Finishing Up my Travel Day and First Few Days in Koh Samui, Thailand

Back at check in, I’ve now finished my travel days and I’ve been in Thailand for 3 days now. It was a 48 hour travel journey from the moment I stepped into the MSP airport to my back falling on my soft white bed in the Koh Samui Hotel. I wish I could have shared that it was a doable travel day, but I hope no one would have to endure that long or difficult of a time getting to their final destination. In short, I got sick in two different ways, just yesterday was the first full meal I had, after 2-3 days of eating limited amounts of food.

 I was a bit nervous on my first day in Thailand. Feeling the fatigue of the trip weighed down my confidence and ability to do this trip. I had moments where I looked for flights back to Europe, my layover in Istanbul made me question if I should have done my graduation trip in Europe instead of Asia. I was questioning so much about myself, if I really did find travel worthwhile, if I left something so good at home, if it would really be as magical here in SE Asia as I hoped. I was battling a lot mentally in my hotel bed my first full day, thankfully after a refreshing 12 hours of sleep. But I am sad to look back on my negative thoughts of the destination and myself. I had such a great support system to remind me of what I am capable of, to give it some time, and to take it slow while I adjust.

When Izzy came was when it started going well. I had a full 24 hours to rest and recover, which I took fully to recoup myself and my mentality back to where it needed to be. I also felt so comforted to not be in this situation alone, and to enjoy and share this experience with someone. I think it is important to constantly remind yourself of all the blessings in your life. The people, the places you live and can go to, and the opportunities to even go about an adventure such as this. Keeping my mind in the right place this trip will be key. And now with Izzy by my side, I feel like we will get the hang of this traveling Asia thing, and make the most of it. 

Already, we have explored our local beaches, feasted on the local cuisine, had lovely brunches at Western Cafes, read, relaxed, listened to music, and filled each other with optimism and excitement for the next few weeks to come. 

To say I am in a better place than when I got here is an understatement. Currently, I am sitting in a cafe, with the view of a lifetime, eating the best vegan tofu scramble and mango passionfruit smoothie bowl, there is not much that could go wrong in life right now. Even the joy of bringing my camera and taking up photography to truly capture the beauty I am seeing with my eyes is a gift. 

I feel grateful and blessed to be here, be where I am right now, and with who I am. If you ever find yourself in a new place, overwhelmed by the feeling of doing something alone, or if you are even capable of the transition, have faith and trust in yourself that it will truly get better. One person coming into your life, one call, one walk, one experience can flip the switch and make something new and scary seem normal and fun. I feel that is what happened in Thailand, in Koh Samui, a place I was so nervous to be in, and now has become a relaxing start of my trip.