10. And from now on: vacation! Starting with the "Eden Party"…

I debated for a long time whether I should continue this as a "pure vacation blog" - really long… 'Is it appropriate?' was one of the voices in my head. But since I assume that Udo probably did exactly such things when he lived here, I’ll just keep taking you along.

And if anyone finds this disrespectful, please just stop reading here… Thank you!

From now on, it won't necessarily continue chronologically, but I’m diving right in with a “banger”...

My nice neighbors want to go to the “Eden Party” - the very one that was recommended to me first when I arrived on the island! Unfortunately, once again it’s just “electronic music” - but the photos of the location convince me, it’s truly unique: lots of wood, built into the rocks. And it's secluded: you take a taxi boat there, and I’m really looking forward to this little adventure! Our landlord warns us to keep an eye on the sea: rough seas are expected. When that happens, the boats don’t operate, and the journey back over land takes much longer.

Strengthened by an obligatory iced coffee from the supermarket (surprisingly good!) we hail a songthaew (shared taxi) on the roadside, which takes us in the direction of Haad Rin in the south.

I love racing through the night in the open back of the covered truck, and somehow, you always end up chatting with the other passengers.

Once we arrive, we treat ourselves to some quick street food in the beautifully lit streets, and then learn at the dock that boat traffic has already been suspended! Word has spread among the taxi drivers, and they are no longer bringing passengers. This also simply means: no taxis right here...! We search and eventually find one that takes us back exactly to where we came from. So we change again, this time “directly” towards Eden.

How do I put this? Did you ever let toy cars race up and down crazy slopes as a child…?! It’s very reminiscent of that...

You really have to like this, but I will certainly never forget this ride through the nighttime jungle! In the back of the open truck, on benches attached to the sides, without any significant backrests (and don’t get me started on seatbelts), every time we go down, I’m pressed against the driver’s cabin (first in line), and every upward motion lets me breathe again. And there’s a lot of both. It’s about a 20-minute wild ride through the nighttime jungle, with many “Ohs!” & “Ahs!” and a lot of incredulous laughter back here. In between, we overtake the vehicle in front of us - engine trouble!

When we reach our destination, we walk along the beach towards the lights on the rocks. A truly breathtaking sight - which is why I (like probably every “newbie”) stop and take the exact same photo as all the people before or behind me… Up enchanting illuminated stairs and wooden walkways we go up to “Eden” - of course, passing one of the inevitable coffee shops. I’m a bit startled that I hardly hear any music - that changes as we get closer. As so often, everyone needs to take off their shoes, a colorful crowd where I’m once again glad to have such small feet - no one is accidentally taking my shoes...

Inside, photos are prohibited: “What happens at Eden, stays at Eden!”.

There are several “dance floors” and terraces, everywhere there are the typical Thai mats with triangle headrests lying around. Everything is very colorful, there are some elaborate “costumes”, overall the atmosphere is very peaceful, friendly & pleasant - I feel good (despite the music)… But that I actually see the sun rise on the horizon at some point, which is celebrated extra by the crowd, I really didn’t expect. Sooo beautiful! Did Udo ever experience this here? Certainly…!

I make my way home, and wonder from a distance about the somewhat helpless climbing of a few younger women over the rocks down by the beach. As I get closer, I realize why: it’s high tide, and the beach in this spot is simply gone. So, a little more monkeying around before we zoom through the jungle in the light. Unfortunately, my phone battery has died, because that is a completely different impressive sight: dense jungle as far as the eye can see, and this path carved through the bush made up of a dirt road and paved street. The return trip is also a huge amount of fun for me, even though the gentleman next to me is excessively “man-spreading” (sitting with very wide legs) and occasionally nods off (!) and leans against me. So, I’m not scared, more like a pleasant rollercoaster feeling - but how someone can fall asleep during this, I really don’t understand…?!

At home, I treat myself to a strengthening breakfast of rice soup with chicken & freshly squeezed juice before I lie down for a few hours (a shoutout to the air conditioning at this point). And then just see what the day brings...