My first full day on Haad Rin was spent recovering from my first night. I poked around town, tested out some WiFi options in a pizza place and ice cream shop, and basically did nothing. As the afternoon rolled on, the beach filled up with people, though it was by no means crowded.
Around sunset, I descended upon the Mellow Mountain Bar for a Singha. I saw a guy who seemed to be on his own, and ventured to strike up a conversation. Warren was an engineering student and part time DJ from Cape Town, South Africa. He was feeling a bit down and out, I think, as his girlfriend with whom he'd been traveling in Thailand had already headed home.
We continued to talk over a second beer, and headed down to the beach at nightfall. Since he was only on the island for one night, he wanted to have fun. I was dying to puff some flavored tobacco from a hookah, so we set up camp and watched some fire dancers as more and more people filtered onto the beach.
As Warren didn't want to get a room for just one night, I offered him my porch, which he used for a few hours sleep before catching the first ferry off the island, the start of a long journey back to Cape Town.
A few months ago, I was all but sure I'd make it to South Africa, however as my money wanes, so too does my belief that I'll make it there. My current thinking is when it comes time to leave Southeast Asia, head for The Middle East – Dubai, or Cairo, depending on airfare.
If by some chance I do make it to Cape Town though, besides cage diving with Great White sharks, I have a new friend who offered to help show me around!
Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 66 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.
Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:
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Kango Suz
Tuesday 5th of August 2008
Yummy... apple hookah! Bummer to hear that you're cash reserves are not lasting as long as you thought they would. Hopefully you'll still get to South Africa!
Kango Suz
Monday 4th of August 2008
Yummy... apple hookah! Bummer to hear that you're cash reserves are not lasting as long as you thought they would. Hopefully you'll still get to South Africa!
Bryant Knight
Wednesday 30th of July 2008
Glad to see you with the hookah. I'm from a part of the United States where a hookah would get strange looks and possibly police attention, but I recently tried smoking it while I was in Sarajevo. Very enjoyable.
You may have already known this, but a warning just in case: Dubai's airport is extremely strict about drug enforcement. Human rights groups have tried to intervene and warn people who travel there. A Westerner is there serving a four-year prison sentence for having a microscopic speck of marijuana on the tread of his shoe, and another is in prison because a poppy seed from a bagel in London's airport fell on his shirt. If there's even the slightest chance any of your belongings could have come into contact with any drugs, please be careful if you decide to fly into Dubai.
Bryant Knight
Wednesday 30th of July 2008
Glad to see you with the hookah. I'm from a part of the United States where a hookah would get strange looks and possibly police attention, but I recently tried smoking it while I was in Sarajevo. Very enjoyable.
You may have already known this, but a warning just in case: Dubai's airport is extremely strict about drug enforcement. Human rights groups have tried to intervene and warn people who travel there. A Westerner is there serving a four-year prison sentence for having a microscopic speck of marijuana on the tread of his shoe, and another is in prison because a poppy seed from a bagel in London's airport fell on his shirt. If there's even the slightest chance any of your belongings could have come into contact with any drugs, please be careful if you decide to fly into Dubai.
Mark
Tuesday 29th of July 2008
Hi Dave,
I defiantly would recommend to visit the Middle East - I was there earlier this year with a friend.
We visited a friend of us in Jordan and then my friends sister in Dubai. I stopped by my brother in Dubai for a two nights which is only a cheap 4 hour bus ride away from Abu Dhabi.
I liked Jordan better - Abu Dahbi and especially Dubai felt like the US on steroids for me. Everything is even bigger than in the states - Dubai is on big construction site of skyscrapers. Defiantly very impressive - but I enjoyed visiting the ancient site of Petra a lot more. So far I have only a couple of my Jordan Photos up on flicker:
http://www.allovertheplanet.com/blog/photos/album/72157606448173503/20080423---Petra-Day-1.html
What about your South America plans?
Dave
Friday 1st of August 2008
Mark -
Thanks for the thoughts. I know nothing of Jordan, but am intrigued by the idea of visiting Petra. I think Dubai would be a quick thrill. It will all hinge on the cheapest airfare.