Tuesday Jan 27
I woke up at 4:15am again. Jet lag is getting tiring. No pun. It feels like being wide awake on coffee yet exhausted.
I caught a cab to Ko Toa Rd to catch my 6am bus ride south. 6.5/hrs later I hopped on a high speed catamaran to this island. All told it was another 10.5 hour travel day. Needless to say I'm glad to be in one spot for awhile.
I checked into the first place I came across, Bayshore Resort, Haad Rin bay. In case you don't know Haad Rin is home to the Full Moon party so the whole town is basically a spring break paradise.
Showered, changed, and starving I headed out for dinner. I found a nice little place on a hill top south of the bay called Half Moon Palace.
While there I met some fellow travelers who recommended the spots I was planning on visiting after my studies- Ko Tao island for scuba diving and Chiang Mai (northern Thailand jungle/mountains). Nice to have plans confirmed by other seekers of adventure.
I hadn't been out at night while I've been here and my plan was to meet more fellow travelers and share stories. Sadly I was so exhausted I crashed out facedown on my bed. On a positive note I got 8/hrs sleep even though I woke up at 4:30am again.
Wednesday Jan 28
My first beach sunrise. Magnificent morning to be alive. After another healthy tasty breakfast I swam in the ocean. The salt water was exactly what I needed. I've been reading poolside all day. Feeling blessed and fortunate to be experiencing this. I am very greatful for the blessing bestowed upon me. I work hard to play hard. Life experience is my wealth.
I had a few errands to run after my day at the pool: pack, check-out, check-in down the street (Yoghurt Hotel), money exchange $$ to Baht, eat (garlic chk over rice), and then down to the beach.
I didn't bring anything with me to the beach except my room key and sunglasses. No shoes, shirt, book, phone, nada. As I sat there I fought the urge to reach down and check a phone that wasn't on me. It was getting pretty bad before I left. I couldn't keep my eyes off the damn thing. Always checking email, Facebook, Instagram, messages, Boom Beach, Clash of Clans, Snapchat, and 100 other various programs that beep at me all day. Yes that little red notification number must be pressed constantly on each app. "Look at me" they would say.
My whole goal of this trip was not necessarily to teach yoga but to learn to be present. I'm a dreamer. I'm always thinking about what's happening next or tomorrow or next week, next month, year, etc. I find during yoga it's the only time I'm in the now. Part of my reading speaks of this; the distractions we allow into our life that cloud where, what, why we are doing something in any given moment. After feeling my restlessness sitting on this gorgeous beach I saw it as a perfect opportunity to practice being present.
I first lied back in the sand and closed my eyes. I listened to the ocean, wind, talking, laughter, music, and my own breath. I let it flow over and through me.
When I sat up I watched the sun glisten off the water. Palm frawns rustling. Waves lapping on the shore. People walking, talking, and playing various games. Smoke drifting in the distance from a field fire. Boats coming and going from shore. It was a symphony of life and it was beautiful. I felt present. I felt happiness. I felt alive!
Such a simple thing to sit in the sand in that moment and yet I couldn't have been more entertained. I realized I needed this trip more than I knew and I look forward to growing even more with my time here.
No comments:
Post a Comment