Last of Koh Samet

Saturday: Karrie and I went out to Buddy's Bar and Grill I believe is the name of the joint. I had the best cheeseburger I have eaten in what feels like years. With baileys on the rocks, they even played Newton Faulkner.

Sunday: We are back in Tattoo's by Gai, Karrie is getting the last of her tattoo done. We are leaving on Tuesday back to Bangkok for what it is now the 5th time in my life. It will be nice to get the last of my things done there. Then we finally make a move again boarding a plane and off to Hong Kong.

I didn't think that it was going to feel quite like this on Koh Samet, I think I had higher expectations for the island due to the last experience. Things have been pretty stagnate on the travel front since we have arrived. I have been meaning to build a sand castle and head to Koh Chang but just never getting enough ambition to do anything. I don't feel quite as rejuvenated as I was hoping I was going to with this part of my trip ending. I guess I am just waiting on a huge scenery change from Asia all together. Luckily I will get that soon enough.

I did however talk to a girl about teaching in Italy and have put it under consideration. I plan to look into it more at a later date, but who knows I might have to just head on home when my money runs out. I am really enjoying the fact that I don't have any 'real' plans as of yet. Just going with the flow.

The good-byes at Gai's tattoo shop was more emotional than I thought it was going to be. Saying good-bye to Gai and the boys there, we made some fantastic memories. It feels like a second home.

 Here is my nostalgic video from Koh Samet.

Monday: this is our last day and night on  the island, we head off to the pier tomorrow. Off to BKK, then off to Hong Kong.

My birthday on Koh Samet

It started off with breakfast, french toasta, fried eggs and toast. With an Irished up coffee or as the menu says 'I-rich coffee' it has more booze than I had expected. Thanks Karrie for the first birthday meal!

A couple coolers later it was time to get ready and head on out for dinner.

I got a nice spaghetti carbonara  and a blueberry shake.  Thanks Danielle for dinner!! So this part isn't all that exciting. Off to Ploy Bar for the fire show and cocktails. A huge tequila shot later I was feeling the buzz, dancing about on stage all drunk like. Worked off my drunk, then Karrie bought me a bucket that I finished myself...now I don't feel so hot.

Super giant shots of tequila

My birthday lantern that Karrie bought for me.

I tried to reflect on life while I was sitting about listening to the band Retrospect....instead I had my first burn doing flare bar-tending. I was so nervous but it was well worth it when I got my nerves back. It was the same feeling I got when i did my first burn with Poi. I hope that one day I can do a burn with a staff that is ultimate goal. I need to practice more....and get a staff.

I finally got to bed at about 6:30am it was nice to watch the sunrise.

Life on Koh Samet 2.0

Sunday: ***warning this part of the blog has nothing to do with traveling*** Today was almost a write off...but instead I pulled out an old zombie story that I was going to turn into a comic strip. Tried to work on it, mentally ripped it up and placed it back in the depths of where it came from. Insomnia powered stories are very poorly written. The idea is still good though.

So instead I took a look at the old comic that I did finish writing, yes that is right kids I wrote in cliff note form a story with a start, middle and end. Even has a twist for all those readers out there who don't like the plain and boring.

 I hope I am motivated enough to finish a chapter 1. Since my CS5 updated itself it is telling me that it is going to expire in 30 days. *shakes fist violently* I think I am going to revert back to CS4 when I have the time and energy to reinstall it. pfft.

Monday: Vong Duen Beach, trek south towards the peninsula of the island. The beach is much bigger than ours. There are just so many beaches on this island I don't think I can walk to them all, I would need to learn how to ride a bike to get to them all.

All finished.

Today I shall be getting part 2 of the tattoo done. Woot sun-compass. Tomorrow Karrie shall be getting her ink done and then sooner than later I am celebrating yet another birthday away from Canada. A week after my birthday I'll be Hong Kong, enjoying home cooked meals by my mom and celebrating the Chinese New Year.

Tuesday:  I am feeling more anxious than usual about getting a move on. I know that the day after tomorrow is my birthday, then I have a 2 week count down until I fly out to London. I can't believe yesterday I forgot for a millisecond since I was so wrapped up in the comic and getting ink done. (here is the link to my art blog and commentary for the comic, Webcomic link)  Karrie will be in the chair soon, I can't wait to see her new ink.

Tattoo Day 2!!!

A while back I was looking at my wrist tattoos (the ones that say music) well I started to hate the fact that they weren't exactly how I wanted them. So 3 years ago I had gone to Koh Samet in Thailand. I went to shop called Tattoo by Gai.

I actually met Gai at the bar and he asked me why I had only one wing done. (I also have wings on my back) I shamefully replied that I wasn't happy with the artist work and I wasn't going back in the chair until I found a tattoo artist that could fix it for me. I know that a lot of tattoo artists don't like to finish someones work...but Gai was like come to my shop I will finish it for you. About 6 hours later I was a fully fledged flying angel. Instead of being one winged and flying in circles.

Now I am on Koh Samet again, he fixed the wrists tattoo for me and now I love them ever so much. More than I could have ever imagined, they are just well perfect. :)

Three years ago Karrie and I got tattoos together these bamboo tattoos on the beach. I have some how out grown mine over the years not saying that I regret it, I would have been fine just having the tattoo as is. Gai said you want it fixed or you want something over it? Seeing as I am one for getting more ink when given the opportunity I started thinking up ideas.

I remembered that there was a point in my life when I wanted to get cherry blossoms, the Japanese believe it is a metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life. They also believe that they are an omen of good fortune and is also an emblem of love and affection. The best part of what the Japanese believe is that falling cherry petals came to represent sacrifice and that fallen solders are reincarnated as a cherry blossom. The symbolism to this particular tree is easy to relate to.

The compass was another thing that I had wanted to get tattooed, since this journey has started I have found myself wondering what direction I am going. Sooner than later I realized that it doesn't matter where I am I will always be me under the sun. So I have incorporated the compass with no needle inside the sun.

When I have more time I will tell you what all the other tattoos I have mean.

I can't believe how beautiful it is already. Thank you Gai.

Life in Koh Samet 1.0

Sunday: We trekked through some of the woods to get to the other beaches. It was surprisingly easy to get there so after about 45 minutes from Ao Cho we made it to the main part of the island.

Ao Nuan is a very small and more secluded beach not as much as Ao Cho but it is bigger.

Ao Tubtim is a much bigger beach on the other side of the overly populated area of Koh Samet. There were some very tan people and I found that the bungalows here were higher end looking and were built to western standards. They had sprinklers on their lawns with freshly trimmed flower bushes next to the very angular cement paths leading to western looking bungalows.

Ao Phai is filled with tourists!!! So overly populated I guess that it is high season here, the beach was packed. It was nice to see the old beach that we were staying on when Karrie, Niky and I were in Thailand last time.

We picked up some groceries (loaf of bread, peanut butter, jam, bananas and oranges) it is a good way to save money when we have munchies.

Monday: I woke up at the wee hours of noon, to find that my favorite shirt from Vietnam is gone. I don't know where I lost it :( I do however love making PB&Js to start off my day. I sat on the pier today got some sun, read 20 chapters of my book, soaked in some sun and ran into some odd occurrence on the pier.

I found toast on the pier and then I ate some of it.

Tuesday: Woke this morning made sure things are good with my mom meeting me in China, I can't believe how excited I am to see her. It feels like it has been ages since I have seen her face since she doesn't have a webcam or even knows where to begin how to use one correctly. I miss her cooking, her smell even the way she lectures me. I can't believe how much closer I feel towards her since I have left abroad. She has accumulated some things for me to bring to London since I will be going through a big climate change, not as bad as at home. I heard today that there is more snow at home than ever. Suckas!

Today I ordered an omelet and after waiting for about an hour to find out that they had forgotten my food order. I think it will be a pleasant surprise when I start experiencing things with customer service as underlying business front on top of quality.

Off to Ploy Bar to get our friend Danielle her first bucket in Thailand and a hooka (Apple shesha is good).After having our chicken Cordon blue and a tuna steak like the good old days. We watched the new revised version of the their fire show with their 11 Thai Chocolate fire men. Everything was the same but different, it was like we were reliving the past. People remembered us, and Gai from the tattoo shop even remembered our names.

So I will be getting touch ups from Gai and maybe even new ink depending if I can think of anything else to get.

As for odd things I have learned this evening is *drum roll* I love 'Flare bar-tending' I am officially going to get some lessons from the fire flare bartender. Woop Woop. I think spinning staff would be more my style but I like the fact that I can practice it while I am here. If I get good enough I might even post a video, if not at least the people on the beach are laughing at me dropping an empty bottle over and over again.

Arrival on Koh Samet

After our 4 hour bus ride and a 30 minute ferry ride we finally made it to the island. We booked a room through the travel agency for 700 baht a night split three ways. When we came through the main area of the island I was having flash backs of when we were here last time. I remember saying that we were going to be back in a year now it has been over 3 years but we have finally made it back. The sand is still soft as ever...

Unknowingly we planted ourselves quite a ways from the main part of the island.  Ao Cho is the beach that we are staying at for the week until we decide to move to the more populated area after. I did some art and reading on the beach today but for some reason it just doesn't compare to my favorite reading spot in the world on Ao Haad Thian. Something about sitting up there on the side of the mountain over looking the ocean waves really brings peace to my soul.

Last night I sat on the pier watching locals set of huge lanterns with kerosene appearantly they do this everywhere in Asia. I have seen this in China, Loas and now Thailand.

So a new update for the people that have been following my travels, Jenny is going to the UK!!!! After Hong Kong. It will be one hell of a change after spending over a year and a half in Asia, culture shock I am ready for you.

Spaceman ice cream

Off to the moon

Small update: Jenny is thinking about studying abroad I have started working on gathering my information from all my post secondary Education facilities. Yes I am currently thinking about all my options I very well might try to get a working visa somewhere but I don't think I want to give up teaching. I really love teaching! So the plan is if I cannot study abroad I will look for a teaching gig somewhere in Asia once again.Who knows I am so ADD I might just end up riding a horse to the moon after it is all said and done.

Finally heading to Koh Samet

Karrie and I have been talking about going back to this place since we left 3 years ago. Now we are finally going back today we leave our guest house in Bangkok at 2pm and we should be arriving at about dinner time. I can't believe that I am going back, I am really excited to see if it has changed at all. I remember it was a piece of heaven on Earth I don't say this often, I hope that it is how I remember it to be.

It will be like reliving the past one last time but I am a completely different person now with the same outer shell.

First off I had only planned to travel until my (Sept 26 2010- Feb 1 2011) birthday now that I think about it my birthday is only 12 days away. We have decided to extend our stay so we can make it into Hong Kong for Chinese New Years with my mother and grandma.This extends my travels until Feb 10th.

There were tentative plans for me to travel through China one last time before I headed home back to Canada. (Feb 10th- March 24th-ish) When I return to Canada I had lined up a teaching job in Luo Yang for August 2011 and now that has become something of a lost dream, since the Chinese management and all the bull shit. I'm now unsure if that China is the country that I want to go back and teach at. This job could have been my dream job while I did my correspondence for my Bachelor of Education and would have had the opportunity to teach art and apply for the extra curricular activity coordinator position.

It seems like all those plans fell through and now there isn't much driving me in any specific direction.

There was talk of Malaysia after the new years when we were in Koh Phangan but we decided that we would want more time for something as spontaneous as that. I love the fact that I can talk about going anywhere and it very well can be a reality.

My mother wants me to travel through Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Gulin and Yunann China....to be honest I think I have spent enough time in China.

Right now I am waiting to talk to someone before I take my next step forward in my random journies after Hong Kong....

Live the dream.

Back in Bangkok

9am 20 minute boat ride to Haad Rinn -> 30 minute tuk-truck ride to Thong Sala -> 1pm 3 hour ferry ride to Surat Thani -> 1.5 hour bus ride to the train station -> 13 hour train ride to BKK -> 7am arrival in Bangkok and then into our last tuk tuk to the guest house.

There was a thought in my head that we weren't ever going to arrive. Now I have been online all day posting away like a manaic to catch up on my travel adventures. I am leaving out huge gaps and details but you must experience it for yourself to know what I am talking about. You can ask me next time you see me in person.

Karrie is going to pick up our friend Danielle from BKK airport tonight, I am so excited for her since it is her first time backpacking through SE Asia.

Leaving Haad Thian

Our (hornbill) Prehistoric friend.

I am taller than the door!!!!

This magical place held some special energy that gave me the time to grow and relax in peace. I found the perfect place to read my book (in the whole world).

I met some of the best people on Earth here (I wish I could shrink down Poncho and Eva and put them in my pocket and keep them forever) I need to work on that shrink ray.

I would love to come back and spend some time here when I feel the need to re ground myself. After our last night out and saying our good-byes to our new found friends I find myself sad to be leaving this whimsical place. However, I am ready to move onto my next adventure.

My reading spot. <3

I feel like I have been traveling for a long time now and I cannot wait to see my mom in Hong Kong.

This place is like a piece of heaven.

Ao Haad Thian

I have met a special community of people. I find it hard to say that this was the point of my trip that I was searching for. When I had started backpacking trek through many cities, interactions, scenery and much more. I loved the Beam dorms I had met so many wonderful people.

Here is the poem that I read at my debut at open mic at the Sanctuary in Haad Thian.

Its never about omens, prophecies or even fate,
it was an improbability drive.
I once follow the path with the least resistance,
 hoping to float on.
Subconsciously, I was treading upstream to see the fictional waterfall.
Instead I got caught by jagged rocks underneath and was pulled into the depths unknown.
Strenuous current but once I let go
all adversities I faced enhanced the already breath taking panoramas
An abundance of emotions surfaced,
stirred by the whirlwind of traveling experiences.
I blinked once and breathed in.
My perspective of the universe started to alter.
My soul learned that inspiration flourishing becomes organic.
I feel like I read more maps than books.
My internal compass has started to spin.
Now I seek a reflection of what I value most in life.
The connections dot-to-dot begun painting images guiding my spiritual compass.
Help me create, celebrate and appreciate intimate connections as vast and infinite as the stars in the sky.

Longtail boat and Jungle trek to Ao Wai Nam

From the pier we faced the storm creating huge waves impeding us from getting to Haad Yuan. After the 'why not' conversation that I have been having a lot recently. We climbed into the long tail boat to brave the waves of doom with some professional Thai pirates that didn't seemed phased at all. We were dropped off (that means jumped into the ocean with our bags to get to the coast) After a trek through the jungle in the rain we arrived at Ao Haad Thian for a coffee and breakfast. 

It is very rare I place myself in a situation with 'doominess lingering in the air' These are the moments that make me feel that life is priceless. Where in your mind you question 'Am I going to make it out alive?'

Delay to Haad Yuan

We walked down the street to catch a tuk-truck to the pier, from the pier we transferred to a minibus that will take us to Haad Rinn. After the lunch break....we had to hunt down a long tail boat. Our friend Emily said this place was like paradise, away from the real world. We saw a sign that said 'Jungle Experience' so we decided to stay in Haad Rinn.


'THE JUNGLE EXPERIENCE'

This psy trance party, with Thai food...booze and mystery stuff. Again with the glow paint....Karrie and I drank a 26oz of Jagermister. I have never puked/heaved so hard in my life. I slept in a tuk-truck, tried to eat some fries then got real lost in the city next to Haad Rinn beach.

Why would you name two bungalows Oasis and name the restaurants next to these bungalows Bamboozled???

This was the first day I said, "I am not going to drink anymore"

Tomorrow we are going to get onto Haad Yuan, it is still on Koh Phangan, it will be nice to get out of the party area. My hangover doesn't like it. I need to clear my mind....

Ao Plai Laem Beach on Koh Phangan

I didn't realize that the island was so large. We have luckily planted ourselves at a beautiful quiet beach. I am very thankful now that we didn't stay near Haad Rinn. The drinking would have turned out to be overly excessive and very bad for my heath.

It is nice and serene here with a fantastic view of the sun setting into the very still ocean.

New Years 2011 Full Moon Party

After paying the entrance fee of 100 Baht, we were surrounded by people selling glow paint, blinky bits and people running around with buckets.

So in a nut shell every bar plays a different genre of music from thumping to 40s, dubstep, psy trance (like the portal at Shambhala) house music and best of all drum and bass. It was awesome to see people all dressed up.

Let me paint the picture for you, over 10s of thousands of people all ready to bring in the new year. Soon after mid-night things became more inebriated. There were people urinating because people were to drunk and impatient to face the long line ups for the washroom (plus you had to pay 5Baht) The litter started to pile up, beer bottles, buckets, straws everywhere and many single shoes/sandles that have lost their owners. The tide started to rise near 4am, following that was the sun lighting up the impact the party had made on the beach.  

As for the evening, I kissed Karrie at mid-night met some people (obviously) took some very hammbo'd photographs. had a D & M as he called it. Lost Karrie for about an hour (my bad) made a new friend in my search for her. I had an awesome talk about Kanji, Japanese and later on had a short adventure with a bucket on my head. We ate a very thin crust pizza before heading back to our bungalow in a tuk-tuk. For some unknown reason we had to switch tuk-tuks, finally we made it back for a quick swim in the ocean and some breakfast. 9am time to sleep.

I don't know if I had ever have ever had a new years of that caliber.