Day 72 – 74

29.08.23 – 31.08.23

I’m still trying to rest my ankle, which has improved but is still not quite right. 

So another relaxing day by the pool. 🥰💙🩵

The pool tends to be really quiet during the day when people are off out on trips or sheltering in their rooms, this is a thing. Alot of guests spend a good part of the day in their rooms, then come out around 4/5pm. They tend to be the Indian and Malaysian families, they then are up later, normally heading out to eat when I’m going to my room at 8.30/9pm! This makes sense for people who live in very hot countries. I’m just a loony British person who’s out in the hottest part of the day! 🥵😂

I decided to go back and visit the lovely people at Kodam Kitchen for dinner, so of course to add to the authenticity it had to rain ☔️. I managed to get there and back in between downpours! 

I arrived and I was greeted like a long lost family member, everyone came rushing over to say hello and greet me. They were so pleased to see me, but confused as to why I was alone. I explained that Chris, Rebecca and Anita had all gone home they were then concerned for me being on my own 🥰 The fabulous waitress and the young manager were particularly pleased to see me. (I’m gutted that I don’t have their names) I asked if I was able to get a Tuk Tuk from the restaurant back to my hotel but as they are off the main road, none were around, so the young manager said he would take me home on his motorcycle! He also asked if he could call me mum? Then he asked so politely if he could hug me ☺️😍 He gave me such a gentle, respectful hug it was beautiful. I declined the motorcycle lift and walked home full of joy and delicious food. ❤️ 

I’ve had a lovely swim this morning in the deserted pool and then I’m off to find a laundry place. The hotel has a laundry room with washing machines, but no drying area and it’s 100bht to use the machine, which is a lot. I found a little place just near the hotel for 60bht. It also happened to be near a few massage places so I got a much needed pedicure. I might go back tomorrow for a foot massage, if my ankle feels up to it, bearing in mind the level of pressure they use. 😬

I’ve had a wonderful email from the lovely English family I chatted to earlier in the week, they followed my recommendation and visited Kodam Kitchen, liking it so much they went back again. They are now heading to my Koh Lanta recommendation, Longbeach Chalets! I should come and work here as a tour guide, rep!! Lori also read my blog, thank you. 🙏

I’m going to head back to the beach shack this evening for a quick cocktail before dinner.  

So I’m sitting back at the shack, Bob Marley is playing, I’m enjoying the view, earwigging on the table next to me who are talking about worms in the sand that get into you somehow Wtf! Then the music changed to UB40, Higher Ground. Clint & I loved UB40 and this album especially! 

I just get  overwhelmed with emotions thinking of how wonderful it would be to be Sitting here with Clint, drinking Rum watching the sunset, chatting,  laughing. He would love it. 

I think this emotional episode is a result of being back on my own, not knowing when I’ll see Rebecca and Chris again and really missing my beautiful twins, and all my friends at home. 

And you know what? Its OK for me to feel emotional, to feel Sad, to miss those I love, to have moments of introspection that’s all part of being human. 

I’m so privileged to have loved and been loved so intensely that 21 years later it can still stop me in my tracks. The love is worth the pain. 

Travelling solo is really rewarding but, there are times when you really want to share a moment, a sunset, a breath stopping view, an incredible experience with someone else, someone who would understand and share your Joy, excitement and awe. Those times can tricksy. 

I don’t stay at the bar, I leave after the 1 cocktail as I’m not sure more alcohol would be a good idea! 

I walk to the Indian restaurant I’d found good reviews for online. The food is good, chicken Biriyani and raita. It’s not very busy, so I eat and leave. 

I’m still feeling emotional so I walk back to the hotel and read for a while, sadly missing a call from the lovely Anne, who always calls when I need a pick me up. Gutted I missed her. 

I’ve had a good nights sleep and it’s a new day, I’m feeling OK, still missing everyone but not as emotionally fragile as I was yesterday. 

Today is my last day in Ao Nang and typically the weather is not looking great, very cloudy and I suspect we’ll have heavy rain. 

I’m going to go and have a massage then pop to Reeve Beach Club for one of their delicious Mango, Banana, Coconut Milk smoothies and start to pack. 

Tomorrow is an early start for my flight to Bangkok. 

I’ll post again once I’ve arrived and got over the shock of Bangkok and the Khoa San Road!

Books read 25.

No One Saw it Coming. Susan Lewis. A thriller, set in Bristol. Good. 

Miss you all. ❤️

PS. Not many pictures. 😬