South Meets The Far East.

After my trip from Nigeria I caught a chronic case of the travel bug. I spent an obscene amount of hours looking at old pictures and eagerly awaiting #TBT so I can post about my beloved Nigeria. Then the longing intensified but not for Nigeria anymore, for anyplace. I was desperate to go somewhere unfamiliar, somewhere I can be foreign again.

5 months later, the travel Gods conspired to bring me and my amazing friend Tinyiko back into each other’s daily lives and alas a match made in holiday heaven was born. Every day we would hover around each other’s desks and pitch holiday ideas. A few weeks later, my vacay bae and I choose Thailand, Phuket as our holiday destination.

April 2018. We made the commitment, paid for the trip and packed our bags for a long 18ish hour flight. 8 hours to Abu Dhabi, 3 hour layover and 6 hours to Phuket. The layover was quick, the Abu Dhabi airport was glossy and the Arab men were gorgeous yerrr. So after a few Tinder matches (lol) we made our way to Phuket.

We arrived on schedule and whilst I was looking around, busy being impressed by the slick and efficient airport ... it happened

We were welcomed by a tornado of hot, stuffy and steamy air. The kind of humidity that fogged up our spectacles, the kind that makes you want to strip and get butt naked … during the people. On reflection, I thought the humidity was a great analogy to describe the people of Thailand. Warm and intense.

We arrived in the evening so we didn’t see much of the city but boy oh boy were we in for a treat.

Firstly, let’s discuss our hotel (major shoutout to our amazing travel agent, Tia). Our hotel was absolutely stunning. Nestled on a hill, it was classic Thai architecture meets the modernity of the West. Every square inch of that place was instagrammable. I kid you not, I’ve got receipts.

We woke up to a tropical paradise. Still hot as hell but breathtakingly beautiful. We had an introductory tour planned for the day and then it started to rain, we panicked but the Thai people couldn’t be bothered, we still went on our tour and as soon as we got there – the sun came out in all its glory.

First stop was Karon Viewpoint. I haven’t even got to day 2 of this write up but I think I’m already running out of adjectives to describe Thailand’s beauty, Karon Viewpoint looked filtered, it looked like an airbrushed Google image but here I was, seeing it all with my own very eyes.

Next stop was Wat Chalong – A temple that was built in 1837. Story time: So, here we were, exploring the temples, basking in the holiness and then suddenly an Asian women nudges her child towards me, gesturing for me to take a picture with her baby girl, the Mom was so excited, baby girl was confused, almost reluctant. So, I stand with baby girl, take a picture, and then they asked Tiny to join the photoshoot. Mom and baby girl said thank you and scurried away. Tinyiko and I burst out in laughter because we realized that it was probably the first time they saw black people and they really wanted to capture the rare occasion. And so, our #BlackGirlsInThai chronicles began.

We stopped at the GEMS Gallery, the world’s largest jewelry store and ofcourse it was exquisite and also exquisitely out of my budget. They put on an award winning short tour film for us, I’m talking major stage theatrics, faux guest appearances of kings, queens and mermaids. They even had waterfalls. Somebody better notify the Oscars because wow that was a strong contender for Best Original Screenplay.

After the tour, we asked the driver to drop us off at the Junceylon Mall so we could walk the streets of Phuket. The mall was busy, more shops than people and even more stares from the Thailanders. We sat down to eat our first meal in Thai and stayed true to their cuisine with a Ki mao kai ( yellow noodles with shrimp, basil leaves and mixed vegetables) for me and stir fried duck breast in a red curry sauce for Miss Tiny.

After a buy one get one free wine special, we went in search for tonic to mix the gin we had at home. We drank and danced the night away in hotel robes, celebrating our first beautiful day in Thailand.

The next day was chill day also known as ‘look snatched and take pics by the pool for the gram’ day. We had breakfast and spent most of the day swimming, sipping Long Islands and having DMC’s.

1 May was a day to remember or maybe not. We decided to chill by the second pool and then later hit the streets in search for food. This was my favourite part of most of our days. Walking the streets, like old locals, picking anything from fresh seafood to nutella pancakes and eating our lunch on the sidewalk, facing the picturesque still sea. All for under R50.

This started to become our daily ritual, we had our favorite meals, we had our our favourite lady who consistently served us the most delicious burgers and then we would walk back home with full tummies and full hearts.

And then Bangla Road happened to me ladies and gentleman. Bangla Road is a party girl’s wildest dream. I don’t think I can ever compare the Thai nightlife with anything else. Imagine a never ending CPT Long Street, buzzing with tipsy people, vibrating with music, littered with pubs, bars and nightclubs, scattered with lady boys and ridiculously cheap liquor specials. I was hypnotized – on a damn Tuesday.

After a few drinks at a bar called Smileys, we were lured into a club called Hollywood Phuket, they pitched to us an UNLIMITED drinks offer for only 500 THB (R196) and we were sold. Approved. Execute. No reverts.

The club was highkey the best looking club I’ve ever been to. We got some G&Ts and the shenanigans began. Drop in the dope music, crazy South African girls, handsome French boys, dancing, more G&Ts, Tequilla, awkward old white men, voshos, more G&Ts, getting lost and a tuk tuk – and we had ourselves and epic night out. Bangla Road was top 2 and it wasn’t even 2.

Granted I woke up with a swollen eye, bruises and a dangerous hangover but your girl had the time of your life. Tinyiko banned me from going back. Lol

The next day, was super emotional for me, I didn’t even see it coming. The 3rd of May was Island day, we were going on a boat cruise to visit the famous James Bond Island aka Phang Nga Bay. We boarded the luxury boat and were welcomed by the funniest and kindest host – Sugar. Sugar was fierce, such a bloody great human. Breakfast was served and the journey began.

God was showing off that day. Here I was in the middle of the ocean, witnessing all His majestic glory. I remember thinking to myself, “How did you get here S’buyiselwe? How did you, a young, troubled, anxious, black girl from Emlazi end up here? That got to me, I reflected, said a prayer and thanked God for my blessings.

After a long day of canoeing, swimming, laughing, taking pictures and dining, we headed back to the hotel, grateful to God for his favour.

After 7 days of pure bliss, our little escape was coming to an end. Two distinct things occupied my mind:

1. Contentment. I came to Thailand with a heavy heart. Heavy from heartbreak and always being the ‘strong’ one. The effects of witnessing such pure beauty made me feel lighter and sure of the fact that God has not forsaken me.

2. Humility. Thai people subconsciously reminded me to always remain humble and grateful. You know, when you live in Johannesburg, you become programmed to always want more, to strive for bigger and better. We are so preoccupied with making sure the bank balance increases and we forget about God’s effortless grace. Thai people live simple but fulfilled lives. They wear big broad smiles that make their tiny eyes twinkle, they work diligently and pray religiously. That sounds like a winning formula to me.

I was a different S’bu when I came back home. I still can’t quite put my finger on it but something inside of me has shifted. I feel it bubbling under and I can only thank Thailand for pulling me towards myself and reminding me of what truly matters. Simple happiness.

Whenever you feel like the world is too heavy and too dark of a place, visit Thailand,Phuket and come back lighter.

I would like to thank my boo, Tinyiko for being a part of this life altering experience. I love you so much.

Khob khun kha Thailand xx

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