Thailand: Koh Ngai
Michael and I traveled to Thailand as part of our 2007 career break. The following is an excerpt from our travel blog.
[singlepic=634,175,,,right]We barely got to Thailand and already we were off and running. Our next stop – Trang in the south. This is where CCS’s other Thailand program is based and I was excited to see the staff again and have Michael meet them. It’s a short flight to Trang so we arrived in time for an early lunch with the staff. All of the volunteers had already left for the weekend, so we had them all to ourselves.
Over a delicious spicy meal the staff deliberated on what Michael’s Thai nickname should be (everyone in Thailand has a nickname). When I was last here, they bestowed “Chabaa” upon me, which translates into hibiscus flower (or crazy woman, depending on the tone. And that’s how I probably pronounce it as I always get laughs after I introduce myself). So they decided Michael should be “Nahm” which means water. Because, as they say, Chabaa needs Nahm. Awwwww.
Lunch was barely over and we were already off again – this time to one of the small islands just off the coast. Trang is not a popular tourist destination like so many parts of Thailand, and they have some great little islands that haven’t been discovered by the masses. We were excited for a few days of R&R along with two CCS staff members.
Koh Ngai Photos
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From the mainland we took an hour longtail boat from Pak Meng Pier to Koh Ngai (aka Ko Hai). With about a half dozen resorts along its mainland beach, Koh Ngai looked like a great starting point for our Thailand adventures. As it was low-tide when we pulled in, we were greeted up the rocky, exposed beach by a trailer that took us the rest of the way in. That afternoon while everyone else relaxed, I was able to stroll up the 1.5km coastline. Within a couple of hours, we wouldn’t be able to leave our resort, the tides were that severe.
[singlepic=627,200,,,right]Besides relaxing on the white beaches and kayaking off the coast, Koh Ngai is a great launch pad for snorkeling day trips around the other islands. We stopped at a few of the limestone karsts that jet out everywhere, exploring the colorful fishes that reside at their bases. And we hopped off our longtail boat for a restful lunch at Ko Kraden, which is the remotest, and some say most beautiful island, in the area. And we ended the day at Ko Mook to explore the Emerald Cave. The only way to access the inland beach is by swimming through the 80-meter cave, some of which is in complete darkness. But when the tidal waves push you through the last bit and you land on a white beach surrounded by limestone walls covered in green vegetation, any hesitation is long forgotten.
We also had the pleasure of celebrating Loy Kratong while on Koh Ngai (see slideshow). And after a fun night of celebrating, we said farewell to our friends and had one more day of R&R before hitting the road again.
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Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.