Home Away From Home
March 12, 2016I couldn’t be more pleased to have found a perfect little island home for the greater part of two months. In exchange for free accommodation and food, I’m working at Himmapan Resort located in the middle of Koh Phayam, a small (but not too small) island off the coast of Southwest Thailand.
I found this opportunity through WorkAway, a website that promotes fair exchange between hosts and travelers. Hosts could be families, individuals or organizations looking for help with teaching English, an art project, building, gardening, farming, etc. In my case, the resort wanted someone who spoke fluent English to greet guests and check them in, help cook breakfast, assist guests with motorbike rentals or buying speedboat tickets, and overall, general maintenance.
Himmapan means “cashew” in Thai and the name for the resort was inspired by the abundance of cashew trees on the property. In fact, there are cashew trees all over the island providing plenty of creamy cashews to savor. The owner goes by “Jay” and is a Thai businessman from Bangkok. He’s new to WorkAway and in his second season running this resort. He’s excited to be learning about different cultures and told me that opening this resort has made his “small world become big” and has inspired him to travel to other countries.
I have a private bungalow, a pool, a motorbike and the beach just 5 minutes away. In the mornings, I go for a run through the jungle which leads me to Buffalo Bay, my favorite beach thus far on the island. There a few more beaches yet to be explored by my own eyes and feet.
I fall asleep to the crickets and wake up to the cicadas buzzing. The resort- with its comfortable garden hammocks, ambient music playing at reception all day (where you can usually find me), and slightly cooler temperatures thanks to the shade from the cashew trees- is incredibly peaceful and relaxing. With my bag completely unpacked and a departure date more than just a few days away, it’s the first place in the last several months that I can truly call home.
More to come as I explore this idyllic island!
