Trek Into the Interior

Today I thought I'd make a little jaunt toward the interior of the island. On a map I'd noted that there is a temple not too far away. About midday I folded up my little map and stuck it in my pocket, grabbed my camera, and headed out past the resort's little beach where everything was looking idyllic.

I passed the colorful kayaks waiting to be taken out to sea. They look kind of fun, but I've not availed myself of them; I'd probably be tired of paddling by the time I got to the end of the pier, especially if I didn't have company, which I don't.

Just past the kayaks you take the stairs up to the land's-end of the pier. Handy.

Turning left, I found that the road leading away from the beach is cement. Cement! I haven't been on a cement road for a very long time. The road led through a coconut grove, which contained not much other than coconut trees and ant hills.

Once through the coconut grove, the road led up a hill. Spying this big, spreading tree, I was quite certain that it must be a spirit tree. It just looked like the ones I'd seen in my childhood.

Sure enough, pinned to the tree were signs that someone believes the tree has some spiritual significance. I didn't see offerings or joss sticks, though.

A little ways further, there was the temple. I was disappointed to see that it was still being built. When it's done there will be a great deal more ornamentation and beauty to this structure, likely including a brightly colored geometric design in the roof tiles.

There's a gateway over the road near the temple. I am reminded of the pleasing whirls and flame-like shapes of Buddhist art in Thailand, showing their particular love for gold.

Entering the grounds of the temple I saw, among other things, a shrine that obviously celebrates reincarnation. I sat on the bench across from it for a while, and considered peacefully and gratefully how much more meaningful my life is because I don't believe in this endless wheel of life. The shrine was pretty, though.

Over to one side of the grounds was a restaurant, which looked empty. And in one of the buildings, by a window, sat a Buddhist monk in his saffron robes; on the steps of another mold-stained building sat another. The monk in the window tried to get my attention to come over, but I wasn't up for interaction. I thought monks were supposed to avoid, women, anyhow. What's up with that?

Across the road was the crematorium. We had a much more ornate one across from our house in Phuket when I was a little girl. This one had blackening around its metal door from the smoke of past cremations.

In another corner was a tower with a lovely gabled roof on it, and a drum and bell hanging under the eaves. I don't recall how the Buddhists use a drum of this size. I do remember the bell, though, particularly in connection with funerals.

Any good Buddhist in Thailand will have a spirit house in their yard. Walking past a house down the road, I saw this nice little collection of spirit houses and offering tables.

I was talking with someone this last weekend about how Christianity doesn't make much of a dent in Thailand. They explained that Thai people have constant rituals and daily activities connected with Buddhist belief and temple life, whereas Christianity has typically only engaged people at their church one day a week. The rituals and customs of Buddhism have put roots deep into the souls of the people here, and change is very difficult. I've found myself thinking a number of times this past week about how Christianity could or would adjust to Thai culture and become more a part of daily life. Having been gone from here for many years, it's very hard for me to imagine the answers to a question like this, in context. I continue to ponder.

Once I reached the temple, I decided to walk a little further, to the nearest town ... if it could be called that. Judging by this little billboard, they're clearly very proud of their little hospital on this island. Thailand is a country of traditions, and they have maintained the same nursing uniforms that have been around for well over 50 years. No patterned scrubs for these nurses!

The information for the resort where I'm staying says that you can pay for a massage by experts trained at the local hospital. I'm intrigued to think of the hospital as a training center for masseuses.

I was walking along very, very slowly in the heat; nevertheless, by the time I reached this gas station and shops two kilometers from the resort, I was dripping with sweat almost as if I'd been in a shower. I admit it: I stopped in at the little shop for an ice cream bar.

Outside the gas station was a billboard showing the island. The resort where I'm staying is about halfway up the left side, where you see the T-shaped pier jutting out into the water toward the southwest.

It was time to turn around. I headed back the way I came, enjoying the flora (I've left those photos out of this post) and typical Thai dwellings along the way.

It's always exciting when you get close to the ocean and catch the first glimpse of it beyond the coconut trees. I remember that delight from my childhood. The beach is simply my favorite place at which to arrive!

"Shantaa" is a Hindi word that means "tranquility." And it certainly has provided me with that. I'm so glad I came here!

Finally, back to the beach where there are breezes and blue water! This location is in front of the food stall on the other side of the pier from the resort.

I'm highly amused by the cleverness of the Thai owners of the resort; they did well with punning the name of the bar down by the beach where you can order drinks and check out your beach towels and toys.

Ordering drinks? What a great idea! I ended my trek to the interior by treating myself, at Shantaa Bar Bara, to a choco-oreo shake. Sweet!