After my day island hopping in the sun, I google mapped my way to the Jam Rock reggae bar to catch the sunset. It was now 5:30pm. The sun was going to set in an hour. I arrived to find myself the only visitor at the moment at this very eclectic establishment.
I was greeted by the owner, who I have met several times before when I was driving down this road. There was a jam session going on when I arrived, complete with an expat flute player. The owner had his tone deaf input on the saxophone and a didjeridoo. The flute player seemed to be trying to teach them notes and new songs. They asked me if I sang and I said yes. I mean if they were mostly tone deaf, I was definitely joining in! But maybe after a few beers.
I sat alone and then two guys came in who seemed very familiar with the place. I later found out the one guy was from England, named Z, and the other was a Russian fellow. Both were stuck in Phuket during the pandemic and Z had actually lived 10 days at this reggae campus. I was intrigued how that came about, but later that night, I saw how you could easily end up here.
After my first beer, I asked the owner who was as thin as my arm, for another. He explained in his stoner broken English that you just help yourself to the blue cooler and at the end of the night you pay him. That seemed flexible and unreliable but yet -so cool. I did my best to keep my bottles so I knew what I owed 🙂 I later discovered there is also no change giving in this scenario.
The location, totally worth checking out!
Jason joined me and so did James. I was so happy to have them both there. James ended up heading out to dinner so Jason and I walked down the trail to the campus to check it out before it got dark.
Down on the lower level they had this bar set up complete with a pool table which I have no idea how they managed to get down the mountain.
They had a live stage area. And also a boxing ring. (that could be a fun drunk night combo)
They had these little shacks that had spray painted numbers on the back. I asked Z which one he stayed in and he said 7″ 🙂 He told me you couldn’t stay here too long because they put you to work – he built a bench which we encouraged him to carve his initials into. I wondered if they had any plumbing which could be another reason to stay a limited time.
Jason and I sat on that large rock for a beer.
Me being my crazy obnoxious self. I was in for a fun evening.
The newly constructed shack in the distance is actually a fully equipped recording studio.
The sunset was a stunner. I was embracing the recap of my Saturday. Alone during the day taking in the phenomenal natural landscapes and then surrounded by friends and entertainment at night.
The Russian, I forget his name, showing off his yoga poses. He held this endlessly. I didn’t dare even try it. I really wanted to hang with these two guys. They were stoned and I participated in their shared offering. They were going to go swimming in the ocean and then grab some food. They were free spirits. I wish I would have met them sooner in their stay.
My muse. He took off when James came back from dinner. I fully intended to take off too, but then a song came on that I needed to sing along to. Later they played a Coldplay song and James couldn’t resist. So the two of us stayed for about an hour more.
The barefoot band. The owner and I exchanged creative smoke. AMC crew advised on the tiny details.
At the bar were two kids who stayed mostly in this room with their unneutered Dobermann dog. I was intrigued by the instruments and tattoo chair all in the same room. Only in Thailand. It makes perfect sense here. Just be. Do what feels right. Live and let live.
I'm just your average gal figuring out her way through the second half of life that decided to follow a calling to Thailand. Now back in the USA due to covid, seeking nature for further direction.
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Tonya Takes Thailand 