Beaches, Boats, and Birthday Bashes!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Bangkok, Thailand
Well, it's hard work being out here, touring around southern Thailand, but someone's got to do it. Someone should be enjoying all the clear blue seas and cloud-spotted skies, warm waters and an array of beautiful fishies... and last week that someone just had to be me. And 14 of my new best friends. Tha's right- Brad joined us!
 
It was rough . You know, just when you get used to a hard bamboo floor and lumpy pillow, heavy humidity and 4am rooster calls, Brad has to show up and check us into a super swanky, air conditioned resort with gardens, a pool, and a short walk to a pristine tropical beach paradise. Oh well. 
 
To ease this transition, we chartered a boat for 2 days, complete with 3 fabulous guides who cut up pinapple and watermelon for us, served us bananas, made us lunch and took us snorkeling and kayaking to and around remote islands. Sigh.
 
The first night our beach front bungalows did not have air conditioning. But they did have hammocks overlooking the bay, so we made do.
 
Both nights out, we had dinner with Muslim families, and they cooked the most astounding spread of curries and fish and vegetables with sticky rice, coconut goodies, and of course, more fresh fruit. The second night we got to have a sleep over at one family's house, and experience a little bit of the Muslim culture that predominates in the south of Thailand .
 
We got back to our resort just in time for Greg's 31st birthday. I'm sure he wanted to be somewhere else, but we forced him to enjoy coconut shakes, masaman curry and a night of reggae music and dancing, with live fire dancers. 
 
Truthfully, it may have been the perfect blend of relaxation, fun, learning, activity, culture, and PLAY! 
 
Which is good, because over the next 2 days we took boats, buses, trains, taxis, planes and trucks to INDIA!! Which is where I sit now- safely watching over our fully bonded and well-seasoned team of travelers as they adjust to a colorful new culture.
 
The adventure continues!

"Momma C"

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