6 – Rains, Planes & Silica Gels
Chiang Mai to Phuket
The rain beats into my head like some high end spa facial – a warm pummelling of droplets at around 60km/h. The air speed stops my glasses from fogging, but as we slow for a set of traffic lights, I am blinded by translucent mist – wild flares of red then green accentuate the experience, all I need is Dark Side of the Moon on my iPod and I’m in heaven.
The rains have come to Chiang Mai, and as we are isolated out of town, we have to commute to a restaurant for dinner. Juanli rides behind me carrying an umbrella, real Asian style – I am wearing a lavender plastic rain cover with big, flopsy sleeves – it really isn’t my color!
We dine as usual on Tom Yam Goong and Red Curry with Coconut Milk, delighting in the old adage of “there is no such thing as bad Thai food.” * see note below.
This is very much a transitional week, having a lot of personal things to sort out before we head south to Phuket and onward to Bali next week. But, in between hours of writing, net-surfing and correspondence, we mange to squeeze in a few more temples. Golden Buddhas – ornate carvings, droning chants – all good for the soul.
Air Asia presents super cheap travel options, and a couple of hours sees us from forested hillsides to golden beaches. Phuket, a small island tucked into Thailands south western corner. Developed, yes, tourist zone, sure, but still undeniably beautiful in parts. Prices rise, but the courtesy of the merchants remains the same, smiles and gentle bows with hands placed together at the forehead – very respectful.
We check into our poolside room – the water blue and inviting, but I pack a light bag instead and we make our first foray down to the Surin Beach – our “local” for the week! Its certainly nice to be by the ocean again, a long swathe of golden sand bounded by parenthesis of granite headlands on either side. We randomly decide on left and perch ourselves on a little outcrop waiting for the sun to do what it does best in the afternoon – bath everything in warm light and then disappear!
The show isn’t too spectacular, but I enthuse into the wave motion and the textures of sand, rock, water and colour. Juanli and I share a smile – this is what we signed up for.
Of course, work still dominates the days, and we slip more into the tropical bio-clock, in bed early and up before sunrise. Throwing open the patio doors, letting in the cool pre-dawn air and the tinkle of the pools filter system make a subtle melody for us to start our online day.
The huge project we have been working on with Rafael Rojas is coming to fruition, and we finally have the site on a server and we spend hours testing, working closely with the developers to fine-tune some of the more minute details – we will be able to share it with some of our closest friends by next week – friends who are not yet aware how much we need them to be our feedback mechanism.
The project has been a lesson in maintaining objectivity throughout what has been an essentially subjective process.
Last night, we headed down to the beach again, and were eager to explore the right side. Juanli sat on a beautiful boulder in the late afternoon light while I rock-hopped out to the headland, finding an ideal spot right on the waters edge. We both get ourselves set up out there on the edge of the surf and watch patiently to understand the cycle and where it’s safe to stand. Thinking I have it, I get the D3x, 14-24/2.8 on the tripod and set up on the edge of a small cliff, look through the viewfinder and WOOOSH – a 2m wave comes right over the top of me and the camera and even soaks Juanli who is 5m behind me. I look stunned out to the flat sea and wonder where it came from – but quickly realise that we need to act fast to minimise the risk of camera failure.
I immediately turn off the power and towel dry the body and lens as best I can – but I need to get back to the hotel to do a proper job. We squelch our way back up the road, balefully looking back at the sinking sun.
The camera is thoroughly dried when we get back, then cleaned with fresh water on a damp cloth. The battery is removed and I rest the camera overnight in a plastic bag filled with Silica Gels. nearly 24 hours later, I turn it on, and its fine. We’re happy again, and can head down to the beach tonight to try again. I wish I still had that lavender plastic bag!
* – There is no bad Thai food in Thailand – the worst carry out meal I ever had was Thai food in Albany SW Australia!
