The south central gulf Islands:

Koh Tao:

After the long bus ride and ferry trip I finally arrived in Koh Tao. The base of the stairs off the pier was jam-packed with taxi drivers dying to escort the travelers to their accommodations. I really had no idea were I was going, and that was the beauty of my island adventure. I had a place in mind, and said Ha-sip(50 baht), and the taxi driver said "ok, let me find 1 person more for 100 baht." He returned with a cute young German guy named Fabian. He said he was staying at SunLord Bungalows. I inquired about it, and it was just the place I wanted to stay!

I arrived to paradise... The bungalows were situated on the side of a cliff in the jungle overlooking the pristine sea. At the base of the stair-pathway was a long slab of stone for sunbathing and the water was absolutely clear for snorkeling, which I immediately indulged in. Since I had no reservation the only place left was a little pricey for bungalow standards, but I had a king size bed with a mosquito net, and my own bathroom with a sink and a shower. YAY! :D You have to shower over the toilet, but no one's complaining.
After relaxing on my porch staring into the infinite abyss and journaling my thoughts, experiences, and dreams, I made my way up the steep stairs to the restaurant where I wanted some food and a beer to celebrate my arrival. :) After eating and being bitten by mosquitoes and ants, I made my decent towards my bungalow where I ran into Fabian. He invited me to his porch to talk and have a beer. There I met his two Swiss friends Claudios and Roman(Ro-mahn). We sat and talked for 5-6 hrs., laughing, and speaking broken German and English. We all shared our experiences thus far. Then I noticed Roman's legs...
They were all torn up and bloody with flies landing in his sores. I stood up completely grossed out, and asked what happened!? Claudios said that Roman flew over the handles of his motorcycle when he had to break fast for a truck. I asked if he had a first aid kit, and he said yes and retrieved it for me. He asked: "You nurse?" I said, "nine, meine vatti(father in German) ist physician. I can bandage you (exaggerated sign language)." He smiled and thanked me. I pulled on the latex gloves and went to work on his battered limbs, and I must say, I did a pretty fantastic job. :) My dad taught me well. Thanks Dad! :)
In the middle of the night I awoke to a loud "uh 0rewe-ar" sound coming from my bungalow. What is that noise?!?!?!? Early morning I stood on my bed and zoomed my camera up towards the dark spot in the beams above my bed, and I saw a 1 1/2 foot long gecko! They're harmless.
Later that morning Roman and I had breakfast, we each packed our snorkel/swim stuff for the day, and we jumped on his motorcycle and rode down to freedom beach. I had to hold his crutches while trying to hang on, but it was fine.
It was beautiful! Trees grew out of the ocean, the sand was clean and white, and the bar on top the hill was a tribute to the Marley family playing glorious reggae music and serving tropical drinks. It rained a little, but I had the best time!
When we arrived at SunLord Bungalows, Claudios was sitting on his motorbike next to a battered Thai man and looked extremely distraught. He said that he hit two Thai guys a few hours ago, and had been at the hospital. He had to pay them 9,000 Baht in expenses. Claudios said he waited for us for a couple hours, because he didn't know what to do, but things were ok now.
Hours later after my nap, swim, food, and journaling, I went to visit my new friends. I decided to retire early to shower, read, and relax. There was a knock, and it was Claudios. We talked for a couple hrs on my porch. He was a bit of a Jesus freak, but a nice guy. At one point in the conversation he told me that he could see light emanating from my head. hahaha! ? Then I was surprised when he asked to sleep next to me that night, but I said he could instead use my porch to hang his hammock, because I wanted to sleep alone. :)
The next day after breakfast Roman and Claudios dropped me off at the pier where I departed for Ko Phagnan.

Ko Phagnan:
I left in a storm, and the boat rocked in every direction so violently that people were scared, crying, and vomiting in their barf-bags. I was almost worried you would see me on the news in 'that catamaran that capsized off the coast of Thailand.' After 1 1/2 hrs. of that I finally arrived.

On the pier walking towards the taxi I met a guy from Finland named Opi. We became friends immediately. The taxi dropped me off in the middle of nowhere. I was nervous. "Where do I go?" The driver pointed into the jungle. "WHERE?!?!?!?!" He pointed again. Still confused, and standing in the pouring rain my new Finnish friend jumped off the taxi and said he would escort me, and that he knew where to find Silvery Moon Bungalows(Nichole's recommendation). Opi walked me towards an incognito trail with a barely visible tattered sign that read : Silvery Moon Bungalows. It went strait down into the jungle, and the path was slippery! I must have fallen 3 times with my new friend trying to catch me as we laughed and chatted all the way down. A sweet thatched bungalow establishment revealed itself through the rain. We arrived all smiles in awe and were greeted by a beautiful sweet Thai woman named Koi. My reservation was nowhere to be found! Unfazed by this, Opi and I had a beer, and awaited the news. Finally they found a bungalow I could rent for 4 days, and it had a spectacular view of the ocean. Only $800 Baht/$26 dollars for all 4 days!
Opi and I walked along the beach for 2 kilometers to his bungalow. I met his funny friend Tattoo, and several Germans, Sweeds, and a cool yoga instructor from Canada(B.C.) who I really liked. Opi, Tattoo, and I scrunched on Opi's motorcycle(Thai style), and we headed downtown for dinner on the beach.
The next day Mandy arrived(my new friend from the Netherlands[Holland, in a small town near Amsterdam]). She and I hit it off immediately! She recommended while I'm in Asia that I take a cheap flight to Borneo after my studies. :) I might. My days in this fabulous establishment were spent reading the Bhagavad Gita on my hammock, doing yoga in the mornings and evenings on the beach, swimming at sunset, eating the best food I've ever had(Thanks Koi and Bert!), meeting fascinating people from all over the world, giggling at all the crazy bugs(i.e. 6 in. long grasshoppers!), befriending the cute playful kitty-cats and dogs, meditating, and feeling free in my soul. I loved this place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mandy is my favorite person I've met so far. She and I had a lot in common, and I hope that I can visit her in Amsterdam someday soon. :)

On the ferry ride back towards Hua Hin yesterday I met 5 Thai guys who were impressed that I speak Nic-noi ka(a little) Thai. They shared some Mango with me and flirted a little. I took the the bus to Hua Hin after I arrived on the pier, where Ben picked me up and brought me to he and Nichole's lovely home. I told them all about my adventures and showed them pictures. We laughed, ate, and I enjoyed a long hot steamy shower before bed. The hot shower is a luxury in Thailand, but since it's so hot and sticky here, the cold shower is refreshing.
My hair is too thick and curly. Part of me wants to give it the chop, because trying to work the sexy bohemian look takes patience and work. We'll see.