Crazy Weather with Bry0!

It seems this week has been one of those weeks where you cannot plan anything. You don’t know whether it’s going to be hot and sunny or drizzly or absolute chaos with full on gusts of wind.
Personally for me I’ve been pretty lucky, in the times of 9.30am when I drive to the Phanganist office, it is usually ok. Sometimes a little rainy which is annoying if I am wearing my spectacles as the drops get on them and create this kind of weird wet visor that I have to strain to see through whilst trying to stay safe.

Generally I am safe in the office, enjoying this tropical weather from the safety of my desk, looking out of the window right in front of me, sometimes adding in a vocal ‘Woah!’, ‘Oh a tree has just fallen down’ etc. I have also taken this opportunity to teach Sharon some english slang, such as “Pissing it down” which he has had plenty of opportunity to put into context this last week.
Painting outside however has been more difficult. Christopher Thomas gave me a small logo job which unfortunately has run into two days rather than one short night as the rainy weather makes the outside wall wet (even with a bit of cover), hence prolonging this job into the next day when all you want to do is get it finished and get paid. This is just practical work stuff though, there ARE PLENTY of things you CAN do when it is raining.

Obviously most people would prefer to be outdoors and you still can be! Why not have a swim in the ocean whilst it’s raining, immerse yourself in mother nature’s tears of joy whilst swimming in the pool of life! You’re going to get wet any way where ever you go so just enjoy it!
Remember Song Kran this year? The New Year festival that is celebrated with a National water fight, it rained ALL day! But everyone still made the most of it and got themselves and everyone one else even more soaked with a wide array of water pistols, soakers and buckets.
On a more serious note I think we are getting off pretty lucky compared to Bangkok where they have had floods, Phuket where they have had tropical storm Vamco reak havock and other areas of Thailand and Asia that this crazy weather is affecting. Let’s hope there are no serious casulties along the way.

Here are some more ideas from Phanganist's very own Linda....

What to do in Rain? …
When you stay on a Paradise Island made for Summer and Sunny weather your choices seem to be limited... a bit at least.

Well.. actually not.. there is so many things here that you never do because you want to stay with your friends on the beach or in the resorts with the nice swimming pools when the sun is out and shining its ultra violet beloved beams on its children. (Us – right? WE r the Children of the Sun – No? )

So... a whole new world can open up to u... the world of Phangan Monsoon boredom

This is the time where the few Play Game stations on the island really re pay their investments.

It is a time where you really get to know your new girl /boy friend.

You will try all the massage places and find your favorite in this period - which will be a huge advantage all next season – now you never have to go to 1 of the break a leg massages again – that you dreaded so much – because you stayed here while the rain and now you know better. You had the time to choose and select

You will visit the Farang restaurants much more and get to know your “home cooked” meals from place to place and your general fat layer will raise to a level where you stop being cold in the nights of the Monsoon J Everything has it’s ups and downs – and being warm in the night is for sure one of my ups

“Back in the days” – we would cuddle up on the Thai pillows in Liberty beach restaurant in front of a movie while being served milk shakes – snacks – beers and what ever your heart could desire J

Have you ever been to the waterfalls in the rain? On Phangan it is the only time they actually LOOK like real waterfalls  ...

The rain season is also when u realizes that Thongsala has a Cinema! So sweet even – and very small. And much more user friendly than any other cinema I’ve ever been to. U go to DVD shop – ask for the cinema... U choose your movie and your time – your snack your drinks your smoke and your pillows J And then – if u are the 7 people required - the cinema will open just for u and u will have a most joyful afternoon or day inside your own cinema

What ever u came here to do will be much more available in the sense that u now have the time to do it. It can be difficult to get anything done while the sun is shining because of the other sunny temptations around u.

Many of the Phanganists belong to the world trance family. They have all been dancing since they first put their dancing shoes on this ground. A little break before the high season to spare the blisters from the dance moves is more than welcome to this family also. – Anyway .. it will not stop the dancing completely – this family insist with all their might to dance and they WILL be honored. Just not as often as in the sunny season J So then u have the rain dancers... nothing less would do it J

Of course there is also the internet... but this time consumer I will let up to u to know about... this one no one needs introduction to... he is everybody’s friend already

What about the book you never read?

The view u never stayed long enough to enjoy on your balcony?

The thoughts you were suppose to think? – But never had the empty head to do so...

The meditations... have u done any while playing in the sun?

Did u ever go to the yoga class? Now it’s nice and chilly in the Salas and only few students in one class... super advantages both of them!!

Didn’t u want to paint also?

I heard u said writing your travel log or the book u are about to publish?

U were making these nice clothes last year – did u have any time to do so this year?

What about the Thai cooking school u never got to cause u didn’t want to stay inside a kitchen all day in the sun and stew?

The Chai Ron u never had – because the Chai Yen was more appropriate in the heat – will now be tasted. And it is delicious

The herbal saunas is the Rain PRICE nice hot and warmish... after a cold trip on ur bike or just chilly from your moistened house and bed and everything around – its amazing to warm up in 1 of the Herbal saunas – fully warm up from the inside - to scrub your body with herbal soaps and body salts and just feel warm and cozy - and then - when u come out – instead of using the cold bucket shower - u just stand DIRECTLY in the RAIN instead. THIS is the real way to do sauna Rain flushing Sauna juices U feel SO good after warm hot herbal treatments and full natural rain shower - and plzzzz .. 1 time in and out is NOT enough.

If after all that you preffer to just stay at home than you can just do the regular things, like watch a movie or chat with friends.

Enjoy the Monsoon NOW and remember when the Suns comes out again – U will appreciate her so much more than u did before in your shadow seeking manners ;)