Ferries, islands and dreams

February 11, 2012

Sitting on the ferry to Ko Phi Phi I am reminded of many such water crossings I have had in my travels. Orcas Island, Wa and Ocracoke Island NC have been among my favorites. My family used to hitch a ride with the National Park Service boat to Horn Island regularly when I was a kid, so I am used to this motion by now. The ferry time is good for dreaming in that half-awake mode where I slip in and out.

It’s a good time to write as well, if I can stay awake long enough as the ocean tries its best to rock me to sleep. I haven’t had much down time in the last two weeks. There have been several airport waits that have been productive, but at night I pass out from exhaustion from all the days activities.

This trip has been about fulfilling dreams, Angkor Wat had been calling me for years. Ko Phi Phi as well. Both are highly ranked bucket list items. I passed 40 a few years ago and decided then not to wait on dreams. I pursue them now.

I have a very long list of places I want to experience and when I started to map them all out I realized I would be 145 when I completed it, at the rate I had been going. I’m not sure I have that kind of time, so I’ve ramped up my pursuit and fly full tilt into as much adventure as I can muster.

What I want to see may not be everyone’s cup of tea. These are for me. My list is mostly filled with visually rich places that I want to paint. Typically the paintings I create from each adventure pay for the next. It’s a nice circle of life when it works right. (it doesn’t always).

Sometimes I get the red carpet treatment, sometimes I am roughing it. Either way works for me. I don’t really require the luxuries of home. I don’t need it easy or comfortable. I just need it to work, so I can continue to explore.

Life is about the experiences we have and the people we share it with. I’m willing to sacrifice a lot to experience more.

We’re almost to Phi Phi island. I wonder who we’ll meet? I’ll bet there will be a great international mix to mingle with. If the group on this ferry is any indication, it’s going to be some great island time!