From the Ocean to the Big City

A cove just around the corner from the retreat center.

The beach I swam almost everyday

On the ferry from Koh Phangan to Surat Thani

 

The most amazing raw zuchini pasta with pesto and sundried tomato. Yum!

Just before the rain, Bankok. I swear I didn't touch this photo in photoshop.

       What a transition it has been leaving my inner journey on Koh Phangan, to a journey that lead me up to Bangkok, one of the craziest cities ever. I felt like I was having serious culture shock, even though I was in the same country. The energy of the 2 different places were completely the opposite! Koh Phangan was so calm and serene. There were very few people around and everyone was so friendly. Bangkok was full of energy and there was never a rest! I actually found it surprisingly unfriendly... People were short and at points even rude, but I was still glad to have the experience.
       Last night I took a night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, where I will finish out my trip. I have really come to like the night trains here, they are so clean and a real window into Thai culture. It seems like everyone and their grandmother goes on the night trains.  I met a fellow American woman on the train, and we have decided to be travel buddies. She had already done research and found a great hostel for us to stay in the old city. It's only 120baht ($4) a night! What a relief to be here! I have only walked around this morning, but I can already tell I will love this city!