I DID IT!!!! I cannot believe it’s time for me to leave the place I have grown to love and call home. I’ve fallen in love with a country, its people and its culture. Looking back on the past 10 months I am in awe of what I have learned: about myself, about traveling and about another country.
It feels just like yesterday I received my acceptance letter into my TEFL program in Cambodia/Thailand. Had someone told me a year and a half ago I would pack up my life, leave my family, friends, boyfriend and my 8 month pregnant sister, I would have told them they were nuts. But I did and I am SO thankful I made the move! I came out here on my own, without a job, not knowing what to except and from these experiences I believe I have grown so much as a person. I am a stronger, a wiser, a better person then before (hard to imagine I know). I’m not going to lie, times were tough, but the good days outweighed the bad and I wouldn’t trade anything in the world for this experience. My heart was broken twice while in Thailand: once by a boy, and once by the country’s people. I healed from the first, but my heart still aches for Thailand as a whole – what an experience to be here during times of turmoil. I’ve witnessed a country come together as one and unite to rebuild and it’s been eye opening. I could write for pages and pages about my time here, but I will leave it at this. I am truly blessed to have done what I’ve done and seen what I’ve seen. This is not goodbye – not to Thailand or my traveling days. I am not sure what lies ahead, but I am excited to see what’s next in the life of Sarah Earp!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Island Hopping: Final Day
All I’ve got to say is thank God for Dramamine.
This morning I packed my bag and headed to my 9am ferry back to Phuket. This was the beginning of a never ending day(s) of travel. Phi Phi to Phuket, Phuket to Bangkok (last minute dentist appointment, dinner w/ a friend, trip to the night market to buy yet another suitcase, then a few hours of sleep), Bangkok to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to Seoul, Seoul to SEATTLE!
After taking the world’s craziest boat ride of my life, I have set up camp at the Phuket airport as my plane does not leave for another 4 hours – what a dud. I still feel as though I am rocking back and forth and want to puke (but I won’t as I hate it). Thankfully I was one of the few that didn’t lose my breakfast on the ride here (thank you Dramamine aka my new best friend). Waves were crashing over the bow and at the windows in every direction. I felt like I was on an episode of the Deadliest Catch minus the whole crabbing/fishing thing.
Safely on dry land to the airport I went. Having made it through security with no problems I was feeling pretty good. Tomorrow will be the real test. I am scared out of my mind to tell you the truth. Hoping and praying the visa/custom people just make me pay a fee for overstaying my visa instead of locking me up in some Thai jail like I read they might. Here’s hoping.
See you all very, very soon!!!
This morning I packed my bag and headed to my 9am ferry back to Phuket. This was the beginning of a never ending day(s) of travel. Phi Phi to Phuket, Phuket to Bangkok (last minute dentist appointment, dinner w/ a friend, trip to the night market to buy yet another suitcase, then a few hours of sleep), Bangkok to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to Seoul, Seoul to SEATTLE!
After taking the world’s craziest boat ride of my life, I have set up camp at the Phuket airport as my plane does not leave for another 4 hours – what a dud. I still feel as though I am rocking back and forth and want to puke (but I won’t as I hate it). Thankfully I was one of the few that didn’t lose my breakfast on the ride here (thank you Dramamine aka my new best friend). Waves were crashing over the bow and at the windows in every direction. I felt like I was on an episode of the Deadliest Catch minus the whole crabbing/fishing thing.
Safely on dry land to the airport I went. Having made it through security with no problems I was feeling pretty good. Tomorrow will be the real test. I am scared out of my mind to tell you the truth. Hoping and praying the visa/custom people just make me pay a fee for overstaying my visa instead of locking me up in some Thai jail like I read they might. Here’s hoping.
See you all very, very soon!!!
Island Hopping Day 8
Apparently living in Thailand and not working out for 10 months causes one to become out of shape.
This morning I decided to be ambitious and get a head start on the day. The weather looked as if it was going to hold up (atleast I thought it did) so off I went to tour the island. My first stop was the Tsunami Memorial.
The 2004 tsunami hit Phi Phi hard and the aftermath was devastating. It practically wiped out the entire island and took many lives of locals and tourists alike. A major rebuilding program in recent years has left the island looking remarkably better – if you were unaware that such a catastrophe had taken place, you might think Phi Phi is just another beautiful island under a lot of development, rather than one that was destroyed and is being rebuilt.
After walking up and down beach where the memorial park was suppose to be, a local finally told me they have taken down the sight and are in the works of building a much bigger/better memorial. Since there was sadly nothing to see, I went to my next destination: the view point. This is where I discovered how out of shape I am.
I felt like I was climbing the Great Wall in China – there were seriously an absurd amount of stairs to climb before reaching the uphill trail that would eventually lead me to view point #1. Sweaty doesn’t even begin to describe the condensation streaming down my body. I finally made it to the first view point where a cute little Thai man was selling water - I had never been so thankful in my entire life! After taking a few pictures I decided to make my way to the next view point despite the dark grey clouds rolling in. I should have just stopped there. Picture me hiking up a mountain in flip flops on an unpaved trail in a torrential downpour – it was quite the sight. Somehow I managed to stay on two feet and not slide down the slippery path along the way. The rain stopped by the time I made it to view point #2, however the wind did not. Soaking wet and freezing (well what I consider freezing now) I stayed only long enough to take in the amazing view and snap a few pictures. It was well worth the hike, but boy am I out of shape. Two more days until I hit the gym back home – thank goodness for that!
By the time I reached my hotel it was as if the rain storm never hit – clear blue sunny skies. Off I went to the beach where I intended to gain as much sun as possible before going home. No one is going to believe l lived in Thailand for a year when they see how pale I am! I can’t say I got a good tan, but I can say I managed to fry myself. We’re talking Kentucky fry chicken fry myself. My poor massage lady I went to (yes I treated myself to another massage) did an all over aloe vera rub on me and kept saying “oh, so red, like barbeque”. Her and I both were rather entertained by it all.
A great hike and a good burn – just how I imagined spending my last full day on the beach. Life is good!
This morning I decided to be ambitious and get a head start on the day. The weather looked as if it was going to hold up (atleast I thought it did) so off I went to tour the island. My first stop was the Tsunami Memorial.
The 2004 tsunami hit Phi Phi hard and the aftermath was devastating. It practically wiped out the entire island and took many lives of locals and tourists alike. A major rebuilding program in recent years has left the island looking remarkably better – if you were unaware that such a catastrophe had taken place, you might think Phi Phi is just another beautiful island under a lot of development, rather than one that was destroyed and is being rebuilt.
After walking up and down beach where the memorial park was suppose to be, a local finally told me they have taken down the sight and are in the works of building a much bigger/better memorial. Since there was sadly nothing to see, I went to my next destination: the view point. This is where I discovered how out of shape I am.
I felt like I was climbing the Great Wall in China – there were seriously an absurd amount of stairs to climb before reaching the uphill trail that would eventually lead me to view point #1. Sweaty doesn’t even begin to describe the condensation streaming down my body. I finally made it to the first view point where a cute little Thai man was selling water - I had never been so thankful in my entire life! After taking a few pictures I decided to make my way to the next view point despite the dark grey clouds rolling in. I should have just stopped there. Picture me hiking up a mountain in flip flops on an unpaved trail in a torrential downpour – it was quite the sight. Somehow I managed to stay on two feet and not slide down the slippery path along the way. The rain stopped by the time I made it to view point #2, however the wind did not. Soaking wet and freezing (well what I consider freezing now) I stayed only long enough to take in the amazing view and snap a few pictures. It was well worth the hike, but boy am I out of shape. Two more days until I hit the gym back home – thank goodness for that!
By the time I reached my hotel it was as if the rain storm never hit – clear blue sunny skies. Off I went to the beach where I intended to gain as much sun as possible before going home. No one is going to believe l lived in Thailand for a year when they see how pale I am! I can’t say I got a good tan, but I can say I managed to fry myself. We’re talking Kentucky fry chicken fry myself. My poor massage lady I went to (yes I treated myself to another massage) did an all over aloe vera rub on me and kept saying “oh, so red, like barbeque”. Her and I both were rather entertained by it all.
A great hike and a good burn – just how I imagined spending my last full day on the beach. Life is good!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Island Hopping Day 7: Part 1
I did NOT sign up for this!!
Near death experiences definitely were NOT on the brochure I looked at when signing up for my day long island tour.
The girls I met up with in Krabi were now in Phi Phi and we decided to make the most of our time here and do a day trip around the nearby islands. We found a great deal: 500 baht ($15) for a full day tour of snorkeling/kayaking around all 6 islands in the Phi Phi area. This program started at 10 and ended at sunset. It included breakfast, lunch, snacks, dry bags and fresh fruit. What they failed to tell us was that we would have to risk our lives to get to some of these destinations!
We were all a little hesitant to go on the trip to begin with b/c of the terrible weather, but we figured screw it, what else were we gonna do, sit in our rooms and watch TV in Thai? No thanks. Rain shmain - I'm from Seattle for crying out loud.
Our first stop was awesome! The rain had briefly stopped and we jumped off the boat and snorkeled around amazing coral - I think I saw more snorkeling than diving! I got tired of snorkeling and decided to go back to the boat to get a kayak to ride around. I went back into this secluded area where big boats could not fit through - it was incredible!!!!! My neck hurt from straining so hard to look up at the enormous limestone cliffs. It was so peaceful back there! I will never forget it!
Sadly that was about the only enjoyable thing on our trip. Originally I was really looking forward to our next stop: Maya Beach. This is where the movie "The Beach" was filmed. What the tour failed to tell us was that we were going to nearly die getting there. Our boat anchored and our guide explained to us we needed to leave our flippers behind (but carry our shoes on our hands) and swim to those stairs over there...okay, I thought, I can do this, it's not THAT far. Little did they let on that there was the STRONGEST current I have ever felt in my life. They didn't bother to ask anyone if they are strong swimmers or not. Had they asked or let on that it was going to be tough I would have taking the kayak option for sure. I kid you not I nearly died. Sure the first 2-3 mins were fine, but soon I was struggling against the current and the number of longtail boats nearly running over my head. I started to panic and let me tell you, panicking and water do not, I repeat DO NOT mix (I found this out last summer in Moses Lake - thank you Bonnie for saving my life - I could have used you again today!!!) After freaking out, crying, and nearly drowning I made it to safety or so I thought. Just when I thought it was over and I reached the rope that lead to the stairs, huge crashing waves threw me against the rocks and it hurt like hell! After risking my life again on the other side of the stairs (more rocks and water to navigate through) we made it to Maya Beach. Not going to lie, it looked nothing like the movie, but that's b/c they obviously did not film this movie during the monsoon season!!! We got hit with a crazy rain storm which left our bodies stinging - for the first time in 10 months I had goosebumps. We had a full hour at this location, so to stay warm we jumped into the water where we were constantly battling the waves. I held on to a bouy and got massive rope burn on my hands, but it was better then the needles being pelted into my body from the rain so I took it. Stinging, freezing, and badly bruised I was ready to move on to our next destination.
I wish it got better from there but it didn't. We ended up skipping the next island b/c when the tour went there yesterday there were too many jellyfish around. Fine with me I thought. Well unlucky for us, all those jellyfish must have made their way to our next destination b/c we got attacked by them. Oh man - the pain, not fun!
I am sure I can think of other stories from the day like when our huge boat stopped and the all the Thai men (minus the driver obviously) jumped into their Zodiak and went to grab the dead fish floating a few hundred feet out (there's their dinner for the night) and how I was turned into a mermaid, but I will save them for in person.
Crazy Thailand adventures were what I was after my last week here and I think I achieved atleast one today. More to come I'm sure of it.
Island Hopping Day 7: Part 2
All I've got to say is thank goodness I was wearing cute underwear!
After a supposedly relaxing day turned quite stressful I decided I deserved a little R&R, so off I went to get a massage.
My favorite massage has got to be the oil massage. An hour (sometimes longer if you're lucky) of complete relaxation where someone rubs warm oil over your entire body...yes please!
I cannot count the number of massages I have had in my time here so far - they are SO cheap that I've taken full advantage of them. My first few massages were a bit interesting, but since then I have learned the ropes and am comfortable with what they entail...until tonight.
I went to a new place (as I have never been to Phi Phi island before) and lets just say their rituals or whatever you want to call them were a bit different than what I am used to. For example, I was taken up to a dark room where beds were strewn along the floor and asked to take off my cloths - normal procedure EXCEPT this time they did not have anything to cover me with. The towel I eyed at the foot of my bed was to dab the oil off my body once the lady was done NOT to cover me up with like I imagined. There I was, in the nude, other than a really cute pair of Victoria Secret underwear (thanks to a good friend who sent me some undies in a care package). Did I mention a totally hot European guy was in the bed not even an arms length away for me...too bad his girlfriend was downstairs getting a pedicure - haha. Anyway, all was fine until I had to turn over and lay on my back. Yup, you can imagine it...tits up. I was so uncomfortable all I could do was laugh (and cup my boobs of course). So awesome.
Another experience to log. Gonna get myself a massage tomorrow as well - may try out a new place where they don't make me expose myself to all the strangers around me though.
After a supposedly relaxing day turned quite stressful I decided I deserved a little R&R, so off I went to get a massage.
My favorite massage has got to be the oil massage. An hour (sometimes longer if you're lucky) of complete relaxation where someone rubs warm oil over your entire body...yes please!
I cannot count the number of massages I have had in my time here so far - they are SO cheap that I've taken full advantage of them. My first few massages were a bit interesting, but since then I have learned the ropes and am comfortable with what they entail...until tonight.
I went to a new place (as I have never been to Phi Phi island before) and lets just say their rituals or whatever you want to call them were a bit different than what I am used to. For example, I was taken up to a dark room where beds were strewn along the floor and asked to take off my cloths - normal procedure EXCEPT this time they did not have anything to cover me with. The towel I eyed at the foot of my bed was to dab the oil off my body once the lady was done NOT to cover me up with like I imagined. There I was, in the nude, other than a really cute pair of Victoria Secret underwear (thanks to a good friend who sent me some undies in a care package). Did I mention a totally hot European guy was in the bed not even an arms length away for me...too bad his girlfriend was downstairs getting a pedicure - haha. Anyway, all was fine until I had to turn over and lay on my back. Yup, you can imagine it...tits up. I was so uncomfortable all I could do was laugh (and cup my boobs of course). So awesome.
Another experience to log. Gonna get myself a massage tomorrow as well - may try out a new place where they don't make me expose myself to all the strangers around me though.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Island Hopping Day 6: Phi Phi
I wish I had something exciting to report, but I don't.
Today was a bit of a dud.
I left my cute little hostel in Koh Lanta and headed off to Phi Phi in this order of transportation: minivan, ferry, more minivaning, more ferrying, minivan once again and finally a large vessel (passenger ferry maybe?) to Phi Phi Don.
The views were breathtaking as usual - HUGE cliffs everywhere, white sandy beaches and crystal clear aqua water.
I checked into my hotel and was pleasantly surprised - everything is much more expensive here, yet I managed to find a decent place for 1,000 baht a night ($30).
After unpacking and setting up camp for the next 3 days, off to the beach I went to catch some afternoon rays - not going to lie, I am a bit depressed with how "white" I am for living here for 10 months. I thought I'd get a great tan these last 8 days, but between the rain and the traveling from island to island, I haven't had much beach time - mai pen rai right?
Once the dark clouds took over I went back to my hotel to shower for dinner - I was meeting up with the girls I went to Krabi with my first day.
We had a delicious meal and walked around town - its a cute little place with lots of shops.
Oh, I almost forgot...I saw a monkey in 7-11 today. Yes, a monkey. I have now seen bunnies and a monkey in 7-11, what's next, an elephant?
Off to bed I go as Phi Phi has left me depressed - I feel very old and alone here. Seriously everyone here is MAYBE 20 and here with their boyfriend/girlfriend. Awesome.
O well, I need a good nights sleep as I have a big day tomorrow - snorkeling/kayaking tour around the islands from morning til sunset. Should be fun!
Today was a bit of a dud.
I left my cute little hostel in Koh Lanta and headed off to Phi Phi in this order of transportation: minivan, ferry, more minivaning, more ferrying, minivan once again and finally a large vessel (passenger ferry maybe?) to Phi Phi Don.
The views were breathtaking as usual - HUGE cliffs everywhere, white sandy beaches and crystal clear aqua water.
I checked into my hotel and was pleasantly surprised - everything is much more expensive here, yet I managed to find a decent place for 1,000 baht a night ($30).
After unpacking and setting up camp for the next 3 days, off to the beach I went to catch some afternoon rays - not going to lie, I am a bit depressed with how "white" I am for living here for 10 months. I thought I'd get a great tan these last 8 days, but between the rain and the traveling from island to island, I haven't had much beach time - mai pen rai right?
Once the dark clouds took over I went back to my hotel to shower for dinner - I was meeting up with the girls I went to Krabi with my first day.
We had a delicious meal and walked around town - its a cute little place with lots of shops.
Oh, I almost forgot...I saw a monkey in 7-11 today. Yes, a monkey. I have now seen bunnies and a monkey in 7-11, what's next, an elephant?
Off to bed I go as Phi Phi has left me depressed - I feel very old and alone here. Seriously everyone here is MAYBE 20 and here with their boyfriend/girlfriend. Awesome.
O well, I need a good nights sleep as I have a big day tomorrow - snorkeling/kayaking tour around the islands from morning til sunset. Should be fun!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Island Hopping Day 5: Purple Earple #2
I cannot stop grinning from the day I just had. It may go down as the BEST day I have had in my Thailand experience thus far - that's a pretty big statement considering I've had some amazing times these past 10 months.
After having a restful night, I woke up bright and early and ready to start my day. I had arranged for a motorbike to be delivered to my hostel by 8am so I could start my tour of Koh Lanta.
There she stood - bright purple and ready to take me for a ride. I named her Purple Earple #2 (#1 was a rental car an ex had to drive around after someone t-boned him dropping me off). Anyway - she was a beauty and all mine for 24 hours.
I'm not going to lie, the beginning of our relationship was a bit shaky. I haven't driven a car in over 10 months, let alone a motorbike EVER, so I (and her) were in for a treat. The lady at the hostel looked a bit concerned when I shared with her the fact I have never driven a motorbike before, but after a quick introduction she handed me the keys and I was off...until it stalled.
I said a little prayer (no need to get injured 5 days before coming home, let alone a hospital visit as I am on an expired visa) and I eventually made it to the main road. Once there it was a piece of cake, except for the fact I had to remind myself to drive on the opposite side of the road then I am used to.
With no map to go by, it was just me and Purple Earple off to explore every inch of Koh Lanta. I think we may have achieved that - I literally saw everything and it was amazing!
With Bob Marley and Slightly Stoopid blasting in my ears, the sun beating on my face and the wind blowing my hair, I was in my happy place. Life seriously couldn't get any better. I went from one end of the island to the other then back, oh and around the whole thing later that day.
When I was hot I parked my bike and jumped in the sea. When I needed a break from the sun I climbed into a nearby cave (there are some amazing caves out here). When I was hungry I stopped at local street-side stands where they were impressed with my Thai. When I wanted to take a break I found a secluded beach and plopped down with my book.
At one point tears were brought to my eyes from the beauty of this place and from pure happiness. I hadn't a care in the world and I loved every minute of it. Oh boy, here come the tears again - I'm sure going to miss this place I have come to love and call home!
PS Rethinking the whole car thing when I get home - gonna save up for a dirt bike or quad instead - WAY more fun and Seattle has a good metro system I can work with :)
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