Bangkok and Phuket

“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” (Jack Kerouac)

Airports in India are a bit silly. I had to go to the domestic airport to fly from Mumbai to Delhi but then had to switch to the international airport in Delhi to fly to Bangkok. Easy, but a pain in the ass. Fortunately everything went smoothly and everything was on time and ready to go! I didn’t even have to wait until Thailand to meet someone! I met a girl on the plane from Delhi to Bangkok named A who I invited to share my room with me because she was alone as well and it was close to the airport. We were so excited and stayed up late eating ice cream and watching “Roman Holiday”! The next day we got into the city where I had a room at the Erawan House and wow…this is where I am meant to be! Bangkok is amazing! Shops everywhere, amazing street food, different people from all over the world. It was a dream come true. That night A went to meet up with a guy she had met in India and I ended up going out with an Irish couple I met. We went to a bar where things started to get crazy around 11, it was a party in the street with everyone drinking and dancing and just happy. We ended up going to a club (actually called The Club) and met some guys from England. I didn’t get back until around 5! I would call that a very successful first evening!

The next day (Thursday) A and I were pretty tired from the night before (she had been out late as well). We hung out and looked at some shops before she left with her friend from India to go to Chang Mai. After they left I met two English guys named M and An. They were nice and we planned on meeting up later that night. It actually ended up being a big group. I went with the Irish couple (E and T) and met M and An as well as the guys from the night before. M also had friends he was with so it was really fun. I didn’t drink at all (still sore) but I had a blast. This is exactly why I wanted to travel; to meet new people!

Friday was the beginning of Songkran, the Thai New Year. In other words I got completely soaked the minute I stepped outside! During Songkran there is a huge water fight! Everyone has water guns (I got one and named her Laura Croft) and just throws water at everyone! It’s a little kids dream come true! I went out with M and An and it had looked like we had jumped into a swimming pool! We spent the afternoon/night getting into furious water fights with strangers and each other! By the end of the night I was freezing but very happy!

Unfortunately M and An left the next day for Chang Mai (however I was planning on meeting up with them in a few days) so I was on my own again. I hibernated for most of the day because being that wet all day and night did not sound appealing. In the evening I went and got food and then met two guys from Germany named L and B and spent the night hanging out with them. We had an absolute blast! There was some sort of concert going on and of course we were completely wet and exhausted by the end. We got stuck in a big crowd at one point and when we got out my camera was gone. On the one hand I was really upset (especially since I had pictures from the night before) but on then other hand I was relieved that my phone, cash, and debit card were still there.  So although I was sad, I refused to let it ruin my night. Once again, I had bad luck with timing. L and B were leaving the next day! I got breakfast with them and then L and I went out and were so tired when we got back from the crowds and the water. I immediately went and took a nap. Somehow I managed to get up and go out again that night. Again I met some English guys and again I was tired and wet by the end of the night.

When I woke up Monday morning I was very happy that it was the last day of the water fights. It is really fun but it’s tiring and I hated not being able to leave my room without getting drenched. When I did go out that night it wasn’t good. I was sick of people throwing freezing water and I got mad at people putting chalk powder on my face (something they do during Songkran). I realized that I was finished and headed back before I got cranky. I sat at the restaurant across from my guesthouse and got tea to warm me up and ended up sitting with some Swiss guys. They were actually really nice and offered to go with me to the mall the next day (I needed a new camera).

So the next day I got breakfast and walked around with my new Swiss friends; R, P, and B. They are silly and sweet and I like them! We went to the big mall (MBK) in the afternoon so I could get a new camera. WOW! The mall was enormous! I have never seen so much crap in one place. The bling from all the iphone covers was blinding and I don’t think I have ever seen so many unnecessary accessories in my life! But it was still fun, I liked seeing different stores and what people were buying and all the food and just the general atmosphere. I did get a new camera and then we had to leave or be suffocated by the amount of stuff everywhere. We took a walk down Koh San road and then I went to take a shower and have some me time before dinner. We hung out with a crazy awesome girl from Spain and another guy from England and stayed up late talking and laughing. I have officially survived Sognkran 2013 and had a great time for my first trip to Bangkok!

On Wednesday I took a short flight to Phuket to meet M and An. We met at the airport and got a cab to Patong Beach. We took showers and got dinner and took a walk on the beach. The next day M and I went to see the Big Buddha! Wow not only was it massive and beautiful, the view was unbelievable!  You could see miles and miles of blue ocean and green land. I really don’t know what I found more amazing, the Buddha or the vast beauty of Phuket. After that we were dying of heat and went to Kata Beach, which was close by. The water was perfect and we got there around 4ish so it was blazing hot anymore. We swam and relaxed until we were ready for showers. After dinner we ended up booking a day trip to Phi Phi Island for the next day. So after a movie we all went to sleep early.

Since our taxi was picking us up at 7:15 I woke up at 6:30 (ughhh). We got to the pier and our ferry left at 8:30 so we got there around 10:30. I was tired and sore from sitting funny on the boat but Phi Phi Island looked like paradise. We got breakfast and then spent the day on the beach. The water is completely clear and really shallow so you can literally sit down in the water and not move. It was really hot and I actually wished the water had been a bit cooler. I looked around and saw beauty everywhere. It looked like a post card you see at a book store or a random picture on google when you search “perfect vacation spots.” I couldn’t help but think how incredibly lucky I am and how proud of myself I am for living my dreams. We took the boat back and then a mini bus back to Patong. We went out to dinner for the last time because M and An were leaving the next day. I am really glad I met them they are really awesome!

Saturday was lazy because I didn’t feel great. A bit too much sun from Phi Phi Island I think. I booked a flight to Koh Samui and from there I will be taking a ferry to Koh Tao to meet the Swiss guys. After that I think I am going to meet A so we can do Laos and/or Cambodia! I treated myself to sushi for dinner and read and wrote postcards. I packed most of my stuff and am pretty set for my flight tomorrow (it’s only an hour) and ready to go somewhere new. It’s so strange that I can book a flight for the next day and it’s no problem when back home I do it weeks, if not months, in advance. This is definitely a new type of life and I am enjoying every minute of it!

Signed,

Packed and Ready