🕊 A Journey to Find Clarity

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In early 2006, life had reached a turning point.

The aftermath of the tsunami had led to the loss of everything I had built in Phuket, all my investments, my car, and even my home in Norway.

 

The future for my family felt uncertain.

Tourism — our only source of income — had completely collapsed.

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I knew I could never leave Thailand or abandon Ann, Koh, and little Cop. But I needed time to think — to find clarity and strength so that we could start again together.

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This 12-minute video begins with our farewell outside our home in Phuket. You will see my family, their smiles and tears, as I leave for Myanmar with a heavy heart but a quiet hope. After a brief stop in Bangkok with Norwegian friends, I arrive in Yangon, where my old Burmese friend Joe meets me. He has traveled 12 hours by bus from Moulmein to welcome me and accompany me on the long journey to his hometown.

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The film then follows our slow bus ride through villages and countryside rarely seen by foreigners — until we finally reach the temple where I would stay. There, I was warmly received by the head monk, whom I had known for years, and by Joe’s gentle family. You will see my small room, the simple meals, the flowers arranged by kind hands, and the moments of quiet learning with the monks who tried to teach me the Burmese alphabet.

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Toward the end, you’ll see me helping in the kitchen, sharing meals, and finally the scene that changed everything — a meal that led to severe food poisoning that nearly took my life.

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This short film is more than a travel story — it’s a glimpse into a time of deep reflection, friendship, and human kindness in one of life’s most uncertain moments.

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