Prachuap
How often does it happen that you arrive at a place you have never been before, don't know a soul, and still feel you belong and fit in perfectly? Prachuap Khiri Khan, a town in southern Thailand, was just such a place for me.
Bob, a friend and author, had introduced me via email to Sandra, an expat and long-time Thailand resident. We met the next morning for breakfast and again in the afternoon at a get-together of a small writers' group. Honored to be invited as I'm not a writer, I was in for a treat!
I've since re-read Sandra's poem "One Shot" that reflected on the suicide of her son's friend many times. It's so well written—I deeply feel the pain this event has caused.
Andy's essay "What to do with Andrew's Nose Hairs" is simply hilarious and makes me laugh out loud every time I just think of it.
I hope they'll both share their novel creations with a broader audience, too good to be confined to a backyard table at a coffeeshop.
The third piece was an excerpt from Andrew's published and very well received book Catfish and Mandala . What a powerful, extraordinary story! It's now one of my favorite books! Read it!
Our paths would cross many more times over the next 10 days, we had many good conversations, explored the area, shared meals and drinks, and mingled with other members of the local expat community. When Mac (Andrew) mentioned that he is part of a local paragliding group, I didn't think twice and joined in on a tandem flight.
I've always struggled with reverse culture shock after coming back from my travels. But lately, it seems to get more and more challenging: how can I feel so connected when I'm far away and so disconnected when I'm back? Makes me question the definition of home. Maybe my home can't be just in one place, no matter how beautiful and perfect that location might be.
Comparing train rides in China and in Thailand: the former propels you far into the future while the latter takes you back just as far into the past! The train left Bangkok on time at 12:30 pm and reached Prachuap shortly after 8:00 pm, "only" half an hour later than scheduled. 7.5 hours for 320 km. Highspeed trains in China cover that distance in less than 2 hours and are seldom a minute late! Sandra was astonished that I arrived almost on time, something pretty much unheard of.
The train doors were wide open during the whole journey. Toilets are as I remember them from my childhood in Germany: just a hole and all goes down onto the tracks.
It was already dark when I arrived. Taxi? Sandra had given me a heads-up that this service is solely provided by motorcycles with a sidecar. Didn't see anybody around at the railway station or maybe I was too late at the exit. So, I rumbled along with my luggage for 1.3 km to the Prachuap Beach Hotel. Good work-out after the many hours of sitting!
10 unforgettable days. A difficult good-bye. New friends, new experiences, new scenery.
It's covers a huge area with many brandnew and not yet documented buildings.
I believe these are tombstones, maybe holding cremation containers or just serving as memorials. Their designs are striking!
Now to some serious monkey business!
Khao Chong Krachok Hill, or simply called monkey hill, is home to quite a large population of macaques. Fun to watch these
fearless fellows. Usually, they left me alone when I walked by, but one day they snatched a plastic bag with a few leftovers
from the nearby night market. Didn't try to argue.
I couldn't find much information about the Buddhist temple on top of Monkey Mountain. One website called it fairly dilapidated which definitely wasn't the case when I was there! All the buildings were immaculate. Large blooming trees, a friendly monk who pointed out the best spot to enjoy the approaching sunset, the bright colors leading up and on top, and the spectacular 360° view make the climb so worthwhile! The entertaining monkeys along the way quickly let me lose track of counting the ~400 steps.
Did somebody say paragliding? Can I come? Thanks for taking me on this amazing more than one-hour long tandem flight!
Our take-off!
What a great group of people: helping, cheering, and even recording and sharing some awesome videos! Memories for a lifetime,
not only the flight, but also everyone who made this such an incredible experience for me.
After landing – with my Pilot Jack. My feet were back on the ground, but my mind was still soaring!
Here's one more video—the proof that I really had a great time!
I held a GoPro camera during the flight. At times it was off—obviously, I paid much more attention to our soaring than to the recording.
The stunning teak wood Buddhist temple and the adjacent Reclining Buddha Cave are located about 8 km from the city center. This was one of my favorite spots to visit. Thank you so much, Mac, for taking me there and the many hours of great company and inspiring conversation, a time I'll never forget! I hope our paths will cross again one day.
Wat Ao Noi has many unique features. One of them is the teak wood temple, guarded by two giant nine-headed dragons.
On my last day, Sandra and I went for a bike ride to the dusky leaf monkey sanctuary, located at the foot of Khao Lom Muak, a mountain at the Wing 5 Base. These little fellows put on the most entertaining show for us!
Sandra even organized a bike for me. I'm sure she had her doubts when she saw me getting on it the first time. But I quickly got used to it.
