Lost in Thailand

Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

NP: Mika - Relax, Take it Easy

Mood: Longing

Took a ride to the end of the line
Where no one ever goes
Ended up on a broken train with nobody I know

The topic of getting lost in Thailand had come up on our travels. Mind you, here getting lost doesn't mean physically losing your bearings and wandering the streets in desperation, but rather in a mental way where a single place or activity appeals to you so much that it's worth giving everything else up for. For a time or for good.

There were a few places I'd seen where this would be possible.

The bustling activity of Bangkok where options are many. The city is huge and seems alive. A little culture, inexpensive shopping, tasty food, cheap beer and beautiful women could be a killer combination. I had a feeling the Australian traveller I'd met there could tell me a story or two about the latter two.

Cha-Am with its beautiful beachline and quiet charm. Filling your belly with seafood, waking up near the sea and going for a morning swim. Watching the clouds roll by or taking shelter from the rain in some cozy corner. This town moved to a different beat that, in its own way, was just as enchanting as Bangkok's.

Diving on Koh Tao could be one. Diving by the coral reefs and clear waters, swimming like a fish among the fish, and enjoying the silent nights in a bungalow by the beach. Changing islands for some more diving would be easy, too. Tunna would be happy to dive naked here.

Relaxing on the beaches of Koh Pha Ngan or taking part in a massive party by Haad Rin. This island's little villages may have transformed to cater to tourists, but not at all in such an unappealing way as somewhere else in the world. The sun, the sea and techno are the only ever-present constants.

Trang and the reprieve from more vibrant places it offers. Simple and becoming. Has a certain appeal to it with its night markets and friendly townfolk. May grow to feel like home.

And finally, I admit it, even the bizarre Hat Yai has its ups. At glimpse it's strange and overwhelming, a relatively big city with little that is familiar. You could get lost in the unfamiliar and love it. Visiting the same places, especially the bars, on the second day, the place grew on us. The people there took notice of its strange visitors, spoke to us and made us understand. It's all in the head. Well most of it, anyway. The Odean food court did still close at 5 PM while the rest of the store stayed open, as if that's the last time anyone would eat in a day. And I still don't know how to use the common restaurants there!

I realize I've mentioned almost all of the places in Thailand we've visited on this trip. In so many ways this country is amazing. It's not perfect, for nothing is, but it's good enough.

The same in the words of Captain Colby: Sell the house. Sell the car. Sell the kids. Find someone else. Forget it! I'm never coming back. Forget it!