When I arrived at Vikasa, I said hello to the people I knew and introduced myself to the people I didn’t know. Carolina and Jeb, a married couple, were the hosts’ of this getaway trip. Originally, I had met them through my brother Alex, who did CrossFit with them a while ago. They were the first people I came into contact with when I arrived at the resort, and they greeted me with a very warm welcome. 

I don’t consider myself an expert in yoga; I find it both mentally and physically challenging. I practice primarily for the peace of mind and to strengthen my core. During the many yoga sessions I’ve attended in Los Angeles, I’ve noticed a tendency to glance at my neighbors, to compare what they’re doing to my own practice. While I know this isn’t a healthy habit, I still find myself doing it from time to time.

Before our first session, Carolina stressed the importance of focusing on our breath. She emphasized how crucial breath is in yoga, especially when we face physical fatigue. For instance, when our arms grew too tired to support our body weight, returning to our breath helped distract us from the urge to collapse. “Return to breath! Return to breath! Return to breath!” she repeated.

My muscles felt tight during that first class, likely from sitting on an airplane for 24 hours. I was anxious, knowing I hadn’t been practicing yoga daily before this trip. I wondered if my body could handle a week of deep stretching and if my mind could quiet down. I had to keep reminding myself that yoga was not a competition, even though my mind wanted to believe otherwise. Whenever I felt distracted by how others seemed to be doing better, I would focus on my mat and remind myself, “Return to your breath.” This practice helped me immensely.

What fascinates me about yoga is that it emphasizes mindfulness over physical prowess. While it does offer benefits like core strengthening and improved mobility, its core focus is on breath. Some people say yoga “isn’t for them,” but I believe it can be for everyone if given a fair chance. Flexibility and fitness levels are secondary; what matters is the personal growth that the practice fosters. To me, yoga is a mindfulness practice with gentle exercise involved. Many people feel pressured to look a certain way, but the truth is, you don’t need to. After my week at Vikasa, I realized that I didn’t need to impress anyone but myself. As I became more flexible and my mind grew still, I felt less compelled to conform to others’ expectations. This realization allowed me to fully embrace the rest of the week.

Directly across the street from the resort is a mini-mart that offers cold beverages, medicine, snacks, and a small selection of hats and t-shirts. Adjacent to the mini-mart is a bar named “Moonstone.” The bar’s structure gave me the impression that it was built from materials salvaged from houses damaged by extreme weather, though I could be mistaken.

One night, I went to Moonstone with some friends from our group. Before ordering a drink, I went to the bathroom alone and was startled to find a chicken inside. “What on earth is this chicken doing here?” I wondered. Thankfully, my startled reaction drove the chicken away, allowing me to use the bathroom in peace. On my way back, one of the bartenders greeted me with, “Did you see the chicken?” I laughed and replied, “Yes, I did!” That evening, I enjoyed a few beers and conversations with my friends before heading to bed a bit earlier, as I was worn out from the day’s activities.

The temples in Koh Samui were truly spectacular—a must-see for anyone visiting the island. The architecture was breathtaking, with each temple towering approximately 100 feet above, forcing me to crane my neck at a 45-degree angle to take in the top.

Our first stop was “Wat Phra Yai,” locally referred to as “The Big Buddha.” Completed in 1972, this majestic structure is situated off Samui’s north shore. In keeping with Thai tradition, visitors must remove their shoes before ascending the hundreds of stairs to the temple. As we arrived, most of the group hurried to capture photographs, but I chose to take my time. Just below the staircase, beyond where the monks live, one of the girls from our group decided to participate in this tradition. We watched as she wrote her blessings on a small piece of paper and placed it into a seaweed bowl, a truly fascinating sight.

Below the temple, there is a bustling area with outdoor shops and food vendors. I treated myself to a charming pair of elephant pants.

Our next destination was “Wat Plai Laem,” located beside a serene lake. This temple, with its striking 18-armed statue, attracts many travelers and locals who come to pray. Across the street, we heard chanting and followed the sound to discover around a hundred students sitting on the floor—some with their arms wrapped around their bodies, others with their arms in a prayer position. The disciplined environment was intriguing, and I couldn’t help but wonder about the lives of these children. As I was about to leave, a little boy waved to me from the other side of the fence. I waved back, feeling a lump in my throat as I walked away.

Curious about “Wat Plai Laem,” I explored further and found a beautiful lake behind the temple, where large turtles swam. A friendly stranger offered to take my photo, and I gladly accepted, capturing the essence of a memorable day. The temples were well worth the 30-minute van ride, leaving me with lasting impressions and a deep appreciation for their beauty.

 

On Thursday morning, we boarded yet another van that took us to one of the island’s most popular docks. The ride was bumpy and filled with excitement. I remember gazing out the window, mesmerized by the sight of palm trees perfectly aligned in a lush green field, set against a backdrop of stunning mountains—it looked like a painting. After living in Los Angeles, I was struck by the vast, open spaces.

Upon arrival, I was amazed by the snorkeling tour boats. They were far more beautiful and expansive than any I had seen back home. In Thailand, these boats are called “speedboats,” though they don’t go nearly as fast as their American counterparts. Despite the slower pace, the engine roared loudly. Our group of six piled into one boat, and we started off slowly. Soon, it turned into a race. As our boat picked up speed, the engine noise intensified. Another boat sped past, creating waves that nearly tipped ours over. One of the girls screamed, and I couldn’t help but giggle with delight—it was exhilarating!

When we reached the snorkeling spot, we all leaped into the water. The ocean’s turquoise blue hue was breathtaking. While most of the group snorkeled, I decided to relax differently. I floated on my back, watching the clouds drift by, then turned upright to watch the trees on the islands sway, all while listening to the calming sounds of nature.

After snorkeling, we boarded the boat again and headed toward Koh Madsum, located just south of Koh Samui. As we approached, I spotted a food stand from a distance. Once we docked, I jumped off the boat and made a beeline for the stand to grab a drink and a snack. I wandered around the island and noticed some pigs in the distance. I took a few mental notes and tried to get a closer look by kneeling down, only for them to run away. Not surprising!

 Elephant Sanctuary: 

The visit to the elephant sanctuary was truly phenomenal. Our van picked us up in the early morning hours and took us to the elephants’ home. My roommate and I had planned this excursion just two days into the retreat, and it was something we both eagerly anticipated. It turned out to be well worth the cost!

A few others from the retreat joined us on that cloudy afternoon. Upon arrival, we had to wait for other groups before we could start. It was a lengthy and somewhat tedious process. After more than an hour of waiting, we watched a short documentary on how to interact with the elephants. The film highlighted the sad reality of how elephants have been mistreated in the past and instructed us on proper etiquette, such as approaching the elephants where they could see us, given that some are blind in one eye. We also learned the dos and don’ts of feeding and interacting with them.

When the long wait finally ended, we were eager to meet these magnificent creatures. Despite our excitement, we had to approach the elephants slowly to avoid startling them. I took some pineapple from the bucket and began feeding them one by one. I wasn’t afraid, just cautious, wanting to ensure I followed all the instructions correctly. A girl in our group encouraged me with a shout from afar, “Oh my god, Maddie, just go!” Maybe a little push was just what I needed. As I fed the elephants a few times, I grew more comfortable, and so did they with me.

After about 20 minutes, our tour guide signaled that it was time to “hop the fence.” He opened the gate, and we followed the elephants into the wilderness. We stopped near a tree, where our guide continued to share information about the elephants while we petted and fed them. Leaving the sanctuary was bittersweet; I wanted to be sure the elephants would be well cared for, and though it seemed they were, there’s always some uncertainty in a foreign country.

Back at Vikasa, our mini-group was bombarded with questions from those who hadn’t joined the outing. Everyone wanted to know, “Oh my god, how was it?”—or something along those lines. It was clear they were eager to hear about our experience!