Today my lunch date cancelled due to some new training. 😦 Since I already arranged my schedule to have this afternoon student free, I felt the need to get out. (truth- I haven’t left the condo in two days working from 7 am until evening. You all know I don’t want that to take over my life again!)
Deciding which beach to go to can be difficult but never a stressful decision. For some reason I have been wanting to go back to Paradise Beach to explore again. I was only there once during the day (back in May) and then once with Traci at night for the Half Moon Party.
Rented a lounge chair and embraced the shade. Ordered a fruit smoothie and some fried rice for lunch.
It was a gorgeous day. I was admiring these new chairs where the shade is provided by a cover that extends directly over your head. Look to the right and left of this photo to see two extended.
I decided to get up and take a walk on this new floating blue bridge I saw in the distance. I don’t recall these dead tree branches in the sand, but they certainly must have been there in May?
Odd that I wouldn’t remember them.
A great view of Paradise Beach as I climbed up the steps to the bridge.
The walkway took you past a rocky area where a lot of tourists had stepped out for picture taking.
View looking back on the floating bridge. A lot of snorkelers were in the water by this area.
Walking back toward the beach. Water was so green today. I love how it changes colors.
Thanks to an obnoxious group of guys (guessing from Dubai) that caused me to want to move, I took another pathway and found Chill Beach”. Upon arrival there was a topless bronze woman lying face up proud of her implants! I was sad that she wasn’t respectful of the Thai conservative culture.
View of Chill Beach. The sand was super soft and a totally different texture than Paradise which was more coral covered.
Water crystal clear. I wandered around these rocks and watched the crabs jump away. When I turned and looked toward the beach, I noticed a staircase. So I decided to head up to see what was there.
As I barefoot walked up a dirt trail, I saw this in the distance on a rock and decided to get a closer look.
From the rock where the sign was placed, this was the view.
Stunning. I didn’t realize I was on such a narrow peninsula and that water with such a different landscape was so near to the beach.
I was fascinated watching the whirlpools created from the crashing waves. Wondering if it would suck me down and if so, how deep it would be.
Selfie in my Girl Power hat I stole from Sedona in Korea. I was damn happy to have found this new spot.
I wandered up a steep incline to find this small temple.
This was a glimpse of the beach as I wandered back down the temple’s hill .
Instead of going back the way I came, I wandered the opposite direction on the path to find this swing set with a view. Sometimes I seriously am so damn happy with myself. The solo wanderer.
This was the view from the swing set. I called a few friends from here to take it in with me.
Was appropriately named Rock View Point.
As I kept wandering I found this beautiful wood sculpture. I also walked past some dorm rooms where it looked like backpackers could stay.
This is the transportation to get from the parking lot down to the beach. It’s such a steep incline. You’d be crazy to drive it but there were tons of scooters parked down by the beach. But I love my Tia too much to risk it.
On my calendar for Saturday was a beach clean up at Panwa Cape Beach and an evening at an Art on Helmet exhibit in Patong. Neither of which happened. A lesson for me on rolling with life’s curve balls and embracing what shows up instead. Change of plans are not always a negative if you learn to let go.
The longer I am alone, the more I find it difficult to be spontaneous. I am in total control of my schedule and find sometimes I can be too content in that control. Jason and I had plans to go to the Art on Helmets exhibit but he instead asked if I wanted to do lunch. I was thinking this was odd….since we were supposed to meet up for dinner. I told him I was going to a beach clean up. He asked where that was located and I told him. He said he would wander down there and meet me for lunch. (?)
I made it to the tip of the island where the Phuket Aquarium was. It was a beautiful location and I contemplated whether to actually pay to go in and tour or walk the area a bit. As I parked, Jason texted me and said he was at The Cove. I thought…..okay…..guess I best meet him. So I googled mapped my way there.
This photo was taken by the Aquarium. There is a huge navel base down here and private resorts.
As suspected Jason was cancelling on me for that evening and wanted to tell me in person rather than text. I learned he is a bit of a hermit himself and wasn’t in the mood to join a bunch of expats that he didn’t want to mingle with. He had to work the next morning and was also heading to Melbourne Sunday night, so a lot going on. I was graceful about it, and appreciated the opportunity to sit with him and get to know him better over a cocktail by the beach.
We talked about how we both like to wander roads not knowing where they lead. He told me about a viewpoint that I had never heard of before. I decided to check it out on my way home. Would never have wandered up this road. No signs, no civilization and my gas tank was touching on the red. But totally worth the adventure.
Clouds were starting to roll in.
After scootering up the mountain there were many more steps to the top.
At the top was a covered gazebo with views for miles.
Looking down from where I started from.
Those tiny specs are boats.I wondered if the beaches on these islands were worth going to. Islands everywhere!As I was driving back to Kathu the storm clouds were turning black in my rear view mirror. I was so thankful to be driving in the direction with blue skies ahead. I stopped for gas and turned left only to see black clouds directly in front of me now. Let’s just say, another drenched arrival for me.
Selfie showing the climb.
Jason and Sterling invited me to lunch Sunday and as much as I wanted to nap instead, I forced myself out and glad I did. Such a great international group- from Singapore, USA, Malaysia and England. Very kind all of them.
As I was scootering my way to the lunch, nearly getting my helmet blown off by the strong winds which are NO joke, I was reminded of when I first moved to Cincinnati. I was friends with Jeff Stechschulte and Jeff Denman (both from Findlay, Ohio) and there was a party next door with the all girl’s house. I was quite nervous about going. Not knowing anyone, just moving there from NYC, and realizing they all knew each other for years. I was the odd man out.
That uncomfortable party eventually landed me the very best group of friends that anyone could ever ask for! My Michigan Ave gals to this day are by my side supporting me through all of life’s roller coasters. My love to Kathy, Stephanie, Julie, Elizabeth, Kristin and Vinni. I gathered the guts to go out and do it all again, meeting new faces and finding my way toward new friendships and experiences.
Last day with Traci. So sad. Thank goodness I saved the Big Buddha for last, because climbing those mountainous curves with Traci on the scooter would have sent her over the edge had I ventured any sooner. We even did a pit stop at a half way point to visit the Wat Chaithararam Temple for a moment. I know I’ve blogged about that before so I’ll spare you repeat photos.
Traci in the midst of sunflowers.
The landscaping at Wat Chaithararam is so well kept.
Traci got the balls to take photos while on the back! Dare devil!
Just one of Traci’s road shots.
Some of the road side cafes on the way up.
I feel so badly for these elephants. They are chained up and you can tell are unhappy.
Baby chained up. I wish this could be unlawful. Heartbreaking.
The Big Buddha. Giving it perspective with the people climbing the stairs up.
A close up view.
The backside. You can actually walk through the Buddha. A lot of construction going on around this big guy but they don’t even put up any ropes to keep you out. All at your own risk here. Monks were singing in unison inside. Their voices echoed and it could’ve put me into a trance.
View from the top.
Incredible.
Wishing leaves on the bell.
The roots of these trees are amazing.
Not quite sure what this was. One of many gold figurines. One of these days I’ll get a tour guide to better understand this religion. They were putting coins into 32 bowls for good health of their 32 organs. Lots of cool observations here.
You know you’ve missed a friend when you are up til 3:30 am the first day and 4:30 am the next talking, laughing and drinking!! Is so great having her here!!
She is so adventurous with food. One of my downfalls. She’s determined to try durian, the king’s fruit, which smells like feet. I am NOT thinking I will partake. She convinced me to go into this restaurant that was packed with locals. I was a bit nervous. I had no idea how to order and nobody spoke English. I think she was trying to pay me back for making her hike 30 minutes up a steep incline to Monkey Hill earlier that day.
Shows how high up we climbed. They wouldn’t let you drive the scooter.
Another Monkey Hill view on the walk up., a glance at the sea.
Finally arrived at the top where the monkeys just roam around. I literally saw one monkey with his hand up another monkey’s ass. I was so entertained! Traci was getting nervous when I was trying to take the photo of the baby one with the banana. She kept telling me the mom was coming and wasn’t happy with me getting so close.
Traci test driving Tia. It was harder than she thought. I ended up taking Min’s scooter that I rented with Traci on the back – was an adventure to say the least! It started raining with no end in sight, so we got soaked on the way home from dinner. We tried to wait it out sipping on a margarita, but no luck. Had to just go for it and submit to the elements.
The restaurant where you cook your own food at the table. Guess it’s called ‘hot pot’? You pick the broth flavors and they fill the pot up half and half. Traci picked a Korean spiced broth, which I couldn’t touch! Was so flipping spicy. My favorite part was the coconut ice cream 🙂
I asked for mixed vegetables and got what looked like a garden. The white things are mushrooms which I hated. Were so rubbery. Let’s just say I ate a lot of corn.
We ended up in Phuket Town where I discovered new street art again. So glad I started my tonyatakesthailand art Instagram! I have a feeling I will never run out of material for it.
Perfect ending thought for the day. Goes hand in hand with the yacht I purchased on Monday 🙂
After visiting the pier and getting some local gas, Tia and I set out to see the yachts kept at the marina here. They did not disappoint once I found them. I had a hard time figuring out how to get into the marina. I kept driving in circles until the guard told me to park and pointed to the path beside what looked like a condominium complex.
I had such a fun day today with the Thai people. I think because I was in an area where not a lot of tourists go. So people would smile and bow at me, and even honk their horns playfully to say hi”. Was fun. Joyful.
Behind the condo complex appeared a beautiful pier.
Trying to capture the clear etched sign which had a constant flow of serene water that went over top.
The bikes give the boat’s size perspective. I walked around as if heading to my yacht.
Found it!
I posted this one on Instagram, it’s just so pretty.
This was the view off one of the piers. In the distance are rock formations in the middle of the sea used in the filming of one of the James Bond movies. My Zoe told me it looks like The Goonies too.
I sat down to have a virgin sunrise before I took off. This was my view from the table.
Was refreshing but processed juices which was disappointing. I forgot my sunscreen again. Was turning a tad red so needed some shade. Thank goodness I always pack a cardigan so when I’m on the scooter my arms are protected.
After the marina I headed down a very well paved, virtually deserted road up and down the mountain with sharp turns. I tried to capture it in a Marco Polo to Tiffani, but not sure if it recorded. Was unreal. In the middle of the jungle. At one point going up a steep incline I had to lay with my stomach on the seat- forward, and kick my feet behind me to help Tia make it up. I swear if there were cameras for my life!!!
I stopped several times since I doubted I would ever be back up here. Had to capture this monster dinosaur sized plant.
Giving it proportion. Loving my ring still Teresa !!!
On top of the mountain I snapped this shot through the trees.
Drove down a dirt road, because I could and discovered a few abandoned ships. The colors I love here.
Made it to the viewpoint. When I pulled over, I could hear the crackling of the crabs walking below on the rocks. Was surreal. Would be a crazy sound to hear in the dark.
Tonya Takes Thailand 