Patrick Guillou, my big brother of foundation

He is my brother, he radiates big positive energy, he practices generousity everyday, and his heart is pure like that of child. "You can't make other people happy unless you are happy"

We often sees each other as a dreamer, an idealist. But recent e-mail from him made me realize that's just reflection on the mirror. After all, we ARE the same people in pursuit for the same happiness. We met on the connecting flights from Koh Samui-Bangkok-Luang Prabang in February 2006. Sharing the cab fare into town ended up spending a couple of days together and finding out lots of similarities -and differences. When i knew that i'd be coming back to SE Asia this year, I didn't think twice about getting back in touch with him and do some of the days in Cambodia together.

With Saroun by Siem Reap river. French by nationality, by heart. Romantic as a French could be. He has traveled much through many parts of the world. "There are so many places in the world that is beautiful, but some of them -not many- are also magical, and mystical." he said it as we sat and watch the sunset by the Meckon in Luang Prabang.

He has built his own bed and breakfast in Minervois, France. As i call him big brother of foundation, he gets down and works his own hands to create something from the bottom. Designs his own furniture, does his own plumbing and electrical works, cooks excellent food of any cusine, and he's a complete gadget master with his iPod and laptop. He got himself this motorbike shown above, came and rescued me in Koh Chang.

The morning i left Koh Chang, i didn't see him at Thale's bungalows but thought i'd see him at the ferry pier. Then i found out his boat would be leaving from different pier than mine, I was bummed out that i didn't get to say proper good-bye. But hey, there's a reason i call him brother, once on the mainland side, guess who drove up right behind my tuk-tuk taxi?
March 11th at Trat bus station, this is the last time we see each other, until the next rice farm tour. I'll be on my way to Koh Samui via Bangkok bus, and Patrick will continue on his motorbike jouney to god knows where.