But I did fall asleep, and I did make it to the airport in good time to fetch him, and it was amazing. And then I had the best month of my life. I'm not going to write about his time here in as much detail as I have my other adventures, partially because it ended a month ago, and partially because I'm actually a pretty private person (she says, writing a blog) and I don't want to make it less special by telling everybody.
I saw more of Thailand with Ty than I did the whole time I was here alone. We stayed on an island for a week and did amazing things like snorkelling and a jungle canopy tour, and laying on the beach doing absolutely nothing. It was glorious and restful and so much fun! The island we were on is Koh Phangan, which is famous for its Full Moon parties every month. The Full Moon party is one of the biggest beach parties I've ever seen, and filled to bursting with drunken crazed high-school leavers and gap year kids looking for a new thrill. The sheer amount of wallets, handbags and shoes lying at the on the beach and floating away on the waves was overwhelming - I really don't think I experienced a phase of being so utterly loskop. 
After we got back from Koh Phangan, we stayed in Bangkok for about a week and a half, to celebrate Christmas. Before leaving for the island, Ty had to amuse himself for a week in the city, as he arrived on the Monday and I had to work until the Friday. He was much more adventurous than I had been when first arriving here, and picked up the necessary Thai very quickly. So when we came back we got a chance to show each other the city as we had found it to be.
It was quite a full house for the entirety of December; there was the 4 people who legitimately lived there, KC who paid to legitimately live there but didn't have a room, Carlos (Nicola's boyfriend) and his brother Mario, and Ty. There was also on occasion my friend Ben, when it was more cenvenient to stay over than go home. So we had lots of people to cater for Christmas, and we really did have a lovely one. Everybody was a bit sensitive about not being at home, and wanting to do their own Christmas traditions, but it worked out well in the end with a bit of compromise.
Ty and I walked for miles on Christmas Eve, having taken down the directions to the church incorrectly, but we made it and the service was beautiful, if different.
Christmas lunch can only be described as majestic, everybody made their contribution and I had so much fun being a busybody in the kitchen. Cooking in Thailand is something that just doesn't happen for me, and I really enjoyed it.
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| Santa and his helper |
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| Lunch that turned into dinner |
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| Singing the blessing |
We all met up for New Years in Chiang Mai, north of Bangkok, and a lot more Thai. I know that makes no sense, but what I mean is that the sense of living in Thailand, in a completely different culture, is much more prevalent in Chiang Mai than in Bangkok. I really loved the feel of the city, and I finally knew what Jennie had been waxing lyrical about for so long. Its more old, really, less brash. Its the more dignified grown-up sister of teenage Bangkok.
Kimmie came to Chiang Mai as well, with her friend from home, Nicole. I really enjoyed being part of a big group of really good friends all the time, it made every little experience so much more fun.
Chiang Mai does New Years in a really big way, which is interesting since Thai New Year is only in April. There were lanterns and fireworks at this big stadium. Ty and I got caught up in town, and had to rush to the stadium, running the last kilometre or so to get through traffic. It really felt so great to finally get there with 6 seconds to go before midnight, and find them in the nick of time.
After Chiang Mai we went to Pai, which is a little town about 4 hours drive up a very windy mountain pass. By the time we arrived, KC and Nicole were so unwell that it took a while for their stomachs to settle. I thank God that the only motion sickness I have ever suffered is induced only by boats.
We spent the first couple of hours in Pai looking for somewhere to stay, and it took longer than planned, as Pai seems to be a little hive chock full of hippies. Its a really lovely little town, with one main road and good shopping.
The best thing about both Chiang Mai and Pai, which I failed to mention before, is the weather. I was more cold in Chiang Mai than I have been since entering Thailand. It was literally necessary to wear a jersy and scarf (none of which I had until reaching Pai). As much as I've been saying I'd love a bit of winter, I discovered I was lying the whole time. I hate the cold.
We didn't do very much in Pai, went to look for waterfalls and springs on motorbikes. Ty developed a love of driving a motorbike on Koh Phangan, and is convinced he's joining the Hell's Angels (on a scooter, I ask you).
An interesting thing happened at the entrance to the spring - there were what looked like Thai soldiers monitoring the gate. All the Thai people were allowed to walk through for free, but they wanted us to pay 300B. This is the worst example I've experienced of double pricing in Thailand, something that is actually very common. Vendors and security people don't even think its wrong to expect you to pay so much more as a foreigner, its just policy. You're foreign and come from a Western country and therefore have more money to spend. I wonder what would happen if all countries adopted this policy...
After Pai, coming home to Bangkok was a relief. I was tired and broke, and just wanted to spend the last bit of time alone with Ty.
He went back to South Africa just over a month ago, and saying goodbye again was hard enough to make me absolutely sure that I want to go home. I won't leave immediately, because I still feel responsible for my students. But when the academic year ends in June, so will my Thai adventure.
