Chasing Trade Winds

I left Ton Sai beach near Ao Nang in Thailand today to investigate the rumor that I could extend my 30 day visitor visa in Krabi Town at the immigration office.

Riding in the back of the shared pick-up truck taxi, after a quick long-tail boat ride, I was suddenly heading towards a bigger town than I’d seen in weeks. We passed many small restaurants, mini-markets, and single service shops, with nothing but jungle and limestone cliffs behind them. 

Before long, a relatively large nursery flew by, and Home Depot popped into my head. And then WalMart and Lowe’s. 

It was so odd. The thought of the enormous big box stores didn’t result in a judgmental reaction, they just struck me as completely bizarre. I was instantly, though briefly, very confused. The existence of huge warehouses selling such a fantastic variety of objects seemed incredibly strange. Like an alternate reality. Who could possibly need all that stuff? How do they make any sense?

I remembered such stores as if remembering a movie. 

Anyway, then I got a grip, and eventually found the immigration office, which wanted a ridiculous 1900 baht to extend my visa for just 7 days. So I’m going to Malaysia for the day tomorrow instead. Wish I could stay and check it out longer, but Hugo’s passport is still waiting for its Australian tourist visa back in Bangkok, so I have to make it a solo mission.

As soon as he gets his passport back (should be this week), we’ll be heading to Cambodia.