Things I realized about myself during this stay in Phuket
Until now, the reason I headed to Phuket was for "surfing."
However, I realized something this time: while surfing is certainly a big reason, I actually love the entire "journey" or "trip," including the surfing.
I drive 12 hours one way from Bangkok to the surf spots in Phuket.
The route from Bangkok to southern Thailand is a fantastic drive.
Thailand doesn't have expressways that extend to rural areas like Japan does.
I drive on regular national highways, but the speed limits on these roads are similar to Japanese expressways, so I can drive legally without any issues.
Depending on the section, I can drive between 90 and 120 km/h. (Most sections have a 90 km/h limit.)
There are many lanes, and many sections have three lanes. Well, they are public roads, but they are like expressways.
From Surat Thani to Phang Nga, there are some excellent winding roads.
Overall, there is a lot of greenery, and rather than being a burden, the long drive is actually healing for me.
I realized that this long drive is also a very precious time where I can naturally face myself head-on.
Of course, flying is more efficient, but choosing to do something inefficient is something I've been enjoying lately.
When I make things efficient, they become uninteresting and less fun. I often feel that way.
Come to think of it, I've had a tendency to like this kind of "journey" since I was in my twenties.
When I was in elementary school, I got hooked on bass fishing, and I would wake up in the middle of the night and ride my bike for about an hour one way with my friends to go to a famous pond.
For an elementary school student, this was quite a journey.
The memory of riding my bike through the pitch-black night with a fishing rod on my back is still clearly etched in my mind and heart, even now as I approach 50.
When I reached my twenties, there was a period when I got my boating license and would tow my boat for about three hours to go to Lake Biwa.
The moment I was floating on the boat in the middle of the empty, mid-winter Lake Biwa in January or February—I have felt happiness in moments like that since I was in my twenties.
Looking back, I think I truly love these "journeys" that are paired with some kind of enjoyable purpose.
Among them, I have always especially loved "journeys" that I take alone.
It's the car I've driven the longest out of all my cars so far, and I think it will be the one with the most memories.
And it was my favorite car I've owned.
However, I've driven it 120,000 kilometers, so it's about time to replace it, and I'm selling it.
The resale value is by far the worst of any car I've owned... Why isn't it popular? It's such a good car...
This is the first time I've experienced a part of me that doesn't want to sell it.
LUMIX G99M2 M.ZUIKO 40-150 /F4-5.6
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