A vegetarian honeymoon in Phuket - Day 1

The title might sound like a pun in more than one sense. But this is going to be the crux of what I am going to narrate. Its a story of the places that formed a part of the honeymoon of a vegetarian couple; of how the emotions of the places themselves blended with the most memorable moments of my life; the constant conflict of personal joy and inner agony...

It all began even before I started on this journey. The day I left my sweet little island that I called home for a third of my life was Dec 26, three years from the fateful day when an unheralded wave sung an orchestra of its own, and made mankind sit up and take notice. I was travelling to the very place which was one of the first hit by the Tsunami, a japanese term that resounded across the Indian Ocean.

I know it was going to be a journey with a difference right from the start. Being greeted by a Scandinavian in Singlish was strange enough, and I laughed my way to the cabin when he started courting a Japanese stewardess. I know I was gonna see lot of this over the next five days - caucasian guys drooling over asian gals.

The plane was probably 90% caucasians. I did spot a couple of Indians, and a couple of Indonesian maids accompanying expats in Singapore, who hardly spoke a word or two in English. Before I realised, the plane landed, with the captain beaming "Welcome to Phuket!".

Once on the ground, the fun started. Thai on arrival visa guy was bewildered by guys forgetting two simple instructions in English on the airport counter. Have Baht, and ticket! Irate Indian guys shouting at the counter guy in Hindi as if that guy was at fault didnt help!

A bubbly girl with a charming smile was the tour agent, who took pains to explain the intricacies of travelling in Phuket, and trying to strike some tour-deals. Looking around the streets, it doesnt take long to realise whats driving this desolated hilly island into a vacation town. It did seem wise to shake hands with a person I knew, albeit for 30 mins. Having quickly arranged something for a day and half, I had blown away half the money I had! When your mind wants to scream, having your loving wife by your side helps :) After all, its my honeymoon!

Having had a nice dinner at a nearby Indian restaurant advertising hot curry, I was actually pleased I was only 750 baht lighter!

It was midnight, and I was in two minds whether to hazard a stroll by the beach. Hardly ten yards from my hotel was the shore, just across the road. The sky, rather than the beach, took my breath away! A hundred lanterns made of a simple plastic cover and some cotton threads made its way up into the night sky, and then more and more. I was touched by the people's gesture for the departed souls on the third anniversary.

Then I realised how the locals here had turned this day into a thriving business. Tens of them thronged me within a kilometer, making my heart sink deeper and deeper. The quotes ranged from 100 to 500 baht, giving me a sense of how much I could bargain on the Thai streets. Suddenly, I stopped. I noticed a boy about 6-7 yrs building a mini castle of sand right next to the waves, and lighted a dozen candles inside. He stood in silence, watching over the flickering lights and scanning the lights flying high above. Barely 100 feet away was a busy road jammed with vehicles and shops with bright lights, and partying people everywhere, so much that it was hard to believe it was 12.30am!

Today, amidst all the chaos called the world, I found humanity in a dark corner.

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New Year Resolution

To get back to my usual self.

I have bogged down my marital pressures and responsibilities for far too longer than I had initially expected, and tried to start and restart my social activities including blogging now and then, in vain.

Resolutions are meant to be broken, but I hope this one doesnt break as easily.

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