Fast forward- Week 2!!

Hello! My appologises, it’s been  a while… missed me?

I had intended to write on here much more often than fortnightly but truth be told I’ve been having too much fun adjusting to my new lifestyle and exploring this wonderful country.  So what’s been happening? In short, EVERYTHING!

When we last spoke I had just arrived in Bangkok and was feeling jet-lagged and overwhelmed; two weeks later I am much more settled and falling increasingly in love with Thailand.

I have visited the dazzling Wat Pho and Reclining Buddha, took a boat ride on the Chao Phyraya River, wandered the night market at Asiatique and treated myself to a salubrious film experience at the Paragon cinema. I ate Dim Sum at Cabbages and Condoms, tried mango sticky rice/ pad thai (many times!) and sipped a shedload of coconuts. I’ve become hooked on Thai massages (finally coming to terms with other people touching my feet!)  I survived a precarious, storm-filled bus journey to Ko Chang where I rode and bathed elephants, snorkelled in clear water teaming with tropical fish and stayed in a fanciful hotel by the sea where I watched a sunset in a jacuzzzi on a beach. I endured a 12 hour bus ride back to Bangkok where the driver reversed half a mile down a busy freeway and had brake repairs carried out by mechanic with a pet baboon on a leash! I got soaked at Songkran festival and took part in endless waterfights on the street.

I am embracing the art of taking each day as it comes and “going with the flow”- kind of alien to me I know! I wake up with a rough plan in my head as to where the day might take me but accept that circumstances change and allow spontaneous notions to grab me. If I want to have a couple of lazy hours in the sun I do so and don’t beat myself up about it. If I feel like having a massage I go to a parlour and without feeling guilty, I see something appealing at a food cart, I scoff it! Put simply, I’m doing my damnedest to live in the moment and savour the beauty of doing nothing. Strolling in the sunshine and people watching are fast becomming my favourite things to do. Though the journey has only just begun for me I can already feel myself changing; I am achieving things (on my own!) which I’d started to question would be possible and more importantly- I’m not stressing about it!! 🙌 *Miracle!* 🙌

I have until the weekend to enjoy Bangkok before I head to Ayutthaya to temple watch and take the sleeper train to Chiang Mai in the North. I am looking forward to starting my Stray travel pass as staying in nice hotels is great (it really is!) but means I have not immersed myself in the backpacking community. Dinner and drinks have been arranged for Friday night though so that I can meet other Stray passengers before we depart on Saturday- EXCITING! Will keep you posted. Lets hope I’m not the only weirdo!

Before I sign off, I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all the love and kindness over the last few weeks. I have, and continue to be, floored by everyone’s thoughtfulness and generosity. It means so much. Travelling to the other side of the world is far less daunting knowing I have your encouragement and support.

Anyways, enough from me. A mid-day snack of ridiculously cheap (slightly dubious looking) street food awaits!