Smile Bungalows, Bottle Beach

The travel guide says that the family-run Smile Bungalows at the western end of the beach offer true peace and seclusion and are very popular with old hippies and long-term travelers. That sounds good. For 420 Baht (11.20 euros) I actually get exactly what I want. A rustic bamboo hut in the middle of the jungle on the slope all to myself. The hut is really very simple, it only has a bed with mosquito net, a fan, a power outlet, and a small bathroom with cold shower. It would be nice to have a shelf or another storage option and a hook for the towel, but it's also fine without. The cold shower doesn't bother me because we never have less than 29 degrees outside. I particularly like that the bungalows blend into nature and are not lined up in a row next to each other, but are all slightly offset, have their own little access path, and offer more privacy.

There really couldn't be a greater contrast to Hong Kong. No noise, no hustle and bustle, no crowds, no buildings reaching to the sky, no deafening traffic. Absolutely no civilization noises. Just pure nature, frog croaking and cricket chirping, the sound of the waves and sometimes rain. It's sooo relaxing for the ears. How often can you still experience that nowadays? Isn't that true luxury and a real privilege? For me, definitely.

So my world trip continues as a journey of left-hand traffic and great contrasts. My little terrace has a hammock, where it's great to read, laze around, or listen to the waves crashing; even in the rain. I am happy and content. The only question remaining is how many countries with left-hand traffic are there actually?