Bliss in Thailand

Art

Shortly after our arrival in Singapore, old friends from Hong Kong invited us to join them on a trip to the islands of Phuket and Samui in southern Thailand where we have mutual friends who've retired there. It was way too good an offer to pass up! So over the Chinese New Year we took a short flight first to Phuket. Our friend, Art met us at the airport where we then waited for Tony and Joanne to arrive from Hong Kong.

Phuket

The next couple of days were spent in a private condo that Art had reserved for our use in the complex where he now lives. It's a lovely place within walking distance of a stunning beach and loads of shopping in Phuket and Patong. It so happens that Art's mother, Alice was also visiting from Nova Scotia and she was a true delight as well! She and John spared no feelings in unending teasing about whose lobster was better (Boston or Nova Scotia's) with, of course, no winners and fortunately no bruised feelings either!

On Saturday, we all piled into Art's SUV and drove across the peninsula (a 3+ hour drive) to the ferry that would take us over to Samui (see our route here). Let's just say driving in Thailand is quite an experience and not for the weak-willed. The locals seem to only partially obey the rules of the road and there are mini-bikes that just sort of go where they want. Then there's the trucks (or lorries in British-speak) that are piled so high with goods they defy any sort of common-sense. In particular, one small pick-up was stacked to unreal heights with custom-made furniture swaying to and fro as it sped along the highway. One wonders if it ever made it to its final destination in tact.

Coconut Sands

Thankfully, we made it with no mishaps and then enjoyed a pleasant 1 1/2 hour trip on the ferry. A short ride later and we were at Coconut Sands Resorts where our other old friend, Mick and his wife Dhai live. They had reserved the private villa right next door and we were all made very comfortable in this Balinese style home with a private pool! Well, okay the first night the air conditioning in our room left us "sweltering" as it turns out the compressor had gone. This was duly corrected the following day. However, on the final morning of our stay the plumbing under the kitchen sink went and we had a mini-flood. But never mind because all of this was superseded by fun and frolic not to mention a bounty of exquisite Thai food.

The first night we ate at the local restaurant just at the corner where we have eaten at least once every time we've visited in the past. The food is prepared by a local Thai family at super bargain rates and always proves to be a great meal. On Sunday, we all relaxed and then had massages provided by a local masseuse in the comfort of our own pool-side pagoda. How do you spell H-E-A-V-E-N!? That was followed by a short ride up the island to Chaweng where we ate another stunning meal in the magical atmosphere of an equally stunning restaurant/resort called The Spirit House.

The next day we chartered a 43-foot catamaran and attempted to sail to another smaller island off the coast of Samui. The winds were a bit too light but the boat was very pleasant and staffed by a very accommodating crew that never seemed to tire of handing out drinks, towels or whatever you might need. Eventually, we motored over to our destination and enjoyed another meal at a beach-front restaurant. The menu included Thai as well as Western-style foods. We opted for Thai despite our host's reminder that his wife was planning a home-cooked Thai banquet that evening to which we all replied "What's your point?" As far as we were concerned there's no such thing as too much Thai food. Afterwards, the winds still proved feeble so we motored back and then prepared for that banquet.

Indeed, Dhai and her local Thai friends had spent the entire afternoon preparing dish after dish. Our gang of six were joined by a German couple who also own a villa at the resort and Mick's mother from Britain who now lives nearby. We were all feted with delicious Tom Yum soup, freshly baked fish, special flaky-fried catfish with green papaya that left us wishing for more as well as many other dishes topped off by sticky rice cooked in coconut milk with sliced mangoes for dessert. Can't thank Dhai enough for this feast nor Mick for his friendship and generosity.

Alas, the next day it was time for our return trip back to Phuket for one more night before our return to Singapore. Many thanks also to Art and Alice for making our stay in Phuket so warm and wonderful as well and to Tony and Joanne for including us in the first place! It was a terrific re-union and so glad we could all get together again! We look forward to many more such adventures in the bliss of Thailand! To see more from our adventure, there's a picture gallery here!

Our Little Home Away from Home

Happy New Year and Welcome to the Year of the Dragon!

When I last posted, we had just moved into our apartment but were preparing to return to the U.S. for the holidays. Now we are back in Singapore and learning how to get settled in our small flat on the 24th floor at a place called City Lights. It may be tiny and efficient but we are trying to make it feel like home.

You'll see there is no artwork yet but over time we'll get some things on the walls to improve upon that. I am still learning how to cope with so little cupboard space in the kitchen as well as how to use the portable convection oven and make meals with a two-burner stove.

Sky Terrace

But the fabulous Sky Terrace linking the adjacent tower block on the floor of our apartment feels like a secret private garden that can't be beat! In all, it seems to be working out and we are quite happy with it! You can view more of our place at this link.

Meanwhile, I'll get back to posting more about life here. Hoping 2012 is good to you all!