🏝️7 thoughts after 7 hours: Solo in Thailand

Am I doing this right?!!?

Sep 05, 2024

👋 Hey there, friend. It’s been a minute and I’m also on the other side of the world. I’m currently on a 6 week solo trip in Asia. I’ll be sharing reflections on and off as I go.

Today you’re getting a 2-for-1! Two places! 1 post! How fun.

I made it to the Tokyo Airport 2.5 hours early, just enough time to spend the rest of the yen in my coin purse.

Stickers — purchased. One sad airport meal — purchased. Random sh*t from MUJI — purchased.

I had done it all! And I was (finally!) on my way to Thailand — a country I’ve been infatuated with since I can remember. I’ve been here before, a month in Chiang Mai, a few days in Bangkok and a week between Koh Yao Yao and Koh Samui during the Remote Year era. I was excited to return to a place I loved, but also not sure how to approach it.

Thailand has over 1,400 islands, some of which are open this time of year, some of which are not. *Adds Similan Islands to travel bucket list*

My plans upon arriving were 1) spend 36 hours in Bangkok 2) Fly to Krabi.

I had mentally booked myself at a resort and a yoga retreat, but it wasn’t until the day after I landed in Thailand that I booked them.

So spontaneous! So free! So casual!

Yeah! That’s me! 🙄 I’m learning that it’s actually not. So here are some thoughts after my first few hours in Bangkok and the island of Koh Yao Noi, split into 3.5 and 3.5 because #rules.

7 Thoughts After 7 Hours

Bangkok

1. Ahhhhhh — a return to rawness.

Tokyo and Bangkok are two very different cities. Seeing power lines hanging, plants exploding out from fences, the chaos of the driving… Bangkok felt a lot more “raw” after a week in Japan.

2. I could stay here awhile? Maybe? Maybe not.

I picked a hostel (with a private room, though, don’t get it twisted) in Ari, a hip neighborhood in Bangkok. Walking around I was greeted with fun cafes, quirky shops, and delicious smells around every corner. Initially, I was excited and reminded of digital nomad-ing in Chiang Mai and felt like I could stay here awhile! That feeling evaporated over the next few hours due to the traffic and the fact that…

3. I’m too old for hostels.

No sound privacy. Lights and sounds on til after midnight. Climbing a lofted bed. At 32, I’m too old! Or just too used to some luxuries. Sue me! I’d still be down to hostel it with a friend if the vibe is right, but after 2 nights I was ready to go.

3 1/2. Big cities are not for me.

I moved out of New York City for a reason. That is all.

Koh Yao Noi

4. Holy Honeymoon.

Maybe staying solo at a honeymoon / family resort wasn’t my best idea. The place is gorgeous, but I had a mini meltdown the first night because I was here solo and that felt… wrong.

5. WTF am I doing?!?

I’m solo… in Asia… for another ~5 weeks… Why didn’t I invite more people to join me? Why didn’t I do a full month long yoga retreat? What’s wrong with me?! All real thoughts that went through my brain! Super fun.

6. What am I doing next?!?

This thought launched me into the next few days. I was so preoccupied with what’s next, realizing I can’t be that spontaneous travel cool girl, especially if I am not a hostel girl.

To tell you the truth, I’ve spent the last 3 days trying to figure out what I’m doing after the week long yoga retreat. 3 days in paradise… wasted? Maybe. But I set myself up for this. It hasn’t been fun to plan while I’m in the most vacation-y spot and it’s making me feel guilty as heck. Grateful to those who have been my sounding boards. 🙏