Back to Thailand

Its been over a week since I’ve written a post, but I don’t have many new pictures to share with you due to my camera not functioning under water.

I spent a few lazy days diving and snorkeling on Pulauh Weh island in Indonesia, and then was lucky enough to squeeze in a day of surfing  before I flew back to the Airasia hub, Kuala Lumpur.

At the surf house I stayed at I met this really cool old Aussie surfer named Greg. The man’s been working and surfing in Asia for over 4 decades so he gave me some suggestions on how to best get to Ko Pha-Ngan, Thailand.

He recommended I take a train to a southern Thai town called Pattalhung. His words “It’s the best train ride you’ll take in Thailand. I guarantee you’ll be the only whoite facker on it.”

Sure enough, I was the “only whoite facker” on the train. The locals were very friendly and excited to learn about Canada. One kid said I was the first person he has ever spoken English to other than in his English classes at school.

I made a stop in the very non-touristed town of Pattalhung. When I got off the train I was pleasantly surprised to see a market selling some very delicious thai food.

I arrived on the island of Koh Pha-Ngan and am counting down the days until the full moon party (October 30). People party REALLY hard here, and the tourists are streaming in by the boatloads.

Today I just relaxed at the beach pictured above.

Traveling alone has mostly been fine so far, but it was a lonely feeling coming to a party town solo. My worry  of course is completely unfounded. It seems like more people travel solo than with groups of friends, so everyone is in the same boat as I am. Plus, I've found that travelers (especially here in Koh Pha-Ngan) are all out to meet new people and are super friendly. Needless to say I've already met lots of really great people!

It’s nice to be back in Thailand. I have about two weeks and then I’ll be flying to the Philippines to finish off the trip.

I keep hearing really good things about the (few) people I’ve met that have been to the Philippines. I can’t wait.