a few more snaps...

I like the one where I look like someone might take my noodles away...

That's j drinking her nightly warmed milk. She was cracking me up!

The feathery head dresses were at the big party. So fun sipping champagne and hanging out. Thank you to my HK pals for sticking with me until 5 am and getting me safely to the airport.

1/1/11

Today or yesterday, now...was quite busy. I woke up at the crack of dawn in Bangkok tied on my ratty old Converse and took the the streets again. I walked forever; discovering hidden treats along the way. I ate some more noodles, hustled over the another Wat, bought some fabric and sarongs and then took one last tuk-tuk ride...

Once I was back at the hotel I showered in their dreamy spa took a steam and another shower and dressed for new years in Hong Kong. I didn't have heels with me, so my yellow flats had to step in. I climbed into a cab and said goodbye to one of the most vibrant cities I have ever visited. It is like a video game...sensory overload. I found a smile on my face as I was being herded through the streets or when a cab driver would decline my business because it was too far. Nothing phased me in Bangkok. There was always something amazing to make-up for any of its shortcomings. I am so glad that I made the decision to leave the island and head to a city.

Once I arrived in HK it was a little crazy. I had to buy a train ticket and try to meet a, my friend at the subway station. I tried to stash my stuff in the airport lockers, but it proved too difficult with timing for my flight to Bali this morning. I lugged both carry-ons through the station. A was having me paged...it was kind of hilarious. I couldn't tell if it was my name being called over the loud speaker. She eventually found me and we sat and had a nice cup of tea to ring in the new year.

We then got the call from d & p to meet them at a fancy party. I felt a little shabby dragging my gear into such a swank venue, but i think everyone had been imbibing for so long that they didn't really notice and d & p did most of the schlepping for me. It felt good to not be carrying my bags for a bit. We stayed at the party for a while and then decided it was time to eat. Yes, it was 3 am, but that's what you do!

My local friends found a 24 hour joint and we slurped noodles and drank iced sweet tea. It was heaven. Such fun! You can see that I didn't have time to talk because I was too busy shoveling noodles into my face.

P & d put me in another cab and here I sit in the HK airport...I haven't slept in 24 hours...I did get to take a shower at Cathay's first class lounge. Who knew there were bathtubs in the airport!?

Happy New Year! I think it's going to be a good one. It's the year of the rabbit...and it just feels good already.

ShaBangkok!

That's my tuk-tuk driver, my pomegranate juice maker and my $1 dinner!

Grit's my thing...

I am feeling sooooo much better today, physically and emotionally. I don't think that I realized how sick I was. I just kept pushing because I didn't want to miss out. Apparently, this is called FOMS (fear of missing something.) Having FOMS in conjunction with a raging chest and head cold can lead to misery. Luckily, I have kicked both.

I was a little sad to be leaving Koh Yao Yai this morning. I got up incredibly early and ate by the pool and then laid by the pool and then took a walk. I spoke with the manager to let him know that he should allow people to leave the grounds more easily. I must say that my favorite part of Koh Yao Yai was the open taxi ride back to the speedboat. It was so much fun. It is the original hair dryer. I just took my hair down and let it blow around. It was very freeing.

I arrived in Bangkok this afternoon and was ready to go. I walked to the Sky Train and went over to the shopping district. There is some amazing stuff to be had...for a price. I stuck to t-shirts and locally made goods. I then took a tuk-tuk to Chinatown for some dinner and then another cab to a night market. The night market was a bit disappointing. Lots of backpackers and junk being sold.

Tomorrow I am going to try to see a Wat or two. These are the Buddhist temples. I visited one when I first arrive in Bangkok on December 24th. I am also going to try to do a little more shopping and eating. It feels so good to not have to choose from the same old menu on Koh Yao Yoi. I drank three coconuts and a fresh pomegranate juice tonight. My body is happy.

Tomorrow it's off to HK for New Years. And then to Bali for a nice long visit.

I have posted a bunch a pics from the past week. The pool and ocean shots are Koh Yao Yai and the second set is the city snaps from Bangkok. There is also one with my humidity perm...I am still kicking over here in the East.

Thanks for the notes from those who have been in touch. It's fun to check my email in the morning and evening and hear what everyone is up to. It's a nice long break and it sounds like lots of adventures are being had.

escape plan

I have hatched my escape plan from Koh Yao Yai...now nicknamed Iy Yi Yi...

Tonight I have one last massage and then it packing time! I have an 11 am flatbed ride to the 11:30 speedboat to the taxi to the plane to Bangkok! Hoorah! This doesn't seem daunting because soon I will be far from the children and their smoking parents and the leather skinned retirees. I saw a woman light up while breastfeeding her infant at dinner last night. This was a woman with 4 other children and I think she was French. She handed her cigarette off to her husband while she changed sides for the wee-one's meal. She then quickly took it back and inhaled some more. Whatever gets you through the day, I guess. Amazing. Then again, she was staring at me eating my prawns and drinking my wine probably wondering what a young woman was doing on her own at this silly resort. I was wondering the same thing.

I feel so much better now that I have a plan. I took a long swim in the pool and cleared my head. I was having some guilt about bailing on such a beautiful place, but it's not making me happy or relaxed. For some reason I find the prospect of Bangkok so much more appealing. It could be the anonymity that awaits. I like slipping into a crowd and eating street food. There is something that is soothing about that.

I will try to take a few more snaps of this place. If you ever have a herd of children and want to take a beach vacation and just chill this is the place...if you are looking for any adventure at all...even if it is just walking by a local house or popping into a market...mark my words, do not come here!

When I told the sweet woman at the front desk that I would be checking out early she informed me that there was a gentleman in 103 who is traveling alone and perhaps he and I could take a boat ride together. I wish I knew this yesterday! Not for anything romantic, just so I could see some darn islands! I guess the view from the pool will have to do.

I have a feeling that I will return to Thailand in the future...I don't know why...but, I will save all of my beach time for then. I had a great time in Phuket and Phang Nga. M was a great tour guide and I got to see so much. We just kind of tooled around, but his Thai helped tremendously. So cool that I have a neighbor who has a house here. We'll be catching up at the end of the bar in a few weeks.

Now, it's thinking about a party in HK and being reunited with some old friends. I packed a slinky little black dress...shoes? hmmmm...maybe I will find something in Bangkok. I feel as though I deserve a little treat after sweating out a fever for the past 3 days and enduring the sad stares from total strangers.

Despite being alone, I am not feeling lonely. I loved being able to make the call that enough was enough and F this island...I didn't have to consult with anyone, but my own guilt. She said it was okay and that I can see some beaches in Indonesia. Indo-freaking-nesia! Markets, ikat, elephants, yoga, biking, beaching and so much more...

Alright...getting chewed alive by skeeters...I bought some Thai ointment for just this occasion. I bought an extra for m and dd...I laughed to myself thinking of us on the deck in Fire Island slapping away the bugs. Not the most fun thing to bring back, but practical...I'll report back on it's effectiveness.

Until tomorrow...

Fever indeed...

I just saw that I double posted pictures yesterday...a bit delirious on this side of the world. I wasn't going to say anything, but since I got off of the plane in Hong Kong I have had maybe one of the worst colds that I have ever had. I have been drinking tons of water and I brought along some Alka-Seltzer Cold and some homeopathic stuff...which, I am now out of. I didn't want to complain while in paradise

Last night I decided it was time for the big guns and got out the Cipro. It was a last resort. Both nostrils were stuffed and I was coughing up ick and believe that I had a fever. No fun...The place that I am staying has a gift shop and when I asked for anything to help she offered me a menthol inhalant and Friend of a Fisherman cough drops. I took the inhalant and passed on the drops. After 2 hot outdoor showers, 2 doses of Cipro and liters of water I am starting to feel better.

Today I can breath! Today I also want off of this island. I don't think it is the island. I think it is the resort aspect of this place. There isn't a place that you can walk to see the the village or a taxi to take you someplace other than the gates...I tried to hire a long tail boat to take me to some islands and they informed me I had to be a minimum of two...

Okay, I am going to go and clone myself now...Maybe suck on some extra Friend of a Fisherman and lay in the pool for hours on end...or possibly they have a massage that will assist me in multiplying myself. Don't get me wrong, everyone is sooooo friendly and they want to help, but it does little good to tell a single gal that she can't go anywhere because she is only one.

I hope everyone is staying warm and safe on the east. I have been watching BBC and the footage looks rough. Now, I know they always make it out to be worse than it is...but dd send me a picture that she took walking to a closed Duane Reade...oofa! I'm not going to lie...it made me a little homesick to think of my new Bean boots standing by the door...I know, I know...paradise! I am here now...It is beautiful.

Island Fever

As promised a few snaps of the jungle and the pool/beach and some other stuff...

Jungle Love

So here I am on Koh Yao Yoi...It's been a lot of moving around, I can tell you that. Between the cabs, boats, speed boats, subways, planes...wooh...vacation is exhausting.

I checked into my bungalow, which was supposed to be a a beach bungalow...it's really in the jungle...like, way in the jungle. I will admit that I cried when they walked me to it. I know, I am a baby.

For starters, I was disappointed to not be on the beach, then I was scared to be the dead last hut in the joint. I'm a single lady! Then I saw all of the couples and families racing around. That made me a little sad. I eventually got used to it and planted myself on my deck that overlooks, um, jungle...and read for a long while on a bed covered in mosquito netting. It was um, romantic? Then I sent myself off to dinner.

Dinner was nice...It was at the outdoor restaurant lit by flickering candles. I had myself a glass of wine as they cleared Elijah's setting (they left his chair.) I sat and read again and ate and looked around. One of the staff came by to talk...nope...he came to take Elijah's chair. So much for that!

After that I scheduled a massage for the early morning. I was sure I wouldn't sleep. I slept...I then went to my massage and slept some more. I had a light breakfast, trekked back through the jungle and laid down and slept some more. I am just up now and in the "library." There are maybe 100 books and wifi. I am thinking that I will change my boat, car, flight and head back to Bangkok to rock out for an extra night. The jungle is nice and all...but...

I have learned that I am not sure about resorts. This didn't look like a resort...it is...complete with screaming children. It is beautiful though. I will post pics later. I think if there were some other solo travelers it could be really fun.

I am not sure why I had the sudden interest in caps! I hope no one minds.

All in all this is pretty amazing, even the jungle. I am going to go and lay by the salt water pool and read some more...

picture perfect

m and i had a lovely day exploring. i think i got the insiders tour. tomorrow i am off to koh yao yoi on a speedboat! it issupposed to be very chill. i wonder how i will fare for 5 days alone on the beach. i downloaded a few new books to my nook, just in case! i have been loving the crossword app as well. it's a good thing to do when i need a little time to process.

it truly is paradise here. i can't think of another way to describe it. the people are warm, the food is delicious and the scenery is amazing. there is still a lot of that developing country feel, but not in a bad way. in a way that shows promise and hope. the people seem peaceful and not angsty. i think i have much more angst than any of these folks. i am going to work on ridding myself of that and just being.

i am back to thinking about detachment and all that has to offer...the not expecting from others or myself. this seems like a good way to subscribe to life. of course, there are always things that we desire and we want them to turnout a certain way...but in the few days that i have been here i have been able to let go and release myself of many of my own expectations. i still feel the pressure of life...don't get me wrong. there must be a way to manage it though. it's not quest right now...simply something to think about and meditate on.

phuket or bust...

i arrived in bangkok late last night or what it early this morning? i was so nervous about cabbing it to the hotel that i struck up a conversation with my seat-mate on the flight from hk to bangkok. he told me that i could hire a car at the airport. this is considered to be for big spenders...i splurged the thirty bucks so i didn't have to figure out the cab situation. it was so nice that i hired the same car to take me back to the airport this morning.

i had precious few hours to explore the bustling city...so i woke up nice and early, grabbed my free breakfast and hit the road. my first priority was to get a sim card for the phone that m, my neighbor lent me...check...i then went walking. i strolled through lupini park and then i took the metro to a buddhist temple and then strolled some more. i stumbled upon the gay go-go street. this somehow does not surprise me in the least. i wandered a bit more and bought a few yards of silk. i'm pretty sure that i was ripped off...live and learn. i even bargained! the price just seemed too high after all was said and done.

i then popped in a cab and zoomed back to the hotel for check-out and headed to the airport for check-in. i am getting used to this traveling alone thing. there are a few things that are inconvenient...eating at the airport food court i wanted some additional chili vinegar sauce for my rice...i had to grab all of my belongings and haul them up to the counter for a tiny little condiment...i also had an (american) man come up to me and tell me that i was one person sitting at a table for four...or walking through the park and seeing these hilarious work-out machines and people exercizing on them...would have been a funny picture...but you can't take one when you are alone...but it's been rewarding too. i loved ordering my beet passion fruit juice from the little stand or hailing my own cab or figuring out the metro on my own...just problem solving. suddenly that trip to india isn't so daunting.

now i am in phuket with m and his family. a lovely christmas dinner with the swedish jews. the house is so beautiful. i am here for the next two days and then the real solo adventure begins. tomorrow will be an exploration day. more to come...

hello from hong kong!

bloodshot and bleary eyed waiting for the next stop...bangkok! a few minor glitches getting off the ground today. got a cab fairly easily, then it got rear ended on park ave...no damage done...got off at the american terminal out of habit, i was flying on cathay...took the airtrain...c'mon friends...you know i don't do public transport. i really had to resist the urge to hail a cab to the next terminal. this trip is about pushing the limits and stepping outside of my comfort zone, right.

i finally got all checked in and then decided i should make a quick call to the bank to be sure that i could use my atm and credit cards with ease. well, i have too many digits in my pin...so...no, i can't. i will share this story upon my return for those interested.

onto the good stuff...so, i treated myself to first class for the 16 hour flight from nyc-hk. it was all on miles. i'm not a high roller! let me tell you about first class on cathay. i didn't want to leave. 16 hours? blink! 3 movies, 3 amazing meals that included lobster, caviar, sea bass and a hot pot snack...comfy cotton pajamas, unlimited seltzer water and a flat bed with a down comforter. it was insane and i know that economy will never be the same.

now i am sitting in the hk airport waiting for my flight to bangkok. i am a little nervous about arriving in bangkok. okay, a lot nervous!

more to come. it's a little strange being so far from home right now...far from the familiar. i can imagine that my mom is finishing up wrapping my nephew's gifts. my dad is being sent out for a few more things from the grocery store, my little brother is eating a big bowl of cereal on the couch...although, he is a total health nut now...so maybe not. i wonder if they will see a movie tonight, as that has become the tradition on christmas eve.

lots of time to think already. i can't even imagine what the next 17 days have in store.

joy to world!

stop...

but in a good way...

so, this is my last post from this corner of the earth. the next time i write i will be in thailand.

i am so nervous and excited...on my walk to work this morning it was so freezing. "stop" by ryan adams came on and it made me just slow down. i know this song is about substance abuse, but for me it was about just taking a breath and being okay with it. i have such guilt with leaving work, family and friends over the holidays. it's my own addiction to pleasing people. i am taking this time to please myself and to be with myself and maybe meet some new friends along the way.

i'm going try to not feel like i am missing out on what's happening back home.

so, my wish for everyone is that you have enough time to take a deep breath in and have a beautiful exhale and to stop...just stop worrying. it's a big wish, i know.

i called you back...

or did i? at this point i have no idea whose calls i have returned. i am trying to be diligent about this. it upsets me when i reach out to someone and don't hear back. in the long run it is so much easier to type a quick text or email or dial the phone for a brief chat. it makes everyone happier.

when i am on the road as much as i have been it can be so difficult to stay in touch. the days slip by so quickly and are filled with mountains of work. today a morning meeting that was supposed to be an hour turned into 2 hours and then 2 more hours of crafting a shot list and now it's on to planning the meeting for tomorrow.

i'm not complaining that i have so much work. i love it. i love being busy, but i do miss my friends and family. i spent my car ride to the airport sending texts to set up my one weekend home, next weekend, catching up with everyone before i set off for my long holiday.

in the past, when i traveled this often, i would throw an intimate dinner party. it was so nice to have as many people that could attend in the same place. this year has been different. there aren't enough hours in the week. i miss my pals tremendously and hope that 2011 has many days and nights filled with laughter, bottles of wine, long chats, and love. i wish that for everyone.

i love this will oldham song. it makes me think of all those that i love and have loved. if i didn't call you back...i call you back now to a place beside me. it's love...pure love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mQ8Abke6dg

love more

it's been such a busy time...many trips across the country, a holiday, a few trips over the east river, planning like a mad woman for the great escape, my new gig as curator, my other personal project with the tentative release date of february 1! ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!

right now i just have to get through this shoot in la next week. it's one thing at a time. this can be hard for a procrastinating perfectionist like me. it helps to breathe and meditate and set aside one night a week for me, but even that has been difficult to do.

i keep chanting december 23rd, december 23rd...to myself, of course. the thing is that i am nervous as hell! i am so excited to be on that plane and soaring to the other side of the world...but what's over there? i mean, i have been to asia...but not to thailand or indonesia and certainly not alone! it's an adventure for sure and i don't have any expectations at all. one of my friends recently told me that i am not allowed to come home early...i don't think i would, but who knows!

i have begun to have anxiety travel dreams...losing my passport, not having the hotel information, landing in the wrong place...the other night i landed in hope, china and the plane was a car and it drove around the block and there i was in china with j.

soooo...this is what's been going on with this girl. i collapse every night and drift off into crazy dreams and awaken each morning with a to-do list that i couldn't possibly finish. there aren't enough hours these days...soon, so soon, i will be checked out and laying on the lanai of my beach bungalow...but will there be rats like in my dreams?!