Holiday in the Sun

Every day in Thailand is a new adventure. This idea really hit home last Friday when I began traveling for a collective 24-hours in order to get to a very important place: the beach!

It all started when I travelled to Bangkok in the early evening with the intention of catching an overnight bus to Koh Chang, an island on the eastern seaboard. Because nothing about travelling is ever easy, I showed up at the bus terminal only to be told that the man before me bought the last bus ticket. The next bus would leave at 5 o’clock the following morning. (At least, that’s what I think I was told… the language barrier is still very much so an issue for me.)

When I heard the news, my heart immediately sunk. Here I was, an hour further from my end destination and no idea where to turn next. I decided to try my luck at a different bus terminal on the other side of town with the hope that there was still an overnight bus available there. After racing through the city, I made it to the second bus terminal only to be told the same thing: no busses. Come back at 5:00 a.m.

At this point, I was googling how much a flight would cost to get to the province of Trat, my connection to the ferry to Koh Chang. That idea was immediately shut down when I found out tickets were upwards of $200 (AKA way out of my teaching and traveling budget). So, I did what any person stuck in the middle of Bangkok with an insane commitment to get to the beach would do. I went to a third bus terminal.

By then, it was almost 11 o’clock at night. I think in any other scenario I would have felt completely defeated, but there’s something about the magic of Thailand that led me to believe I shouldn’t give up just yet. I finally made it to the third bus terminal and was told some bittersweet news: I should go back to first bus terminal where I started this epic journey. Although I was questioning how crazy it was to return to the place that already turned me away, I decided I didn’t have too much to lose and I should go back anyway.

I thought my best bet at this rate would be to scope out the overnight bus and keep my eyes peeled to see if there were any vacant seats. As I made my way over to the bus terminal, a kind Thai girl in her mid-20s asked if I was trying to get to Koh Chang. I don’t usually go around announcing my travel plans, but she seemed like she wanted to get somewhere as badly as I did so I admitted that’s where I wanted to go. Luckily, my instinct was right and she revealed to me that she was trying to take a taxi to a province near the island. At first when she told me the price for a taxi, it seemed steep. Then, I mentally tallied the amount it would cost me to pay for a hostel overnight in Bangkok and catch a bus by dawn the next day. This taxi was a good deal in comparison and I was soon sold on the idea.

After confirming the price and that the taxi driver was comfortable driving overnight, we began our 5 hour journey. It was just past midnight and I was exhausted. I dozed in and out of sleep for the first couple of hours and awoke at 3:00 in the morning somewhat recharged. My new friend would be arriving at her destination soon and then it was up to me to keep the driver awake as he finished the 2-hour trek to the ferry pier. Normally, I have no problem talking to strangers, a trait I inherited from my mother and maternal grandfather. Yet, chitchatting is much more difficult when it involves 2 people who only know a dozen words of each other’s language. Thankfully, the driver popped in a CD with a mix of LeAnn Rimes, Whitney Houston, and some Thai bands. In the cab, I learned a great lesson in communication. When language fails, turn to music.

The taxi driver was truly a gift sent from above and was kind enough to drop me off directly in front of the ferry. It was nearly 5:30 in the morning, which was perfect timing to catch the first ferry at 6 a.m. In a beautiful turn of events, I was able to watch the sunrise from atop of the ferry. This was a breathtaking site to see after 12 hours of nonstop travel.

I finally stepped foot on the island of Koh Chang at 7:00 in the morning and boarded a truck to Lonely Beach, my desired location for the weekend. I successfully jumped all of the hurdles in order to get to the island, but I still didn’t have a room to sleep in for the weekend. Fortunately, I was able to meet up with a fellow teacher friend and find a flexible hostel with a room to spare.

The scenery from the hostel was spectacular! Click photo to enlarge.

Before I could fully enjoy all that the beach had to offer, I chose to catch up on a little sleep before I completely lost my sanity. After a catnap, I woke up refreshed and ready to go. In addition to lounging on the beach, Saturday included a leisurely brunch, some beachside shopping and a massage, making all of my hard work well worth it. I ended the day in good company, watching the sunset with my feet in the sand.

It was so special seeing both the sunrise and the sunset on Saturday. Click photo to enlarge.

 

On Sunday, my friends and I booked a boat tour that took us snorkeling around Koh Chang. As a first time snorkeler, I was a bit nervous at first. 

Snorkeling with my new fishy friends! Click photo to enlarge.

After ingesting only a little saltwater, I got the hang of it. I embraced my inner-mermaid and enjoyed all of the creatures under the sea!

Another attempt at becoming a mermaid... Click photo to enlarge.

Since it was a three-day weekend, I spent most of Monday completing my journey home. By Tuesday, it was time to return to school – just in time for Valentine’s Day! In Thailand, kids show their love by putting stickers all over each other. After school, I celebrated the holiday with my favorite group of 4-year-olds. Together we made heart crowns, ate yummy treats and posed for silly pictures, properly decked out in pink and red. Those little love bugs melt my heart, even if it’s not Valentine’s Day!

The silly pose is always more fun than the serious one! Click photo to enlarge.

Wednesday marked my last tutoring session with the two sweet sisters. It was such a joy getting to know them and teaching them what they might not otherwise get to learn.

A farewell to these sweet sister friends. Click photo to enlarge.

Next week, my students will begin taking their final exams. I can already tell they’re itching to get to summer break, so I am cherishing my last few classes with them. These kids continue to challenge me, encourage me and make me a more patient and empathetic person. No matter how many ups and downs I encounter in Thailand, I always feel like I learn more because of it. I’m so happy I will be staying a second semester to grow more as a teacher by learning about my students and grow more as a traveler by learning about myself.