Job: Yoga teacher at The Little Yoga Room in Chalong
What were you doing 10 years ago?
Ten years ago I was just about to start my final year at university and having way too much fun in Leeds, England. I was doing a degree in Counselling and Therapeutic Studies, but, by the end, I decided that I didn’t want to be a counsellor after all and went travelling instead.
How long have you lived on the island and why did you move here?
I have been here for almost three and a half years now. I got a job as a primary school teacher at a government school in Kathu and being engaged to a diving instructor when I came here, it helped that we were near the sea. (I married him by the way).
What were you doing before you moved here?
Before moving to Phuket, I used to live in Tokyo, Japan which as you can imagine is VERY different to here. I was an English teacher for a Japanese company. Tokyo is a wicked place to live with so much to do and see. The food, music, clubs and people were spot on! I loved it there and it will always have a special place in my heart.
What is the best thing about living here?
I like being warm! And living near a beach where you can actually go in the sea without freezing also helps. Also, I think that living here has given me the opportunity to practice, study and teach yoga full time. I honestly don’t think I would have been in a position where I could leave my full time job to totally give my time to something I love so much if I was back in England. My hubby and I have a lovely lifestyle.
What do you do to relax?
Yoga, yoga, yoga! A bit of poolside action in the sunshine, a spot of reading, maybe watching a film and having coffee with friends.
What hobbies or sports are you interested in?
The sports I’m interested in might sound a bit boyish, but I really enjoy watching MotoGP, World Superbikes and UFC.
I also enjoy travelling and eating out very much. I have many different places on my ‘list’ that I would love to go and visit in the future (India being one of them).
What is your favourite childhood memory?
Sledding with my dad when I was about four years old down the fields behind my house. We had only just moved to a new house and we were snowed in with 6ft drifts, but obviously managed to go out to play. I remember dropping the hammer down this road at what felt like warp speed towards my dad, using my hands to push my little self faster and faster. My dad held out his arms to catch me, totally missed and I went speeding off down the road towards oncoming cars, much to my dad’s dismay! He shouted at me to fall off sideways, and it’s a good job I listened at that age! Off I flew into a big snow drift, mouthful of snow. My dad was mortified. I had the best day ever!
Favourite food or dishes?
This changes all the time, but at the moment, I am LOVING poached eggs, or eggs florentine from the Gallery Cafe in Phuket Town.
What kind of music are you into?
Loads of different stuff. James Lavelle, Maximo Park, Kasabian, Ian Brown, Felix da Housecat, Primal Scream, David Bowie, U.N.K.L.E, Arctic Monkeys, Rolling Stones, Stanton Warriors, Lamb and Beck to name but a few. A lot of Indie and a lot of dirty, techy house. No R‘n’B.
What is the best tip you have for people moving to Phuket?
Do a bit of research on areas around Phuket, so you can figure out where you want to live. Definitely research which visa you need and if you are planning on working or have a job lined up, look at work permit info. I also think you should bring a poncho, some cheese and a bottle of red vino.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you while living on the island?
I was driving home one day in Chalong when I stopped a couple of cars behind a pick up truck. On this pick up truck wasn’t your usual motorbike, furniture or general long pieces of metal that you usually see on the back of a pick up truck. What was on there however, was a baby elephant! The driver of the car directly behind it must have had the surprise of their life when the baby elephant decided to go to the bathroom ALL over the bonnet of their car! Note to self: never get too close to a pick up truck when it has a baby elephant riding in the back.
The person you admire the most and why?
My yoga teacher, Julie Hirunchai. Julie has been my teacher for more than two years now. She is a really dedicated teacher with lots of experience behind her. She always has a way of keeping me on track and calms me down if I have a mini freak out about stuff. I find Julie an inspiration and I feel honoured to have her as my yoga mum and friend.
Is there anything you don’t like about living here?
I always forget how much it rains during monsoon season and as I have a motorbike, I soon get rather bored of being drenched every time I go anywhere and pretty much all my clothes are strewn around the house damp. Also, sometimes when you think a couple of jobs you have to do will only take a short time can turn into a right mission, but I think that happens anywhere in the world to be honest.
Favourite place on the island and why?
I love it at Cape Panwa. It’s so nice and peaceful down there and it reminds me why we moved here. Love going down there for a bit of lunch on the beach with the hubby.