So Thailand right...

I suppose it was only to seal the goodness of the amazing Thai break in to my memory forever that purposed Hanoi to be freezing and honking mad when I arrived back on Wednesday. This however was not the strange part to my arrival, the strange part was the closer I got home from the airport I realized just that… I am home. Hanoi is truly now the place where I live… my hometown. Even driving on the wrong side of the road (as opposed to the right side in SA and Thailand) felt more normal.

Of course I did not have a chance to miss my new and dear hometown with only a week to spend in truly amazing Thailand. Being forced to find the balance in trying to do too much in not enough time, adding some good old lazy relaxing chill time, wrapped up with constantly being right there …in the moment. Taking photo’s for the curious friend and the jealous mother, more than really trying to capture the memory, because in all honesty, who has ever been able to do that? What a good week in was in deed.

Now Bangkok: Give any girl some Baht and let her loose in Bangkok and the result is bound to be successful. Almost too much to choose from can be overwhelming at first but this challenge is one that will not stand in the way for too long. I got that ‘I’m a girl and need to shop’ urge out of my system for a while… hmmm for a little while.

Another must see charm of Bangkok is Koa San road, unofficially the watering hole where the tourists go to see what the travelers look like. I must say I have not felt so normal even unappreciated in a while. You see walking around in most parts of Hanoi I always get a few glances being a Western woman and all. Although this is not the case in Koa San, the different accents heard every few seconds, the Eastern European fashionistas, and then those overall interesting looking backpackers. Only overshadowed by hundreds of jewelry, sunglasses, pretty girly clothes and politically incorrect t-shirts, not to mention the bars that find it sufficient to only advertise their drinks as ‘strong’. Do however walk the surrounding streets for more choices in restaurants and colorful markets.

Only having a few days to take in the splendor of Thailand, I would ideally not have wanted to spend a whole lot of time in traveling form the one spot to the next. This unfortunately was not the case seeing as a trip form Bangkok to Koh Chang all in all works out to a full day. This at least is not a total loss of time seeing as I would have spent hours on the beach pondering life. This could now be done on the bus. So thoughts, personality and emotions captive for long time the only thing to do was convince all of the above that we are having a good time.

And then… sigh, then the beach, the glorious island that will forever live on in my memory as the truest escape from ‘it all’. My happy home was to be called Lonely Beach, Sunflower Hotel (or hostel) to be more exact. What a blessing it was to be here, the jungle and mountains as you look back, a walk out to the ocean where the feeling of space was almost overwhelming after spending so much time in cities. A combination of amusing fellow backpackers and relaxed locals creates an atmosphere that will have you believe that this is the way life was intended to be. A generous supply of bars, cafes and small shops ensures that you will not be wondering what to do next. How could anything bad happen here…ever? Apart from getting a bamboo tattoo and some dreadlocks?

I would highly recommend renting a motorbike and exploring the island, finding look out points at sunset or just finding another spot to have that cool beer in the tropical day. Having said that, there would be absolutely no judgment if all you want to do is find a hammock and happily watch the sun turn itself into the moon.

Could you assume by now that I had a great time? Of course time went too fast, silly that. I did come back feeling rested and ready for a few more months before I feel like I’m losing my mind again. It was a short break but a full one.

In other Hanoi news, I’m back into the swing teaching and still can safely say that I love it, wondering almost how it took me this long to get here. Do not have a whole lot of classes this month seeing was the Tet holidays, basically like Christmas but with different trees. So it’s a kind intro back into the working world.

The next few events to really look forward to is moving into a house… a real house! My birthday… 15 March, make a mental note guys. Then the much anticipated visit of my sister in April. Could I possibly convey the pure excitement that I have for her arrival! Will be sending a few requests with what she will have to bring with from home. Bring me: Rooi bos tea, smarties, Afrikaans music, Mrs Balls chutney, Highveld thunderstorms, biltong, my fathers potjie kos, my mom’s cooking, the smell of a braai…