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Month six. The final month of my travels in Asia.
The month started slow at first, then built to a rousing crescendo in Bangkok.
Destinations Visited
- Ubud, Bali, Indonesia (two visits)
- Senggigi, Lombok, Indonesia
- Perama Island, Lombok, Indonesia
- Satonda Island, Sumbawa, Indonesia
- Komodo Island, Indonesia (albeit briefly and in the dark of night while shipwrecked)
- Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia
- Kuta, Bali, Indonesia (visit #2)
- Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
- Keliki, Bali, Indonesia
- Bangkok, Thailand (visit #5)
The Adventures
- Getting shipwrecked off Komodo Island
- Celebrating Songkran in Bangkok — the best festival EVER!
- Successfully fending off Bali dogs in Ubud
- Eating raw prawns and living to tell the tale
- Visiting a market that had swords, puppies and porn for sale
- Naming the guesthouse kitten Tom Yum
- Staying up all night my final night in Bangkok
Outlandish Adventures
- Going to my first ladyboy bar in Bangkok!
- Filing a police report in rural Indonesia
- Drinking arrak with locals
- Riding on the back of a motorbike through Denpasar, new computer in lap, underwear yet to be purchased, trying to hold my dress down
- Going to my third ping pong show
- Starting over with nearly nothing
- Getting a new wardrobe in Bangkok!
Slowing Down
If the last month was low-key and about getting work done, this month was more about slowing down the travel, period. I had become exhausted from traveling all the time. It was dragging me down.
If I were traveling for a year or so, I would have taken this time to settle into a place for two months or so. I needed that.
So I spent eight days at the wonderful Alam Sari in Keliki, Bali, doing little more than relaxing. And when I returned to Bangkok, I was content to stay in a city I loved and just hang out with my friends.
Good Times with Friends
My happiest times on the trip were when I was traveling with good friends, and I was delighted that Ste and Darren came to Bangkok for my final days in Asia.
Good times were spent with my travel blogging friends who happened to be in Bangkok — Adam, Rob, Poi and Kirsty — with plenty of new friends, like Ray and Mike, as well!
Also, my shipwreck castaways became close friends of mine. Despite the circumstances under which we bonded, we enjoyed our time together greatly.
No Full Moon Party?!
I know. The Southeast Asia party-loving travel blogger had six chances, and skipped the Full Moon Party each time.
It was the right decision, though.
It would have been a tight squeeze — the party was on the 18th, and my flight out was on the 21st. That means that to make sure I got a bus back to Bangkok, I probably would have had to leave the morning after…as everyone was still partying.
Plus, Ste had to see a specialist for an injury he sustained in Vang Vieng (the things that happen when I let my boys go!), so he wouldn’t have been able to leave until the night of the 17th anyway.
Add that to my general travel lethargy, and skipping the party became a no-brainer.
Besides, Songkran in Bangkok was better than I ever could have imagined.
The Next Steps
After leaving Asia, I spent nearly three weeks in England. I would go so far as to say that it was one of the absolute best parts of the trip. I can’t wait to share it with you.
As I write this, I’m about to get on a plane to America. I’m landing in New York, staying with my sister for a few days, then returning to Boston.
There will be many wrap-up posts about Asia — posts about my favorite places, my best photographs, the most beautiful beaches — and, of course, my best adventures!
And just as another reminder — this blog is not going to stop. It is going to be better than ever. I will continue to travel — I am currently planning my next trips — and I will continue to have adventures all over the world!
As always…we’ll see what happens.
Kate,
Sad to see that your trip is almost over, but glad to know that you already planning your next adventure! Thanks for all your great advice and tips that came from SE Asia as I will use them on my trip there in a few months time and hopefully have some crazy blog posts to write like yours. Also, traveling with new, good friends is definitely what makes traveling so great for me too.
P.S. Kudos to you for following your heart to the UK 😉 Seems like it was totally worth it.
Kristy
SO worth it. 🙂 Glad to have helped.
Welcome back, sounds like you had a terrific trip!
I’ve always wanted to go to Komodo… though not under those circumstances, for sure.
I’ve loved following your adventures. I can’t wait to see what you’re up to next.
Did you ever wish you had a travel buddy? I know you ended up meeting people along the way, but did you ever wish someone else was like “in it with you” the whole time?
Not at all. I had friends with whom I traveled for a few weeks at a time, or even longer, and that was great.
Great Adventures Kate – it was fun to follow!
Where are you going next?
Sounds like a great last month in Asia, Kate! Can’t wait to hear about your time in England… And of course also can’t wait to see where your adventures will take you next!
Congrats on an amazing half-year of fun! I agree with you-the happiest times on trips are when you are experiencing awesome stuff with good friends-new or old. I am about to take my first solo trip, and while I won’t be completely alone the entire time, there certainly won’t be any familiar faces to rely on.
That’s a lot of adventures you’ve had! Looking forward to hearing what’s next. Hope your travels back to Boston go well 🙂
Wow what a great adventure. What s the next trip?
Next trip is Mexico on May 28!
Loved reading about all your adventures in Asia. You definitely put a few places on my travel radar that weren’t there before. Can’t wait to read more about you’re next adventure.
Ppsshhh… I’m still mad at you for not meeting us at the FMP.
We’ll have to meet up again in the states if you’re still around this summer.