Chaloklum ~ The Villiage of No Last Names by Patrick Ashtre

Like John Wesley Powell’s expedition down the Colorado River, where he discovered the Grand Canyon, or Lewis and Clark’s search for a tributary to the Missouri River, where they found what is now known as Yellowstone National Park, it’s not unusual for modern-day travelers to seek out, or stumble across, a rare and special setting that leaves them with everlasting memories. Like these famous explorers, regular people can roam the world and, on occasion, find themselves surrounded by an uncommon beauty and peacefulness. A gorgeous setting with spectacular jungle-laden hills, cascading streams and waterfalls, encircled by crystal-clear waters teeming with vibrant sea life, Chaloklum fulfilled Patrick Ashtre’s need to be surrounded by nature’s beauty. This small community broke all the rules and destroyed his preconceived notions about needing to find a comfortable place populated by like-minded individuals. Its varied and unique residents balancing perfectly with Ashtre’s need for companionship, the small village of Chaloklum taught him more in a few short years, about who he really was, than he had learned in a lifetime of experiencing wondrous sites and exciting adventures.

Chaloklum, The Village of No Last Names is about taking a chance. It’s a love story and shows how one can’t help but be influenced by Buddhism, whether or not you’re a follower, while you’re living in its cradle. It’s a tale about finding a home that came in the form of a fishing village on an island in the Gulf of Thailand.