I’m up at 5am today. There’s a lizard in the light fixture above my head and a handsome mountain behind the bungalow in front of me, about 35 feet away. The sun has just started her morning glow. My legs are wrapped in a cheap, white bath towel, and I’m wearing a netted bug shirt I bought from REI in Arcadia, California. Even though, I am still breakfast for several relentless mosquitos. There’s an ant family dancing around my feet. Foolishly, we’ve been feeding our adopted tabby, who lives on the front porch. The cats are more free and friendly than the people of Tonsai.
The last three days have been raw and adventurous. I must confess, I’m pooped. I’m looking forward to a mocktail and the next episode of “The Good Wife”. Amazon Prime charges for content that might usually be free. Netflix, HBOGo and ShowtimeAnytime are all showtime-no-time out here. I’m a feenin’ TV junkie. At what point, I wonder, did I become a Princess? Have I always been this dependent on my comforts and amenities? Is this why people take backpacking holidays between college & adulthood? I do believe one needs at least one star rating per decade on earth. I’m definitely a four star girl.
To get from Tonsai to Railay, there are three methods. Longboat rides at 100 baht per pop, per person; jungle treks or ocean walks over pinchy, sharp coral. I have now endured three jungle treks and two pinchy coral walks. We are watching our cash as our long journey has just begun. Like most things, the more you do them, the easier they become. Yesterday’s trek had a brilliant reward. We swam in the ocean at the world famous Railay beach. The – view – is – stunning. The water is waist high and warm, like an epsom salt bath. There are even mild waves to keep the swim interesting. My body feels at home in the ocean. Must be the cancer moon in me.
Today we start our journey through Malaysia and Indonesia. The plan is to take a boat, to a bus, to an overnight (or is it a two day?) train to Singapore. I have no idea what to expect, but I’m eager to find out.
You can follow Cynthia’s stories, and become a “fan” at The Huffington Post.
She is also writing for Amnplify – the Australian Musician Network.
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