Golden Week Aftermath

Ni Hao!! Well, Thailand was AMAZING!! I have only been back for a week, so I have been crazy busy with school and catching up on all the projects, papers, midterms, and homework! It was a bit of a weather shock leaving Thailand and coming back to Tianjin, since the weather in Thailand is in the mid 80s and in Tianjin it gets in the 50s at night. Thailand is very different from China, from the food to the culture. We started out in Bangkok where we spent two days. In Bangkok I got to visit the Grand Palace, which was truly beautiful. We all mostly walked around the city and shopped and visit the night life. Then, we took an overnight bus ride down towards Surat Thani, where we transferred to another bus and then ferry to Koh Samui island. The island was gorgeous! The sand was so soft and smooth, it felt great to just walk around barefoot. On the island we went jet skiing for an hour and saw parts of the island that most people don't get to see. Two of us met a very nice lady that works at the bar next to our hotel, who took us on her scooter and showed us the neighborhood part of the island, in which many tourists do not see. The lady was so nice, that she actually took us to her house where we met her kids. We spent two days on the island and then took a ferry off to Koh Phangan island. Koh Phangan was similiar to Koh Samui except that it was smaller in size. At night we went to a world-wide known party called the Half Moon Festival. It was one of the most insane events I have ever attended, there was glowing body paint, people from around the world, and fire performances. The party was great overall and I would love to go back. After Koh Phangan we went to Phuket where there were more beautiful beaches, great food, and shopping. Then we took a ferry off to Koh Phi Phi which is made of gorgeous islands of limestone. The island was some of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen in my life! We toured the island and also went on a long-tail boat around part of the island to see the sunset. We also got to see a very exciting Muay Thai fight! After Koh Phi Phi I went off to Krabi which was another gorgeous area in Thailand! For the first time in my life I went horse-back riding and it was on the beach! It was so beautiful and peaceful. Krabi is such a small town, which I loved because it was just tourist attractions everywhere. After Krabi I had to head back to Bangkok where I spent two more days and then headed back to China. I miss Thailand so much! I saw and did so much, such as go to the floating market and ride an elephant, but there is so much I also didn't get to see. I WILL go back one day, I am making a promise to myself. :-) As for now, I have a midterm that I need to study for! After all, the schooling is much different here than in Miami. I feel as if in Miami the professors can really relate to the class and give great examples, whereas here everything is based off the book and memorization. All in all, I'm having the best time of my life, learning something new everyday. Wan An!