Do you ever find yourself in desperate need of a vacation? Well, I found myself in that position a few weeks ago. The stresses of the year, all the transition, travel, and challenges of work and life had just piled up. I’m grateful that the Lord provided an exceptional break from which I returned from this past weekend.
Thailand is a weird and wonderful place. I have had the fortune of going there many times since moving to Asia over 10 years ago. Somewhere between 10-12 times, to be semi-exact. Most of these times have been for work. This time it was both work and a vacation which I tacked on to the end.
On this blog, I have tried to stay away from simply reporting on life. Not that there is anything wrong with this, just not something I have chosen to do on this forum. However, my time in Thailand was so great that I want to write 2-3 posts on it.
My next post will be more of the serious things I have taken away from this vacation. However, here are some of the superficial highlights of my last 10 days of some much needed rest and recuperation. . .
I am grateful for the SUN of Thailand. . . You see, we don’t get the sun much in this city of which I call home. Even “sunny days” are overcast at best, with a grayish-brown hew which the sun fights its way through from time to time. During the winter months, we will go weeks on end without seeing the sun at all. Therefore, my favorite part of Thailand is always simply being in the sun.
Sounds strange, but it is true. You don’t know what you have until it is taken from you. Growing up in Atlanta, I took sunny, blue skies for granted. Not so anymore. As I sit here back in my East Asian apartment right now, I am freezing. I have wool pants, wool socks, and a thick hoodie on AND I AM INSIDE. I miss the Thailand sun already!
I am grateful for the beaches. . . The Thai beaches are unlike anywhere else I have seen. Most are framed by mountain cliffs with crystal clear, perfectly warmed waters. Having spent my entire life regularly going to Sarasota, Florida with my family, I am a “beach guy”. Being in a position to vacation at movie-type scenic beaches on tropical islands off the coast of Thailand has been and continues to be a thrill and a joy!
I am grateful for the food. . . Thai food is incredible. I never get sick of it. Additionally, the island restaurants serve fresh seafood at cheap prices. Fish who had been swimming around with their buddies a few short hours earlier fill out the dinner selections nightly. Incredible. The only downside is that your prey is often looking back at you as you eat. It took some getting used to eating whole fish, especially with their judgmental eyes still fully intact and staring a hole in my as I eat, but I got used to it. I had seafood, I believe, every day of this vacation.
I am grateful for the scuba diving. . . One of my secondary passions in life has become scuba diving. I got my initial certification in college and have dived many times since. I love it and dive any possible chance I have. The islands of the Andaman Sea, where I have been many times, are among the best dive locations in the world. You see literally hundreds of species of aquatics life on every dive, everything from tropical fish to sharks, from sea horses to the occasional octopus. I might write a post on why I love diving in the future, but for now suffice it to say that it is wonderful in Thailand.
I am grateful for the scooters of Thailand. . . Though every year I have friends who crash (this year the casualties were Conner Norton and Ty Nash), the scooters are always a highlight of my being in Thailand. They fly! I rent them every time I am there. For a few dollars each day, it is both a great way of exploring the islands and getting around. This year, I drove around the island two different days, both filled with interesting and amazing sites. I’ll hit on this in a post next week, as we saw some strange stuff! Tremendous times.
Well, I just wanted to write on some of the more superficial enjoyments of my vacation and post a few pics. In the following post, “The eternal value of my time in Thailand”, I write more about what I learned from this time.
I’ll jump back into more topical posts in a week or so. We will complete the articles on “My thoughts on singleness (a series). . .” then.
I am excited to jump back into writing, as there are several topics I look forward to processing with you this spring!
John, your vacation in Thailand sounded wonderful. I am glad you had a good time and got the rest and relaxation you much needed. I never thought much about the sun, since in Ga. we have it year round, but in Asia I am sure you do miss it. I have been wondering, what is a day in the life of John Gunter consist of, from morning till night. Could you collaborate? I enjoyed your blog, I always do, I find your life interesting. Take Care! Hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Jane, thanks for your interest! Don’t think it would be a vey interesting blog post, though. Everyday I have over here is quite different. One of the reasons why I enjoy my life/work over in Asia. However, it does make it difficult to do a “typical day in the life of. . .” type piece. I’ll just keep doing parts and themes of my life here and hopefully that will paint a fairly accurate picture.
Thanks!
Yay for vacation! I am jealous of all that REAL Thai food…I could eat it every day! Thanks for sharing your photos – that shot overlooking the ocean is just stunning! I’m curious, have you ever felt claustrophobic while scuba diving? I have jumped out of an airplane but for some reason the thought of diving freaks me out (weird, I know)! And I’ve just gotta say, I believe God was rejoicing over/with you as you were enjoying all those “superficials” you mentioned. 🙂 Blessings!
Scuba definitely takes some getting used to, but it really is no big deal. I do not feel claustrophobic in the least bit while diving. Actually, the opposite. . . it feels like a never ending opening when I am under the water. Really is a different and amazing little world that can only be visited with the help of air tanks and such.
If you can sky dive, you can definitely scuba! I have never and don’t know if I have it in me to jump from a plane!
Thanks for enjoying the post. . . the food really is incredible. I’ve been in Thailand, all told, over 6 months of my life. The food is definitely a plus in visiting!
Have a great night there in Amish land!
‘Superficial’? I think not. It’s often those types of experiences for which we forget to say “Thanks!” to the Father or of which we can become complacent. Sounds like you got both what you needed to relax/refresh as well as time to enjoy the best of God’s Creation!
I relate much to what you described as I live in the eternal summer and beauty of Indonesia. Even had to have a laugh (and breathe deeply) as I remembered my scooter crash when in Thailand some years ago! Hope you have a great time getting back to your life and when times get stressful or challenging, that God would quickly remind you of the ‘little things’ of which to be grateful. Grace & peace…
It’s funny you mentioned this…I’ve actually been trying to increase my daily “thankfulness” in all areas. This post and others like it are the fruit of this prayer/effort.
Yeah, you have great weather where you are, but I know there are also great challenges there.
Those Thai motorcycles have taken many a good man (and woman) down over the years!
Have a great day!
Hey beach guy! 😀 Well, we missed you while you were gone and glad that you are back to writing now that you are fully rested, relaxed and recuperated.
I literally laughed out loud when I read this–>The only downside is that your prey is often looking back at you as you eat. It took some getting used to eating whole fish, especially with their judgmental eyes still fully intact and staring a hole in me as I eat, but I got used to it. That reminded me of a blog I read and the writer said that he refused to eat the fish because it looked like it died pissed off.
Okay, onto vacations…I could do with a whole years vacation. Seriously. Thailand is beautiful and looking at your photos makes my longing for a vacation worse. We have beautiful beaches here but the beach is as far as I can go. I am not daring enough to scuba dive or do anything life threatening. LOL!
Thank you for sharing and I look forward to reading more about your vacation and hey, more on the singles series, 3 or so posts if I’m not wrong.
Now that your friend mentioned it. . . they do always seem pissed off! Doesn’t matter to me, though, as they taste too good to be overly concerned. They died, so at least I can bring purpose to their untimely demise.
You really need to get to those beaches! I hear you live near (near relative to me) some of the pretty beaches in the world. Hopefully you can take advantage of that one of these days.
Thanks, as always, for your encouragement for this blog. . . it really does mean a ton to me. Thanks and I hope to get the follow-up out within two day.
Thanks!
Anytime John! I get to visit the Kenyan beaches when I am on holiday that’s like once per year. So far, they are the best because they are the only ones I have visited. There are islands that are near Kenya, I guess they are the ones you have heard about and plans to visit are underway. You’ll know when I do.
Look forward to hearing about it!