Sunday December 22nd 2024, Koh Tao, Thailand

Woke up at 5am to catch the bus + ferry to the island of Koh Tao. It seems like just yesterday I was struggling on the bus in Nepal. This country has paved roads and the bus is a double decker with water provided. The tourism infrastructure here is insane. When I got to my taxi this morning I saw the street vendors already setting up, most of them elderly. They really work hard for a couple dollars a day, hopefully more. I realized I really loved being on the frontier. Going to places untouched by too many tourists, a touch underdeveloped and really out in the world. Thailand is not that place but hopefully the beaches and sceneries are as beautiful as people say. I am looking forward already to being in the rural farms of Laos, instead of the largest tourist destination in the world, Bangkok. I'm still confused why families bring their little kids here with people blowing weed smoke everywhere. There's not much to do except eat cheap food and party. The 6 hour bus ride to the coast was pretty easy because I had a seat to myself and slept 75% of the time. Around 1300 we boarded a two hour ferry from the coast to the island of Koh Tao. These two hours were some of the most brutal. The choppiness of the water was unbelievable. People were being thrown from side to side of the catamaran. I was really fighting not to pass out or throw up. I felt squeamish to the max. I focused on a single point in the boat and tried to dial in. After the two hours of the boat ride passed I reached the shore so relieved. My entire body was tingling and my energy drained. This afternoon Zach and I were able to briefly explore the island of Koh Tao. It is very touristy as well but has nice beaches and jungle landscapes. I saw a sign for renting a skimboard and hopefully I can ride tomorrow. I used to love skim boarding the beaches of Florida and I like it because it's a lowkey sport. Excited for what unfolds here in this week in the beautiful island of Koh Tao.