Feelin' Blue

New York, don't hate me.

Koh Samui + Me = a great marriage.

While in the beautiful Chaweng Noi Beach., I was in heaven. I walked along the beach with nobody but me and my camera, ate delicious food looking over the city, ran in the rain (but NYC, you and I did that during Irene too!). I was so content and happy there.

Sitting at the front of the boat while coming back from Angthong, I'm not gonna lie, I got a bit teary. Took me back to my days of being on my dad's outboard boat. I used to LOVE being on a boat. I was such a motion baby, that I would fall asleep even with the extraordinarily loud engine. I loved it. Couldn't get enough of being on the water. Still can't. Ohh beaches. You melt me. 

Tête à Tête with Tammi: Richie

I had the pleasure of meeting Richie after my day out with Dave. He was at The Jungle Club with a group of 24 people that he was leading on a tour of Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Kao Phangan with Contiki. Seeing him interact with the people in the restaurant, I knew he was a regular, and I also quickly surmised that he would most likely be willing to chat with me. On his way from one group to the other, I quickly asked him where they were all from. He explained that he was a tour guide and then kindly sat and talked with me for 30 minutes.

He is 31 and originally from New Zealand where he was working as a civil engineer. I could immediately sense the happiness pouring out from this wonderful man. He grew up on the family farm, being raised mostly by his grandparents. Growing up, he and his Granddad would go diving in the morning for mussels, oysters--any seafood they could get. Then they took it back home for Nan and Mum to eat. He idolizes his "Nan" and I loved hearing him speak of his love for her. He says she's the healthiest person he knows, doing Tai Chi and still working every day.

He had a prosperous job as an engineer in New Zealand, but as he said, he had a lot of money but no life. After an accident at thirty that left him unable to move for six months, he decided to re-evaluate his life. He traveled to Australia and then kept going. He says the accident allowed him to slow down and wake up. Ease up and slow your roll, as Deb Lohse says.

 I admire his willingness to let go of everything stable and move into the unknown.  He really made it even clearer to me that even though I'll never be a bazillionaire teaching ballet, there is so much fulfillment in it for me and it makes me so happy to have a job doing something I love and am good at. Hearing him tell his story of giving up all the money and finding joy doing something he loves makes it even easier for me to remain firm in my belief that money won't buy you happiness. His sense of adventure and openness is something I really appreciate. His smile will continue to warm my heart when I think of him.

I felt the love for life pouring out of this man. It was so wonderful to meet people who have such enthusiasm for what they do and that are so happy. I feel so lucky to have met so many incredible people on my journey. Richie was the last of my travel interviews, but don't worry dear ones, I'll make sure to keep this a part of my weekly adventures. I couldn't help but think: did I just happen to keep meeting people who were extraordinarily happy by chance, or was I seeking like-minded people that make me feel like I'm not so crazy for being so damn enthusiastic myself...

Subject:

Richie; Male

New Zealand

What do you spread on toast? Butter

What makes you happy? Being around happy people, life in general
What time do you wake up? Different every day. When working, early 6am
What is your favorite place to be? At home with Nan

What is your favorite time of day? On the island at sunset
What was your favorite age? 31
How many jobs have you had? 4 (supermarket stocker, road construction, civil engineer, tour guide)
What is your favorite quiet spot? At my Koh Phangan bungalow in my hammock
Where do you rendezvous with friends? New Zealand; it's where most of my friends are
How do you get around town? Anyway fashionable; donkeys in Greece, back of a bike, tuk tuk, carried home, water buffalo, car
How many countries have you visited? 40 plus
How many brothers/sisters? Two sisters; very close to them
What is your favorite memory? Being little and diving with granddad for breakfast
What is your favorite food? anything Nan cooks

Fast Track

Still feeling out of sorts and totally jet-lagged. Walking around my neighborhood and spending time with my boyfriend, feeling like I'm walking around in a dreamland...

Returned from my trip of a lifetime. 

Solo travel=best thing ever. 

My Top Ten Lessons:

1. Always trust what I've come to call the "Tamstinct". I've always been hesitant to trust myself. I often defer to other people--their thoughts, feelings, decisions, etc. I realize I often know what's best for me. When I'm by myself I'm much more willing to trust my gut instinct and need to do this more often.

2. When you travel alone, you can always have the window seat.

3. When I'm alone and a little uncomfortable or anxious, I talk to myself or hum (I may have said a couple of swear words, lost on the street, trying to find my way across the universe...).

4. I am a logistical mastermind (at times). And decisive. And damn good at being alone (p.s. how am I supposed to ever date again? This seems tricky...).

5. They make it look really easy to iChat on the commercials. It's not.

6. After 21 days of Thai food, you're really REALLY gonna want a burger or steak.

7. Sometimes, it's good to not have a plan. I was delighted every day to not know where I was going to be next, where I would stay, who I would meet. So refreshing.

8. Talk to everyone you can! There are some really faboo people in the world that you can start a conversation with and learn something about a different culture, a new recipe, the best restaurant in town, the hidden bar, the backroad path. Be unafraid. Most people will like you. And if they don't, well, screw 'em.

9. You may not be here tomorrow--take advantage of every situation.

10. Always bring an extra memory card. I like to take a ton of pictures. Whoops. Somehow I forgot just how many pictures I seem to take...Oh, and I still hate pictures of myself.

Number of Days: 21

Number of Think Thin Bars eaten: 15

Flights: 13

Countries: 6 (7 if you count my stopover in Japan)

Interviews and Beaches: 9

Times I got yelled at in the Bangkok Market: 5

Modes of Transportation: 11 

Hours Spent in the Bangkok Airport: 20 1/2

Hours spent in air travel: 59

Number of heels: 1 (number of times I wore heels, once)

Number of pictures: 4,866

Books read: 5 1/2

more to come...

Yummy in my Tummy

Farmers Markets +

Restaurants+

Fruit Stands+

Steamed Buns+

Cooking Classes+

Sidewalk Vendors=

Yummy in my Tummy

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tête à Tête with Tammi - Dave the Diver

While in lovely Koh Samui, I took a day trip to Angthong National Marine Park. It is a picturesque group of over 40 islands that are absolutely stunning. I had a wonderful day aboard the Anda with the wonderful Diving Dave.

Dave is over 40, but has the spirit and energy of a five year old. His bright blue eyes and blond hair make him recognizable anywhere he goes. He works for 100 Degrees East, which operates the best organized tour I've ever been on. The size of the group was limited to twelve people and Dave and his crew make sure to avoid all the large groups of tourists. They make it so that you end up on your own private island, sitting in the sun, eating your delicious curry lunch and taking a dip in the warm water after. You might shed a few tears of happiness. If you're a sap. Which I am.

Dave was a wonderful host to our adventures the entire day. I loved getting to know him and talking with him. He left the UK five years ago, just on holiday, and never returned. During our "interview" a praying mantis landed on his forehead and stuck with him the entire boat ride. The little guy just wouldn't let go. It is thought that the praying mantis comes to use when we need peace, calm & quiet in our lives.  In some cultures, a praying mantis is thought to bring luck to whomever it lands on and it is believed that the praying mantis is a a divine messenger. "Follow Mantis" means putting the core aspect of yourself, your foundation of Sprit, at the helm and letting it direct your intellect and ultimately your life. I think Dave did just that--brought peace and calm to my day and he is a true example of being yourself and knowing your own foundation.

I loved the way he told me of his younger brother, Peter, getting married. His face lit up as he re-told the story of the special day--the bride and groom driving away in a 1956 Pink VW, the lush green surroundings of the reception, tearing up a bit during his speech as best man--made me wish I were there to witness the beautiful day.

During my chat with him, he told me of his favorite restaurant The Jungle Club, which quickly became my own favorite. He was so right about the magic that happens when you arrive during the day, watch the sun go down, the lights come up in the city--all from the highest point on the island. Surrounded by beautiful trees, warm faces and great food. The restaurant is situated on a piece of property that makes you want to invite all your friends for a big party. You call from the road and a 4x4 picks you up to take you up the mountain. You dine in an open air setting feeling like you're in a dream...

 I wish Dave all the best in his life. 

He brought a special spark to my day.

 His energy, warmth, and kindness will not be easily forgotten.

And who doesn't love someone who is so happy that they get smiley faces tattooed on their toes? 

Subject: Dave

Male, UK

What do you spread on toast? Peanut butter (sometimes jam)

What makes you happy? Everyone else being happy; being around happy people

What time do you wake up? 6am

What is your favorite place to be? Here where I am.

What is your favorite time of day? Sunset

What was your favorite age? 40. 

How many jobs have you had? 4; I worked in a supermarket as the wine, spirits & cigarette manager (which worked out nicely for me), set up scaffolding (which was like a giant puzzle. You would have to figure out how to set up scaffolding for these massive buildings. You'd think you'd have it all figured out and then you'd get there and it would be all wrong). Electrician (I owned my own company for 10 years. When I went on "vacation" to Koh Samui, I gave the company to a friend, telling him he could have the client base until I returned...I never returned). Dive instructor.

What is your favorite quiet spot? Jungle club

Where do you rendezvous with friends? My house, the beach

How do you get around town? my 12 year old Phantom (it's maroon).

How many countries have you visited? 25

How many brothers/sisters? One younger brother

What is your favorite memory? My brother's wedding.

What is your favorite food? Cheese, Tapas, Wine.  (note: in Koh Tao, they have a 200% import tax, so wine and cheese are very expensive and not a lot of people get them. Dave's family and friends bring over his favorites when they come to visit. He loves a great manchego with a Rioja--ohhh yes).

Cutie Bahtooties

During my travels, I decided to focus on a couple of themes. The first of which being Cutie Bahtooties. There were so many to meet and lots of pictures to choose from. Here's just a selection of the adorable faces I was able to meet.