💓Koh Phanang💓

Wonderland - this bubble doesn't let us go. And it's not just because of the delicious vegan food... no, there's something about this place that makes you not want to open the gates to the outside world.

Right now we don't have to, but in a few days most of us will continue - continue to northern Thailand, continue to other islands, to other Asian countries or even home.

But first, I treat myself - for 2000 THB I book a private yoga class. It turns out to be a challenging task to organize, but at 6:30 pm it's time.

Nadine thinks ahead: "Ah, then you'll miss the food. I'll put something together for you and the food will be waiting for you."

"No, you don't need to, I don't want to eat so late"....

But she does it anyway, and that's good, because the class with Ewa - an alignment class - really makes me sweat. It's not the huge gecko on the wall that pushes me to my limits, it's Ewa☺️.

(https://m.facebook.com/ewa.j.56).

I take away a lot; Ewa takes a picture of me for her friend who loves the white patches (my vitiligo) 😇.

Hunger, food, now... the plate is ready with Nadine and Maria. Sitting at the table are 2 men who obviously don't belong to Wonderland - their shirts give them away.

I don't remember their names, but the day before Nadine and the two of them met at the immigration office - the evening couldn't be more fun, I haven't laughed at someone's humor like this in a long time. Nadine chokes several times - my dry comments finish her off.

I decide - after all, I've been very diligent and active today - not to participate in a meditation or yoga session in the morning (on my departure day), but to pack in peace.

But the girls are diligent and show up for breakfast the next morning after their workout. I spend the last few hours sitting, talking, and eating. The thoughts and stories linger, as does the dynamic among us. I will really miss this place and its people.

Charmaine - we remember, she's in her mid-50s, originally from South Africa, living in Australia - doesn't really know what she feels like doing today, so I offer to accompany her, show her my new accommodation, and then we can hang out in town for a while. She is excited and accepts the offer. I still participate in a fasting class before, and then I pack the rest of my things and say goodbye to everyone and meet her at the entrance of Wonderland at 2:30 am. Nadine takes me there and as they say, they don't see anything.

I ask the driver to wait a little longer, and I go back and look for her, but she is nowhere to be seen, I am a little sad, would have liked to walk around a bit more with her, or would have liked to show her my new home. But then I have to go, we drive a few meters, and then she is just there. She was already waiting by the road because she thought we would meet there. I'm excited like a child and off we go to the Airbnb.

Charmaine gives her approval to the place 😃, and we spend the afternoon shopping (or rather just trying on clothes, because either they look weird or you can only pay in cash), talking and drinking coffee. But the tropics or the early darkness determine the day - she has to go back (the Wonderland buffet is calling) and I still want to buy some water and walk back on foot. And I hate walking around in Southeast Asia after dark. Not only because things are not well lit, but also because there are simply too many stray dogs that don't always have an owner and more resemble wild animals. My fear is too great in that case.

Just before my accommodation, I walk past a young man who is bandaged from head to toe. Later it turns out that he is my neighbor - Nico from Canada - we start talking and he tells me how these injuries happened to him. Let's just say that the combination of a motorcycle and sand didn't turn out well for him. I don't know at this point that this is a harbinger for me.

I go to bed, and that's where I want to stay tomorrow, only getting up to get food and do laundry.

At 9:00 in the morning, I drop off my laundry and get some rice right next door. Next door, I send a message to a number, a person who offers a taxi service among other things. I try to explain to him where I live, but unfortunately my accommodation doesn't have a name. And suddenly... he's standing in front of me, I'm supposed to hop on the motorcycle and show him my apartment quickly. I'm still waiting for my rice, and then we're off. He drops me off and asks me about my plans for the day. I'm honest and say that I don't want anything else but to stay in bed and watch way too much Netflix. He has a better idea. He owns several bungalows, which means he has many tasks. Doing laundry, cleaning the bungalow, cleaning the beach, and so on. He asks me if I want to help him... I agree.

I treat myself to 2 more hours of rest and then stroll to Noop.

Since a customer of his in the north of the island has a problem with his scooter, we first head to the north. The island is not big, but because you can only drive slowly, it takes about 40 minutes to get there.

He tells me a little about himself, and I also think that he wants me to be his wife 🫣😂, but that's another topic.

And since I haven't left Wonderland, I'm happy that I can finally see some of Koh Pha-ngan.

Back again, we do the laundry together, I take care of the leaves on the beach, I ask him why so many Asians are obsessed with removing leaves, he explains that animals like to hide under them, and it can be uncomfortable if you step on them. And if there are no leaves on the ground, you can see where you're walking. Makes sense.

It's also understandable that I'm sweating a lot, even though the sun isn't shining, the humidity and physical exertion take their toll. I skip the communal dinner, somehow I just want to be in my bed. And... tomorrow we're going to Koh Tao spontaneously. He picks me up as promised the next morning. He usually has a car for the taxi service, but I ask him if we can use the sidecar. I love sidecars, but you can't rent them, so you have to take the opportunity to ride in one when someone owns one.

Good bye Koh Pha-ngan ♥️