I was finally able to meet up with my parents on the island nation of Singapore. It truly is one of the cleanest big cities that I have ever been to and the people are proud of it! I used the very easy metro system to get into town and met my parents sitting at a cafe outside their hotel - what a relief it was to see them after all the shuffling around! Big hugs all around :).
They had already booked us a trip over to Bali, Indonesia since although Singapore may be a shoppers heaven (I've never seen so many shopping malls!) it did not have much character. We did however visit little India and my first meal shared with my parents was introducing them to some of my favorites acquired in the 6 months that I was there.
The resort in Bali was the nicest place I have ever stayed. We had a little villa near the gorgeous pool (including waterfalls, cave poolside bar and personal jacuzzi seats). A games area with pool, foosball, darts and pingpong was
fun and to spite the heat outside, our place was a refrigerator, well stocked with fresh fruit and water. My favorite part was the outdoor shower that was a fantastic experience the one night that it rained (the hot and cold water combining to make a most relaxing clean! We feasted on Balinese Barbecue and watched golden dancers twist and weave to the eery bells and flutes of local music. We drove through local artisan villages to visit silversmiths and woodcarvers and ate another delicious meal with a view of the islands main volcano. On our last day, we snorkeled in the reef and fed the fish with bread. They ate right out of our hands and I absolutely loved it! That was the pinacle of the trip for me - there in the open water with both of my wonderful parents feeding exotic fish an afternoon lunch :). We also stopped on Turtle Island and fed sea turtles, held a couple exotic birds and I even played with the cutest bat you've ever seen and a giant snake!
We returned to Singapore for some shopping and a night safari which was quite fun. I got to try out a therapy that is banned in the states by putting my feet into an aquarium full of nibble fish that feel like little vibrations and suction eating your dead skin cells. Your feet emerge smooth as can be! Very cool. It was a sad goodbye when I boarded my next flight to Phuket, Thailand, but it made my holidays complete. This is my first Christmas away from home and spending time with my parents was much needed!! I love you Mom and Dad!I met a few friends on Phuket island for Mandy's Birthday. Another Thai paradise, we stayed in the magnificent Indigo Pearl resort (Thank You
Kerry!) and with the theme of a tin mine that used to exist there, the attention to detail was incredible. With 3 pools, 2 of which were adults only infinty pools and shops, several restaurants and bars, big grassy areas to lounge on and 
right across from the beach, you couldn't ask for much more. We had a great time lighting lanterns at night, sending our wishes into the starry skies and playing on the beach. We snorkeled in even clearer water than Bali and this time the fish favorite was bananas - I must have fed thousands! They crowded in, an inch from my face, nipping anything they could get close to, I even held one by its tail! Ha, brilliant.Next stop, Kerry and I hopped a ferry over to PhiPhi Island, which although beautiful as well, was a bit overdeveloped and being squashed by construction everywhere. Accommodation was expensive, but we tracked down a decent place through the throngs of beach clad vacationers. Unfortunately, something came up back in Bangkok and Kerry had to leave the next day so I made my own plans to move on as well to Krabi, famous for its limestone cliff climbing. Before I left however, I watched the local women, swathed in Thai batik sarongs, taking advantage of the receding tide, sift through stones and naked coral for hidden crabs and enjoyed a Singapore Sling (the real Sling from the famed Raffles Hotel cost about $23!!) while catching up on my journal. In the evening, I had one of the best massages of my life - a traditional Thai massage, stretching me like salt water taffy! The next morning, with a breakfast of fresh fruit, the tide having come back, I walked along the waters edge strewn with boulders carved in the seas image, undulating and lapping at the land. I couldn't resist getting in the water once more but soon enough it was time to go.
Alone again, I hadn't figured out my direction from Krabi just yet, when a group of guys asked if I wanted to share a taxi into town. They had a flight to Koh Samui (where my parents and I had originally planned on going) and at $40, I decided to join them. I sacrificed the rock climbing for a good deal on a flight and the next day I found myself on island #5. The group split since most of them were looking for a wild and crazy beach to party all night on and I was looking for something a little more quiet. Nick, from London and I found some beach bungalows on a splendid little beach on the north side of the island. Ahh to be lulled to sleep every night by the sound of waves! :) Nick was great company and he also introduced me to the Heros TV series which was our nightly entertainment - I was hooked! We both tried windsurfing for the first time, SO much fun and NOT as easy as it looks! I also sprung for yet another massage and this was my new BEST! In a cute little open air hut with sheer curtains and a mere 5 meters from the rolling waves. The sensation of Tiger Balm simultaneously heating while the sea breeze cooled was intense. A floral scented cold compress on my eyes and face, she actually walked on my back and rolled me up onto her knees, suspending me and stretching me in the air! Wow, if only I had that every week!
Once Nick left to meet his friend on Koh Tao, I hired a motorbike (about $5 for 24hrs!) to explore the rest of the island. Dotted with numerous elaborate golden temples, shimmering with mirror work and watched over by giant Buddhas. I drove through palm plantations, hiked up dirt tracks looking for good view/picture points, bought more succulent fruits along the way and raced down the roads, topping out at a whopping 70k/hr, the winds narrowing my eyes and whipping my ponytail, my helmet slipping down making me feel like a super hero on vacation :). Ahh, I love the freedom of a motorbike! The next morning, I woke up early to visit one more site, I had the "Big Buddha" all to myself and a fantastic view of the island. !!!
Now, back in the mainland, I am looking forward to exploring Chiang Mai. I have no idea where I will be for Christmas... wish me luck on finding a suitable place to celebrate!
No comments:
Post a Comment