Thailand 2
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| 28 February | Bangkok |  |
But first, I was to remove the beard and get a shower at Oh's place. Pui was waiting there when we arrived (they all had their cell phones), and Oh and she took off for the party, leaving me in Noi's capable hands to get cleaned up and drive there later. My personal situation cleared up, I was finally free to resolve something else with Noi, and it was some time before we joined the others.
At the party, Maureen and I spent a lot of time talking about what it was like living here. She loved it and had a wonderful experience, but was also very ready to go home. She had both good and bad stories to tell of her times here, but I was most interested to hear of her social experiences. She had tried several times to date Thai men. But her experiences completely reinforced Noi's experience with them. 99% were "jahshu." They never had just one girlfriend. They always had at least one more on the side. Noi's brother had two, her father at least 3 (two of them under 16), her grandfather even had a few. All of her friends were the same. All of her past boyfriends were jahshu. Maureen never lasted one month without finding out that her "serious" boyfriend had someone else. It seems to be a part of the culture, but the women here don't seem to do anything about it. Noi hated it, but just seemed to accept there was nothing she could do about it, except not to date. Maureen had nothing good to say about Thai men relationship wise. They were all sweet and romantic until you agreed to go with them, then all charm turned off, and they started looking elsewhere.
Leaving late from the party, Noi and I went back to her apartment. She was not going to let me pay for a hotel any more. When we got to her place, her brother was in her bed with his girlfriend (one of them). He often stayed here on weekends when she went home to her mother's house. We kicked them out of bed and onto a blanket on the floor. After a shower to cool off, we climbed into bed, trying to be quiet as her brother slept on the floor next to us. I don't think I slept 3 hours.
| 1 March | Bangkok | |
We never saw the sun, staying in all day.
| 2 - 5 March | Bangkok | |
Mike's Thailand experience wasn't over yet. A friend of Noi's had looked at the photos I left behind when I went to Nepal. She saw Mike's photo and wanted to meet him. The wonders of modern technology allowed me to make the introduction, setting her up with a Hotmail account and writing the first email. Coming at you from around the world.
I had to visit the islands once more before my return to Reality (TM) after the mountains and cities. Being the romantic fool, I wanted to take Noi with me to say goodbye in a place like where we first met. I bought us tickets to Koh Samui, a round-trip ticket for her and a ticket onwards to Singapore for me.
| 6-8 March | Choeng Mon Beach, Koh Samui | |
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"Ah, if I had known this was my last time here I would have stayed a little longer - savored it a little more." -Mary Anne Radmacher Hershey |
The days passed far too quickly. We dozed in the shade, floated in the calm waters in each other's arms, ate our meals at our place, and enjoyed each other thoroughly.
| 9 March | Chewang Beach, Koh Samui | |
I turned away and grabbed the first songthoew that went by to Chewang. I found a room at Viking, the same place as last time and passed the time. Chewang was a nasty shock after peaceful Choeng Mon. Nonstop traffic, songthoews beeping, motorbikes buzzing past, and hardly any room to walk. The beach was still nice, with many lovelies lying out, but not the same.
At night, after too much drinking with some Swedish girls to get Noi out of my mind, it was out to the Green Mango Club for a long night of dancing, staying out until almost dawn before stumbling home on swollen feet.
| 10 March | Chewang Beach, Koh Samui | |
A day of thought soaking in the sun. It's the end of another journey, and this time, I am eager to return "home." A new city, finding a new job, getting the future back on line after a temporary setback. This was no true travel; it was more of an extended holiday of easy living for a burnt spirit. There are still new places yet to experience. I want to travel overland around the coast of Africa, from Egypt to South Africa to Morocco. I want to explore South America. All the newly popular Central Asia countries. And on, and on. Perhaps someday I will meet someone I can travel with, and it will be another sort of experience.
On that note, an email from Noi had me missing the girl. She made it easily back to Bangkok, with no grief from her boss about her "sick days". When can we meet again? How about on Bali over Songkran? If I can find work in time...
At night, breaking my word to Noi yet again, it was time to dance. This night was more moderate. The crowd at the Reggae Pub was lively, and one drink got me on the floor. Not seeking female company works every time. I met Porn within the first 10 minutes there. She works at a local travel agency and spoke horrible English, but couldn't understand my Thai. Noi had said even she couldn't understand the people here very well because they have a very different accent and speak too fast. No matter, I only came to dance, not talk. Four hours later, I collapse with a litre of water and soon bid Porn goodbye. I should try to not meet women more often...
| 11 March | Chewang Beach, Koh Samui | |
| 12 March | Singapore | |
Sitting now at Samui Airport, I find myself at what must be the nicest airport I have ever seen. Beautiful gardens, sculptures, terminals with gently winding paths between. It seems more like a 5 star hotel than an airport. People are friendly and smiles are everywhere. Even the immigration officials were casual. "Number 1!" my guard gushes when I pull out my passport. "Have a wonderful holiday!" as I walk off. Complimentary bananas sit in a teak boat. A lovely guard flashes me a smile as she spots me furtively sneak a second banana. Palm trees line the runway, and the departure lounge is surrounded by a small pond, lined with flowers. Red, pink, purple, white, yellow, orange, a burst of color. Abstract wooden benches are scattered on the bright green grass. A gentle breeze cools the departure "lounge" - a spacious open-air pavilion. Oops, that's the call, time to go!
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Howl at the moon (Postcard) |
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Today is the start of the Full Moon party on nearby Koh Phangan. Thousands of tripped out travellers will descend on Haad Rin and party for 24 hours, absolute insanity come to life. If I stayed one more day, I could go there. If I stayed, the madness could continue. If I stayed, I might never go back. But today, I leave for Singapore. The moment has passed, the season has changed. The moon has set. This revel has ended, go in peace.
©Copyright 1996-2001 Seán Connolly