Go Speed Racer!

(That theme song went through my head multiple times this past weekend when driving through the curvy, hilly, and winding roads of Phuket!)

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and one of the most popular tourist destinations! The streets are littered with hotels, restaurants, coffee huts, shops, bars, places to rent this or that, and tour operators. So there is no shortage of things to do! My long weekend in Phuket was a much needed get away from the ho hum Satun lifestyle I have come to know and love.

Thailand is a truly diverse and exciting place to live. There is something for everyone and being able to experience the many aspects of thai life and culture is truly a rewarding experience. Phuket is a metropolis of excitement and lounging on beaches, hitting the clubs, and visiting other attraction like waterfalls and hanging out with friends was how I spent my time. The only downside of the weekend was that I got so sunburned that my nose, forehead, and chin blistered and are healing very slowly!

Meeting up with some of the friends I made in Hua Hin was so great and hearing all about their stories and just knowing we are not alone in our endeavors is very comforting! It was great to catch up, and having some tour guides was also a nice perk! We visited a very secluded beach, Paradise Beach, that was stunning. We kayaked, snorkeled, sunbathed, and relaxing enjoying to simplicity of life! Patong on the other hand, was much faster paced, with huge multiple story clubs and music so loud it'll make you go deaf. We drank and danced our way into the wee morning hours!

(Paradise Beach after a storm rolled by)

I will be going back to Phuket to visit more of the surrounding area in the future! But getting back to Satun and my house was the real adventure! I took the 8 pm bus back to Satun, so I knew that it would be early morning before I got home. The bus rolled into the city around 3:30 in the morning and stopped about a quarter of the way into town. Close to the Big C supermarket that is a 45-60 minute walk to my house. They refused to take me to the bus station and speaking hardly any Thai and them not understanding my English, drove off abandoning me in the dark city. My motorbike was at the bus station. So I walked the 30-40 minute walk home and promptly collapsed into my bed to get 2 hours of sleep. I woke up early, thankfully caught a motorbike taxi to the bus station, got my motorbike, and headed off the school for a busy Tuesday! I don't know if I was just too tired, or my students were exceptionally ornery, but man! It was horrible! Everyone was wild and loud, and not wanting to do school. So we didn't learn anything this week haha

(Janie and I rocking that motorbike life!)

Overall, it was a great weekend and a short school week, so that's always nice! Thursday was Constitution Day and Friday was Bike For Dad, so lot's of things were happening in the city and not a lot of school was going on. Here's to an adventurous weekend and new experiences!