Visa run

Sometimes a situation arrises in life and you feel like the opportunity is more fate than a coincidence, well thats how I felt when I was walking to 7-11 for mosquito spray during the detox and came across a flyer taped to a light pole advertising a meditation retreat on Koh Phangan. Previously I had spent unsuccessful hours scouring the internet for a Vipassana retreat that had English teachings and would fit in with my travel dates and visa restrictions.

The retreat on Wat Khao Tahm was due to start on the second day after my detox finished and would last 6 days past the expiry of my 30 day visa on arrival for Thailand. Mr Kim's travel agency located in Thong Sala was offering a 'Visa Run' for tourists who wished to extend their stay. For $50 you would get a ferry to the mainland where you would be bundled in to a mini van that hauled ass to the Malaysian boarder at unforgiving speeds compared to any other vehicles on the road. The aim was to get your 15 day extension (less time is offered compared to the airport visa) stamped and return to the ferry port in time to catch the last 6:30pm boat back to Koh Phangan, which I needed to be on as the retreat orientation was 5pm that day and I was already going to be running late.

Needing a simple room for the night I booked in at Runs Place next to Mr Kims agency, which provided a basic double bed in a fan room for just under $7, it was also close proximity to the night market where I could indulge in a carrot juice and plate of boiled vegetables as my first proper meal after the post detox plate of Watermelon and Papaya, it was bloody amazing!!

The ferry departure was set for 5am so I had to be up a little after 4 I was armed with half a kilo of fresh cashew nuts (as my post detox instructions advised I could introduce on the second day), my unstoppable hunger devoured them before we even got to the Malaysian border. It was there I managed to pick up a kilo of Lychee's and a couple of mango's to last the drive back. In all the day was a success and saved me the 500 baht daily fine when your visa is over stayed.