Sat in a cybercafe in Bangkok, Valentijn and I stare at the screen displaying our bank account. A banner with the text 'My money is green' flickers annoyingly on and off.
10,05 Euro. Just enough to stay two more nights in our hotel.
This moment was expected. We have been traveling for sixteen months and although we have done our best to keep expenses as low as possible (including covering the distance Holland – Thailand by bicycle), money was only going out. Nothing was coming in.

What now?
One option would be to buy a flight to Holland by credit card and beginning a career as a toilet cleaner. But the messages relaying stories of freezing cold weather in our inbox lately did not make that a very attractive option.

'Are you waiting for the bus to Koh Tao as well?'
The girl sat next to me draws me away from my depressing thoughts.
'uuhh, no... What's there?'
Well I’m going there to dive.
'oh'
Now she had my attention I ask
'Why on...uhh..what is the name again? Koh Tao...?' 
She nodds, her ponytail swings happily around.
'Koh means 'island' and Tao 'turtle'. Says it all for me! Friends of mine have been there and according to them, it is a palm-tree-dream in the middle of a crystal clear sea with beautiful marine life. And last but not least, it is the cheapest place on earth to get your dive certificate. Oh...sorry I've got to go. my bus has arrived.’
She throws an enormous sac on her back and walks away. Only her tanned legs are still visible.
I laugh. Not only because of the image of the walking backpack but the girl gave me an idea. An idea that can keep us away from the Dutch cold a bit longer.