The sun kissed beaches of Krabi province in southern Thailand are certainly a change
from the flat, open spaces of the Isaan region.
Despite my great love affair with the beaches in the south, I will miss the poor, largely ignored region of north east Thailand. I will miss my visits to the local village shop
and my afternoon tea from the local roti (pancake) maker.
And I will miss listening to (although not really understanding) the local gossip about shared hardships. I will miss the camaraderie, the selfless sharing and the immense sense of ‘family’ of everyone in ‘my’ village and I will miss the smiling, under privileged children
seemingly so happy with the simplest things in life.
It’s been a great – and quite humbling – experience being accepted into this rural community.
Almost everything is different here in Koh Lanta. The food is different as is the language – or rather, the dialect. Islam rather than Buddhism is the main religion. The landscape is hilly rather than pancake-like. Rubber and palm oil production takes the place of rice growing and of course there’s the sea bringing tourism as a major revenue and wealth earner so lacking further north. But some things are the same. There are the fruit and vegetable markets
brimming with a marvellous array of produce at unbelievably low prices.
Pineapples are a little over £0.20 each!
and for the truly brave there are mountains of spices.
But as a gentle reminder of home, just around the corner is a very familiar sight
It’s difficult to imagine that in a few days time it will be the shortest day – at least it is from where I’m sitting!
Phileas.
thelasthurrahsite 