although I still feel weak and only like a fraction of my true self, I’m trying to learn the importance of rest. My sick days have reminded me of the importance of yoga breathing and of giving myself and my body permission to recover.

Hoping for health and the strength to explore in the coming days.

Island visit | Elephanta Island, Maharashtra, India

I found these images this weekend tucked away in a folder. Early August in India was pretty great.

On this day, so many months ago now, TT, Jess, and I made the short boat ride out to Elephanta Island from Mumbai. What I remember most from this place is the color. Everything seemed to glow.

Today in Chapel Hill, I’m wearing fur and its winter, but its just as bright and sparkly as it was in India on this day.

Ruins | Tulum, Mexico

More proof of why 2013 rocked.

Mayan ruins in Tulum.

The other afternoon I attempted to make sense of more photos and get organized. These came up and I wanted to share a little more of Mexico and remember the absolute beauty of this place. I visited the ruins on a day it was incredibly sun-soaked (*entirely different than it is today in NC).

I’m beyond happy and grateful I had opportunities to see and experience places (*like this) in 2013 and I’m excited to see what the new year brings.

I hope and plan to travel (*often) and continue to take far too many photos for my own good.