One Night in Thailand and the World's your Oyster

One Night in Thailand and the World's your Oyster

Emerald Bay, on Patong Beach

It did feel slightly strange to me -- walking back to the hotel last night with five bodyguards in tow.  This was generally the method of travel while in Virote's presence.  He had just showed me an amazing evening in Patong.  Despite having a private driver and security escorts between each destination, I was able to experience how the Thai people do nightlife.

I kept wondering how I managed to get myself into this situation, having never asked for it nor sought after it.  I never imagined that I would be staying in luxurious beach hotels, taking beautiful island excursions, or having access to Virote's chauffeur to take me where ever I dreamt.

This past week in Phuket has been one of the strangest I have experienced.  And having been to twenty-one countries, this does say a lot.

I've been confused at my good fortunes and I'm not sure how these things tend to happen.  You see, I came to Thailand really with no plan or direction.  I didn't even buy the Lonely Planet this time around, which has been my Bible for so many years.  I am on my way to Nepal to execute the construction of a school and Thailand was my extended layover.  I still don't know how long I'll stay, but everything seems to be working out in my favor.

After spending two days in Bangkok visiting an old family friend, I returned back to the airport to take a flight down to the large tropical and hilly island of Phuket; which is a base point for many seeking to island hop in the nearby quintessential Thai surroundings.  Such an area generally embodies clear turquoise waters teemed with white sandy beaches and large grey rock formations with green tops that jet straight up sporadically throughout the area.  A Thai local told man said they used these rock structures for the floating island scenes in Avatar.

As I boarded the shuttle at the airport to take me to the plane, Thai Orient, I sat down next to two very interesting and intriguing Thai people.  The man resembled the Thai version of John Lennon, with his all white outfit, (faux) leather jacket, long black wavy hair, and purple circular sunglasses.  The woman, had her silky black hair neatly done in a large bun with the most pretty flower resting on the side.  Her magenta flowing traditional Thai wrap seemed to set her apart from the other modern women.

John Lennon and his fortune teller

They started to speak with me immediately.  The lady, named Jureeporn was booked for a fortune telling gig at the Hilton and she and her husband were on their way.  I told them I did not have a place to stay and asked where I could find a budget guesthouse.

"Oh haha," she said. "Nothing cheap on Phutket, it is most expensive island of Thailand."

Right, I thought.  I'm screwed.  I only budgeted for $5-$10 per night.  Then, Mr. Lennon, adorned with Rolling Stones tattoos chimed in. "It's okay American lady, I have been given two hotel rooms, you take second one."

No, surely he's joking.  "No I serious, you have," he said.

He wrote down the name of the hotel and his reservation number in my journal and said to call him if I had any problems at the reception.

Then, to make matters even more strange, upon boarding the plane I found I was booked for a business class seat.  The confusion set in, as I only paid for economy.  I glanced around wondering if I has mis-read my ticket.  How does this happen? I thought.

While I am taking a holiday in Thailand before heading to Nepal, I already began my journey when I left America five days ago.

Are my good fortunes a result of Kharma?  I'd like to think so, as I am a firm believer.  A few years back when I went to Bolivia to volunteer my time at a wildlife refugee helping sick or abused monkeys and large cats that were rescued off the Black Market -- then too was I upgraded to business class on my journey over.  

Perhaps Kharma knew then, as it does now, that the upcoming months were going to be difficult and exhausting and the average Westerner would never sacrifice their comforts to help the misfortune of others -- regardless if they believed it was necessary.

The Nepali village will be difficult.  Last time, I got E.coli and have decided to return regardless of what may be in store.  Kharma knows this and is thanking me accordingly.  I can only pity the people who don't understand this -- who don't understand the greater humanity and purpose of life.

In recent weeks, I had three people question my motives regarding my Nepalese school project -- with the catalyst occurring shortly before I met the Thai fortune tellers on the shuttle.

I received comments concerning why I was not already in Nepal building the school.  Accusations that I stole the money from my most recent fundraiser and have bolted town with the earnings.  Silly, yes.  And while I do not have to explain myself to these people, I really need to consider the type of people who are saying these things.

A friend of my Father's, who I have been visiting in Bangkok, said it best.  The ones who would make such outrageous accusations would only think this because 1) they themselves would consider doing the same or 2) live in an environment where this is in the norm.

Really, we can only pity these people.  They can't see others for who they really are.  They're blinded by this facade that the general human population are corrupt.  They fail to see the good in others and are quick to judge and give this 'guilty until proven innocent' mentality.  

So before I continue my story, I'd like to spend these next few paragraphs clearing the air on my plan so I don't have to keep justifying myself to others.

Originally I wanted to head straight for Nepal and get this school project out of the way.  Then after, I would take my Thai holiday.  Either way, I had to connect through Bangkok.  There are no direct flights to Kathmandu.

Heading to Nepal as soon as possible really was in my favor all-around.

1. After May, the lowlands where the village is located are unbearably hot.  Last time I was there in July and I couldn't even think properly because my brain was turning into mashed potatoes.  I was miserable in every way.
2. I simply wanted to get the school built so I could just relax and not have anyone to report to.

Unfortunately, as fate and life's hiccups throw at you, my French travel companion who was with me last summer to start the school and who committed to return with me to help finish it could not make it to Nepal until June for financial reasons.

I toyed with the idea of heading to the village without him and consulted by Board of Directors at length, for direction.

Last year when I got E.coli, I could have never made it emotionally without the support of my dear friend.  He was hugely instrumental in insuring my success in initiating and executing the beginning stages of the school project.  I truly believe, from the bottom of my heart that this would not be possible without his support.  Truly.

When I heard he would not be joining me until June, I rearranged my plans to take my Thailand holiday first.  And after traveling three days to get to this side of the world, I definitely thought it was merited.

So - to clear the air - I am not taking your donations and fleeing for paradise.  Thank you to my true friends and family who would never have dreamt this possible.  I know who you are.

Now, on to the good stuff.  I'm in Phuket and having a far-flung adventure yet again! 

Hotel in Patong

While Phuket did not encompass the clear pristine blue waters that I suspected upon arrival due to a week of torrential monsoons, it eventually cleared up and has been nothing but sunny and beautiful.  I'm staying in a place called Patong, on the west coast of the island on the Andaman Sea. It's a bit touristy and over-priced -- an issue I might have been bummed about had not I been graciously given this beach-front room.

My new fortune teller friends, whom speak broken English, apparently are somewhat of a Thai celebrity. At the airport, I had lost them in the hustle and bustle of getting our bags.  However later at the curb, as I was about to jump on a bus, a car pulled up with them inside.  They told me to get in while their driver, whom I later found was a friend, took me to my hotel.

Jureeporn showed me a YouTube video of her weekly fortune telling TV program in Bangkok.  Her husband, Kunttong, seemed to be -- from what I could gather, a famous musician.  I asked to see his music, so they showed me a YouTube video of his onscreen presence.  He also does fortune telling on the side -- and I later found -- after witnessing strangers come over to shake is hand, that he is a well respected man.

They dropped me at the hotel and said they would eventually return to collect me.  It was later that evening during dinner where I met Virote; the 36-year-old hotel owner.  I was a bit suspicious at first, after he waltzed in, grinning ear-to-ear in his Bermuda shorts and long wind blown hair.  This man surely cannot be the owner, I thought.  Then I noticed it.  The Prada label on his glasses as he sat next to me.  Ok I thought, perhaps these people are legit.  My suspicion was further confirmed as the people in the restaurant bowed to him as he came in.  How did I get here?  

"You lucky lady," Kunttong said to me from across the table.  "Mr. Virote very powerful man in Phuket."

"Oh really?" I inquired.

Koh Phi Phi Island

"Yes, he owns most of the city," said Kunttong. "Many hotel and businesses. He the president of the police too."

How can there be a president of the police? I wondered.  But really, this was at the bottom of my questions that kept running through my head.

"So Kay-te, how do you know Kunttong?" Virote asked.  "You know he very famous man in Thailand."

"Yes, I am beginning to see this."  I continued on to explain my very precarious scenario on how I met my two new friends, then went on to say that I might be leaving the following morning.

Thai Theatreical Show

"On no, why don't you stay here? You will be my guest" Virote insisted.  "I like American people very much."  I suppose studying at the University of California had this outcome on him.  He then snapped his fingers and over came one of his employees who booked me in his beachfront hotel for the following ten days.  Of course this was all happening so fast and since I couldn't understand what anyone was saying due to language barrier,  I've somehow managed to be booked full of trips for the next week; Ko Phi Phi, scuba diving adventures, city tours, and Thai theatrical shows to name a few.

Right, I guess I'm staying here.  It's been in my favor not to have an itinerary.  The best advice I ever received about traveling came from my friend and mentor Chad Thatcher back in '06.  He said when you travel, only buy your plane ticket.  You can have a vacuum itinerary, but you should never have a schedule.  The best adventures in life generally occur when one goes with the flow and lets destiny dictate the course.  I live by this philosophy.

All week, the same question kept running through my mind.  Why is this happening to me?  Why are these people so nice to me?

Ladyboys on the street of Patong

That evening was filled with dining, dancing, and ladyboys (more on that later).  We had personal escorts wherever we went, even to the bathroom at the club Virote owned.

The following morning, while eating breakfast at the hotel with Kunttong, I asked him why he started speaking to me at the airport.

"You good person," he replied.

"How do you know?" I inquired.  Maybe he knows because he's a fortune teller.

"I could just feel it.  The moment I met you.  It's not something that I see, but it's more of something I feel.  You are radiating with good energy."

Is that why all these good things are happening to me, I wondered.  If I had never met Kunttong, I would have never met Virote.  And now somehow, I'm here in Phuket for a ten day stay that I never intended to have (or could have afforded).

"You have good things happen because you help many people," he added.  "You have good heart."

So perhaps it is true.  Kharma.  Maybe everything is coming full circle.

While Kunttong left that day to head back to Bangkok, really, my adventure was only just beginning, but that my friend will have to be continued in the next blog installment.