How my route through Thailand changed completely, again
After the week together on Koh Samui, it was actually clear how things would go on. Through Surat Thani and Khao Sok toward Krabi, then Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Phuket, and after that further north, Chiang Mai, Bangkok. A real plan, for the first time in weeks. Then it all turned out differently.
Khao Sok: no more jungle bungalows for me
The first stop was Khao Sok, right in the jungle, three days. At 3 a.m. I woke up drenched in sweat because something in the corner kept rattling the whole time. I shone a light over, a gecko jumped straight at me out of the trash can, and I screamed like crazy. On top of that, a monkey was running across the roof all night. I barely slept. Wasn't the first time with geckos by the way, one landed on my stomach on Koh Phangan before. The animals are harmless, I know that too, but since then one thing is clear: no more jungle bungalows for me.
Krabi: not the most beautiful spot, but exactly the calm I needed
After that, four days in Krabi, in a 4-star resort with a really nice suite. The most beautiful place on this whole stretch wasn't Krabi for me, honestly, that stays Koh Samui, I just fell in love with the island itself there, not only because of my girlfriend. But Krabi gave me exactly what I needed: calm. I could work without worrying, had everything nearby, and a good friend of mine happened to be there too, we met up.
Koh Lanta: almost as relaxed, and the decision was made right here
Next was Koh Lanta, at the Lanta Sand Resort, a huge room, 55 square meters with a balcony. Same here: relaxed, I could work, no comparison to the simple places from the last few months. I was practically at the same restaurant every evening, simply because the food was so good and so cheap. And it was right here on Koh Lanta that I already decided: after Phuket, I'm not continuing on to Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
Koh Phi Phi: very touristy and loud, not quite my thing
Koh Phi Phi was something else again, much more touristy and noticeably louder than the two stops before. At night there was constantly loud music somewhere nearby, I slept badly. Honestly wasn't quite my thing, which is why I only stayed a few days.
Phuket, since yesterday, and what's coming now
I arrived in Phuket yesterday, actually the last stop before Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Except it was already clear to me that nothing would come of that. I simply fell properly for this woman during that time, who's now officially my girlfriend. On Monday I'm heading back, I spontaneously booked a flight from Phuket to Koh Samui to see her again. I'm even considering extending my whole stay in Thailand, not just because of her, but also because my current 60-day visa can be extended by another 30 days.
What I take away from this
A whole plan can change this fast when something unplanned comes along. A few weeks ago I would have said, sure, on to Chiang Mai and Bangkok, that's what the plan said. Now I'm sitting in Phuket, booking a flight in the other direction, and even considering staying longer. For me, a plan is simply where things stand today. Tomorrow it can look completely different again.