Having Fun

My student James and me at a music concert.
Courtney at tea looking stunning in her hat and so attractively positioned by the hotel art.
Gina looking smashing at pre-tea drinks at an Italian restaraunt (we were early and killing time; had a blast admiring the stemware).
Sporting my newest hat at tea. I was delighted when I looked around and saw several customers using fans. I asked the waitress and she promptly brought me one to match my dress. It all felt very genteel.

It just keeps getting better

This past weekend, my school had a four day weekend, a substantial break that closely followed on the heels of a week’s vacation in mid-April for the Songkran holiday. For the last hurrah, I traveled to Krabi, Thailand with my fellow colleagues and frequent travel companions, Courtney and Sunny (and Daylin). Over the course of the holiday, one of our conversations touched on the bittersweet truth that if our school system did not have such an accommodating calendar, the three of us would not have been nearly as happy as we have been for the past two years. Despite that valuable perk, it has not been enough to sway any us to sign on for another year.

But don’t get the impression that all of our conversations centered on the workplace. I have been careful to choose travel companions who know how to separate their social lives from the workplace. And besides, in a paradise like Krabi, it is extremely difficult to even think about reality or career difficulties. From the moment we climbed onto the longtail boat from the Ao Nong pier, our packs the only burden weighing us down, we were swaddled in cloak of enchantment that protected us from the usual preoccupations. Majestic rock formations, tranquil waters, and fine sandy beaches occupied all brain activity (with the occasional interruption of a beautifully sculpted male specimen, exceptional washboard abs on display while strolling along the beach).

I spent most of the four days at the beach marveling alternately at how fortunate I have been to visit such unforgettable places and wondering why I have chosen to remove myself from this undeniably fantastic wonderland. In many ways, America will pale in comparison to these newly experienced tropical escapes.

The pace of this holiday was similar to my other beach excursions (wake up, breakfast, nap, massage, swim, lunch, nap…) but to change things up a bit, my cohorts and I opted to stay at a slightly more upscale resort. No spiders landing on my face or intimidating lizards claiming sections of a cramped bathroom. No additional charges for toilet paper or towels. No, West Railey Beach in Krabi seems to cater to travelers who actually have a viable income, as opposed to the usual South-East Asia backpackers catching the sights on a shoestring budget. It was a welcome change from the ramshackle bungalows that I have become all too acquainted with in my travels. Instead of the usual mildew covered tiles in a makeshift bathroom, our hotel room boasted an immaculate soaking tub (for which I brought bubble bath), complete with complimentary bathrobes and slippers. Large umbrellas in the room for those rainy days. A patio surrounded by lush, flowering vegetation. A bar by the pool tended by a charming and handsome young man. Yes, it was quite the arrangement.

Not that you really need that kind of commercial opulence when the natural landscape itself grants travelers with an unrivaled visual experience. Growing up on the east coast, the shoreline I am accustomed to does not offer quite the dramatic topography as Krabi Beach does. By no means do I wish to suggest that the mid Atlantic coastline is lacking. I will always esteem the beloved and familiar Outer Banks as a trustworthy haven, cannot underestimate the peaceful calm engendered by the ocean air and roar of the crashing surf, nor discount the rustic charm of the weathered cottages. And while the basic elements for both beaches are similar (ocean, sand, waves) the presence of the looming cliffs in Krabi create a setting that is at once magical and foreboding, simultaneously exotic and mysterious. Reminiscent of “Fantasy Island” or “The Most Dangerous Game.”