Last Hoo-rah

     I don’t know exactly how many massages and mani/pedi’s I had while in Asia, but it was the only time my feet even came close to feeling soft and looking that sharp - ever.  The days of beach bum luxury were dwindling fast.

      A quick ferry ride took us to the smaller, neighboring island of Koh Pha-Ngan. This island is famous for its full moon parties where tourists go ass-wild every full moon. It’s  also the place we had heard had all the tattoo shops. Months of travel and searching had not yet led me to a tattoo. We came close in Cambodia but it just didn't feel right.

     We walked by one shop and as I gazed inside I saw the artist was working on a painting. As we entered the walls were covered floor to ceiling in paintings and photos of tattoos. I knew this was the place. The artist Kanoksak Chucho was a total classic. I looked though several art books, showing him features of Thai architecture that interested me. He drew me up an original design, and laid it on me with the softest hand, he even threw in one of his bands CD’s for good measure.  We barely caught our ferry back but he earned one very happy customer.

     Back on the main island we averted disaster around the mythological ice bar. Our diversion led us to the gates of an arena. Inside we would witness about 10 matches of Muy Thai boxing.

     The cobra charming flute was whining and the crowd was ready, I know we were.  “Regular” boxing is usually entertaining to watch. This blew me away. It’s like a dance, the fighters sway and step to the beat of the music. Then like the cobra they brutally strike. Beautiful and intense. Only off-putting thing was they had little kids fight, that part we couldn't watch.Never the less, this sport is bad ass to say the least, and ever since seeing it I have wanted to learn myself. I've seen football games, bull fights, ice shows, etc., but this shit impressed me. 

     In our last hours we discussed how maybe we could just stay. Miss our flight maybe? Maybe we could open our own little smoothie stand for cash? Ultimately, we packed up for the long flight home. I damn near killed someone in the Taiwanese airport, but landing in San Francisco I couldn't be too devastated to be back home in this world class city. Thanks Asia for being so awesome, I know its not goodbye so until we meet again.....