Lazy Days

What a breath of fresh…and remarkably warm air Thailand has been! This is my third day in the country; I spent 2 in Bangkok and now find myself on the Island of Phuket. While a tourist hub, I like this place a great deal; the people and the atmosphere suck you in and make it near impossible to leave….

 

I am staying at the Patong Merlin Hotel right on Patong beach; such a perfect location for shopping and lazy beach days. I had become accustomed to the refined dress codes, coffee stops and sight seeing mandatory to the European culture and weather…now I am free to wear what I chose and do next to nothing for days on end. It is not my usual style, but I think I could warm to it… I have just returned from a few hours by the pool. I have become obsessed with Stephenie Meyers novel ‘Twilight’; not my usual style either but it, too, sucks you in and compels you to endlessly turn page after page…but then, what is my usual style? It is quite a ridiculous statement really to suggest than I, of all people, have a usual ‘style’. I have never been committed to anything for longer than a moment. With the exception of this blog it seems…and thus I suppose you, Rune…if you are reading this. My back is seething under my loose white shirt as I struggle to find a comfortable and painless position in my brown leather chair. The humidity within the open aired hotel lobby does not aid in lessening the pain of my already deep crimson back, chest and legs. You are never too young to receive needless horrendous sunburn it seems. Reading a teen novel and burning my supple skin in the scorching midday heat…I feel I have regressed 10 years to my former 17 year old self…Curse Stephenie Meyer and her impeccably engrossing writing skills.

 

As I write this blog, many vacationers stroll in and out of the lobby. The occasional loud American tourist, plenty of aussies whom I try to avoid as this trip was meant to be a complete removal of myself from all things familiar and tied to my previous life. My mother enquired as to when my travels would end…I remain quite certain that they probably never will. A group of boisterous Australians do their country proud as they hustle past me; sporting ‘wife beaters’ (navy bonds singlets) and board shorts donning the Australian flag. You can see them coming a mile off. That is generally when I turn to walk the other way….

 

What an exciting day I have planned…no doubt more gripping than the lazy hours spent by the pool which precede me. First to a beauty parlor where I plan to get my nails done as well as a full body massage. They are so pleasingly affordable and like nothing else on earth…or so I’ve heard. I’m a little apprehensive as to exactly how to interpret this recommendation what with all the lady boys whom flood the streets at night, before scuttling off to their regular day jobs at first light. I resolve to ignore the warning signs and take the plunge…even if it entails having a slightly too close encounter with a slightly too masculine female…it’s all a part of the experience. After the massage, provided I still have enough bravado lurching within me, I plan to get my hair braided…ill post some photos of that when (and if) it occurs; proof that I didn’t run for the hills! Although it’s not a guarantee that I won’t at this point… so no promises. I shall fill you in on how it all plays out…should be an interesting day regardless! After the beauty parlor I may stroll by the markets on my way back to the hotel; haggling has fast become a favourite sport of mine. They say you should start at half of what the seller offers. The REAL starting point is in fact a quarter, at most. These cunning individuals have a real knack for ripping off unsuspecting Aussie tourists, with their cheesy but well rehearsed lines; ‘gday mate’, ‘hows it goin?’…expect a collection of bargain priced souvenirs upon my return.

 

In amongst the lazing about I have managed to fit a couple of tourist trips in, and have taken many a photo in and around phuket…I shall upload a few of the better ones onto flickr when I get a chance, so stay tuned! For now, this is a photo I took of some tuk tuks lined up along the street; they provide such convenient and inexpensive transport – if only i could take one with me on every adventure!

Tuk Tuks; the ultimate form of transport!

 

My Hotel: Patong Merlin

The highlight was most definitely riding elephants; they are such beautiful and mild natured creatures. The way the owners hit them and the chains they bore around their ankles angered and compelled me to join an animal activist group. While the splendor of these animals enthralled me for the time I was graced by their presence, their captivity shocked and appalled me. I Have now joined PETA (people for the ethical treatment of animals), and I urge you to also.

 

 

 

 

I adore Phuket, perhaps more than I had expected. This may be due to the stark differences it embodies when compared with the European way of life. It suits me just fine right in this moment…

 

I am closer to home than I have been for a long while. Closer than you might think. And while it may sound absurd, I feel a sort of absence having not heard from Rune in a number of days. If it weren’t for the immense desire to stay in this place, I am sure I would have already fled if for no other reason than to beckon my follower. My secret man… where are you Rune?

 

I must know…I have never had such a desire to meet with someone, to know their motives, desires, secrets…

 

I have plenty to share myself.

 

-Alaina Jane