Greetings from Koh Tao! Man, things are nuts over here right now at Wanderland HQ. I’d wager I’ve typed more words in the last seven days than I’ve ever logged in a week before. Work is crazy, but in the best way possible. This year began with a bang, and I’ve been approached with more amazing collaborations from brands I’ve dreamed of working with than I can count on one hand. The downside? A few sleepless nights while I try to figure out how to juggle it all. The upside? Tons of exciting content coming your way soon — and one blogger grinning ear to ear.
Anyway, after a couple nights of working sixteen hour days ’till I collapsed with exhaustion at 2am, I snuck away from the laptop for a few hours this evening to attend a Muay Thai fight at the Sairee Stadium. Ian’s been itching to go but this was the first time one of the events lined up with one of his nights off. How could I say no? Plus, it gave me an excuse to break out my camera for the first time this week.
In other news, I’ve been loving sharing a little fast-forward into my Thailand time, but now I’m going to back things up again and pick up where I left off — one final post from Bonaire, and onto Aruba. In the meantime, I’m excited to hear what you guys think of this week’s shots (a departure from what’s become my standard Koh Tao sunset-and-flower-set) and to hear if you’re 2016 has kicked off as crazily as mine!
Photo A
Photo B
Photo C
Photo D
Which photo is your favorite?
Although I like your landscape-meet-sunset photos with lots of colors and lovely details, in fact, I prefer when a photo captures motions and emotions. You know those photos, you don’t need to add any caption to make it clear what is going on?
And now, there are 4 photos of that kind, and I like them all. (Ok, I like 4th a bit more than others.)
Agreed, Anca! I love photographing people but am usually too shy to do it, so I love times like this when it is expected.
Ooh D is super cool. Can’t wait to see what brands you’re working with! Congrats on a busy start to the year! I’m taking a little break in North Carolina right now and flying to Bangkok to continue my travels at the end of the month. From there, who knows!?
That sounds like the best start to a year that a girl could ask for. Bangkok is the jump off point for so many great adventures.
You’re going to have a great time! Try to get to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand if you can.
I absolutely love the light in Photos A!
Thanks Sarah! There was a ton of smoke in the stadium which was irritating to my throat but lovely to my lens!
Photo A! I love the action.
I’m really excited about your Aruba posts! I casually mentioned to my friend that we should plan a birthday getaway to Aruba next year (her birthday is 6 days before mine) and she was actually thrilled about it. I love getting to read your blog and seeing an inside opinion about what to check out in places I want to go!
That sounds awesome Marni! I have to admit we didn’t do much in Aruba… after being totally wiped out by our crazy week in Bonaire we pretty much just chilled at the beach the whole time π But I’ll have pretty pictures for sure!
I choose Photo B – there’s something about his focus I like.
These guys amaze me. I love boxing for fun and exercise but wouldn’t last a minute in the ring!
I love photo A…such a great action shot! Congrats on making so much progress on the work front. Your work ethic is so impressive Alex and it’s awesome that good things are coming your way π As for me, this year is starting out pretty crazy. I’ve decided to move on from Phnom Penh and will be living somewhere totally different next month!!
You are too sweet Justine, thank you! And wow — that is big news! Excited to hear where you end up and in the meantime, enjoy a month back in Cali!
Photo A! Such a good set. I don’t get sick of island views and flowers, but this was a good change-up! Thailand’s so much more than the usual travel brochure pics. Congrats on your big start to the new year!! Can’t wait to see what’s coming. While you’re keeping busy in Ko Tao, I hope you keep finding time to sneak away for Thailand adventures like this π
I have high hopes that the second half of the month will be a lot less crazy… it will have to be, since one of my besties is coming to visit π
So refreshing to read all your posts about Koh Tao. I’m coming to get my scuba cert in a couple weeks and people keep warning me about this island but I’ve had my heart set on Koh Tao for so long! Do you feel like it’s pretty safe for a female solo traveler?
Hey Lauren! I’m curious about who is warning you against Koh Tao — feel free to email me if you prefer to discuss it privately. I know the island has been vilified in the media lately but I’ve never actually heard a person who has traveled here say that they felt unsafe or ill at ease, hence my interest! I couldn’t feel safer here — I live alone, I go running at all hours by myself, and I wouldn’t hesitate to walk home alone at night. I’ve traveled to parts of the world where I was constantly on edge, and one of the things I love most about Koh Tao is how I can let my guard down here.
These are awesome! I think I love D the most. My bf and I really wanted to check the Muy Thai out while we were in Bangkok last year, but it was just SO expensive. Looks like fun though!
Yeah, if you go ringside in Bangkok I think it’s over 2,000 baht — in Koh Tao all tickets are 500 π Still pricey for Thailand, but well worthwhile!
Photo D is the winner for me this week. Was he as well?
My 2016 is off to a hectic start, but not for fun reasons like yours. Well, I guess that’s not entirely true. I’ve had to turn down some amazing opportunities this month for lack of time and for the sake of keeping my sanity. You already know some of the more personal details that are adding to the stress. But! I’m happy for you and looking forward to all the great content! Keep rocking it girl!
Ugh, I know all about turning down opportunities. Even since hiring someone to start helping with a lot of my business emails, I scroll through sometimes and see the HUNDREDS of unanswered ones and just wonder how many amazing opportunities I missed out on because I didn’t have time to hit reply. I just try not to think of those when I’m finally drifting off to sleep at night, ha!
Photo D – he’s in the zone
He is! And isn’t that always the coolest thing to see?
B is my favourite; there’s already too much fighting in the world π
That is true π I’m actually amazed how much I like muay thai because for example I cannot watch movies with any sort of violence in them. But I suppose the historical and cultural context of this sport helps me move past the brutal contact of it all!
Glad to hear that you’re off to such a good start this year! I prefer your nature photos, so while these are good, none of them really speak to me. The start of my year has been busy as well. I wrote a post last week about my family which brought in significantly more traffic than I usually get. Since I’m writing a memoir on the topic, it motivated me to jump back into that project full force and now I’m struggling a bit to keep up with my blog. But I guess having too much to write is a good problem to have. π
That’s awesome, Natalie — I love working on off-blog writing projects. I say just work on what is flowing naturally at the moment π Happy typing!
Hey, Thanks for your great postings.
I travel since 4 years 3-4 times a year to Thailand and since I came first time to Thailand I fall in love with this amazing country.
With my old job (now I prefer a Digital Nomad Lifestyle) I already traveled all over the world, but South East of Asia is definitely my future Home….
And I will move to Thailand completely this year.
Now I am in cold Germany for 3 month where I just started a new campaign, but as soon as that is done I will go back to Thailand and the Philippines…
Hope to meet one of you guys there π
Sawasdee Khrap
Dirk
I can relate — Thailand is my home away from home! (Well, for these seven months it is my home home.) Good luck getting through the winter, sounds like you have lots to look forward to π
Tough choice between photo A and D, Alex. I love Muay Thai as much for the rituals and music as the fight. I like your two A pics because they tell a little story. I can see how tired those guys are a few rounds in by the way they’re hugging on tight to eachother. I like D because seeing the hand and camera takes me there and inserts me into the crowd. Congrats on the success! Big hugs x
I agree. Normally I wouldn’t be able to stomach such an intense contact sport but the cultural aspect keeps me obsessed with Muay Thai. It’s thrilling to watch — and train!