300 days in Asia and 300 reasons to love it!

"It's a wild and wonderful world; follow your heart and let the adventure unfold"

So apparently a few days ago was my three hundredth day of being away. I never planned on it, but then again sometimes those are the best kind of plans. 

Since being here I've met some truly incredible people that I hope to stay in contact with. I've also been to places I had never heard of, visited and explored with family, got the chance to travel Thailand with two of my favorite travel buddies, spent more time by myself than I ever have before (its rewarding and at times a little lonely), and eaten food that has been oh-so-delicioh-so good!! And besides bumming around I also got my dive master certification and taught balinese kids for a few months. If you asked me earlier this year about what I would be doing, I never would have known. I'm so grateful to have taken the first step for this journey nearly a year ago and continued it for longer than expected. Now that I'm here, it's been like a snowball rolling down a hill and now it's impossible to stop. (Which thankfully I'm enjoying it so much that I don't mind). 

So what do I love so much about it here?

I know I said 300 reasons, but we all know I won't write that many and you won't read them all, so let's not get so picky. 

•The food. 

Restaurants, food stalls, street food, tropical fruit, noodles noodles and more noodles, markets, hole on the walls, rice rice and more rice, chilis, sauces, and skewers. Everything needed to satisfy any sort of craving. 

• Durian. 

I know I just had a food category, but durian deserves one of its own. It's nicknamed the "king of fruits" probably because nothing compares. I'd say its one of the top reasons to come to Asia. Really. 

•Living out of hostels and guesthouses means strangers come into a room and clean up all the mess I've been working on for the last few days. It’s incredible. No making my bed or cleaning of any kind. Also, I have new "roommates" every week. If I like them I made a new friend and if I don't then I never have to see them again. 

•As for laundry well, it’s not necessary as long as you keep on the move. Wear your favorite t-shirt for a week, no-one will know, just don’t spill curry on it. But when you're afraid the whole subway car can smell you, just take it to a laundry place, drop it off, and pick it up. It comes back smelling like a floral shop, ironed, and folded perfectly. Viola! The worst chore done for you!

•The little things really count, like finding those little treasures you've missed from home, like a chocolate bar or salt and vinegar chips. Well, it's time to celebrate! (I'm still huting for that egg nog. Diary products are hard to come by)

•Sandles are still my go to footwear…if I need shoes at all. 

•They sell Crispy M&Ms in Asia. You remember those right? The are in the blue pack and personally are my favorite kind. For some reason they are nowhere to be found in the states...

• Its easy to get around. 

Just hop on a plane, train, city bus, coach bus, tuk-tuk, motorbike, taxi, ferry, metro, long-tail boat, bicycle, or just walk. 

• It's easy on the budget.

Lots of stuff is pretty cheap in comparison to US money. Makes it easy for a little to go a long way. 

• I guess I should mention one of the main reasons for going someplace else is the people and their culture. It's a learning experience everyday. Seeing how other people live and celebrate their lives is worth the journey!

• Markets. Food, knick-knacks, paintings, food, clothes, accessories, food, snacks and more food. 

• The weather.

This is both a blessing and a curse. I now understand what an endless summer feels like. It seems like I've been in the same season the entire time here. Even if it rains its still a nice 72 degrees. That's great and all, but I'm not sure how much more my body can sweat! 

•Anything is possible. 

The very best thing about traveling, that comes above all the rest, is the realization that it is very possible to live all of your wildest travel fantasies and once you’ve had a taste of one adventure it’s unlikely you’ll stop anytime soon.

Falling in love...

"We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next, to find ourselves. We travel to open our hearts and eyes and learn more about the world than our newspapers will accommodate. We travel to bring what little we can, in our ignorance and knowledge, to those parts of the globe whose riches are differently dispersed. And we travel, in essence, to become young fools again- to slow time down and get taken in, and fall in love once more." Pico Iyer, Why We Travel

So there's something you should know about me. I fall in love a lot. Like, all the time. 

Usually it's something as basic as a glance, and before I know it, I'm head-over-heels infatuated, humming out some Bryan Adams tune.

Now, rarely do things get out of hand and get to the point of any real commitment (mainly because I'm too busy humming), but hardly does this have any impact on how its so easy to appreciate whats around and fall in love. 

So it should come as no surprise that after a few day fling in Bali I was humming the opening chords of some love song about the no nonsense lifestyle and beauty around every corner. 

I. LOVE. THIS. ISLAND. It has everything I love wrapped up conveniently in a little package. Clear turquoise waters. White sand. Black sand. Pebble sand. Jungle interior. Mountains. Whispering palm trees when you want to relax. Majestic temples everywhere you turn. Streets lined with flower offerings to the gods. Fields and fields of rice swaying in the breeze. Not only that, but the people here have such a rich culture that is celebrated everyday.

While there I was completely comfortable being in the natural rhythm of the community around me. What did I even do everyday? I'm not really sure how those few months went by so quickly. My days were filled with teaching the best class of 4th graders I could ask for. They are full of spirit and eager to learn. They joke around a lot and pick on each other even more (most of the time in good nature). Smiles that light up their eyes are plastered on their faces and they leave school piled on bikes, sometimes one peddler and two more hanging on! 

I never knew what to expect with those kids either. Like the time I came to class and the boys had collected buckets and buckets of crabs of all sizes from the river and brought them to class. No big deal at first until the class trouble maker poured one bucket that had momma crabs and literally hundreds of baby crabs onto the floor. There were crabs everywhere! The girls were screaming, the boys were picking them up and chasing the girls, and I was trying to herd the little critters back into the bucket without getting stepped on. It's kinda fun going to class and wondering what kind of excitement the students would create in class that day. I loved it! Never a dull day, that's for sure!

I enjoyed nearly every minute I was in Bali. It's been the highlight of my trip. After a few months here they've kicked me out, but I'm only trying to find a way to come back again, and soon! I just can't resist this place that has left it's mark. 

Little Rascals

"As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life - and travel - leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks - on your body or on your heart - are beautiful." ~Anthony Bourdain

I've lost track if time since being here. I often have no idea what the date is and time is an arbitrary thing. The thing is, life is simple here. The people are kind, the food is delicious, the weather is sunny, the ocean is blue. Not much else you could ask for really.

Of course not everywhere is perfect. The moment you get on a road in Bali you remember that life isn't stress free. The roads are skinny and drivers seem to think there are 5 more lanes than there actually are and that honking will clear any obstacles so there's no need for brakes, only gas. Somehow I'm still in one piece with not a scratch on me so I guess it's one of those organized systems of chaos. 

Speaking of chaos, I've been teaching 4th graders English. Just after I got here I started teaching at an elementary school. This has been one of the hardest and most rewarding things I've ever done. (This and my divemaster course have tested my limits!). But what can I say about it other than that these Balinese kids have been such a joy. We have class every week day for a few hours, after their Balinese schooling. The English lessons are optional for them, but I usually have a full class of eager students. A few months together has given us the chance to really get to know each other and have lots of fun! We play lots of games and laugh most of the time. Of course there has been plenty of tears, and only some of them were my fault. When you get twenty competitive 10 year olds together and start playing games with stickers as the prize, things can get a little crazy! 

Despite the major language barrier that hopefully has been lessened since my teaching and their relentless energy that has often erupted into chaos, each one of them has wiggled their way into my heart. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity not only to teach the little rugrats, but also to learn so much from them as well. It's nearly time for me to say goodbye to them, but I'll think of their smiling faces often!

Out and About

"I'll never doubt myself in a strange land, never be scared of languages or funky rooms...I won't be cynical of human nature, because strangers have helped me out so many times. My ripped suitcase, as it rumbles onto the carousel, is bursting with life." ~Elizabeth Eaves, Wanderlust

So apparently I'm no good at keeping this blog updated. It's been quite a while since I've posted anything at all so I guess I should give a run down of what I've been up to. 

Here's the quick version in case you don't want to read a bunch. I'll start with saying that having no plan turns out to be the best plan. I came to Asia to scuba dive and see where it leads. I've chosen to bum around and get started on the responsible stuff on a little bit. No rush here. 

This no plan thing has worked out pretty well too. After doing my divemaster training in Thailand I went to Macau to visit my sister and brother in law. I was even able to do some tutoring for some kids at their school. Hong Kong is just a weekend trip away too! After some family time I went back to Thailand for a couple weeks with 2 of my roommates from Italy. Such a special experience to be able to travel all over with such exceptional ladies. After that I was on my own and took a train to Malaysia. Turns out this was one of my favorite spots. The people are exceptionally friendly and the food is spicy! I spent one month on the Peninsula and one month in Borneo. Malaysia wins the prizes for best jungles and best hosts at a guesthouse. Where to next? The place that has stolen my heart, Bali! 

I've been here nearly 3 months, but just because I'm leaving doesn't mean I'm saying goodbye. I'm already looking at flights to come back again! The people I've met here have made a big impact on me. This island really is a special place. The funny thing is that my sister and brother in law came here for their first Asian experience and have raved about it ever since. I know why now!

Continuing with the "no plans" theme, I'm leaving the future chapters blank for now. I do know that I'm going back to Malaysia when immigration kicks me out of Bali (they'll have a hard time keeping me out!). Then I'm off to Cambodia for Christmas with my sister and brother in law. After that, we'll see. 

This adventure I've been on is hard to describe. 

Memorable. 

Irreplaceable. 

Challenging. 

Influential. 

Meaningful. 

Unforgettable. 

It's also had a life of its own, taking me in directions I didn't consider at first. I've met people that will be a part of my future and also taken the time to enjoy traveling by myself. The memories I've made will stay with me and I am more than grateful to be collecting them. 

The best part is that this adventure of mine doesn't have to end... 

Waterlogged and Happy!

Didn't we just celebrate the new year? Twice? The calendar new year and the Chinese new year? Well now we're in Thailand and this is a whole new celebration. And just one night of festivities? No way! This is a whole weekend of super soaking madness.

The week before markets and 7/11 started selling water guns. Lots of water guns. And dry bags and buckets. Not really sure how big this waterfight would be, we thought it wouldn't be worth it to have a gun of our own. That was until we walked outside on the first day and came back drenched. We had to get revenge!

Geared with our super soaker backpacks we wandered the streets spraying everyone and getting sprayed by everyone. And by everyone that means little kids, babies, moms, dads and grandparents, people walking by, driving on motorbikes, tuk-tuks, in the backs of trucks, everyone! And even if you had to work that weekend, no worries! There's probably a bucket of water right outside to get some passerby. Not one person was dry and it seemed that everyone was armed, walking around with super soakers or buckets of icy water. The best were the kids, but really everyone was a kid for this celebration.

The best were the filling stations. That water in our backpacks only lasted so long so we had to pay the price to fill up. That means getting buckets on our heads in exchange for more ammo. Not like we minded, it has been hot! With around 100 of heat everyday, this is the perfect way to bring in the new year! And thanks to the moat surrounding the old city there is never a lack of water, even if it is green and kinda smells and quite possibly is the cause of those mysterious rashes.

As with most new year celebrations it is about starting fresh. The water represents the cleansing of sins. Originally the water was poured onto Buddha statues and collected to be gently poured on the shoulders of others. This kinda got out of hand and this "gentle pour" has evolved and is now just one huge waterfight. But the Thais practice Buddhism devoutly and have not forgotten the origin of the festival. The Wats (Buddhist temples) are just as packed as the streets with people making offerings, sending their prayers, and paying their respects. And they welcome any foreigners to join the celebration. Everyone is fair game!

Barreling to the Border

I had to renew my visa to get a few more precious days in paradise. I had been here two months already and apparently almost overstayed my welcome in Thailand. No worries though, the ink is still drying on my new stamp which buys me more time to wander the streets hunting for the best fruit shakes and noodle soup carts.

This was accomplished with a visa run.
When I think of a visa run I imagine a group led by a coyote (like the Mexican border) carrying their bags across the border fence. The trek would be dangerous and lives would be risked. Of course this would be during the middle of the night with search lights circling in the distance. Unfortunately (or fortunately!) my visa run didn't go quite like this.

Calling it a visa run makes it sound so risky, but I'm sorry to report there was no running through fields in the middle of the night avoiding security spotlights, though that would have been a lot more fun than reality. 

I just took an air conditioned van to the border of Thailand and Myanmar and was led not by a coyote, but just a normal guy who was in quite a hurry.

We just left the country for a few moments and came right back over to Thailand. Kinda silly, but that's what needs to be done. Earlier I had tried going to the immigration office instead, but the reservations were full before they even opened. Besides, a border run sounded more exciting than sitting in an office all day. And it definitely had me on the edge of my seat!

Every time I take a new mode of transportation it gets wilder and wilder. Overnight bus, a rickety old school train, a motorbike with my luggage, but nothing beat the border run van. That driver put a whole new meaning to the phrase pedal to the metal. When all you see is brake lights ahead he's flooring it and weaving through the cars, trucks, motorbikes like no other, you know it's going to be a fun ride!.

I should've paid more attention to the older fellow from the first few minutes of the trip. He has lived in Chiang Mai for years and has to do border runs every 90 days. The first thing that came out of his mouth when he sat down was I can't wait to be out of this van. I now understand those words.

On My Way

The night bus: perhaps the oat common (and economical) transportation. Option for covering long distances (w/our flying and along with trains). From a rational standpoint, the night bus makes perfect sense. Get on and allow the bouncing tires to lull you to sleep and wake up refreshed at your destination.  Perfect sense, right?

Remember how I said I would just hop on a bus and arrive at my next stop? That phrase makes it sound so easy. Just hopping on a bus, right? Boy oh boy how wrong I was.

After saying goodbyes to the Wicked Diving family, it was time for us to move on. We had already been replaced by the new DMTs before we even made it out the door. The newbies laughing and getting to know everyone while our bags were packed to make room for them. I took one last stroll down the street and accepted that it really was time to go. Those six weeks sure did go by quickly!

We can now balance on our nose, on the end of a very small stick on the bottom of the ocean- now THAT is perfect buoyancy- and a life long skill that I'm sure will come in handy somewhere, one day, surely...right? Right. 

Getting from one place to another is great late at night and early in the morning. Less people on the subways, less traffic on the roads, shorter queuing lines, AND the air is cool! Very important when dragging around scuba gear. This was my reasoning on taking an overnight bus to Bangkok to connect to Chiang Mai. That and my last minute "planning" kinda ruled out the option of flying.

I spent about a total of two weeks on a boat and not once did I get seasick. I just took off my shoes, climbed aboard and enjoyed the ride. I've taken busses before, and ridden in cars while enjoying a good book on windy roads. But man, nothing prepared me for this ride. And it really was like a ride, like a wooden roller coaster. All that was missing was the cotton candy.

Well I found myself on this bus. A double-decker bus with a 12 hour overnight ride to Bangkok. The week before it seemed like my best option so I chose it willingly. Luckily after the past 6 weeks exhaustion was in my side so I at least got to sleep some.

I can't say that for my fellow riders. They should probably sell motion sickness pills with each seat ticket. Luckily I had leftovers from the boat. I was hoping the whole time that the lady a few rows back would make it all the way. Just a couple hours in and she had for sure lost her lunch about 100km back. At least she had a little break when the army stopped us every now and again to check IDs.

After that bus ride I've come to the conclusion that a kid must have drawn the road maps in Thailand because it seemed like our bus was following their scribbles.

When we made it to Bangkok my trip wasn't over just yet, I was going all the way to Chiang Mai. I had enough with the busses so I headed to the train station. I just hopped on the back of a motorbike with my backpack on and my luggage of dive gear somehow balanced on there as well. "Same same", said the taxi driver who shuffled me onto bike. The guy driving it sure had some skills, zipping in and out of traffic and us not toppling over.

After my uneventful train ride, scheduled to be 15 hours which somehow turned into 18 hours from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, I've made it. Whew! Thought that would never happen. But hey, I'm not on a time schedule or anything so no problem. It did help that I made a friend with an eight year old Thai girl named Ping. We passed the time practicing numbers (that's really all the Thai I know and we can only introduce ourselves so many times), we taught each other animal names (I'm still not sure if she was doing a monkey sound or just getting excited), and she probably spent an hour braiding my hair too. Oh and we also played the international game of rock-paper-scissors for what seemed like countless hours.

Time to hit the streets in search of milk tea, fruit and noodle soup. 

The Short-lived Life of a DMT

I wake up sprawled out, tired, wondering what day it is. As I untangle myself from the sarong and pillow that was my bed last night the sounds of roosters crowing and birds chirping tell me it must be time to get up. It will be another hot day. The fan passes by me with each cycle, cooling the beads of sweat that already begin to form. Good thing we'll be in the water soon! I grab my sunscreen and water bottle and head down the street to the dive shop with a big smile on my face.

Every day has been different, a new challenge added each time to test how prepared we are to make the transition from being DMTs (Dive Master Trainees) to actual Dive Masters. In the past month and a half we've learned how to assist in Open Water courses, map dive sites, teach refresher courses to tune up divers' skills, manage emergency situations, and we're familiar with the in-and-outs of liveaboard trips and guiding guests around the dive sites. This has all been done with hours and hours in the pool, at local dive sites, on the liveaboard boat and in the classroom. As the weeks have passed we've ticked off our accomplishments from the theory exams, swimming endurance tests, rescue evaluations, practicing skills, workshops, shadowing instructors and dive masters and even the stress test.

This last one has been my favorite, I even got to do it twice! For the stress test we're evaluated on our ability to remain calm and quickly solve problems as they arise while communicating with our buddy. My buddy and I had to exchange all our gear (mask, fins, and scuba unit) underwater while sharing the same air source. Take two breaths, pass the regulator, unstrap a fin, take two breaths, but don't forget to give it back to my buddy who's holding their breath, and then continue swapping gear. It was completed when we had successfully exchanged all our gear while sharing one regulator and not going to the surface for air. The challenge is even more fun when the instructor is pulling at the masks, flooding them, free flowing bubbles surrounding us, our jackets being inflated and us trying not to panic or shoot to the surface. The hardest part was exchanging masks, both of us unable to see and one of us waiting not so patiently for their turn for a breath of air. Luckily we both remained calm and neither of us became drowning victims, so it was a success! One more thing to check off and get us one step closer to completing the course.

This has been such a rewarding experience. All the training has been top notch. The instructors are passionate not only about diving, but teaching us by being our mentors. As a group, the other trainees and myself have grown as divers and friends. We've shared learning from each other and encouraging each other, all with quite a few laughs. Though our motivations for coming here are different, we've created a shared bond during our training and with our passion for diving. Now that our training is finished it is hard to imagine we won't be dive buddies everyday or be the group of DMTs together. We'll have to move on so the next intrepid group of divers can begin their own adventure. For me that means hopping on a bus for my next stop...Chiang Mai!

A Pocket Full of Change

What can you buy with 300 Thai baht? (About 10 USD)

~A trip to the clinic to get a "physical" to make sure you're in tip-top shape to do some diving. It's more like the doctor just asks you if you feel alright, you say yes, and he'll sign the paper.

OR
~Lunch for four: Pad Thai with chicken for everyone.

OR
~A trip to the "pancake" stand every evening for 2 weeks. Order up a pancake with egg and sugar inside or maybe banana and nutella for desert. These things are delicious crepe-like snacks and enough to fill you up! And if they don't then just down the street you can get a couple skewers with meat and veggies with the rest of the change in your pocket.

OR
~Drop off your laundry to be cleaned, ironed, and neatly folded smelling good and ready to be picked up at your convenience. As well as having some to spare for more Pad Thai and a couple Chang beers or maybe some seaweed flavored potato chips.

OR
~Rent a motorbike for the day and head to the nearby towns, then off to the waterfalls to cool down, and the weekly market to grab a snack and people watch.

OR (my personal favorite)
~Stop by the noodle-soup stand for dinner each night for a week. Grab a bowl of beef noodle soup (or chicken or pork) and a seat near the street. Help yourself to the extra veggies and spices at each table while enjoying the cool night air. Careful though, those chilies have a kick! I've only just graduated to using a scoop of the chili flakes AND a dab of the chili sauce. Yum!

OR
~Put that change in your pocket and head to the beach! (But don't forget the sunscreen!)

Weekend Getaway

It was mid-afternoon yet the deserted forest seemed as dark as dusk. We wove paths between leafless branches, hugging the cliff walls to not lose our orientation. In places the stalactites overhead gave a moment of awe as we looked up, casting shadows as they blocked what little light the sun provided. We were floating in a fairy tale land where time stands still, frozen in the past. We were diving in Khao Sok.

From the moment we descend from the surface, down the wall of limestone, the lake engulfs us in green cloudy waters. With limited visibility the shadows play tricks on us, creating an eerie atmosphere full of mystery. Catfish glide past us and disappear into the shadows. Old fishing nets drape between dead tree branches, covered in a thick layer of silt, suspended in time like a booby trap begging to be touched. Columns of limestone dangle from the cliffs like twisted organ pipes. Others seem carved from the walls.

Along our route caverns, caves, and divots add texture to the walls. Catfish and freshwater shrimp peek from crevices. Movement draws our gaze down below, to the murky water. The bottom might be nearly 200 feet from the surface, but we only go far enough to see the wall drop out of sight and where the tops of the trees are just out of our reach.

If we stay still for a moment time seems to be frozen, no movement at all, until we realize our bubbles disturbed the cliff overhangs above. Leaves float down ever so slowly, like feathers or a light snow falling. All we hear is our breathing.

Surfacing, leaving behind the drowned forest, the sun is shining brightly. In the longtail boat we admire the topside scenery on the way back to the raft houses we call home for a couple days. We're surrounded by one of the oldest evergreen forests in the world with limestone peaks shooting straight up with vertical walls that create the borders of this man made lake, and the dive sites along the edges.

A little history might help to get some sort of idea how and why these limestone cliffs formed and what this lake is all about.

When with my family in Ao Nang we wondered how the limestone peaks emerged from the jungle. Turns out they were there long before the trees grew their roots.

A couple million years ago or so much of what we know today as Southeast Asia was under water. The healthy marine environment created limestone deposits (calcium carbonate) which formed from the coral reef skeletons. This reef stretched from Southern China through Vietnam and Thailand down to Malaysia and Borneo. After the ice age these limestone formations were buried under more and more water pressure and formed the rocks we see today. After another 100 million-ish years molten granite reacted with rocks and formed tin and tungsten deposits. Later, plates shifted and things got a little mixed up and broken apart. This created bunches of exposed limestone peaks, jutting to the skies, throughout parts of SE Asia. Now fresh rainwater erodes these cliffs slowly creating stalactites along the walls. Make sense? Hopefully because otherwise you'll need to ask a geologist (and they can give you accurate info).

All you need to know is that basically what we're looking at today is the ancient coral reef compacted and in the fresh air to form beautiful cliffs that in some parts are draped with jungle growth, others cracked with mysterious caves, and parts with walls that seem to be melting in the sun.
Quite the setting.

The lake was created to provide power to Southern Thailand after the boom of tin and tungsten mining. After a road was built nearby for miners, the area became protected from further development in 1980. A couple years later the dam was built, creating the 65 square mile lake, Cheow Larn Lake (shaped like the ravine between the peaks). At this time the Electricity Authority of Thailand attempted the biggest capture and release operation in Thailand, though many of the animals did not survive in their new environment. For example the river fish had trouble adjusting to the depths of the lake. Today you can mostly find some freshwater fish, like featherbacks and catfish, and topside gibbons might make an appearance in the tree tops.

Most people come to admire the jungle and serenity of Khao Sok National Park. Being surrounded by this environment just puts a smile on your face as you breathe in the fresh air. But what brought us here is what mysteries lay under the surface of the water, the forgotten world in the depths. That's where the real fun is.

Under the Sea

Okay, so I've been doing A LOT of research about just what it is I've got myself into. When I do things like this, I get a little obsessive too. In my excitement, I've managed to read just about a zillion stories about one small dot on a map. Just imagine how long that has taken. Dedication, I'm telling you. Or maybe just overly enthusiastic anticipation. 

Either way, in my browsing I've come across typical things like what to eat and where are some unique places to visit. Looks like I might need to stay a while to see not only all that Thailand has to offer, but Southeast Asia in general. 

I've also started thinking of what I'll be seeing in the big ol' blue. Some pretty cool stuff out there. What I love about sea life is that it is SO foreign. Not only do I get to go someplace new, but I get to explore the waters and see some of these little alien creatures living in the WATER! Just think about that for a minute. A whole community, no a whole world of creatures just hanging out all the time, swimming around in the ocean. Like I said, pretty cool. 

Anyway, I've collected a little list here of what I'm most looking forward to observing. I'll let you know if I happen to catch a glimpse of any of these freakishly cool things.

I recently got back from my very first liveaboard and let me tell you, it was a lot of fun! From the moment the boat lifted the anchor to reaching the Similan Islands until we reached dry land again, each day was packed to the brim of things to do and see. My excitement for it all kept my energy levels high. I've started my Dive Master training course and in between the dives we has skills sessions, lectures about diving practices, and hands on reviews of safety an rescue procedures. Like I said, full of stuff to do but the other few DMTs were just as eager as I was to learn more and see the behind the scenes action of a liveaboard.

All that plus the bonus of diving in the Similan Islands. Though the tsunami of 2004, the coral bleaching just a few years ago and recent dynamite fishing has impacted the life on these islands, it isn't hard to imagine what they would have looked like in their prime. With the variety and amount of sea life it is quite a treat to observe the underwater world going about its daily routines. Whether it be a green sea turtle munching on some soft coral for a mid-day snack, an open-water hunter making a pit-stop at a "cleaning station" to have the little fish make their scales sparkle, a frog fish camouflaged while napping in a coral head or an octopus waking up when the sun goes down to search for breakfast, the sea is buzzing with activity at all hours. Luckily, I have about 5 more weeks of training and a few more opportunities to head out to the open see for more of these encounters. Sounds good to me!

Peacock clown mantis shrimp 

Pygmy Seahorse. The day I see a seahorse, any seahorse, will be a good one.  

Green Mandarin Fish 

Walkman 

Silver Sea Snail Swallow 

Ray

Whale Shark

Turtle

Harlequin Shrimp

(I found all these photos by using my trusty friend Google)

A New Place

This is a story about faraway places and our relationship to the somewheres we dream of visiting. It’s also about the fact that I'll be staying in Thailand for at least couple months (but who knows really what I'm doing. Not me!)

Some places in our world seem to lend themselves to the imagination, to the images created in our minds, to putting eyes closed and attempting to place yourself somewhere you’ve never been. Gathering any little bit of details we've collected over time about a place and trying to make a mosaic of the pieces allows us to create magical places that very well might exist. Think about it, there are endless beautiful places on Earth that encourage exploration and make you want to forget any troubles (even just for a split second) and savor them.

So close your eyes and think of Thailand. What do you imagine? Anything you're thinking is probably not far from reality. Beaches. Blue seas. Smiling faces welcoming you to their culture. Good food (I mean really good food!)

When I arrive I open my eyes and no longer wonder what I'll see.

Not just beaches and crystal clear waters. Beneath blue skies in Southeast Asia lies a place of color and spirit. Of beaches and jungles. Here, tropical waters and rainforests alike nurture exotic wildlife. It is a land of thriving landscapes and flavorful dishes. This is Thailand.

It is generous and warm, refreshing and relaxed. The sun's persistence and the sea's beauty makes everyday a beach day...That is, only until you realize that the sun overpowers any sunscreen and you might be better off to retreat to the shades of the palms with a Chang beer in hand.

I guess this would be a good time to mention that this place, like every other, isn't perfect in EVERY way. There are some things to get used to. For example, the Thai sun is a relentless bully compared to the Californian sun. The bugs would seem to be the only things able to defend themselves against it, considering their size and strength in numbers. These things are all minimal side effects compared to the good stuff, which makes this place pretty easy to get along with.

The days of the week are just as unknown as how to spend the hours. Swimming in the sea? Perhaps going a little deeper for some diving? Stay topside and ride a motorbike to some unexplored beaches on the island? Or how about stick to what you know and eat at that little joint down the street with endless choices of curry dishes and seafood? Or simply sitting in the sand with a beer and a book? (And if you have the willpower, skip the beaches and head straight into the thick of the trees. Just watch out for the snakes)

Choices, choices, choices. The easy thing is knowing that however the days pass by, the sun will be shining throughout and there will never be a shortage of beautiful sunsets at the end if them. So take off your shoes and relax, you're in Thailand.

          "I saw that my life was a vast glowing empty page and I
    could do anything I wanted" ~Jack Kerouac, The Dharma Bums

I constantly find myself daydreaming of getting on a plane (or boat, bus, or train) and thinking of where it could take me. I didn't realize it until recently but I'm becoming an addict. I see it happening with every passing moment. In my semi-attempt to live a responsible and structured life...okay I'll stop right there. So maybe I didn't give the whole responsible thing much of an effort, but it was a good thing because I would have been wasting my time.
Instead I've asked the simple question: what will make me happy?
You hear about all those people who conformed to the "real world"and decided one day to leave behind their prosperous careers and white picket fences, pack their bags and get on a plane. Well, I'm skipping chasing the American dream part and jumping right to the good stuff, my own dream. And don't worry about me. Even though I have little direction in my plans, I still have goals and the motivation to reach them. 

I've always had some sort of schedule or time line that restricted many possible travel plans. These commitments, silly things like an education, limited  But now? Well now I picture a calendar of the upcoming future and all the pages are blank. For years. 

This means I can do anything (well, almost anything) and be anywhere. Ask me where I'll be in 5 years, no, in 5 months. Who knows. To me, that's great! That's freedom and it's exhilarating. 

I have also realized that I don't have the desire or willpower to treat this little travel obsession. Instead I'm fueling it. I'm beginning to consider a traveler's lifestyle as my approach to the world. It started with looking at maps and reading about other cultures, other ways of life. Then hearing real-life stories of the huge world we live in and all it has to offer, only to find out that it isn't so huge after all, that it can be seen. Next, action was taken and I got a taste of just how fulfilling it is to become familiar with once foreign places until they weren't so strange and they became part of the collections of my memories. 

And now this addiction, this urge, is boundless. 

I can look at a map and draw those little dotted lines of where I've been and know that I can draw the next lines to anywhere from there. Endless possibilities.

You know how every adult says to kids to enjoy their childhood while they can? Well that's true and all. I mean, as a kid you don't have to worry about making yourself dinner. I'm still struggling with that one. But as an adult, you can make all your own decisions. And I'm deciding what I want to do with my life.
Travel.

Here's a little video to consider if you haven't seen it before....