Destination solitude, Koh Chang, 1998

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I am ecstatic. Finally found a way to scan the original prints. No more low tech images.


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Surprisingly, I had only written a few journal entries during the 10 days I spent on Koh Chang. There was so much island to explore and I was usually too tired by end of night to jot anything down, let alone remembering to brush my teeth before slipping into a deep slumber (whilst going in and out of conciousness, enough to think intensely about the slithering creepy crawlies on top and possibly IN my thatched-roof bungalow).

April 25, 1998: Haad Sai Kao (White Sand Beach):

Finally made it to the OCEAN! We are at White Sand Beach in a bungalow resort on the beach.

April 28: Went to Lonely Beach for first time. Collected rocks, shells until 4 and got the boat ack to Kai Bae.

April, 1998:

I do not know what day it is. Kyoko and I were given a special aromatic gift one could achieve a certain physiologic and mental effect. Just Say No! Tomorrow Kyoko and I are going to Lonely Beach again. It is nice there. Lots of coconut trees and palm trees. We played frisbee with boy Andy and girl Andy tonight. The gash on my toe (cut open while walking in Chiang Mai) is healing-slowly.

April 30, 1998:

It's been several days now that I have been here-it's been magical, everyday an adventure. Kyoko went back to Trat this morning. We said farewell and she lent me her walkwman.

We walked in the jungle yesterday looking for the "waterfall," nam tok. We walked for what seemed for hours. No waterfall. Just an exciting discovery of jackfruit which we all though was going to taste lovely-but not yet ripe! Jack (from Germany?) was our lumberman and managed to strike the 14 inch fruit with a long stick, sort of like how a kid swings a pinata to make candy spill out. Alas, we cut open up the jackfruit with a weak swedish knife and attacked the bright yellow fragrant flesh. Tasted good for being unripe as we were all famished.

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Photos

Vintage Tree House advertisement
Courtesy of Pamela and Don of Tree House

much ado about nothing
Healing wound on calf I burned on exhaust pipe of moto

fresh coconut
friendly local islander who climbed coconut tree to share fresh coconuts with us. Blood was dripping from the coconut shell after his hazardous task though Kyoko and I could not resist the refreshing drink.

contentment
sandy saw seahells stacked stragtically on sandy shore

jack and the jackfruit
Red Rover, Red Rover, make jackfruit fall over

Jackfruit Jack
Catch of the day

good times
me, jack, kyoko and toshio

main entertmaint area
Pamela in background, blue dress