Gara’s Weblog

I have only done some of the southern islands, so my judgement of Thailand will be biased, but there we go- there’s no time, in four weeks, to see such a big country, and one has to choose. I wanted an easy life of beach and comfort after these months, and the islands had all the necessary elements to work as a bridge between Asia and the West before returning to Europe.

From the boat./ Desde el barco.

The nature in them doesn’t disappoint- they do look like a scene taken out of a holiday postcard, with the turquoise sea and the bright green jungle, but the tourist industry is so much in your face that one feels that this country has embraced the American way of life to an extent that leaves no room for authenticity anymore. I thought of India many times, with all its drawbacks, but also with that preservation of its identity through their stubborn nationalistic mentality, and I have missed this: the lack of all the chains you see in Europe, the Starbucks on every corner, the big air- conditioned malls, the fish & chips everywhere.

And it also hurts to see how the mass tourism results in the destruction of these paradise islands, with a cheap, sprawling architecture that destroys the landscape. Koh Phi Phi, for instance, with all its natural beauty, has been forever destroyed by its capital, and not even after the tsunami they decided to implement a better plan of urban development, and only the North of the island seems to be free of the chaos, for now.

Beautiful Railay./ Maravilloso Railay.

In Phi Phi I did some scuba diving, and marveled at the beautiful fauna and at the endless coral reefs of impossible colours, and I loved to be down there surrounded by silence, only swimming and watching, and hearing just my own breathing. If only because of this, the silence, it has to be my habitat…

There is another big problem with the islands in Thailand, and it’s that they have for long been regarded by tourists as the perfect party place. The Thais have eagerly made the most out of this very profitable business, and music is played out loud at the otherwise marvelous beaches, and at dawn the white extensions are covered in  litter. These are the same tourists who like to take their homes in their luggage, and just do the same stupid stuff they do at home, but abroad: the same music, the same food, the football matches on TV, but all seasoned with a bit of Thai massage and a few chillies.

My biggest disappointment has been the food. It’s not even a scratch on India, and while everybody spoke of Thailand as the Mecca of food in the East, my impression so far is quite another- if having an overload of chilli on every dish is what people understand by good, refined gastronomy, then I’m out. Take the chilli away, and you are left with hardly anything; not even the fish is properly grilled (always overcooked and over-seasoned). It has been one disappointment after the other, and I keep picturing a Thai food lover who, on a gastronomic tour around France, Italy or Spain (sorry, still the three true food Meccas), would find everything utterly bland because the flavours would be just too subtle. But, you know, it’s not politically correct either to say these things.

OK, I’ll stop, I’m getting carried away.

God Penis./ Dios Falo.

Anyway, one week to go back home, and not so long until the day when I will have to face the challenge of looking for a job and a flat again- I don’t even want to think about it. Anyone out there with interesting offers, please let me know.

I’m going to Tokyo for a few days, before going back. Now, that should balance the disappointment with Thai food. More on that later.

Gara.