Thoughts on 50 in Koh Lanta
Greenland is the real Iceland, Misery Beach isn't miserable at all, living in a plane, falling from a plane, guessing airport codes, and more travel reads.
KOH LANTA - Happy lunar new year - the year of the tiger is upon us šÆ.
This week I celebrated my 50th birthday on the beach, which is where I tend to spend my birthdays these days. This half-ton milestone (as they say in the cricket) now allows me to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand. On the one hand, Iām offended that Iām now considered at an age of retirement. On the other hand, Iām like, hmm a one year visa you say š¤. Then I remember that Iām a nomad and when am I ever going to spend a year in a country (apart from the recent year in Vietnam due to the pandemic).
Koh Lanta turned out to be a great choice to see in this milestone, even though I wasnāt planning to be here up until about two weeks ago. I was waiting to see what happens in Laos, but they have just announced their convoluted reopening, so I will wait for another time. Looks like I will be staying in Thailand a while longer.
[Koh Lanta, 50 on 2/2/22 @nomadicnotes]
Assorted travel reads
My friend Jodi from Legal Nomads wrote this article for CNN about how a medical procedure gone wrong changed her life in an instant.
⢠Greenland: how the Arctic destination is becoming an unlikely mecca for extreme sports enthusiasts
⢠Misery Beach, on Western Australia's south coast, named Tourism Australia Best Beach 2022
⢠Discovering the unexpected wonder of Mumbaiās coastal wildlife
āPhotographer Sarang Naik is reintroducing his hometown to its rich biodiversity, from glowing corals to dazzling sea slugs.ā
⢠A long-overlooked necropolis in Naples reveals the enduring Influence of Ancient Greece
āThe Ipogeo dei Cristalliniās well-preserved tombs will open to the public as soon as summer 2022.ā
⢠The discovery of Egypt's lost city
āMass tourism may have ended with the Covid-19 pandemic, but Chinese independent travellers are making the most of Southeast Asia with no thoughts of going home.ā
⢠This man lives in the plane that flew Jackie O to a funeralāand youāre welcome to join him
⢠Youāve surely heard of Wordle by now (or at least seen images shared on social media). There are other language versions, and now there is Airportle.
⢠The Great Resignation has morphed into the Great Sabbatical
āMid-career sabbaticals have tripled over the past four yearsāand the gap year is losing its stigma.ā
⢠An air stewardess fell 33,000 feet and lived to tell the tale 50 years ago today
⢠Iām drawn to lighthouses, even if they are meant to keep you away (or ships at least)ā¦


⢠Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang looking great for the Lunar New Year. Iāve spent a few Lunar New Years in Penang (the last being in January 2020), and I miss it.
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The Nomadic Notes Travel Newsletter is a weekly newsletter of the best travel reads and interesting travel news from around the web, and random ramblings by the editor.
- James Clark
Airportle! LOL. As a former flight attendant, I would rock at this. (And I've long been fascinated by the story of that flight attendant. Incredible story!) Also, happy birthday. We spent three months on Koh Lanta two years ago and it's indeed a great place for a birthday. Finally, agree 100% about nomad visas. I didn't become a nomad to park myself anywhere for a year!