After three months of being on the road, I made the journey back to Phuket island. Aside from seeing Debbie and Eric again (who are doing great and about to move to another home closer to the beach), I wanted to drop off my bike and get ready for my brother Derek's visit in a few weeks. I also needed to grab my plane ticket back to America (more on this later).
Phuket is in many ways different than when I was there. High season does bring in many tourists and adds to the traffic gridlock. Prices for everything has ramped up. The beaches are crowded, but not as bad as I was expecting (though Debbie said that this weekend seemed to have less people than normal).
What is very disturbing is the number of fat tourists who insist on wearing as little as possible. The stereotype of the fat German man wearing a Speedo g-string two sizes too small is all too true. What is even more disturbing are the obese women who go topless. Not just laying on the sand for a tan, they prance around the beach and sea with no shame. Keep in mind that topless sunbathing is illegal and socially rude in Thailand. The Thais need to take back their beach! If they didn't need the tourist dollars so bad, I would imagine more fines being handed out.
A weekend was all I needed back in Phuket, I'll be back in a few weeks with Derek. Last nite, I took the midnite express bus up to Bangkok. I arrived into the megacity at the peak of morning rush hour. Perfect timing to take my digital camera into the shop for repairs and change the flight back to America. I still haven't been able to figure out how much of a tax refund I'll be getting for last year (a benefit of working only half a year), but I think I'll be able to squeeze out another couple o' months here. I think after Derek leaves, I'll check out Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam...
