Asian in Asia: 70
Did July even happen?
I’m honestly unsure. I can’t be the only one who feels like the last month that I really remember was like March right?
I mean I know that things have happened in between then, but I have absolutely no concept of dates or when or what.
There’s even have a list of things I did next to me helping me to remember things.
Really, only two major things happened this month that really stand out. I traveled to one of my last bucket list places in the country AND… finally got my visa to move which led to…leaving Chiang Mai
Khao Sok
If you’ve ever Googled pictures of Khao Sok, you would instantly know why this place was on my bucket list.
With giant limestone cliffs, bright blue water, and a jungle with literally animals you could only dream of, it really is a paradise oasis.
The original plan was to head to Khao Sok for a few days because I was still waiting for my visa and honestly didn’t know when I would be able to see it if I didn’t it right then. After Khao Sok I would then head to a beach and relax and build my tan so I was looking nice and lush heading into my new teaching position.
But, I think largely due to stress, I ended up coming back after only 4 days. I was the only person in my hostel and felt like the only person in the park (not true, I saw a total of maybe 15 other people) and was overwhelmed. Going from pretty heavy isolation in Chiang Mai to being VERY alone on vacation was suiting me at all. It didn’t help that in the back of my mind I was waiting for my visa to come through.
That being said, I believe that everyone should still travel to Khao Sok. There are hikes and night safaris and opportunities to sleep on the lake and wake up to the sunrise. The night of the night safari, I felt like Bear Grylls traipsing through the jungle with my guide. We literally turned off to a place that DID NOT look like a trail (but it was) and ventured onwards.
You can read about my trip a little bit here, but know that seeing Khao Sok would definitely have to be a highlight of 2020.
I’m Moving…
By now, most people in my life know that I’m moving to Malaysia. Technically, as the school year ended in June, I was supposed to go home and move from there. But because of a little thing called COVID, I was stuck in Thailand.
So first the first time in almost a decade, I had no huge plans this summer. I was just waiting to move. So finally come late July, I got word that immigration had approved me to enter Malaysia and now it was just time to pack up my life and go.
I had about 72 hours to really pack up my whole house and be ready. Woof was this a quick turnaround.
I didn’t realize how hard packing was going to be this time. The last time I had made a major move like this, I was moving to Thailand and was able to save everything I wasn’t taking in my mom’s house. This time? Whatever I didn’t take was going to the dump (or charity).
AND because of Asia’s crazy baggage rules, I am only allowed 40kg to purchase TOTAL and have to pay for each extra kilo after the fact. Like what!
Who does that?
Asia apparently…
So after packing up my life in 50 kg and shipping off 25 of them, I came to Bangkok where I’ve been hunkering down until my flight.
I knew everything was going to move fast when I got word it was time to move, but this was something I couldn’t anticipate without experiencing it first.
But I made it, I’m here, and I’m moving on August 12th! GAH!
Y’all and also, I want to sit on the fact that this is month 70 abroad. FREAKING. WILD.
Alright y’all. That’s the quick recap of the month and I will see you next time!
xo
-Ari
If you want to see more of my adventures on video, follow my YouTube Channel
