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I looked at another 2 empty seats next to me while sitting in the Bangkok Airways flight to Phuket. Outside there was the most beautiful sunset I ever seen. The sky was in dark orange with contrast deep blue and bright yellow streaks with the sun in the middle of it. The aircraft crew announced that we will soon arrive. Outside the window there was a small storm. I felt a bit frighten as the aircraft passed through the storm. Finally I arrived at the phuket airport.

 

The airport was cleaner than I thought. After the Tsunami, I haven?t been to Phuket at all until now. Compare to other <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />province of Thailand, Phuket airport is a nice one, well equipped and even have duty free shop. I walked around looking for the Boat?s staff to pick me up.  Familiar faces appeared, the staffs said hi to me while took my luggage to the Bus. There must be at least 20 divers for the whole group. The bus stopped at 7-11. One of the divers went down bought 20 bottles of Soda Water and snacks. Bus dropped us off at the pier where we walked across 3-4 boats to get to our boat. The dive leader then gave us the orientation of the boat, introduction video was played.

 

 

There were 18 Thais and 2 foreigners. One came with his Thai girlfriend. Another came alone from Australia. I was surprise to discover that I was the only one talking to a new foreigner friend from Australia. He told me that he booked the trip even before the Tsunami but he didn?t come until now. The strange thing though when other Thais saw me talking to him, they made faces. And I couldn?t tell what it is that they thought. Flirting? Definitely not! He?s as old as my mom and also married. His wife doesn?t dive so he came by himself. I felt sympathy for him to travel alone because I travel alone myself. But I am Thai, so travel alone among other 17 Thais won?t be so bad for me. But imagine if you travel 1000 miles from home for a vacation, got on a boat full of Thai people whom none is talking to you. Worse when you have to be on the boat for another 4-5 days. How would you feel?

I see nothing wrong with befriending a foreigner on a common tour. Sometimes you need to put on your blinders, and not care about others think. It's not their business. I'm sure that in the next episode you'll tell us that finally the Thai participants accepted you too.

All i know is that I miss you sud sud...

I may not be able to see u till next week too! LOL

Thats sometimes the problem with Thais really sad, I speak a little Thai and understand what they are saying sometime very racial sad indeed in the land of smiles, well we keep on smilig na

I don't know about racial Jay but I know from my fiancee that she will be more aware of Thai people around looking at her with me and that rubs off a little on me as I feel her loving nature

disappears until we are away from those peering eyes with thoughts behind them.

On the other foot a few years ago Australians used to peer at Asian ladies to.

Now in Australia they get the jealous look from only the odd Aussie women.Which I like(shows they got competition)lol

Any way Cutie you look after my Aussie friend and keep the flag flying for Thailand as The Land Of Smiles!

I agree with Jay and Mike -- you were awesome to be so nice to that guy. You probably made the difference between him leaving the trip, and maybe even Thailand, with a bad memory -- and him leaving with an excellent feeling about Thailand.