I should have known there would be little motivation to move beyond my little enclave of paradise on Lonely Beach (the southwestern-most beach on the island). I moved Tuesday morning to a beach-facing bungalow. It is now 15 steps to the ocean and five steps to the massage tent. That elephant ride and snorkle trip didn't happen and my last three days have gone something like this...

sleep til 10, breakfast involving some sort of tropical fruit, swim, read in hammock, swim, lunch involving some sort of noodles, sit and talk to whomever is nearby, wait out storm, talk more, nap in hammock, dinner and some sort of decadent dessert, drinks, chill at outdoor bar. Today had an extra bonus... the guesthouse's dalmation emerged with her three puppies and I played with them for a bit.

Don't listen when people tell you that you can get by on $10 a day in Thailand. I mean sure, if you stay in one spot, do nothing but eat and pay for accomodation, it's definitely doable. But there are $3 massages! And $1 beers! And $3 hammocks! And $1 CDs! And $2 shirts! As you can see, the list of really cheap things that it seems like you really need to have in paradise can get quite long. And nevermind transportation! I've been here only a week and I've already spent 10,000 baht... that's way too much. Today, I began and implemented a plan to address my out-of-control spending and passed on the massage.

Tonight is Jah Bar's much anticipated party (free Vodka Redbull from 9-10 and something about mushroom milkshakes? sounds gross). High season officially began today, so I am enjoying some of the island's few remaining days of seclusion, quiet, privacy and low prices.

Tomorrow I might motivate to explore another part of the island. Pshh. Right.