Walking for the Joy of It
It Doesn’t Have to Feel Like Exercise
When people hear the word "exercise," many think of sweat, effort, and something to be avoided. I used to think the same—until I found something that didn’t feel like exercise at all: walking.
Not strolling. Not window-shopping. I mean real walking. Long walks. Purposeful walks. Joyful walks.
From Marathons to Miles on Foot
I used to be a marathon runner. I loved the distance, the rhythm, the solitude. It all began as a way to take control of my weight—my family is full of larger-than-life personalities and waistlines. Running worked. These days, I walk the same distances I used to run: 10K most weekdays, 20K on Sundays. Mondays are my well-earned rest day.
Now I’m known around the island, not by name, but as "that lady with the funny hat who walks everywhere." I hear it all the time: "I see you all over!"
Turning Routine into Ritual
My walking route varies slightly, but the framework is the same. My body knows the way, and that frees my mind. I plan, think, reflect, solve problems, and listen—to news podcasts, commentary, interviews, and music ranging from Andrea Bocelli to Leonard Cohen.
After a long search for the perfect earphones (many died in puddles or popped into mud), I now use earbuds on a string. Like mittens on kids, they never get lost.
I usually head out between 4 and 5 p.m., and I’m back just after sunset. Sundays I leave earlier for my longer loop. Every walk includes a mix of island scenery, from bustling roads to quiet stretches of beach.
Sometimes around sunset the view from Long Beach is breathtaking
The Route Might Sound Boring… But It’s Not
I walk north toward Klong Dao Beach, sometimes cutting over to the beach itself, or onto Long Beach on my way back. This is my favourite on the island. Sure, it’s the same path most days, but it’s full of life and different every time for 2 reasons:
It’s Koh Lanta’s busiest stretch—shops, cafes, tour booths, and bike rentals line the road.
It’s filled with familiar faces. Locals and visitors notice my daily rhythm. Some even comment if I’m "late."
I wear a drab bucket hat embroidered with Happy Cat faces (of course). While I blend in, I get noticed. Tuk-tuks used to offer me rides; now they wave or give thumbs-ups. Strangers honk. Kids high-five me. Even the restaurant staff smile and wave.
When Things Go Sideways
Walking here means watching your step. Literally. High curbs, potholes, gravel, and newly embedded reflectors demand attention.
Last week, I took one of my worst falls yet. My brain went into slow motion as I went down—shoulder and face first. There were no shops nearby to help.
I had fallen smack in the middle of the girlie bar strip.
Yes, those girls—the ones I’ve waved to for over a decade—rushed over. One picked up my water bottle, another my hat. I smiled, insisted I was fine, and limped off, trying to assess the damage. I was sore, embarrassed, and aching. Ten minutes later I called my partner for a pickup.
Did I go to the hospital? No. I wanted a shower, a quiet space, and air conditioning. My jaw ached. My shoulder throbbed. I probably cracked a rib and pulled a few things. I skipped walking the next day but was back on the road after that.
Healing and Moving Forward
The human body is amazing. A week later, my jaw is fine, and the pain is easing. I did a shorter walk on Sunday—only 2.5 hours.
Along the way, I watch how the island is doing. I see what’s opening, what’s closing, which dogs trot alongside me, which goats bleat, which cows moo. Resort staff wave, beach bars give a thumbs up. It might feel like I’m walking alone, but I’m never really alone.
I walk in sunshine, in light rain, and I wait out the heavy downpours. Tropical weather moves fast, and so do I.
Could Walking Be Your Thing?
Maybe walking isn’t your thing. Or maybe it could be. Start with a lively route. Take your time. Bring water. Stay curious. Wear good shoes. Open your eyes and ears. In Ottawa, I have a few go-to loops. Sometimes I drive to the busy tourist areas downtown for a change. I like to mix it up.
What keeps me walking isn’t discipline. It’s joy.
If I’ve inspired you to lace up your shoes, I’d love to hear about your favourite route.
A Question for You
Do you have a daily habit that helps you feel grounded, inspired, or joyful? Maybe it's walking, maybe it's something else. You can share in the comments below—I’d love to hear what keeps you moving.
Meet Lory & Norm Flach: Finding Joy on Their Mountain on Koh Lanta
Lory and Norm Flach, a retired Canadian couple, spent decades teaching in international schools across the globe — from South Africa and Indonesia to Afghanistan and Kohistan. When it came time to retire, they knew they wanted something different. Something meaningful.
Age: Lory 69, Norm 78
From: Born in the Saskatchewan, Canada and have lived all over the planet
Retired from: International School Teachers
Living in: Koh Lanta, Thailand
From International Classrooms to a Thai Island Home
Lory Thiessen and Norm Flach, a retired Canadian couple, spent decades teaching in international schools across the globe — from Curacao in the Caribbean, to Thailand and Malaysia, to Pakistan, to South Africa, to Indonesia and to Kazakhstan in Central Asia. When it came time to retire, they knew they wanted something tropical. Something special.
In 1996 they were in Bangkok and fell in love with Thai culture. This began a 10 year search for that special retirement place. In 2006, their search took them to Ao Nang, a beach town on the Thai mainland. Lory had heard good things about Koh Lanta so Norm asked real estate agent to show them properties in Ao Nang and Koh Lanta. That one day in 2006 changed everything. They fell in love with a secluded mountainside property on this small island, then undeveloped and wild.
As Lory says, “We just knew it was for us.”
Building a Dream, One Step at a Time
Over the following years, they built their home from the ground up — quite literally. At first, there was no power or infrastructure on their mountain, so they brought it all in themselves. From 2008 to 2014 they would return to Koh Lanta as many as 5 times a year while they were living in Sumatra, Indonesia.
When Norm and Lory moved from Sumatra to Kazakhstan in 2014, their retirement home was ready, but Lory was not ready for retirement. They moved all their furniture, collected from around the world, to their home in Koh Lanta and headed off for 3 years of a winter climate in Kazakhstan. Norm says the winter weather in Atyrau on the Caspian Sea was almost identical to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
In 2017 they moved to Koh Lanta “permanently”. Still, Lory was enjoying her working life in Education Administration. An ideal job emerged for her supervising schools in Southeast Asia for International Schools Services. The job was “ideal” because Lory was working remotely from her mountain home. Norm traveled with Lory when they visited her designated schools.
In 2024 Lory fully retired. They now live year-round in their peaceful paradise above the treetops.
A Rhythm They Love
Lory and Norm have settled into a routine that feels just right. Mornings start with yoga, then a walk on the beach with their sweet dog Chewy, followed by coffee and conversation at a favorite local café.
That’s also where ‘Farkle’ happens — a dice game that’s both simple and sneakily competitive. “It’s a daily tradition now,” says Lory with a smile. “We’ve taught quite a few people how to play.”
Afternoons are for staying cool, relaxing at home, and swimming laps in their hilltop pool. Evenings are often dinner with friends and the occasional twirl on the dance floor.
Exploring Passions, Old and New
Lory is embracing her love of cooking with a fresh sense of joy. Surrounded by local herbs, spices, and fresh ingredients, she’s experimenting with all kinds of exquisite dishes — Norm is happy to be her sous chef.
“It’s such a pleasure to have the time to enjoy cooking,” Lory says. “Cooking here is fun and creative, not a chore.”
Remote? Not at All
When asked if living “remotely” on an island was ever a concern, Lory gave a good laugh. “We’ve lived remote,” she said, recalling some of their previous postings. “This isn’t remote at all.”
With everything they need available online through Lazada (Thailand’s version of Amazon), they can shop for just about anything and have it delivered within days — from furniture to specialty kitchen tools.
Healthy Living, Peace of Mind
Their lifestyle is rooted in wellness — daily movement, fresh food, good company, and a sense of purpose. They both speak highly of Thailand’s healthcare system and aren’t concerned about medical care or finances. They stay informed about global affairs, but don’t dwell on the news.
As Norm puts it, “We’re happy, we’re healthy, and we’ve found our place.”
Welcoming the World
One of their greatest joys is welcoming visitors during the high season. Friends and family frequently come to stay, often falling in love with the island themselves — and returning for repeat visits. In the low season, Lory and Norm take time to travel, splitting their summers between Canada and new adventures.
Five Things Norm Loves About Life on Koh Lanta
The night before we met, Norm jotted down a list of what he most appreciates about life here:
Daily exercise
Eating healthy (and Lory’s cooking!)
A strong sense of community
Hosting friends and family
Contributing positively to the island community and the environment
A Life They Love
As our conversation wound down, both Lory and Norm emphasized just how happy they are.
“We’re living an exciting and fulfilling life,” Norm said. “It’s exactly where we want to be.”
What’s Next?
In my next newsletter (coming June 14th), I’m going to share how I exercise my brain.
Yes, it might sound a little quirky, but I believe if you don’t use it, you lose it!
Curious how I do this?
Stay tuned—it might just inspire you to shake off the cobwebs and give your noggin a little workout.
It’s all good!
I was a very active person doing a lot of walking, hiking, gardening, going to the gym working with weights and machines, doing a lot of outdoor chores (things reserved for men as I was the only woman performing those arduous chores such as lawn mowing, shoveling and maintaining a house. Women around here don't do those outside chores. All that to say, that since I have health issues (osteoarthritis in my back, hips and sacroiliac and leg pains (unknown causes) I can no longer perform those tasks without a lot of pain and I had to say good-bye to that former life. It's a grieving process. I still push through the pain to take a walk by the lake but it's not relaxing as people don't pick up their garbage and some dog owners don't pick up after their dogs. The alternative is walking on sidewalks which is too hard on my joints. No nice parks or green spaces to enjoy. Missed Québec for all its beautiful parks, picnic areas etc. Would love to take a stroll on the beach with you... sounds like fun except for the stray dogs. Take care and thank you for sharing!