In 2025, I set off on a journey around the world—19 flights, scores of hotels, and 7 tropical islands later, I’d watched more sunsets than I could count and logged over 70 hours in the air. My route wound through Brunei, Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman—each place adding its own color, flavor, and bit of wonder to the story.
This adventure was born from an unexpected turn: a layoff after 17 years at the same company. But I can see God’s fingerprints all over it—turning a harsh circumstance into an adventure to cherish.
Thailand was my base of operations: warm people, incredible food, postcard-perfect beaches, and an infrastructure that made it the perfect place to catch my breath.
It may seem odd to mention, but Thailand is home to the best Thai food on the planet.
Pad Thai and Tom Ka Kai soup with a Coke on the beach for less than a Happy Meal.
Breakfast isn’t bad either…
My transportation on land was a scooter; it’s one way to see every hidden corner of an island.
Navigating the island roads on a scooter can be tricky; you might even bump into a Muay Thai boxing match on wheels!
I visited several tropical islands in Thailand, and they all had their unique charm. Here’s the view from my hotel room in Koh Ya Noi.
After seeing all these little islands from my balcony, I had to take a boat out and get a closer look.
Typical transportation to the little islands are these long tail boats. They have a car engine attached to a long shaft with a propeller at the end. This monkey swam out to the boat to meet us!
On the more populated islands, there are plenty of parks, paved roads, and shops.
Along with streets comes street art…
One day, I spotted an incredible pool at a nearby hotel and was able to sneak in for a swim.
Typical morning routine: read Psalms by the beach and sip on some caffeine or interesting yogurt drinks.
I try to make an effort to attend local church services when I travel. Finding friendly locals and hearing an encouraging word is always a highlight that helps keep my priorities straight!
