Paradise

i think ive mentioned, but i will again, that i have upaid days from work i am 'encouraged' to take and then couple that with very cheap flash sales by a major airline in the region and it equals paradise!  so, the haggis jetted off to taiwan for a stag do and i came to phuket to relax and get my chipped tooth fixed as medical tourism is very big in thailand.  i stayed at the most glorious banyan tree and had a wonderful time doing yoga, eating delicious food, reading, napping and swimming in their beautiful winding pool or in the amazing andaman sea.

after getting a new driver from the airport and therefor doubling the time it should have taken - upon check in, i received the welcome sweet water drink, cool towel and floral bracelet requisite for any tropical hotel in asia.  i gave the floral bracelet a sniff and thought if only i could bottle this.  in all my time, ive never smelled anything as lovely - not in a single bottle of expensive perfume or in any other country other than thailand.  then, i was told they upgraded me to a pool villa, not a jacuzzi villa.  oh the JOY!!!  and off i shuttled to my digs.  the villa was large with a big sunken bed, an outdoor bathtub and my own private pool!  i could not have been happier if only my wee haggis was with me.

over the next couple of days, i did yoga and pilates (offered free), had delicious thai food, went to the beach and relaxed by the pool.  i took long baths in the outdoor bath and swam nekkid in my villa pool.

it is not yet the busy season so it wasnt too bad.  a few koreans, japanese and mainlanders but by far, everyone was out numbered by the russians.  i think they could compete with the chinese for "worlds loudest tourists" easily.

anyway, i am still here waiting to shuttle off to the hotel and will post more photos but here is one of the main property (below).  i am looking forward to seeing the wee haggis whom i have not seen since thursday night, really, but it is a beautiful day and i am sad to leave this little slice of heaven.