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From Prachuap

June 7, 2019: Travel Day

Date of stay in Koh Tao: June 7-9

We caught a bus early and began our further decent down the coast to another town called Koh Tao aka “Death Island”. I posted about this early on because it truly was my first “Oh shit I’m not indestructible” moment.

At this point, we’ve abandoned our early travel plans, and are heeding the advice of a new path given to us by the Man from Prachuap. He gave Johnny his old paper map. He told us about “better” places to visit.

Take the advice. They know what they’re talking about.

We headed to Koh Tao, Thailand.

The bus ride was easy.

We caught a ferry out to Koh Tao. There are three islands that make up the trinity of “party islands” in the gulf. One of which is home to the notorious “Full Moon Party”.

We spent the night on a quiet part of the island. The next morning my Mom gave me the heads up about the “Death Island” reputation and John and I decided to play it safe. No mixed drinks, no late night beach walks. Better to be safe than sorry. We stayed two nights and headed back to the mainland. Here are some great shots.

All photos belong to John Philip Sessions

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More Prachuap

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Prachuap Khiri Kahn, Thailand

June 5-7, 2019

The town who taught me how to meditate like Buddha. Who taught John how to drive a motorcycle. Who taught us how to ride together. The perfect parent town to send us off the right way into our adventure. With the perfect guides.

I’ll explain.

We caught a bus from Pechetburi (the cave town) to Prachuap. We got in around sundown. A sleepy sweet, quiet beach town. We chose a guest house named “Grandma’s House” (of course 💕). A beautiful teak wood home run by several mothers and their little girls.

We decided to hop across the street to a small pizza shop. There was one other couple there. A rough looking man and his pretty Thai native wife. The owner quickly came up to us with menus, a fan, and the warmest most welcoming smile I’ve ever seen. This man had dreads down to his knees and Thai reggae playing. Ahhhh 🥰 comfort. We ordered a pizza. He sat with us. He immediately connected with me and asked me if I was okay. Honestly, I was worn from the travel and my nerves were a little fried. He saw me. We ended up bonding with the other couple and joined them. The man was so drunk. He and John hit it off, but one look at me and he said “He didn’t like my eyes. I had a look that could kill”. But he said this in broken English. I won’t disclose where he was from because he is now very dear to me. At the time, I was offended. He kept picking on me. At one point he turned to John and said “you like this?” While pointing at me. John responded “I LOVE this”. And hugged me. He told the guy to lay off and he did. I was still upset. Bibong (the pizza shop owner) and I struck up conversation and connected deeper. Bibong told me how drunk the other man was, and that he wouldn’t be the same tomorrow. To not be offended. He said he could tell that I can see people and this man probably was uncomfortable on some level with that. He said the man meant “I looked intense”. I understand. So I chilled. Bibong brought me a bowl of fresh fruit and some peanuts. He taught me how to “not play” the base guitar properly, because by playing under confinement, you stunt yourself. I was smiling from ear to ear after my time with Bibong. We also learned to match each other’s pitches by playing with spoons (or whatever) on drinking glasses. If I was playing with too much strength, the would play softer and I would learn to meet his pitch. He, the same. Then he brought John over for us to play together. Lesson in true balance anyone? The other man took John to rent a motorcycle. This guy is a big deal in this town. And a big deal wherever he lived before here. He got John a nice bike for a great price, and taught him how to ride. We agreed to meet them in the morning for a personal tour of the town. I was still uneasy about spending time with the other guy. I was pissed at his immediate (albeit accurate) reading of me. His wife was so kind. We went to bed.

The next morning I had my first “Thai Tea” and realized my debit card had sprung legs and disappeared somewhere in Bangkok. Froze my accounts and transferred money to John. More trust lessons.

We were up for the sunrise and it was....Ouufffff. Spectacular.

We met our new guide and his wife at 11 am. He took us to a local fishing pier where all of seafood in Bangkok (and the surrounding areas) is caught. Each fishing boat had its own unique brightly painted bodies. He (our guide) and his wife explained that all seafood distributed to Bangkok was caught here.

He then took us to his favorite temple. His sign is the Dragon. So is John’s. He said he couldn’t go in with us because “Buddha is his friend, and I weep”. He explained he didn’t feel loved by any other religion because of the judgment he may face. The Christ I know and loved dined with a multitude of sinners and loved them nonetheless. This man and whatever sins he’d racked up over his lifetime, felt differently. Fear and the Church can do that to a persons faith and inner peace I suppose. But, “Buddha loves him”. I was glad this man found a vessel to unconditional love and acceptance. This was John’s temple too. He was moved in a way I hadn’t seen, even after touring numerous other temples. We then went to our guides favorite private beach. I asked him why he moved to Thailand and he very seriously said “That’s a silly question”. I knew what he meant. He then took us to an outdoor restaurant where you selected your living crab, and boom: they prepare it for you. Divine. I love crab so much. My favorite seafood of all the seafoods. This was John’s first time having crab. He loved it. The man noticed how I can clean a crab from claw to claw and he was impressed. I’m winning him over.

Not that I needed to. I knew he already cared about Johnny and myself. But still, gotcha. We finished and decided to tour the local aquarium. After, he and his wife went home for a nap, and he told John and I where we should swim. We stopped for coffee and then off to the beach. The water was HOT. Shallow and roasting in the tropical sun all day. A warm bath, but beautiful nevertheless.

We retired to Grandmas house, then back to Bibongs’ Pizza joint. John played the guitar while Bibong played the glasses (once again). The man and his wife returned. He took John into town to purchase bus tickets for the next day. I sat with his wife while she opened up about her two sons, both of which were not in her day to day life. She misses them immensely. The father of her first son is deceased, and the second “isn’t a good man”, and she rarely sees the two year old. Bibong shared with me how the Buddha meditates under the tree. He told me of a way to sit for meditation that apparently is very difficult for one to achieve. I sat down and did it immediately. Both Bibong and the mans wife looked very surprised. Bibong rushed over to a drawer and pulled out one of his Buddha medallions. He wanted me to have it. He told me I already knew myself, that I just needed to “remember”. I happen to carry stones with me. I had a piece of amber from San Marcos, that I washed in the river before I left. I gave it to Bibong. I also had a pink opal (it is my favorite stone) and I gave that to the wife. She cried. It was a very sweet exchange on all sides. A monumental one for me. Bibong has a stone from my home, and I a relic from his. He gave one to Johnny upon his return. We carry them in our packs. Bibong and I discussed how similar Christ and Buddha seem to be, in their true essence. How the church and modern day Christianity has strayed so far from the divine unconditional love Christ practiced. He confirmed what I felt in my heart. That Buddha and Christ are probably very good friends. Don’t come for me. Why can’t there be peace amoung religious dieties? Just think about it.

We drank a little more. I shared with the man one of my favorite singers from his home country. He almost fell over. Got em again. He took us one by one back to our hotel. He kept saying to me how “he wasn’t a good man”. I looked very seriously at him and told him he was. Before I left, Bibong asked if he could kiss my cheeks. Of course. We hugged and he said “I’ll see you in heaven”.

John and I are planning on returning to this town before we leave Thailand.

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“A Night in Chinatown”

Photo belongs to John Sessions

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More photos from Bangkok

1) Dat two Wat

2) Infront of the Reclining Buddha at day two Wat

3) Happy Shelby in Chinatown

4) Learning how to make a gong sing

5) Chinatown fishies

6) Johnny and his streetfood in C town

7) Monks on a ferry

8) Shelby on a ferry

9) Spirit house tree

10) The Palace, again

All photos belong to John Philip Sessions

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Bangkok Reflections: our first stop, and starting place.

Date of post: July 14, 2019

Current location: Sa Pa, Vietnam

Date of venture post is about: Wow I’m so behind. May 30- June 2, 2019

Location of venture: Bangkok, Thailand

Back to basics. Basics meaning, back to our first city. The beautiful cultural madhouse monster that is Bangkok, Thailand.

We were only here for three days (May 30- June 2nd). We will end our excursion in Bangkok so we will be seeing the city through new eyes. I’m already changed, so I honestly can’t wait to dive deeper into that crazy place.

Night One

We arrived in BK around 12am (12pm Texas time), and yes, we were whooped after 30 hours of travel, but I was wired. Feeling incredibly alive and excited. Perhaps a tad delusional but that’s neither here or there now. We went on the hunt for beer. I think I mentioned we stumbled upon a bar named SOS. The owner was Johns age and opened the bar after he and his wife split. His bar was closed but he offered us craft beer (craft beer is a new thing in Thailand, he definitely took a risk opening SOS) anyway. We drank and chatted for a while, met some other locals our age. We are all friends on social media now and have been chatting throughout our travels. We finally decided to go try and get some sleep.

Day One

The next morning we had breakfast at the top of our hotel and then off to the Royal Palace 👑

I wore shorts and a tastefully sleeveless top. We boarded the water bus (a ferry that travels by way of the main canal through BK). Before stepping off, a tour guide told me I would need to cover my knees and shoulders, or I wouldn’t be allowed through the palace gates. Okay! Easy. I was a tad embarrassed and definitely felt like a newbie tourist. I don’t like feeling like a “tourist”... even when I’m touring 😜.

Here’s a good rule for traveling. Don’t purchase from the first place/shop/stand you see. I ended up buying two sarong’s (one for my waist, one as a shawl for my shoulders) UPON the suggestion of the seller, whom I internally deemed as a “sweet older lady”. For 200 baht each. I now know how overpriced those items were. On top of it, once we bought our tickets and began to walk through the gates, I was stopped by a guard and told my “shawl” wouldn’t suffice. That I needed a legitimate sleeved shirt. This “sweet older lady” totally knew I wouldn’t get past the guards with the sarong “shawl” she sold me but, ya know, enjoy your 200 extra baht. I’ve been using the heck out of that sarong. Luckily Johnny was (for some insane reason, because it was SO hot) wearing two shirts. So he quite literally gave me the shirt off of his back. Into the palace we go!

But first, coffee. So, we read about this special golden coffee you could only purchase in the royal palace, but neither of us remembered it when we stopped in for coffee at a shop right outside the palace gates. I ordered two “Golden Cofee’s” assuming it was black coffee, named golden for the theme of Thailand. Gold is their color. Y’all. This coffee was the best coffee I’ve ever had. I’m still not sure what made it so divine, but it caused me to snap a picture of Johnny having his first sip because I myself, physically reacted to how delicious it was.

We toured the palace for free with an English speaking guide, who was just adorable. We met other tourists and chatted about what brought us to the golden land. So many gorgeous Wat’s and temples. Words seem so insufficient and I honestly don’t know how to describe 90% of what I’ve witnessed on this trip. Thankfully, pictures will do what my mind and writing cannot. For the most part. Seeing it with the naked eye is the only way to understand the majesty. Experiencing it for yourself.

After touring the palace, we accidentally got off the ferry one stop after our hotel. We decided to walk back and see Bangkok for what it truly was. The everyday local life. We found an outdoor exercise park. For free. Why don’t we have these in America? Perhaps we like our “super size’s” too much. Why is it more expensive to be healthy than not? Oye vey. Found some cute kitties. They came straight over. Walked further and made it to our hotel after passing through the hustle and bustle of “real life”. The people who beg in Thailand just bow their heads. They won’t even look at you. We gave where we could.

No. Jet lag. None. I was pretty concerned about jet lag because it really messed with me when I studied for a summer in the UK. I’m now realizing there were many contributing factors as to why that experience didn’t and couldn’t touch the divinity of this one. We decided to chill at the hotel pool and take a nap. I set an alarm and made sure we got up because if we had slept longer, we would’ve fallen into the nap trap.

Got up, showered, then? Chinatown. Oh yes. Chinatown is buzzing with street food vendors, neon lights, grand hotels, fruit, massage parlors, bugs on a stick (no thanks), everything. If you wanted it, you could probably find it here. We found a small stand to have a local beer. “Chang”. This is my new favorite beer. “Chang” means “Elephant” in Thai. I mentioned that Johnny bought me a flower, of which I later gave to a beggar woman. She was happy, and so were John and I.

We found the little fishies that eat the dead skin off of your feet. I convinced John to do it with me. I laughed for the first ten minutes and loved every second of it. I’d like to have these guys in a pond infront of my non-existent home.

Ate some street food. Noodles with pork in pork broth and chilies. Yum. Soooo yum. We also tried a Mangosteen. A “what” you say? Mangosteen. It’s my new favorite fruit (and I’ve tried many in the short month and a half I’ve been in SE Asia). Imagine if a nectarine had a baby with a plum apple. Weird right? But it’s the best example I can think of. John buys them for me when we see them in the market (wherever we are). The mangosteen is pictured below.

Day Two

The next morning, we were up with the sun. I’ve never been a morning person. Like, at all. But here I want my days to feel as long as possible, so up at sunrise it is. Gorgeous sunrises in practically every place we’ve stopped. Then, another great breakfast, and on to tour a popular Wat nearby. A Wat? You say? Okay I’ll stop. We stopped for coffee and I was able to reconnect with some old coworkers and friends. I have so much support and love for what I’ve chosen to do with this period of my life. Grateful.

This next Wat was also, spectacular. Pictured below. We saw one of the largest “Reclining Buddha’s” in Thailand. Then, we chose to find a famous chef, featured on Netflix, and Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown”. Her name is Jay Fai. We walked forever and finally found her. With a day long waitlist. Thanks Netflix? But we got to watch her cook. She’s an artist. We ate next door. Then we took a taxi back to the hotel and got out at a market. It was just opening so we witnessed vendors setting up. Still very cool. Made it back to the hotel to freshen up for our night on Koh San Road.

Koh San Road is historically known as “The Backpackers Road”. Lined with vendors offering backpackers anything they may need before embarking on their journey. Now? It’s like Sixth Street and Bourbon Street on speed. Insane T-Shirts. Example: We saw a shirt titled “Nirvana” (like the band) with a picture of “Hanson” below. Hysterical. We decided to stop at an empty street bar named “Lucky Bar”. Tons of adorable waitresses who, were not born female. The Thai Ladyboy is their own gender here and honestly, think and feel what you will, but I just love seeing people living happily. If we aren’t happy, then what the heck are we doing? We met friends from South Korea, Indonesia, South America, and Thailand. Before the night was through, we were all dining together and communicating via google translate. We both smile looking back on that night.

Day Three- Travel Day

The next day, we hit the 9 story mall to buy what we needed and didn’t bring. I purchased some light t shirts and a long skirt. John, a handy belt that held money, and a water proof bag for his camera. Then, on the mini bus to our next stop. Petchburi. I posted about this with photos, right before my inevitable “Good Morning, Vietnam” post.

Thank you again for reading! I hope this paints a clear picture of our short time in Bangkok. I’m very excited to experience the city on a deeper level in a few short weeks. I love you guys ♥️

Photo descriptions

1) First sunrise

2) First breakfast

3&4) Golden Coffee reactions

5) Palace selfie

6) Thai kitties

7) Chinatown

8) Mangosteen

9) Reclining Buddha

10) Jay Fai

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Good Morning

Hanoi, Vietnam 11:30 am

My breakfast: a Vietnamese twist on salmon lox

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More photos from Phetchburi 💜

Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park- A historical park in Phetchaburi, Thailand on a hill overlooking the city. The name Phra Nakhon Khiri means 'holy city hill', but locals know it better as Khao Wang, meaning 'hill with palace'. Rama IV (King Mongkut) built the palace and dozens of surrounding structures in 1859 as a retreat from Bangkok. The hilltop location allowed the king to pursue his interest in astronomy. Parts of the palace, made in a mix of European, Thai and Chinese styles, are now a museum furnished with royal belongings.

Plus a ton of sassy monkeys. One peed on our cart when the guide told him to shew. I laughed.

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Tham Khao Luang Cave

John’s photos from our cave experience in Phetchburi, Thailand.

This was our first stop after Bangkok. The sun beamed into the cave at exactly 10 am. It was suggested to us to be there for it. We made it happen and wow. So beautiful. So glad we did. This cave is and has been for hundred of years, a sacred worship sight. One of the Rama’s favorite worship sites. I understand Rama. We were here June 3-4.

All photos belong to John Philip Sessions

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Cambodia; the truth of traveling here.

Date of post: July 9, 2019

Date of stay: July 5-9

Okay. So we traveled down the Mekong River through Laos and stayed in a sweet little city called Luang Prabang (Laos). We stayed there for 3 nights and went antiquing with a older man named Herald, who we met on the boat. We went to meet his friend, a French antique dealer living in Luang Prabang. His gallery was out of this world. He had a piece from B.C. times. He knew his stuff, and he loves it.

We learned about international antiques and got to see (I totally touched it) an old human skull that was used in shamanic ceremonies hundreds of years ago. We learned what to look for when buying authentic items abroad. We stopped in a few more shops with Herald. We purchased some authentic textiles made from the clothing of the local Hmong tribes. We never would’ve found the authentic treasures we truly wanted, had it not been for our time with Herald. Then, the three of us sat along the river and had dinner. We spoke about life’s greatest questions, and how to surrender to inner peace. Herald is 76 and traveling alone. He’s been everywhere. He’s studied with highly enlightened beings in India. He’s asked the questions that I (and John) are asking and his answer? “I am”. You already are enough. The searching keeps one busy because we feel like we don’t already know. But we do. We are enough just as we are. We talked about the separation between source of light (inner peace) and the ego. And ALL the ways ego can mask itself to appear as something else.

You, as you were born, are perfect. Society gives us rules about how we should act and behave, and we subscribe to them and judge ourselves when we “don’t fit the rules”.

“It’s all bullshit”. Herald said.

Herald was an actor. He and I really clicked. I’m planning a trip to see an old friend in Oakland in September. Visiting Herald is on that list too now.

We took a plane to Siem Reap Cambodia.

Oh, Cambodia.....

Here’s the thing. Angkor Wat is absolutely magnificent. It’s worth every EVERY overpriced thing we’ve paid for here. But, this is a big “but”: the Cambodian people are so poor. So poor that everything you buy is comparable to American prices (aside from lodging) that it has skyrocketed us way past what we assumed we would be spending. Aside from the prices, for me and John, you have to put your moral/emotional being in a little jar while you’re here. We want to help anyone who asks but it’s impossible.

Our first night in a “hotel” John got attacked by three giant mosquito and woke up at 2 am covered in huge bites.

On to the next hotel. We found a nice antique boutique. 25 USD, not bad but wayyyyy more than we paid for the same lodging in Laos or Thailand. It’s clear and I understand that the Cambodian people need the money. Stayed there two nights. At the beginning of day two, we woke up at 4:20 am to watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat. A must. And I’m glad we did.

The night before we accidentally ordered (and ate because the waitress sat there watching us) turtle. We even said we didn’t want it while ordering, once we were told what the dish was. But: language barrier. So we got our two dishes, plus the turtle. I don’t want to talk about it. I won’t be eating turtle again. 😞

Genocide struck here in the 70’s when the Khmer Rouge regime came to power under a man named Pol Pot. Google it. This SOB killed (internet says 3 million, history here and archeologists believe it was closer to 8 million) of his own people. All the intellects. You wear glasses? Dead. Child? Can you work? No? Dead. Elderly, special needs, weak: all dead. There are “killing fields” here in Siem Reap, and at the capital. There’s a memorial here on one of the fields. We were planning on going to one but now we are leaving for Vietnam because of budget purposes. It’s the smartest thing to do.

But, those who survived Pol Pot were victims of land mines and torture. If I had a dollar for every person I saw missing a limb or several, I’d have about 7 dollars a day. And I’m not looking for them. It breaks my heart to have a limbless Cambodian drag/ wheel/ pull themselves up to me and ask for a dollar. You have to make yourself numb. So, Day 4 and I just try to ignore. And that sucks too. We did give, until we realized we couldn’t keep giving.

It’s even more of a bummer for the country of Cambodia because, contrary to what I believed, the profit made from the tourists visiting Angkor Wat goes to a private company in Vietnam. Cambodia doesn’t make money from its main money maker. I’ll read a little more into this to make sure it’s legit, but still. It’s no wonder a Coke here costs more than back home. They’re trying to get their fair cut from the tourism. I wonder what the country would be like if the people truly profited from Angkor Wat sales. I imagine they’d be far better off. It’s hard to not feel like we are constantly getting ripped off. You can’t think about it.

We tried to leave yesterday on a night bus. HA. This was really bad. We got on after paying $50 for the both of us. The driver was a total.... B. She kind of yelled at us for no reason right from the get go. No problem chick we just don’t know where we are going. There was about a 10 inch center isle. No seats, just bunks. On a rickety unmarked night bus. John and I were in ONE bunk. Our ticket covered one bunk for the two of us. We were on the bottom bunk and... no light. No window. No circulation. I felt my anxiety start and just decided to lay there. John asked me twice if I was okay with this, and I was nervous. But, I trust John enough that if he thinks we are okay, I will be okay too. But once people started boarding he made a decision that “nope we are getting off of this”. John got up and got stuck in the back because: 10 inch walkway. I was left in the bottom bunk and my claustrophobia kicked in. Full force. I haven’t felt that panic in 12 years, when I got stuck at the top of a lighthouse, and wow do I hate it. There’s no stopping it. I peered out in a tiny crack to see outside and no dice. No calming. I turned over and saw nothing but strangers legs. All the smells. I couldn’t breath. I closed my eyes and tried to meditate to calm myself. Then a random women climbed into bed with me because she thought it was hers. I was done. Get me off. We jumped off, got our bags, and ate the $50 bucks. We found a place with 50 cent draft beers and were just trying to calm our nerves. Then, the speaker blew. Guys, this sounded like a legitimate explosion. My back was to the restaurant so when I heard it I turned around totally expecting to see the top floor falling through. Everyone was ready to hit the ground (and a few angry customers left), but it was just the speaker. It happened one more time and John and I decided to just head to the new hotel. Our nerves fried. That’s the thing about traveling I guess. Especially in a third world country. You never know and it’s okay. Just trust you inner guidance. I’m so grateful John said “Nope”. It would’ve been hellacious. The bus ride was 12 hours, mind you. No bathroom either. We are flying to Hanoi Vietnam today. Call me a baby. If we had our own bunks it would be different.

I see you Cambodia. I love you Angkor Wat. Buts it’s time to say “goodbye”.

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7/11: Oh Thank Heaven

7/11 May be dying in the states. Clinging on by the infamous slurpie in a college town. Here? An oasis to weary travelers like Johnny and myself.

Our friend Reid gave me the heads up about the 7/11 grilled Sammie before we left.

I sorely underestimated how heavenly these little prepackaged sandwiches truly were.

John and I average the 7/11 at least once daily. Most times, twice. At least one meal (or a supplemental snack meal bc we are exerting a ton of energy, and I’m surprisingly hungry all of the time.) The 7/11 is closer to a small supermarket, or maybe I’m just intrigued and excited by the multitude of interesting snacks, that it feels like one.

You get a cold ham n cheese sammie for 25 baht. That’s about 81 cents. You pay for it. They ask “warm”. You say “Chai” and in 5 minutes, you have a perfectly crisped golden sammie. Or, “toastie”, to be proper.

7/11 gives me Dove shampoo, haribo gummies, my probiotic drink (truly has helps the digestion. Here and at home). The essential creature comforts that I wasn’t expecting to find while abroad.

They have a ton of healthy drink options too. Think purest form of an energy drink. Vitamin C, A, B.

We are now in Laos. Definitely not in Thailand.

No 7/11 here. I’m missing it.

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A map of our travel route, thus far.

So my posts are going to be out of order from where we’ve travelled because, that’s the way it’s going. But, to paint a clear picture. Here’s where we’ve gone in chronological order.

Flew into Bangkok, Thailand on May 30th.

Stayed three days.

Caught a mini bus to Phetchaburi: the cave town.

Stayed one night.

Then, caught another mini bus to Prachuap Khiri Khan. Where I met Bi-Bong. He has amber from the San Marcos river, and I have one of his cherished Buddha charms. A monumental exchange. I love and miss him everyday. We stayed two nights and want to go back. It felt like home.

Then, onto Koh Tao: Death Island.

We stayed 2 nights. And that was enough.

Back to the mainland. We caught another mini but to Ranong Thailand. We stayed one night. Met the Indonesian man and his family. The salt scrub place 😶

Onto another mini bus to Koh Lak. Devastated by the 2004 Tsunami. We stayed one night.

Then, Krabi. I loved Krabi. We stayed a night, then... the islands.

Took a Ferry boat to Koh Phi Phi. My magical infinity islands. The first time I’ve been able to cross something off of my bucket list. We stayed two nights.

Then, one more night in Krabi.

Then, bus to Koh Sok national park. We stayed three nights total. One in city center, one on the lake, the last back in city center. With Emma and Jordan.

Next? Terrifying bus ride to the Surat Thani airport where we flew to Chaing Mai.

4 nights in Chaing Mai. I am in love. We left yesterday for Pai.

Now, we are in Pai. We will be here for three nights until we head back to Chaing Mai.

I’ll attach a map. But I felt like this may be a good reference for the sporadic-ness of my posts.

Love you guys.

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Emma and Jordan 🥰 if you wanted a visual. My camera was foggy in the last pic. Humid just like home.

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Khao Sok National Park & Father’s Day

Date of post: June 19, 2019

Location of post: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Date of venture: June 14-16, 2019

Location of venture: Khao Sok National Park, Surat Thani, Thailand

From Krabi, we took a bus to the village right outside of the enterance the Khao Sok National Park.

One of the oldest remaining parts of the natural rainforest, dating back hundreds of millions of years. Preserved by a terrible small pox outbreak that killed 80% of the village population in the 1940’s, and then protected by a rouge group of communists during the 70’s who practiced geurilla warfare tactics warding off colonialism.

We didn’t know where we were going to stay so we hopped in that back bed of a locals truck and headed into town center.

We were dropped at the Green Mountain guest house, where we ate the best food we’ve experienced in Thailand yet. We’ve hit close to 8 towns before arriving here.

John asked to meet the chef and, our waitress got a look on her face, I think she assumed we were going to complain. We told her that her cooking was the best we’ve had yet. We told her about all of the towns we’d dined in before hers. She was so happy, but more surprised that we wanted so badly to tell her how wonderful her crafted cooking was. And it was artiful.

I love Tom Yum Goong. It’s my favorite dish I’ve had here, but I’m making it a point to eat something different as much as I can. And that’s been a pretty easy feat. So. Much. Delicious. Food. And I LOVE the Thai spice. It’s not debilitating and all encompassing like in Texas. Although, don’t get me wrong, I love our TexMex. Thai spice has so many other flavors that compliment the fire you’re eating.

We ended up staying at the guesthouse where the restraraunt resided. Our room was very nice and tucked away. When we first arrived, I walked up to the super sweet pupper of the guesthouse. I said “Hi baby” and without looking, his tail started thumping.

His name was “Coffee” and he looked like a little adorable hybrid dog bear. So sweet. When we left, John threw him some chicken. He slept outside of our room the two nights we stayed.

We scheduled our “jungle trek”. Two days, one night on Cheow Lan Lake. Sleeping on floating bungalo’s in the middle of the lake.

The next morning the van picked us up, and we immediately met a couple from Colorado. They were my age, and traveling for two weeks. Julie and Joe. Easy to remember all the “J’s”. I thought we were going to be alone, and honestly I was glad to meet other people our age.

We picked up two 18-something British couples who were only a few days into their trip, and obviously processing that they weren’t in Kansas anymore.

We picked up one more French couple, and they became our travel buddies after we emerged from the jungle. Emma and Jordan. Not “Jor-Dan”. Say it with the French accent and the name sounds so much more beautiful beacause, duh. French vs. English in terms of diction, French will always be the more beautiful of the languages, in my opioln.

Okay. We took an hour long, long boat ride to our bungalows. John and I sat in the front. About halfway through the boat ride, we noticed a heavy mist setting in, blurring our sight. Not mist. Rain. You like pina coladas? I do. And getting caught in the rain? I definitely do. We were soaked in 30 seconds. I loved it.

We got to our bungalow and had lunch prepared by the family who lived and hosted these tours with our companions. Then, jungle hike time.

Okay. I wore leggings, a white t, and my trail shoes. We pulled up the the trail on longboat and the first thing we see is a sign that read “DANGER Trail Closed”.

Okiiiiiiii... trusting. Trust is paramount here.

We started anyway. So beautiful. The air smelled healthy. Like it was hosting millions of happy flora. And it was. We hiked for 30 min before our guide stopped us for a “leech check”. Now, I imagine leeches as the big fat black buggies we see in the movies. Nope. The suckers (haha) looks like desperate little earth worms, sprouting out of the ground, clinging to the first bit of your they could. I didn’t have any! Yay! Neither did John. We kept going.

We got to a part in our hike where I guided turned to us and said “Okay, very steep. We climb like monkeys”. Cool. We both (Johnny and I) have our own natural rock climbing experiences (it’s been a while for me, but it really is like riding a bike and my confidence came back quickly) but I was worried about our fellow hikers. Especially the young British ones. Said a quick lil prayer that no one would be harmed. Glad I did because we were literally climbing what John and I think to be a 5.4 on the climbing scale. A legitimate climb. But no one was hurt, not even a scrape (I think). John and I headed the group right behind our guide. Mind you, this man was climbing in FLIP FLOPS. His confidence gave my own a boost. John watched where the guide placed his feet, and I John, and so on. We would call down the line when something was extra slippery or more tough than normal. We were all responsible for each other’s. That’s a uniting feeling.

We finally reached the top. It’s the 6th picture in this post. John was on a perch and looked down to a 200 ft drop. Straight down. He is terrified of free heights and there he was. I was very proud of him. But, his face changed when he realized where he was sitting. We look to our right, and the biggest rainbow took form. Y’all. If you don’t believe in God, spend some time in nature. I’m a very faithful person. I love God more than anything. God has shown itself to me in the most divine ways. This rainbow being one instance, amoung a plethora of divinity. It wasn’t there when we reached the top. But felt like a “You made it!” gift.

Ok, LEECH CHECK. Guess what. I had those sons of beaches all under the tounge of my shoe. Just, enjoying my blood. I was so skeeved out. I don’t have many specific fears. Grasshoppers and crickets gross me out, but I’m no baby when it comes to bugs. These really freaked me out. We all had them. They are sneaky. And pulling them off actually hurts, and you bleed a lot more than if you let them do their business and fall off. Our guides called them “vampires”.

From the mountain, we went to a smaller waterfall (not pictured) and our guide went first to make sure it was safe. He gave the thumbs up and all the guys got up to explore. I thought “uh, I didn’t come to Thailand to sit in a boat” so Julie (our American friend) and I both followed. I stood under that waterfall and it washed away all of the sweat from the jungle. Julie and I both. The guys returned to the boat and Julie and I finally headed back. You ever hear of quick sand? Ha. I was wading in the water back to the boat when all of a sudden, my left leg sank down so fast, all the way up to my hip. But, my right was on firm ground. For real, thank God because I feel like that could’ve been a very bad situation. I’m so proud of my body and its ability. Thankful for it. Grateful to it.

We went back and swam in the lake. We drank rum with our new friends and ate dinner that was caught in the lake. We stayed up late playing “Rummi”. Mom and I used to play it all the time, and it felt like another sign that we were right where we were supposed to be.

Back to the mainland. Our new friends Emma and Jordan, from France, hadn’t decided on a place to stay, so we suggested ours. They booked a room, and it was right next to ours. Yay! We decided to hike more of the park together. I love Emma and Jordan.

You know, with all the bad politics happening everywhere, we are all the same. Emma and I spoke openly about the political turmoil in France and America. We are the same. Emma and me, and France and America. Don’t judge. Just read and absorb.

My fearless sweet heart. We found the waterfall! The big one. We all waded and swam past currents. I probably wouldn’t have been so adventurous in getting to them (and I’m not sure Jordan or Emma wolves been, but they were adventurous in those own lovely way) if my monkey man wasn’t jumping into random pools, jumping from rock to rock. I was a good jumper too, and so were Emma and Jordan! I felt confident. Our waterfall is pictured below.

I love Emma and Jordan. And I cherish our time together. Too short. That’s the crux of traveling. You meet wonderful (again, that word doesn’t even come close to fully encompassing how I feel about the people we meet) people who become in stand “best friends”. And then you have to say “goodbye”. That’s the hardest part.

Walking back from the national park, Emma and I walked together and John and Jordan ahead.

After our honest conversation about politics in the place we love and call home, the conversation turned to family. Emma’s parents run a farm in France, and she helps them. She’s also an occupational therapist for the mantally ill. At a psychiatric hospital. Amazing. She’s 24. I told her about how my mom lived across the country, and when I told her it would take me 3 days to drive (if I sped) or $300 round trip to fly, and that I got to see her once a year, if I was lucky, she was shocked.

I told her I had no brothers or sisters, and inevitably the dad question was answered. She lovingly (without my saying) validated how lonley I must feel. That loneliness. Errrgg. I keep packed down. For lots of reasons. I’ve been shamed for it, inadvertently, and truthfully, sometimes people don’t know how to precieve it. And sometimes, I have such a bleeding heart about it that the last thing I want to do is make someone uncomfortable. And I definitely never want to be a “Debby Downer”. But we were speaking truthfully about our home situations. She was empathetic, kind, and so loving. I told her about my own trip and my father’s own travels. She said “it sounds like a sign to me”. And we exchanged French and English meanings for “goosebumps”. I love her for that conversation. And for many other connections we shared.

We walked the rest of the way home together. Then we had dinner and drinks on our shared porch.

She wrote in my journal and I’ll remember her forever. Hopefully, I’ll get out to northern France for a visit one day.

I didn’t mention I pulled 5 more microscopic leeches off of myself over the next 12 hours. 4, I found in the shower AFTER John, Emma, Jordan and I finished our own trek and... the nasty one. It had lodged itself in my leg. And I found it while still on the bungalows. Our guide poured alcohol on it and popped it out like a pimple. Gross. You’re welcome for that visual.

Not poisoness and I’m not dead so, yay.

Father’s Day was the best I’ve had since my dad died. He is my greatest guide, and will continue to be until I meet him again in heaven.

He was the greatest. Ever. I’m so lucky he created 50% of me. And I’m so much more like him than I ever thought I’d be. I posted about the significance of my trip and him on Facebook and Instagram. I never felt like crying. That’s new to me and I’m totally into it. Grieving, in the sorrowful way, is draining and I never let myself experience otherwise. But this felt like a gift.

This was long. Thank you for reading.

[seashelbytravel]

It’s hard to keep up!

I’m sorry! So much happening. The time for rest is used for rest.

[seashelbytravel]

4 days but woah

I thought it had been a week since I posted last. Haha.

It’s a strange but liberating feeling not knowing what day it is

We are literally about to head into the Khao Sok National Park for a two day trek through an ANCIENT (dating back 500 million years or more) portion of the rainforest.

We pulled in yesterday and I’m already in love. But, I keep saying that about each place.

Each stop has its own signature, so comparing them doesn’t work.

[seashelbytravel]

Krabi

June 11, 2019

It’s morning and our hotel reminds me of “A Little Princess”, which is one of my favorite stories/movies.

I’ll look up the history later, but I can tell it has stories in its walls.

Finally meeting more backpackers. But you know what’s weird? Not. One. American.

Will post more soon!

♾ 💗