Island Hoping

by Jaime Beaton (Canada)

A leap into the unknown Thailand

It was a cold and grey day in March of 2019 when I left from Mabou, Cape Breton Island. So grey that you could not see where the ocean ended and the sky began. I was off! Driving to the airport a million thoughts poured through my head as I watched my Dad and Uncle talk about the local happenings on my Island of Cape Breton. Here I was, bags packed, passport in hand to go Island hoping in Thailand. Thailand! I just kept repeating it to myself in my head with a giddy grin on my face. I was doing it! After 20 years on the grind, working, school, relationships, life. I was finally going on my first real solo trip. I imagined Thailand as this magical world of limestone cliffs, beaches, food, culture of smiles and a place to see some of the most incredible temples in the world. These things I knew. But it was the leap into the unknown that made me most excited. I was excited for that feeling of the unknown, because surely, I could not have read all the things that Thailand was and is. That unknown: that was my experience and only mine at the end of Island hoping journey. When I got to airport in Halifax, I hugged my Dad and Uncle and was told with encouraging enthusiasm, “Be safe and have fun, kiddo”, that made me feel pretty warm inside considering I was a 37-year-old woman. Some things never change! Into the terminal I went, more giddy than in the car ride, the anticipation of the unknown, exploding in my little red heart. Departures waiting for me to arrive to catch my flight to Toronto, connecting in Hong Kong and then to Bangkok, that journey was long, but the thought of the arrival was palpable. In my reach, soon my freshly painted toes would be in warm sand, surrounded by the limestone cliffs of Thailand’s southern region of Krabi. I did not spend much time in BKK, but was able to take in Khaosan Road, and see its neatly organized transition from daytime Bangkok to nighttime Bangkok, two worlds in harmony. That was the first wonder of Thailand I witnessed. The rapid transformation and seamless organization was astonishing. I ate the wondrous food that was on display; I went to shops to see what clothes I could score to wear on the Islands. I packed light from Canada, which was a tip I was happily given from another avid traveler. I was feeling the buzz of the city, and not just from the Chang. I was there, and present with wide eyes and an open heart ready for my journey start! I had 30 days to experience Thailand. After meeting a fine group of Scottish traveler’s, we shared are itineraries and agreed to meet up again for pints on the Islands if we could. I made some great friendships right there, and we are still friends a year after! That unknown becoming known is the organic wonder of travel. The people you get to share the excitement with will last forever. After my two nights in Bangkok, off I went to the Suvarnabhumi Airport to catch my wings to Krabi. During the flight, I had a window seat and was able to see the topography with brilliance since the sky was blue and sunrays were bountiful. Landing in Krabi, I was beyond reality, those limestone cliffs of Railay were not far now. With purpose, I chose Railay as my starting point. I expected to stay two nights. Instead I stayed 7 nights with my accommodations being a mix of the mid range, 40$ a night bungalows, to the wild hostels. I was 37 after all, so being fortunate; I could take alone time to take in all that I was experiencing. Tonsai Beach was a secret I found in Railay and that is what made stay! I was in magnificent bliss! The beauty was wild and rugged. From there I ventured to Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, then to Koh Phangnan, with the last Island, Ko Samui before returning to Canada. The wait for my journey was worth it!