There was a much better vibe over on Tong Nai Pan, another beach on the west side of the island. There's a great homestay called Bios, where they make their own yogurt and cakes and provide excellent atmosphere. We whiled away hours there writing and listening to music.

It turns out that my close friend Doron had stayed at Bios for 2 months jamming with an improptu band. He knew exactly where I was talking about when I said "...in the bong hut over the swamp". (The Thai longhairs can whip up a bong from bamboo with a machete in approximately 67.5 seconds).

I reflected here about how when you travel for a long, extended period, you are really forced to confront yourself. On a typical 2-week vacation, you are so high from the fact that you're not working that you're still in it. When you travel, you have no distractions (aside from the logistics of travel) and no identities to cling to.