Thursday night after evening training one of the trainers let me know that one of our other trainers was fighting that tonight at a local stadium. When someone from your gym fights the thing to do is buy a ticket, which they sell at the gym, to support the fighter. Most people from the gym bought a ticket and so I did the same. After a quick shower and a meal I headed out to get to the stadium. My bike has been a lifesaver, especially since this trip was still about 40 minutes by bike!

The first fight essential was a match up of what I estimate to be 11 year olds. They had them listed on the bout sheet as 102 pounds, but there wasn’t a chance either of them was over 80 pounds. The only thing I could think of was my job last summer working at a summer camp. I thought about the 11 year olds there and then I thought about the 11 year olds here. The reality for these kids to so incredibly different. A lot of kids start fighting because their family is struggling and they can’t afford to go to school. So to help the family out they start training in a gym in the hopes of getting enough fights to earn money to send back to their parents. Makes me, once gain, feel blessed for all the opportunities in my own life that I have been blessed with! I can only imagine the long term detrimental effects fighting that young causes, especially with what is now known about CTE and other brain injuries.

The next fight was between two women, which was never that popular, but recently more and more women are beginning to fight. After that there were some younger guys who were really sluggers. They had some huge hits on each other. The one fight ended in a TKO after repeated body and head shots. The referee put an end to that one.

To split the fights up there were a couple of side shows or “acts.” There were 4 out of shape guys dressed up as fighters and put in the ring. Then the referee blind folded them and they did this act where they were beating each other up while tripping over each other and falling over the place. It was actually pretty funny! After that there was a sword fighting show. The two guys fighting with the swords were really skilled! They did a lot of dangerous and neat choreographed moves. There were a lot of Westerners in the crowd, and they were just eating this stuff up! That’s not what I was there for though!

I was there for my trainer, Teenoi’s fight! This is a picture of him before he steps into the ring. The headpiece that all fighters where before they step in the ring is supposedly ceremonially blessed by a Buddhist monk. Then both fighters go through a traditional dance called the Wai Kru. The dance is done to pay homage to their teachers and family. It also done to bless the fighter for victory in the ring. Each gym has their own dance that is passed down to the fighters from their trainers. After the dance, the fighting starts. Teenoi was doing a really great down in the “clinch.” The clinch is when both fighters are tied up together and essentially head locking each other. There is a lot of technique involved and Teenoi obviously was the superior technician as he used his skill to throw his opponent onto the canvas several times. After a couple more clinches Teenoi started landing some heavy knee shots to the other fighter’s ribs. After a couple of knock downs it only took one big blow for the referee to stop the fight. Teenoi and Team Quest Thailand got the win this time!

Coming up next is my adventures at the Loy Krathong and Yee Peng Lantern Festivals! Check back soon!

After enjoying the beach I decided I wanted to take it further out to one of the islands to really immerse myself in island life. While there are many island in southern Thailand all offering something a little unique I decided to go to Phi Phi island. I chose this island because it is known as one of the mostly naturelt beautiful islands. Coincidentally, it also has a decent night life!

I arrived on the island midday and didn’t really have any plans, but a New Zealander at my hostel happened to invite me on a hike to a viewpoint for sunset. He told me there was a 30 baht ($1) fee to get there, but he saw some trails on his map that lead around the backside so you wouldn’t have to pay. I am always up for some impromptu hiking, so we headed out.

It turned out to be a roughly 2 hour hike. There were nice parts walking along secluded beaches, but mostly it was a trek through an unkept path where sharp leaves would cut you and weird 6 inch centipedes would startle you. Cervantes did say, “The road is better than the in.” With that sentiment in mind we both felt a good amount of accomplishment when we reached the viewpoint with plenty of time before sundown.

There the New Zealander and I made friends with two British fellows and we made a plan to meet at the bar later that night. The New Zealander and I returned to our rooms and got ready to go out. First, we went to a bar that showed a free movie every night. We got a free showing of The Hitman’s Bodyguard. It was a funny film and some much needed relaxation from the hike earlier.

Then we made our way to a bar that featured Muay Thai fights. That definitely excited me, and this is also where we met up with the Brits. Evidentially at this bar if you golenteer to get in the ring against another person you both her a free bucket of alcohol. Thrilled by the idea of free alcohol, but mostly by having a Muay Thai fight I signed up. No waiver no nothing. After putting on some sweaty used shorts, next thing you know I’m in the ring!

There’s the footage of the fight! You can hear my New Zealander mate narrating.

Next day I took a hike to some other beaches and to the grand daddy viewpoint of the island. Honestly, I got lucky with the viewpoint because I didn’t know it was there until I saw the signs. I never pass up an opportunity for a viewpoint and I’m sure glad I didn’t this time!

After that I relaxed and ate a good lunch and got on my feery back to the mainland! It was a quick but absolutely beautiful island trip!

Next up, my journey to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand where I start my true Muay Thai career!