Krui: and a bit of a rant.

Yesterday was awful...

I started my journey from Padang to Krui early. The driver picked me up at 8:00 am, and by 8:50, we were pulling up to the airport, only to find out my flight was delayed by hours and hours.

Because of the giant surf bag, I had to book a flight with the same airline to guarantee the transfers, which ended up being Lion Air, a budget outfit known for their delays and economy service. The only way to get me to the nearest airport to Krui was via a three-flight connection, which I worried I would miss because of the initial late start. I made it to each flight by minutes, and by the time I made the third and final descent into Bandar Lampung, I was delirious. It was seven at night, and I was sticky, hungry, exhausted, and my ankles were swollen from sitting in a tiny, stiff seat that didn’t recline all day.

In the back of the plane on my thrid leg of the trip. Not very happy.

Someone from the resort in Krui was there to meet me and ushered me to a comfy car for the six-hour drive. When I climbed in the back, I was thankful to find a big, fluffy pillow in there. I could have kissed the driver, I promise you.

I took half a Xanax to calm my nerves that put me into a deep sleep and I didn’t wake up until we were pulling up to the lodge that was going to be my home for the next little while. It was 2 am by then, pitch dark, and I was so groggy. I was walked up one story to an oceanfront bungalow by a very sweet girl who made sure I had everything I needed and let me go back to bed.

My little ocean front bungalow for the next few days.

I couldn’t sleep, really; my nervous system was a wreck. I was furious at myself for modifying my plans yet again for a man and having it go south on me. You would think I’d learn my lesson. I know I was in Mentawai, and it’s amazing there, but I had been in Seattle prior with the plan to go straight down to Nicaragua, a very easy commute. Instead, I rerouted myself back, all the way to the Ments, after having this guy sweet-talk me and make empty promises, offering me the time of my life if I came back.  This went on every day, the whole month I was back in America.  I thought I’d finally found an emotionally available surfer with a sweet heart. I know I have to stop punishing myself and be more forgiving and gentle, but daaaaamn, I was pissed.

At some point in the wee hours of the morning, I fell back asleep, and when I finally woke at seven-ish, it was light out.

Overwhelmed with gratitude.

The beauty of the place I’m staying at engulfed me, and all I could do not to burst out crying from the whole ordeal was take deep breaths and thank God for the fact that I had friends here and that everything had lined up for me.

I had a message from Liz, who is now my neighbor in the next-door lodge, and when I replied, she immediately came running over to me and gave me a huge hug, lifting my spirits. Thank you, thank you, sweet Liz, for your gorgeous, loving energy.

My sweet friend Liz

After chatting a bit, or more so ranting about both our recent boy fiascos, we walked down the most pristine, empty beach two lodges over for the yummiest coffee ever.

There were puppies on the beach and amazing waves crashing in front that were barreling! Yes, I kid you not, there are barrels, left and right, just in front of my bungalow.

Cute little crab running along on the beach infront of where I sleep.

I’m in heaven, and I feel safe, loved, and energized.

Small cafe on the beach with the best coffee

It’ll take a few days to get back to normal in my body and regain my confidence, but my peace will come back here. As we said a bit ago, we won’t let men get in the way of our plans ever again, let alone let them take the wind from under our wings.

We’re little fairies, created to be cherished and loved, not ignored and played games with. Hot-and-cold treatment is what little boys do, not men. I come from a solid, loving family, my father adores my momma and has lived for her and given her a safe space to be soft and gentle for the past 40 years. This is what I grew up around. Seeing a man be a real man who provides and protects is what I know.

How, why, would I ever settle for anything less? I’m proud of myself for walking away and not taking crap, even if it was traumatizing on my body to travel for so long from Seattle to Mentawai and then again from Mentawai to Krui.

I don’t want to move for a while now. I need to stay put and let my soul ground with nature. I’m staying here for some time; who knows, maybe I’ll never leave.