The Beach

What can I say about Koh Chang? It was exactly what I needed to do before my trip through South East Asia. A small island covered in hills and trees. I took the ferry to get there but had no bookings and no idea where to stay....not something I normally do. I saw another girl travelling alone and asked where she was staying. Lonely beach....the backpacker mecca. I got into the back of a pickup, their style of taxi, and went with her. Carolyn, from Ireland, was a gem. We chatted as the taxi sped around corners, up hills, and downhills while turning corners....I'm glad I couldn't see the road in front of us. We finally arrived and it was a quiet street filled with restaurants and tattoo parlours. Carolyn and I decided to share a room, it was much cheaper. I fell in love with the little village I was staying in. Very touristy but the people were so kind and friendly and I could find anything I needed. A western meal, falafel, Thai food, ice cream, or a bamboo tattoo! The sun was hot and intense and the first day I sat on the balcony of a restaurant/bar and read my book. The heat was nice, if a bit much, but I was relaxing! The beach was a bit far on a rocky path and up a steep wobbly plank to an overpass and through a forest....it was also nothing special. But I love the ocean and hearing the waves lap the shore was just what I wanted. That first night we went back to the bar that sat on stilts right into the ocean and had a delicious BBQ (my first official meal since the clear fluids diet) while watching a movie in the open night air. It was lovely. The next couple of days were spent reading, sweating, and eating. I spent only a couple of hours at the beach and that was enough to turn me a little pink. I wandered the town and enjoyed all the different foods. I moved rooms as Carolyn had a friend coming and found myself a little bungalow shack. During the day I could see the ground under my hut and at night I could see the lights shining under the uncovered eaves. My bathroom was an ensuite but had no roof and a bowl of water is what I used to flush the toilet. I didn't mind, not much time was spent in there but to sleep. It was a bit noisy at night being as it was closer to the bars but I managed to drown it out with music of my own.

I had heard all about bamboo tattoos and how they aren't supposed to hurt as much as the regular kind. I've wanted a new one for awhile and had my quote picked out. As I wandered the streets, seeing the tattoo shops, day after day I finally decided to go for it. I knew the tattoo gun hurt so maybe this could be a painless one, especially since I wanted it on my ribs. In I went and made my appointment. When it was time I was surprisingly calm......and it did hurt after all. Not as much as my ankle but there was a bit of pinching over the ribs. But I am happy I did it. My new tattoo is a reminder of how wonderful every day is....not only on my trip but every day, no matter how normal it may seem. And while I was getting it done a woman from France came in and I was able to help be the translator for her. It felt so good to speak French and be understood!

The next day I was up early to catch my bus to Phnom Penh in Cambodia. I was sad to leave the island but I'm now feeling better and I'm ready to start my travels again. I am definitely looking forward to more beach time though!