Heading to Indonesia…

It’s our last day on Ko Samui – my friend Joni from Philly and I are currently chilling out in our beautiful open-air house, enjoying the breeze, the view of the sea below, and some nice reggae re-mixes on the stereo. We have been staying at the most amazing place as I’ve described before, the Sala Dhawan house at the Tamarind Retreat. We’ve got the house yeah, 2 bedroom, 2 bath (outside, built into a plush garden behind it), and a beautiful green and flowerful (is that a word?) garden out front. Then, in front of that, we have a big boulder (as big as the house) that we can climb up on and look out to the ocean, watch the sunset, or hang out with the bats flying overhead at night. There is no way to describe the feeling of total peace and relaxation at this place. If you have a minute, take a quick look at their website at http://www.tamarindretreat.com. We’ve managed to either sneak in or be invited to all the other villas over the past week and we definitely think that our’s is the best. It’s all the way at the top of the hill so no one walks by – total privacy.

It’s been a great week hanging out with Joni and Qadir, talking about American stuff and laughing about old times. The weather has not been all that great, clouds and some rain every day, but we loved hanging out in the house so much that it doesn’t even matter. We also befriended a few of our neighbors here and had a little party here one night and went out in town another. I even met up with Matt and Jim, the UK Playboys from Ko Lipe, and we all had way too many Vodka Redbulls that night. It’s funny – I thought that in coming back to Samui I’d do all the things that I didn’t do last time, like go to Ang Thong National Marine Park, Ko Tao, do some diving/kayaking, whatever, but I haven’t done ANYTHING! And I’ve still had a blast.

Also got some good news from home this week that my dad is coming to Thailand for a visit, in less than 2 weeks actually! He wants to come to Samui to do a cleanse/fast like the one I did here back in October. So we’re going to do a 7-day fast together! I am so excited (oh no, more colema stories…sorry but yes!)!

And in the meantime I didn’t really feel like hanging out on Samui for 2 weeks more even though I’m enjoying it. I’m definitely itching to see more of SE Asia and keep moving. So, on a complete whim, Joni and I bought tickets to Bali yesterday! We’re leaving tomorrow for Bangkok and then Tuesday we’ll fly to Bali and hang out there for about a week until my dad shows up. Such a cool decision – we’re both really excited! Neither of us has been there before. We are HOPING for lots of sunny weather from Bali because Joni says he can’t go home lighter than when he left!

I’m ready to move on and see a new country, even if it’s only for a short stint. Don’t know why, but I have to admit that I’ve been in a bit of a travel funk these past few days, thinking about certain people in my past and particular what might have been’s – type thing. Hey, that stuff happens to the best of us! But I’m over it now, feeling good about myself and great about my life. The tunes are still playing and the view is too inspiring not to enjoy so I’m gonna go now and breathe it all in.

Ok, more to write because it’s just too funny….Joni bought a new suitcase today that came with alphabet stickers to put your name on it I guess. Anyway we were trying to think of something a bit more creative than just his name as I was writing this entry – Joni thought’Up yours’ is suitable while I was more keen on’Wanker’. We are laughing our asses off about it actually. Now I am saying’Patpong or Bust’ but Joni thinks that will affect his reputation (like’Wanker’ won’t). Well, he’s spelling out’Wanker’ now so I think it won and I am now completely busting up over Joni walking through the airport with’WANKER’ on his suitcase!

Qadir…the geckos will miss you

Inside the Sala Dhawan house

Looking down at the outdoor bathroom

Add comment May 12th, 2002