Mt Everest bound

Hello all.  It has been so long since I have posted!!  Where do I begin???  I love Nepal.  I arrived in Kathmandu on March 10th and left the next day for Pokhara to do some meditating and yoga.  The bus took approximately 7 hours between the two cities.  It is only 200 km distance between the cities-- that will tell you something about the roads!!  I was unlucky to get the back of the bus on both trips-- soooo bumpy- my butt actually left the seat a few times!!

Sadhana Yoga Center is located on a hill about a 20 minute walk from town.  The view is unbelievable and the center has such a peaceful vibe.  Your days are well planned for you-- rise at 5:30am for morning meditation, nasal cleaning, yoga, a morning walk and then finally breakfast.  Eating breakfast was my second favorite part of my day:)  After breakfast we had a break to do as we wished and then afternoon meditation.  We had lunch and then another break.  We then did karma yoga for half an hour-- this was helping out in the center- watering flowers or chopping veggies.  We then enjoyed popcorn and tea.  The next part of the day was chanting-- I looked forward to this soooo much.  I could chant for hours, unfortunately it only lasted one.  We then did yoga again followed by dinner and then off to bed.  This was my reality for 18 days.  I met so many beautiful people at Sadhana.  The family that ran the center were so lovely, kind, funny, sweet...on and on.  Also, the other foreigners that were visiting the center were amazing.  I made some true friends.

I posted a picture of Gonga on my blog.  She was part of the support help for the center- she washed dishes, cleaned- you name it she did it.  She and I became good friends right away.  Every time we passed each other we would smile and she would always speak to me in Nepalese (she did not speak English).  One day a Nepalese family member was present and Gonga spoke her usual sentence.  Anew looked at me and said "do you know what she said to you?"  "No", I replied.  "She told you that you are beautiful and that she loves you."  The feelings were so mutual!  I told her everyday that I was going to put her in my pocket and take her home with me:)  She was difficult to say goodbye to.  I decided to leave Sadhana a few days early because a group of four friends were heading to Pokhara.  I could not bear the thought of seeing them off, so I joined them.  We were together from the beginning of my stay there.  We did yoga everyday on the rooftop of our guesthouse. It is funny- when I was in Thailand and decided I wanted to come to Nepal to do yoga for a few weeks, I only researched it for about a half an hour.  I found Sadhana online and immediately knew that it was the place I was supposed to go.  After meeting so many lovely people- I know why.

So, now I am in Kathmandu.  What to say about the largest city of Nepal.  It is crazy.  Walking the streets of Kathmandu takes so much energy- there are no sidewalks and you have to manage to get around while there are cars and motorbikes whizzing next to you; honking all the while.  I have still not gotten used to the honking in all of Asia.  They honk to let you know they are there- it happens all the time but I still jump.  Even though the city is full power, polluted, chaotic, dirty and the electricity shuts down all the time- I still love it.  I arrived with my friend from Sadhana and we spent one night together in the city and then she flew back to France yesterday.

I met with the man from my trekking company yesterday morning.  The trek was the only thing that I planned ahead for my entire trip.  I put down a deposit in September before I left the country.  I found the company online and read so many positive reviews that I immediately decided they were the one for me.  We spoke about my options-- I was supposed to go with 2 other trekkers but they are stuck in Tibet and not sure when they will arrive so we decided that I will just go with me and my guide and porter.  I felt excited about that and was supposed to leave the next day.  We were enjoying some tea wrapping things up when a man walks in with a huge smile.  His name is Eric and he is a man from Norway living in Kenya.  He is going to summit Mt Everest and carry the Kenyan flag promoting peace for the Kenyan elections.  Amazing!!  He was scheduled to leave 2 days after me.  We spoke for awhile and he then invited me and my guide to join his climbing team to the basecamp.  Without hesitation I agreed.  What an amazing experience to be a part of such an incredible thing!!  We will part at the basecamp where he will live for the next month and I will continue on.

This morning his guide, Dawa, Eric and myself went to visit Dawa's Tibetan monastery to receive a puja from the Lama.  This was done in preparation of the summit and to receive good luck and blessings.  I felt so blessed to be invited along to such a sacred, special moment. We entered the room and sat waiting our turn for the Lama, the spiritual leader of that monastery.  It was our turn and the three of us knelt on our knees and gave him our offering.  I did as I saw the others and bowed my head.  He immediately grabbed my chin to lift my head, looked directly in my eyes and pinched my nose and smiled so huge.  I smiled back at him and bowed again and he began the blessings.  He was speaking in Tibetan so I had no idea what was said but felt his incredible energy.  I asked Dawa why he pinched my nose-- but he was not aware of the reasoning.  It was such a special moment- one I will never forget.  There was a picture of the Dalai Lama together with the Lama that gave us our puja.  Dawa explained that in order for there to be a picture taken with another Lama, they have to be on the same spiritual level.  Wow!!

Sooo-- I will wrap this up-- it is a miracle there has been power this long to finish typing.  Sending so much love and hugs across the miles and will post more pictures when I return from my trek.

Nepal bound

Hello all. Heading out to Nepal tomorrow closing my Thailand adventure. I will be in Kathmandu for one night then taking a bus 7 hours to pokhara for a three week long yoga retreat. My body is in for a severe rude awakening!! Three sessions of yoga a day and two sessions of meditation. After the yoga i will be ready for my 20 day trek. I am going to be a machine when I come home:) I will update my blog if I have computer access. Much love and hugs.

Shambala Festival

Greetings all. 

I have had an amazing week since arriving back in Thailand.  I visited a nice city in northern Thailand called Chiang Rai. I was completely blown away by an artistic wonder called the "White Temple" built and designed by a Thai artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat.  Words cannot describe its magic.  The artist is a very famous architect and painter in Thailand.  Pictures are posted below.

After spending 2 days in Chiang Rai I decided to move on.  I met a woman in Laos that mentioned a nice village north of Chiang Rai.  Moving quite slowely in the morning I decided to stew over my next destination over some tea and breakfast. I was meeting my friend, Adam, in Pai and thought maybe I would go there earlier.  The idea of being in one place for 9 days seemed tempting as I was starting to feel the wear of travel on my body.  A man from France and a woman from China sat down with me and we start chatting.  I gave them some of my belongings- my Laos Lonely Planet book, a shirt and some bracelets.  Both were so happy with their new found gifts as my new friend, Jade, excitedly ran to her room and came back with a shirt.  I was blown away by this trade.  It was a tank top painted upside down of a man's face.  She is an artist and made this shirt at a Japanese music festival in a small town about 4 hours away.  What..... a Japanese music festival in Thailand????  They placed headphones over my ears and I listened to the most beautiful sounds.  They recorded this music only 2 days before at the festival.  It was decided... I must head to the Shambala festival in Chiang Dao.

I opted to take the bus via the northern route for some different scenery.  I was told at the bus station that I could make my 2 bus connections and arrive the same day.  The bus dropped me off at the first stop- only 30 minutes from Chiang Rai.  I did not see a bus station.  Hmmm.... I walked into a building- turned out to be a government building that takes care of land permits.  I walked in with my large backpack and all looked up and stared at me.  I asked if anyone spoke English and a woman approached me.  She informed me that there were no more buses going to Chiang Dao; I had to wait until morning.  She thought we could try one more thing as she loaded me in her truck, left work and drove me to a private bus company.  It was confirmed, I was stuck here until morning.  No problem she says, you will just stay with me.  Myriam is her name.  She is a 38 year old Thai woman that has worked for the government agency for almost 17 years.  She gets moved around many places in Thailand with her job because she is not married with children.  We had a large conversation about this injustice!!  She drove me to her house where I hung out and read for about 3 hours while she went back to work.  When she came home we went to a hot springs and then we shared an amazing meal together.  The next morning she drove me to the bus station.  Such a sweet, amazing, calm spirit.  She even called me the next day to make sure I arrived safely.  I hope she comes to the States someday so I can show her the same kindness and hospitality that she showed me.

The music festival was located about 15 km outside of the small town of Chiang Dao.  I arrived not really sure what to expect.  I rented a tent and blankets and set up my new "home" next to the river and a tepee.  There were approximately 250 people at the festival and 85% were Japanese.  There was a little music during the day; however most of the musical amazement came out after dark.  The daytime consisted of trying to stay out of the sun.  I spent much time in the tepee and met some amazing Japanese people.   There was a stage set up and musician after musician played such incredible sounds.  I have never been to Japan and the only real experience with Japanese culture has been from my good friends, Kanau and Tomoko, from New York.  I was blown away by the generosity, talent and constant sense of sharing that I found.  I sat for hours listening to Japanese songs, Japanese conversation and admired the great sense of style the women had.  To top off the incredible beauty of the experience, there was a free hot springs located just 5 minutes from the festival.  It was such a magical time and I know that I was meant to be there.

Currently in Pai- happy to be back to this beautiful town.  Catching up with Adam and enjoying "doing nothing."  Many of my new Japanese friends have also made there way to Pai and have really enjoyed reconnecting with them.

 

White Temple

White Temple

Laos continued....

Greetings loved ones.  I have much to report on the continuation of my Laos adventure. I think adventure is the perfect word to describe this amazing country. 

After Luang Prabang, I travelled alone to northern Laos.  I decided to take a boat to Nong Khiaw- a ride that was supposed to take approximately 6-7 hours along the Nam Ou river.  I arrived first thing in the morning ready for some amazing scenery.  They guided the passengers down to the rivers edge and pointed for us to board the boat.  No.... this must be the boat that will TAKE us to the "real" boat I thought.  It was a long, skinny boat with two wooden benches facing each other.  The best part... they tried loading 24 of us in this tiny vessel.  I just sat there- preparing to just go with the flow.  A few people spoke up-- exclaiming how there were too many people on this tiny boat and it was very uncomfortable.  The captain of the boat smiled and said he did not speak English.  Of course he didn't- I would not if I were him.  Then the German man told him that he would understand if he threw him over the boat-- the captain just smiled.  After about an hour of waiting on the boat they started unloading 4 people.  Yup, they had too many people on the boat.  You have to have a serious sense of humor travelling in Laos or you will absolutely loose your shit. 

After about two hours on the river, the motor made a very loud bang and died.  We floated to the shore where we all got out of the boat to wait.  We did not know how long we would wait- as there was no communication between the two staff and us foreigners.  I felt incredibly lucky though-- we happened to wash up on the shore hosting the most beautiful tree.  I climbed up to the base of the tree and took a small nap under its magnificence.  Two hours later a part arrived; they fixed our boat and we were off.  We got on and off the boat many times due to low water- we had to all pile in the back of a pickup truck once and had to hike a short ways another time.  The boat was then able to get through the low water and meet us on the other side.  The trip was sooooo unbelievably beautiful.  Luckily it was a full moon because we cruised in the dark for about 1 1/2 hours with no light.  Of course the boat has no light- where is the fun in that??  But we arrived safe and sound after 11 long hours of travel.  I could barely feel my ass and my back had about 30 new knots- but I was happy I did it.

I left the next morning for an hour boat ride to Muang Ngoi.  A small village only accessible by boat.  I enjoyed it, however it was still on the tourist track.  I needed more remote.  The next morning I hiked about 2 hours to a very small village with my friend Mohammad- a friend I met on the long boat journey.  Mohammad is from Iran.  The first and probably the only Iranian that I will meet on my travels.  It was so interesting learning about his country.  We became really good friends.  I am his first and only American friend and he is my first and only Iranian friend-- pretty cool.  We stayed with a Laos family that operates a home stay.  It was amazing!!  A friend of his had recently hunted a deer so I got to eat venison.  I was in heaven!!  They prepared beds in their small bamboo home and charged less than $1.00 a night. There are so many pigs, roosters, chickens and ducks in the small villages.  Roosters woke me up almost every morning in Laos - even in the city!! 

The next morning Mohammad and I got up bright and early and started the hike back to the bigger village around 6:30 am.  Got on a boat for an hour, took a 4 hour bus ride, immediately boarded another bus for 5 hours.  I was exhausted when I arrived Muang Namtha!  I took a day of rest in Namtha and signed up for a three day trek- I was scheduled to leave the next day.  I was a bit nervous to go on this trek, as this is the first real hike since my knee surgery.  To make matters worse, my hiking boots were in Bangkok- good place for them:)  I was unable to find suitable shoes in the city so hiking in my chacos was my reality.

There were 4 other people on the trek-- an Australian man, an English man and a couple  from Oregon.  They were all lovely people.  The Oregon couple and I hit it off really well.  They tried recruiting me to move to their beautiful state:) We had two guides- Pit and Ponn.  Ponn became my trail angel.  I always hiked in the near- as I liked to really take my time on the trail and Ponn was always behind me.  The trails in Laos are nothing like the trails in America.  You know the nice switchbacks that get you gradually to high elevations-- nope-- you just hike straight up and straight down in these jungle mountains.  Ponn made me two lovely bamboo trekking poles.  I got a nice blister after the first day. I was holding onto that thing for dear life!!  The first night we slept in the jungle.  It was so much fun!!  We ate off banana leaves and had the most amazing meals.  Every meal was served with sticky rice- a staple for Laos and an assortment of other veggies and meats.  I laid in bed the first night- body aching- feet aching- wondering what I got myself into.  Twisting my knee in this jungle was not an option; not exactly the easiest evacuation plan!  The second day was even more elevation gain and loss.  We travelled through a few villages ending up in a darling village along the river.  We had the best time hanging out with the kids and watching all of the animals.  

It was really fun hiking with Ponn- he had been a guide in this jungle for over 10 years.  I would hear him hiking behind me- then poof- he was gone.  He went to collect some plants for our meal, got the banana leaves for our tablecloth and chopped down some bamboo to make us each a shot glass.  The last day my feet really took a beating... so many blisters.  I was still in great spirits- it just felt soooo good to be out in nature again for many days.  Literally in the middle of nowhere.  I love it so!!  My fellow hikers all commented on how impressed they were at my speed and lack of complaints considering the state of my poor feet.  I gave Ponn a nice tip and a huge hug at the end of the trek.  He was my support, my doctor and good friend.  I am so happy and relieved that my knee did great.  It has to start getting ready for Nepal...yippee!! 

And now you wonder, where am I??  I am back in Thailand- oh how I missed this country!  I will post again soon with more.  Sorry for the long and rambling posts...  Sending lots of love and hugs.

The long boat ride

A sweet family I met in the village on the trek

The beautiful tree that I was so blessed to hang out with while the boat had some issues.

My sweet American friends bought me a rose for Valentines Day.

So much for the most beautiful feet in the world....

Ponn and I

Angkor Wat and Laos

Hello loved ones.  I hope all is well. Time in Angkor Wat was unbelievable.  The energy in the ancient temples are indescribable.  I spent two entire days exploring the area, including watching sunrise over Angkor Wat.  The bus ride from Kep to Siem Reap, Cambodia was sooooo pretty.  It was even complete with the bus breaking down about 1 hour from my destination.  It was no problem- we just pulled over and I got to watch the sunset on the side of the road while they banged away at the engine.  The bus started working about 30 minutes later. I did not open my book the entire 10 hour journey- I am just enamored with Cambodia.  I will come back some day. 

I experienced confirmation once again that the world is very small.  My friend Lulu and I were sitting in our guest house using the Internet in the lobby.  She was checking her facebook and said that her old friend from Sweden was in Siem Reap only one week ago.  She turned around and in walked her friend, Jessica.  It was so crazy!!  Jessica and Andrew, an English friend, joined us on our journey to Laos.  The travel from Cambodia to Laos was soooooooo long.  We could not go from Cambodia straight north to Laos because of visa issues so we entered through Thailand.  We traveled for 32 hours using 3 tuk tuks, 1 train and 3 buses.  We were exhausted when we arrived in Vang Vien, Laos.  It was not my favorite place, as it is full of tourists and drinkers so I was eager to leave.  We arrived in Luang Prabang yesterday.  It is such a great place!!  We visited a waterfall today and saw some of the countryside.  It is really beautiful and mountainous here- I feel right at home.  I am finally posting pictures- yay Kelly!!  Sending much love across the miles....

my elephant friend... what a beautiful animal

Karen, Kelley, Gof and I during our thai cooking course.  We are now professionals!

In Pai, Thailand

Monks in Cambodia

The countryside of Cambodia.  My 10 hour bus trip was such amazing scenery.

The bus broke down about an hour away from the destination.  It was fixed soon:)

At Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

Lulu, me and Jessica at Angkor Wat

The sweetest little Cambodian girl.  She came running up to me holding my hand.  I wanted to take her home with me:)

Angor Wat

Life

Hello all. It has been a crazy couple of weeks. My friends from America-Kelley, Gof and Karen came to Thailand for two weeks. We had a great time together. They met me on  ko phi phi island where we snorkeled, lounged on the beach and ate some great food. We then flew to Chiang Mai. We did a Thai cooking class at an organic farm about 45 minutes outside of the city. It was such a beautiful spot with lovely people. We shopped at two amazing night markets.  There is nothing like the night markets in Chiang Mai-- so much to see, smell, taste and touch!!  We then headed north to a darling town called Pai. I fell deeply in love with an elephant but decided it was much too big to fit in my pocket and take with me. We were definitely kindred spirits (at least I thought so).  My friends and I spent our last night together in Bangkok.  I got up at the crack of dawn to take the bus to Bangkok while Kell, Gof and Karen flew.  For $18 you get a 10 hour bus ride, three pastries, one water, one orange juice, one strawberry milk, one green drink and lunch.  They just kept giving me things- I could not believe it!!  We had an incredible dinner at an open air restaurant on the water. Kell was so sweet and treated us all to the feast!  It was so lovely to travel with friends that know me well- there was a lot of inside jokes, laughter and exploration of Thailand. 

My reality has changed dramatically from just four days ago. In am currently in Cambodia. It is such an amazing county. I spent two days in Phnom Phen. I met a man from Norway on the plane and shared a tuk tuk with him to an area that I wanted to stay. It was so great to meet Sam, the tuk tuk driver-- he drove me all around to find a good place for me to stay. It is the Chinese New Year so it has been crazy busy. Finally we found a dorm room. No, that is not good enough for you, he exclaimed. He found me a safe, clean and affordable place to stay with a room and bathroom all to myself:) 

I hired Sam to drive me around the next day. He came to my guest house in the morning.  I had tea and breakfast with him.  I took one look in his kind eyes and began to cry.  I learned some sad news of a friend the previous night and did not sleep well.  He calmed me and told me that life has many windy roads and it was ok to be sad.  I was so grateful to have him there at that time. 

I learned many interesting things from Sam as we spent about 5 hours together that day. He explained that many marriages in Cambodia are arranged. He told me his story.... his parents requested that he come visit them one day. As he walked up to the house he knew that something important was happening; there were many pairs of shoes outside. That was the day he met his wife. He knew her for 3 weeks before their wedding. He has three beautiful children.  Sam advised me to stay single.  I giggled and told him that I still believe in love.

I had a really intense time in Phnom Phen.  I visited the Killing Fields about 15 km outside of the city.  It is a mass grave sight from when the Khmer Rouge ruled from 1975 to 1979.  It was one of the most humbling, somber, unreal experiences of my life.  Sam told me he lost his brother in a village due to this cruel regime.  I later visited the prison located in the city.  This country has experienced so many years of brutality and war.... I am in awe of the people.  They are always smiling, laughing and have been unbelievably kind to me.

The next day I walked to a shopping mall about one block from my guest house.  I was sooo excited-- a movie theater!!  I watched a Cambodian movie called Lost Loves.  I was really happy for the Cambodian couple that was in the theater with me-- it would have been even more emotional to watch the film all alone in such a large theater:)  It was a film about the Khmer Rouge. 

I arrived today in a small town called Kep.  I decided to come here for a few reasons:

1.)  Not many tourists
2.)  They have fresh crabs to eat
3.)  They have pepper plantations that host the most delicious pepper in the world

I walked to the crab market today.  It was my favorite dining experience so far.  It was unbelievably busy- with people selling octopuses, shrimp and crab.  The crab fisherman (actually most were women) were catching the crab right in front of me.  I walked to the waters edge and said I would like to buy some crab.  One woman grabbed my hand directing me to "her crabs."  Her friends were trying to steal me away from her- but I remained loyal:)  I bought 6 crabs for $3.00 and paid $0.50 to have it cooked.  I then went to buy some sugar cane juice from a woman that pressed it in front of me.  She offered me a seat, gave me some napkins and showed me the best way to open the crab.  I am a spoiled American when it comes to eating crab-- I am usually armed with special crab utensils.  She was the sweetest. 

As far as traveling in Cambodia-- it has been very full-on.  There is so much happening- I am completely aware of each moment- it is great.  I am so in love with this country.  I appreciate this opportunity to be plopped into these lovely peoples lives for a short period and share with them. The three most common questions:

1.)  Do you want a tuk tuk?  My answer, no thank you
2.)  Are you alone?  My answer, no- my boyfriend is right around the corner
3.)  Are you married?  My answer, no- but I am planning on getting married in 2 months time :) 

It is just easier that way.  I think I have been called a beautiful lady and beautiful woman by both men and women more times in Cambodia than in my entire life put together back home.  The children are even more incredible-- they are always smiling, waving and shouting out hello.  So nice.  I am heading north in a few days to meet up with my friend Lulu.  I will post again sooner this time:)

 

A Story... Of a Thai Man

New Years Eve- Khao Sok National Park.....

The evening began with food, Leo (my favorite Thai beer) and good company at the bungalow bar I was staying at.  After a few hours, Mathias and Manuela (my German friends) and I decided to venture down the road to see how other people in the village were celebrating their night.  We came upon a bar with lively music and lively people.  We sat down to enjoy another Leo anticipating the midnight cheer.  I noticed a Thai man standing near the bar speaking with the bar owner.  There is something interesting about this man I thought.  He stood up and walked to the dance area and began performing a fire show.  A while later Manuela and Mathias decided to head home to bed.  The left me with kisses and hugs and wishes for a safe night. 

I sat on the stool, sipping my beer observing the many interesting people surrounding.  After a few moments the Thai man approached me and we began talking.  He told me he was a tattoo and oil painting artist living in the village for the last eight months.  He left and came back with two picture books filled with his oil painting art.  Such beautiful work-- most paintings were of Buddha.  I asked him how long he had been an artist.  Thirteen years as an oil painter and seventeen years as a tattoo artist he answered.  Strange, I thought-he looked to be in his early twenties.  How old are you, I asked.  He chucked and answered thirty-seven.  He left Thailand to travel to Laos and Cambodia some time after the tsunami- he lost a lot.  He is the first Thai person I met to live in another country that was not married to a foreigner. 

He continued to tell me that when he was twenty he was getting into some trouble with fighting and drinking and his parents sent him to a monastery as a result.  He explained to me that every man in Thailand is expected to go to monastery at least once in his life- from one week to a lifetime.  Imagine a society where there is a peaceful, spiritual community you can escape to if you stray from a life path less desired than hoped for.  After a short time in the monastery, his sister called him with sad news of his papa.  He had fallen very sick.  Later that night he sat with Buddha--- papa has to care for mama, sister and brother- If he is stays healthy, I will give you one year here at the monastery.  A couple of days later her heard the good news that papa was going to be OK.  He stayed one year.  When it was time for him to leave, his mama came to him and said "you gave papa one year, you give me one year."  He stayed one more year.  After the second year was up, he was preparing to leave when the head monk came to him and said "you gave your papa one year, you gave your mama one year, you give me one year.  So he stayed one more year. 

What a lovely human with much light.  It was nice to hear his story and to start the new year with such an interesting spirit.  Meeting people and hearing their stories has been my favorite part of my journey- I am blessed.

Happy New Year!

Hello all.  I hope the Holidays found everyone happy and healthy.  Christmas in Thailand was really nice- although I was sad to not have added Christmas carols to my ipod- lucky for my friends around me:)  Time went by so fast- my heart was heavy the day I left Ko Phayam.  One day rolled into the next- waking up, drinking mango shakes, hanging with the girls, walking the beach, enjoying great food, occasionally mixed with a party full of dancing and falling asleep to the sounds of the sea.  I stayed in Ko Phayam until December 27th- beautiful thing about traveling for so long and solo- I came to the island with the intention of staying one week and stayed one month.  Spending Christmas on the island was like a home away from home.  Aeau made such an amazing dinner and Cha went to the mainland to get a Christmas tree (fake of course).  I enjoyed stringing the lights and singing "Oh Christmas Tree"  over and over and over again:)  A Thai Reggae band came to the island on the 25th.  It was really fun- I danced my little heart out.

I took a bus to Khuraburi- about 100km south of the island where I stayed the night before catching a boat to Ko Surin Island.  The bungalow I stayed at was a little rough around the edges but the owners were so sweet.  I rented a tent, snorkeling gear and booked my boat ticket from them.  I walked to the fish market with the owner and bought fresh seafood.  He took it back and cooked the most beautiful red snapper and prawns I have ever had.  The boat ride took about 1.5 hours.  Approximately halfway during the trip we spotted dolphins not far from our boat--- I counted roughly 10.  It was soooo amazing- we hung around for a bit watching them.  Ko Surin is a national park where the only accommodation on the island is camping and a few park bungalows for rent.  Long tail boats leave the island twice a day and take you to nearby reefs for snorkeling.  I saw a reef shark and many colorful fish.  The water surrounding the island is the most stunning turquoise blue.  I saw a 2 foot long lizard and many monkeys.  I am currently at Khao Sok National Park where I am taking it easy in the rain forest.

Thinking about all of you lovely beings often and hope all had a great New Years.

Waiting for the arrival of my friends, Kelley, Gof and Karen-- yippy!!  I will load pictures again soon.  I don't have my camera with me now:)