After celebrating with my fellow teachers and students, I left U-Thong to start the new year with my friends. I arrived in Bangkok at the Southern Bus terminal (SaTai) to take an overnight bus (12 hours yuck…) to Phuket (excited!), and thought I'd get there just in time to fall asleep like I always do on buses….yea that wasn't the case. What a slight rain on my parade to a glorious end of 2010. I arrived too early so I sat there, and then when we got on the bus, we sat some more (couldn't sleep due to all the random stops), and let's just say all I wanted to do when we got there was ready to drop my bags down and relax on the beach.
Of course, we arrived Friday morning to an overcast and drizzly Phuket….not good that's for sure. So instead of beaching, we explored some of Patong.* Phuket was filled with tons of travelers and random western stores all over. Although it was overwhelming at times, it was handy this weekend. *Note: Phuket is sectioned by different towns. We entered in at Phuket Town where the bus terminal was, but stayed over an hour away in Patong.*
Luckily our luck and weather changed (a good sign for the new year?). The sun was peaking, and the sky cleared just enough. We got all glammed (courtesy of Allie's makeup magic) after a short nap, (of course this was in addition to after I recharged with some nachos from a little Mexican joint owned randomly by a guy from Oahu since I was starving as usual), and went downstairs to our hostel which was kind enough to host a little dinner party for NYE. Super cute of the owners, the food was yummy, and a fantastic way to meet the other people staying there - some cool Aussies, Argentians, Londoners who now work and live in China, and several Canadians (some that teach in Korea, and traveling buddies Mike and Chris).
That night was just perfect for viewing fireworks, lighting lanterns (a tradition similar to Loi Krathong - to send a lantern out in the sky to release the bad and wish/hope for a good new year), and dancing around the beach with my new friends :) and the bajillion other peoples from all over. Although I could of done without such a large mass as I felt I literally would have been swallowed by them if I didn't stay glued to some friends. I thought somehow Bangkok moved to the beach just in that night alone. It was an endless stream of people. Serious Madness….
The next day was just a relaxing day. Food. Beach. No particular order of course and repetition definitely transpired. We got to eat a delicious breakfast at the PS Hotel. hahaha. love that name. I got the Scandanavian Breakfast - a mess of potatoes, bacon, onions, chives topped with a slightly runny egg on top :) The sun was out. The water, although dirty from the fireworks that went on till as late as 4 am from my recollection after I hit the sack by 3, was pleasant enough to swim in once you pasted a certain point. I tanned, and after enough basking in the rays I finally got to finish watching Leonardo DiCaprio's "The Beach" at the hostel with my new buddies (Mike and Chris).
Although we only stayed in Phuket for 3days/2nights, I grew to adore the Patong Backpackers Hostel I was at. It was located in a great location (tucked in-between two business), had comfortable beds, a friendly staff, great amenities (movies galore), and great people living there - people we could actually have a conversation with; although, it was the most expensive of all the hostels I've stayed at, it was worth it (especially since I had to pee several times on NYE - I ran there for a break instead of in the beach [don't yack on me because I know ya'll do it too if you had to] or in a 20 baht bathroom).
On Sunday, I definitely didn't want to leave to teach. Talking to all these people at the hostel made my travel itch just that much more prominent. People were heading to Bali, Malaysia, Australia. But I guess it's that time to suck it up and slather on some responsibility…I was a teacher after all…
After squeezing in as much beach and sun time as possible, we left via sorng-taew later in the afternoon to the bus terminal to then take another overnight killer. However, after settling into my 12hr hole, I found myself smiling. I found myself to be smiling not just because of the slightly odd/cute attendant that was with us. I was smiling and happy because I just left Phuket with two new individuals I can call friends. I am tanned. And more importantly, I am lucky to have such amazing family and friends who love and support me in most of what I do. Oh and I definitely can't forget... I am even luckier to be getting PAID to live in this amazing country. Hopefully whatever comes my way will continue making it a great year and will keep me smiling!
So simply put…. HAPPY HAPPY 2011!!!!
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