Honeymoon on the Beach in Southern Thailand
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It really started when we made our 1st stop (of 3) in Atlanta. The pattern was: Boston to Atlanta, Atlanta to Seoul, Seoul to Phuket, Thailand. It was our honeymoon - one year after having our viking/medieval themed back yard shindig (yes, guests were required to dress in period attire). The flight was delayed and then ultimately cancelled, causing the mass flurry at the airport, thankfully we shuffled through patiently and mostly silently suffering and under the breath murmuring while we waited and received our hotel and meal vouchers - and free bottled water with a snack.
We shuttled over to the hotel, checked-in and immediately decided to take a walk - Travis was now cigarette free but was desperate for a “vape” — so we went on a walking tour to the nearest convenience store...somewhere near the Atlanta airport. The first convenience store didn’t have what Travis was looking for, but we were told there was another store about a half mile or more down the road. So off we went - walking in the afternoon heat, alongside a major roadway with multiple lanes of traffic, stomping on thick and overgrown grass, and remarking on all the trash. We walked next to the guardrail and hoped to not get hit by traffic.
We finally come across this small gas station in a seemingly “remote” area — it immediately reeks like marijuana - which of course peaks my interest. I’m also hankering for a habit. Travis nods to the 2 young black guys behind the counter and I go right up to strike a deal: “That’s some good smelling reefer and I’d just love a little bit for the evening with a few rolling papers and a lighter. See we’re on our way to Thailand and we’re stuck in Atlanta for the night” — they listen curiously as I ramble on asking for some of their goods. One guy casually dips his hand into his breast shit pocket - the kind that has his name embroidered on it with the name of the convenience store - and pulls out a couple of green nuggets. He wraps them up and I give him a quick $20. I purchase the papers and a lighter and Travis has also found a vape — we’re on our way to happiness.
As we’re finishing paying, a large, older, white man with a stubbly beard, heavy cowboy boots and hat, and a button up shirt comes in eagerly smiling and overly talkative with a drawl, immediately striking up a conversation. I also see he’s holstering some sort of hand gun. Travis makes a direct comment about his gun and the guy goes on to loudly describe while still smiling that we were in a shitty part of town and don’t want to mess with any cats around here — and as we get talking with this guy, he offers us a ride back to the hotel! And we take it. Travis sat in the front seat, and I hopped in the back of his oversized pickup truck — he had once been to Maine and that was all he know of the “Northeast” — he talked the whole way to the hotel about his life, kids, marriage, and career. Travis and I were happy to arrive back at the hotel, sit at the bar - for which the meal vouchers did not cover, with our separate vices, laughing at this quirky side venture, night 1 of our honeymoon. He snored in bed and I drafted the complaint letter to Delta.
We decided to stay on the south western coast for the duration of the 2 weeks. It’s hard to fly across the world and then continue to get on plans or trains. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good journey, but it’s also nice to check out one area at a time knowing that you can’t see everything in two weeks anyway.
Khao Lak was how the trip happened in the first place. I had certainly never heard of it, but came across a deal on TravelZoo for the Eden Beach Khao Lak Resort and Spa and on a random Tuesday some 2 years before we actually got there, we booked two vouchers in exchange for a week long vacation. Thailand wasn’t really on the top of the list, but it was such a quick whim and now we needed to make it happen.
We managed to book plane tickets, and after the flight cancellation and gas station fiasco, with a stop-over in South Korea, and some of the most amazing and cleanest bathrooms I’ve ever seen — never mind that every stall had a fully functional bidet with the option for heat, drying, warm or cold water. I was amazed. Upon arrival, we were greeted at the airport with the hotel transportation — a nice gentleman holding a sign that read: “Mr. and Mrs. Seanson” —- our last name being “Jeasnon.” We got a small laugh and entered a refreshingly cool van, 3 layers deep of puffy leather seats for the 40 minute drive to the resort.
We arrived in the evening, exhausted after what felt like days of travel to get there - and crashed pretty quickly after checking out the room and sleeping arrangements. We had a balcony overlooking the infinity pool, which sat above the main pool which overlooked the ocean. We felt like we had arrived in paradise. Breakfast was a full spread and included in the voucher. Travel tip #1 - if you like to eat the hotel breakfast, look for a hotel where it’s included in the stay. This breakfast had everything one could imagine from breakfast foods, to salads, to meats and cheese, croissants, and eggs, and sausage and kimchi and smoked herring. Once we filled on coffee and eggs we walked around the luscious grounds entranced by the greenery, the laidback vibes, and the feeling of true vacation.
The week in Khao Lak few by and was full of day trips and adventure to nearby beaches - a constant search for the clearest waters, best waves, most private, best beach bar, all of it, all at the same time. We found several that fit the bill: sunny, clear waters, drinks and lounge chairs, warm water and moderate waves. Coconut Beach and White Sands were everything you’d imagine - we also stopped along the way at other unknown beaches that now don’t seem to appear as I search Google maps. Figments of our imagination. We rented scooters to get around to the beaches - thought it would be easier than trying to call for taxis every hour — and it was all good and well until we got stuck in a complete monsoon on the way back and had to pull off and hang out at a small road side shanty until we decided to just bear it because it wasn’t slowing or stopping. Driving on the other side of the road was one thing, but adding the pouring rain was another. We quickly returned the scooters and found ourselves undercover and taking cocktails as respite while we dried. One for the books.
After the DIY beach hop, we signed up for another day adventure, a fan boat ride over to James Bond Island and the infamous limestone karst rock formation. Along the way we kayaked with a guide navigating multiple tunnels and alleys between various karsts jutting up and all around the waters of the Phang Na Bay. Kayaking, Floating Community, Cave walkthru, Elephant visit, Evening Market,
Phuket
Beachy pool bars and infinity pool overlooking the ocean. The ocean was warm, inviting, and full of beginner surfers and boogey boarders. The sunsets were striking. The massages were plentiful, the markets were eccentric and lively. The people were friendly and inviting.
James Bond Island
Maya Bay
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