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...The night air was thick and humid. But at least it was quiet. As my tired head held up no longer, it banged against the window pane on the bumpy ride to the border. I woke to a surreal scene of thick fog as we stopped for food. With a parched mouth following my 4am munch of a melted chocolate bar, I bought some veg filled pao and crawled back into the bus for sleep...

The Land of Smiles

Asha Patel
2006-08-23 10:55:14

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there, I long-tailed it to the east coast of Haad Thian, where I decided to go check out the Sanctuary for myself, having heard mixed reports. I lunched there from their extensive veggie and healthfood menu but quickly rushed back to shore in order to try get another longtail boat before the approaching storm arrived. I really could do without being stuck on the east coast for the night. Began to rain. Great. Fortunately the wait was eased as I met a yoga teacher with whom I conversed until there was a break in the clouds and the boatman agreed to
take us back. I managed to pick prime spot in the front of the boat where there was a huge hold in the sides through which seawater swept in with every move. What a great day to be clothed in white linen trousers. Anyhow, I was simply happy to be heading back...

...Knowing that this would be my final two days of relaxtion in a while, I decided to kick back and do nothing. Yeah right Ash, who're you trying to kid??!

-- BANGKOK --

Back in the city baby, yeah! If there was ever anything to quell a bout of homesickness it is the city; my love of the vibrancy, zest, ambiance and human concotions that compose a capital city, bangkok is no exception. Pushing every sensory button to its extreme, I have nonetheless both endured and enjoyed it all: the nauseating smells wafting through the sticky hot air, the torrents of human life flowing through cramped sidewalks, and the feeling of a week long polluted, overcrowded sauna. It is harmonised chaos at it's best. The dirty streets are splashed with the rainbow of multi coloured taxis, with roaming tuk-tuks and their chatty drivers, with gleaming temple rooftops, with the soft flutter of monks' orange robes, with food stalls full of fresh food and, above all, with an innate tranquility that pervades this country and her people. I believe it is that, that places Thailand at the top of every aspiring nomad's list.
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