New Years in Thailand

After a one day "break" from work for Christmas, I was more than thrilled to have an entire week off of school for vacation. Also, it was the week of New Years which made it more exciting. Since we would have time to travel and go somewhere outside Korea, that is exactly what I did.

Thailand.

Before I came to Korea, I wasn't thinking Thailand, would be one of the places that would visit. I was really interested in going to Bali, Indonesia or perhaps traveling to visit another Cobber friend who is living abroad. A co-worker of mine had lived and worked in Thailand for a year as a teacher. When I was trying to think of a place to go, she recommended Thailand. I began doing some research and it seemed like a lovely place. Tropical weather, cheap food and accommodations, and the flights from Korea were cheaper than to other places.

I spent my week in Koh Chang, Trat, Thailand, an island just off the southeast coast. Also, this island is the largest island closest to Bangkok (which is where I would be flying into.) The day before my trip, I was with some friends in Seoul and nervous about traveling alone. Yes, I know I am quite outgoing and make friends easily BUT this would be traveling to a country I don't know and no one would be waiting for me when I arrived. My brain filled with questions: Is it safe to travel alone? What if I am robbed? Do they speak English? What will I do in Thailand? Where do I stay?

I arrived at the airport in Bangkok just before midnight on December 30th and was suddenly filled with excitement. I was  going to spend my winter vacation on an island in Thailand. WOW!!! It hit me what a blessing it was to first of all be traveling anywhere for a holiday. Secondly, I was not just traveling but from my life already living abroad. It's easy to forget how much I have to be thankful for when I am just doing the day-to-day work.

That night I needed somewhere cheap just to sleep for the night and then head out to the island tomorrow, so I ended heading to Koh Sahn road. Many people know this road for its cheap shopping and exciting night life. Lots of young foreigners come here over vacation and it was very exciting when I arrived. Even at 1:30am on a Sunday night, the street was FILLED with people, shopping stands, and loud music. Here I was with my backpack and still wearing  winter clothes from Korea. I just walked into the first hostel I saw and got a room. Spent the night there and headed out the next morning.

I took a cab to the east bus terminal in town to make my way to Koh Chang. I was informed that the bus ride would be 5 hours, but what I didn't expect was the rest of the journey to take all day. It went something like this... wait one hour for the bus, ride the bus for 5 hours, take a one hour cab to the ferry, take the ferry for one hour, take another one hour cab ride to the southside of the island where my guesthouse was. GAH! Needless to say, by the time I arrived it was New Years eve and I was exhausted and starving. Instead of being filled with excitement and counting down til midnight, I spent my finally eating some dinner around 10pm and then sleeping, because I knew I would need my energy for the next few days.

The first morning I woke up and was surprised to see the view, because when I arrived everything was dark so I didn't know what to expect to see. I enjoyed breakfast at my guest house with fresh fruit and fresh fruit juice. :) At 9am I had booked a trip to go snorkeling for the day with food and equipment included. All for less than $20!!! We travled to 4 different small islands and snorkeled. I had never gone snorkeling before so I was quite thrilled to stick my goggle underwater and see beautiful tropical fish swimming inches from my face.

Our first stop.

Stop number 2.

Stop 3. All the lifejackets floating are people from my group.

Our forth and final stop.

A few of the different snorkeling companies boats.

On the beach at our final stop.

The whole day was so much fun and filled with beautiful sites. These were places people saw in magazines or dreamt about. My eyes were on overload the whole trip, and it was fantastic.

For my next day, I decided to spend it relaxing at the beach and exploring the island some more. I began walking towards the rest of the island, hoping to catch these truck bed style taxis, but I wasn't seeing any. This was when I walked past a motorbike rental stand. A lot of people seemed to ride motorbikes all over Thailand. I stopped and talked to the woman there and she told me it was only 200 baht ($7) a day to rent a bike. So I signed a little paper and before I knew it, I was exploring the island on a motorbike. I had never driven one before, but they were automatic and had a helmet.... I figured it would all be fine. The hardest thing was driving on the left hand side of the road.

I visited 2 different beaches that day, which were both gorgeous. When I arrived at the beach, I put sunscreen on first. But it was so hot out.... that I am pretty sure it all just sweated right off. So I did end up with a little sunburn, but it was worth it to spend the day in such magnificent place. Following my beach time, I stopped to get a Thai massage in Thailand. How perfect!

My first stop on the motorbike.

White Sand Beach

White Sand Beach

Sunset at Lonely Beach.... this little guy decided to join me.

My third day started out similar with a trip to the beach to soak up the sun and the ocean. I first visited a Khlong Prao beach, which was fun and more quiet than the other beaches. This one felt like a true get away. I was able to enjoy a lovely beachside lunch followed by a visit to a Thai Buddhist temple. Finally, this afternoon I got to go and ride an elephant! I had been looking forward to this the whole trip and I was so excited. I had an hour ride through the forest/jungle of the island and it was so fun.

Almost to Khlong Prao Beach.

I almost forgot... I went to a fish spa where these little fish eat the dead skin off your feet and calves. It tickled a lot, but after my feet felt so nice!

I did it!! I rode an elephant.

Sadly, the next day I had to leave. I began the long trip back to Bangkok and eventually Korea. When I returned to Changwon, it was the first time I really felt like I was returning home. It has been a week since my return but it feels like forever. I am so blessed and thankful for these 4 months here. I cannot imagine what the next 8 have in store.

Happy New Year!