To Beauty from Devastation

January

January was a slow month for me in Thailand. I was working on a very small budget after purchasing an iPad and and catching up from all of my spendings the previous month. One trip we did take though was to Khao Lak, which resides on the West coast of Southern Thailand in the Phang Nga Province. It is situated right on the Adaman Sea, and it is defiantly in my top 10 of favorite Thailand places. The trip to Khao Lak was bittersweet. Just shy of ten years prior, much of Thailand's coastline was hit by a tsunami that decimated the area, hitting the town of Khao Lak the worst.

 

Let me start by explaining our "adventure" before the adventure. Our itinerary for getting to Khao Lak included catching a charter bus from the bus station on Talad Mai Rd all the way into the town of Khao Lak. It seemed simple. But, as I have now learned, nothing in Thailand is a simple as it seems. Our tuk tuk dropped us off at a small bus departure area away from the actual bus stop, where a woman proceeded to tell us that there was not a charter bus to Khao Lak until later in the afternoon. When you only have a weekend to travel to different places around Thailand you start to value every hour that you have. Apparently, the scheduled buses were not there because of the protests in Bangkok, and there was no way for us to get one any earlier.

So, she offered for her driver to take us in his personal 4-door Honda Civic, but for a price. After several bouts of negotiating, we all decided the price was worth getting there as early as we could. So we all hopped in his little car with our fingers crossed.

I think we spent the majority of the three hour ride on the wrong side of the road or nearly flying off the cliffs on either side. I had to lookout the window the entire time so I didn’t spew my breakfast all over the girls. I also pretend that I was a nascar driver and moved my body with each jerk the driver made. It was terrifying! We were so glad to finally arrive, safely, and stand on our own two feet. Never again, please!

Khao Lak was beautiful. The town was my favorite of all the places we’ve visited. It wasn’t crowded, but there was enough people for it to be exciting. The roads and sidewalks were huge, and you didn’t feel like you were constantly bumping into someone or falling in a pothole like other overcrowded tourist areas we have visited. It was great! Our hostel was really nice too. At Seaweed Hostel the rooms were big and the price was small. It was a great deal! Four of us shared a room and became creative with the divider curtains during our pregame session and 90’s dance show.

My goal for the trip was to find a surf spot or at least somewhere to rent a SUP board. I quickly realized surfing wasn’t going to happen due to the lack of waves. I eventually found a really nice Aussie guy who had SUP boards I could rent from him. I was so nice to finally get in a paddle, and all of the other teachers enjoyed the experience as well.

Khao Lak was also where I saw my first amazing sunset in Thailand. We sat on the beach for over an hour just watching the sun slowly disappear behind the endless sea. It was beautiful!

Our night out was defiantly one for the books. It started with a great Mexican meal and then endless hours of playing the song/artist guessing game. It’s the little things that will keep us entertained for hours! I am sad to say I probably will not be back to Khao Lak before I head back to the states, but hopefully, one-day, I will be able to bring family and friends back to share these great experiences (and awesome food :)

January ended with the much anticipated and planned Beer Olympics. On a side note, it’s March 14 and my house still has a hint of beer smell to it. Gross! It was a great night, and I’m pretty sure my team, should have, won!! J O well, next time. The last weekend of January also introduced us to Dieter and his amazing hospitality and German food!! It was a perfect 'low-key' weekend filled with activities around Surat, including; finding a lake and a swimming hole, hitting a few balls, 'off-roading' and divulging in loads of sausages and sauerkraut. 

XoXo