Green and Gold

Hello my friend… I’ve been trying to figure out what my opening would be for this blog and after a conversation with my sister and dear friend, I realized there’s no point in trying to put a spin on what’s been happening. I won’t go into much detail but suffice to say that I’m okay now, but due to hotel error, I was injured and was not ok for a little while. My brother immediately had me moved to a different hotel where I was cared for, and I’m back on the move again. The hotel took full responsibility. I love you Derek, Angela, Deb and Kirti.. Thank you for your love and support.

The duration of my time in Ao Nang when I was up and about was filled with gorgeous islands, beautiful jungle and an awe-inspiring day where I floated above more sea life than I have seen since my time in the Whitsunday Islands/Great Barrier Reef, Australia nearly 30 years ago. I was in the waters off Chicken Island, near Phi Phi Don, about 1 hour off Ao Nang…I saw eels, a reef shark, so many fish… And then after an hour in the ocean, I thought the water was changing colour because the sun and clouds had shifted… But it was a school of thousands of fish, moving as one. I stilled myself, quieting my snorkel breathing, and watched as they moved over the reef, flashing green and gold as they moved to stimulus I didn’t see or understand. I had become so still that other fish started swimming near me, yellow, white, black, purple, blue, brown and pink…the beauty was awesome and the words I want to use fail me in description… poetry in motion, a symphony of life in colour, the brush strokes of mother nature, the honour of bearing witness, all words that point in the right direction but cannot fully capture the enthralling textures and visions. I was, and remain, awestruck. For those moments in time, there was nothing but the sensations of experience, without words.

On reflection, I think green and gold describes Ao Nang as well. The various greens of the river and ocean waters, jungle foliage and wildlife contrasting the gold of the Buddhas, the temples, the beaches and the wildlife. Abundance abounds.

After moving to the new hotel, my daily massage had more depth of connection and kindness. My masseuse, Game, used all his skill and I healed under his care. (Patara Thai Massage Ao Nang, if you’re ever there) I’m sorry for leaving out obvious details of this part, I hope you can understand my desire for privacy while writing a blog. We can talk about it when I’m home for those of you who want to.

On my way to Bali at a brief stop in Bangkok. Will post more from there. Love to you all.

Photo Gallery – Bamboo Island, Railay Beach, Tub Island, Maya Beach(all Phi Phi Island adjacents)

Photo Gallery: Jungle swim/Krabi province, Mama and baby at Tiger Cave, my hotel view of Ao Nang and islands, Tiger Cave Buddha, proof of life;), Floating village – Koh Panyi and Golden Mosque, Delta outside Koh Panyi, James Bond Island, Phi Phi