Police part completed - the rest is stuck…

The day starts heavenly: woken up early but well-rested, had tea by the sea, did a little shopping & currency exchange, enjoyed a delicious breakfast again - and all of it while sitting “on hot coals,” as the appointment at the police station is approaching. The email with the document arrives so late that I can’t manage to take care of a printout anymore… I see the problem rolling towards me, but I hope there’s a way to print it at the station… Meanwhile, I’ve already been sitting in the waiting room for almost 20 minutes - my colleague just wanted to make a quick phone call to his superior…? After half an hour, I’m sent upstairs: “Second floor! Somebody will come & get you.” So, imagine going up a “half” staircase, and there’s a sort of small intermediate floor - it’s exhausting: now just the next half staircase up, or the whole one after that…?! I decide on what I would actually call the 1st floor and wait, standing alone in the hallway… I should have brought something to crochet with me on this trip!

At some point, things start moving, an officer comes up to me: “your father?” When I confirm, he smiles, says again “ah, your father!” (as if that were new information!), and suddenly everything is very friendly & quick…?! I have no idea, but I’m happy… Although I state that I am renouncing the inheritance in Germany, his wallets, phone & passport are handed to me, I should take the items with me. With that, the police part is completed, I should go back to the ambulance (where he is), they will then get in touch with the temple… Back downstairs, I remember again that I still don’t have a signature or stamp from the police on the (still unprinted) document! So I sit down again and wait… I push my way in, and explain the situation to the young officer who thankfully speaks good English. He looks at it on my phone (like so many people have in the last few days!), and asks me if I would like him to print it for me now?! I muster all my courage and say “yes, if possible?”, as politely and smilingly as possible. And indeed, he pulls out his phone, asks me to send him the document via AirDrop, and a few seconds later, I’m holding the printout in my hands! Without a signature, without a stamp - the officer patiently explains to me that this is not planned & necessary and refers me back to the ambulance…

Hunger! Coincidentally, I find myself at the “Phangan Food Court,” a huge hall with countless small stands primarily offering food & drinks - what a selection…! I treat myself to “Fried Yellow Noodles” (memories of Leela Beach!) and a coconut as a drink, for about €2.15 each. Yummy, just what I needed. And back to the ambulance - where everything is open, but I find no one. So I sit down, and wait (which has never been one of my strengths). Luckily, there are kind people who inquire about me & “the matter here,” I am well entertained & distracted. However, I am getting hotter, as I had expected to visit the temple, I’m wearing long (thin) pants and a T-shirt - far too warm! At some point, I give up, and drive past the temple, which is on the way. But I can’t find anyone, nor any signs to where I need to go, and honestly, I find this place very beautiful, but it also intimidates me a bit - I don’t want to do anything wrong!

Discouraged, I treat myself to a break at home. I still haven’t been in the sea - apart from my feet. If only someone had told me that…!

I set off again to the ambulance; by now, I know the way quite well. Again, I wait longer, and call, and wait…

I’m getting warmer, I give up, and head over to the place David (the Canadian) described to me about the Phangan Bungalows. There’s a beach there, I have my bikini on and can hopefully plunge into the sea there for a bit…! I actually find them (after figuring out the road with the T-intersection from the description after several attempts), go to the main house/restaurant, and ask a man who is obviously working there about “Mama Pim.” How it continues, you will find out in the next part…