... a beautiful place on this planet

Yes, it's been a month since our last post. Let's just pretend that's not the case and move on ... :) Most exciting thing to happen in our lives in last 30 days: a 4-day trip to Thailand - specifically Island of Phi Phi via Phuket. Now, I think most of you are aware of our love affair with Thailand ... which started when Dave/I jumped on a plane to travel the country, only 3 months into dating. Not only did our relationship survive the trip, but we came back truly believing Thailand to be the best vacation destination, possible.

So, 4.5 years later - we were itching to return and wondering if it could fill those huge shoes from the past.
To answer the question in two words: absolutely, yes!

No words can explain the breathtaking beauty of Phi Phi (this was our first time to visit). We'd heard about it (the location for the movie 'The Beach'), seen photos, read blogs - but nothing could prepare us for the truly stunning, natural landscape - untouched limestone islands, white sand, crystal clear turquoise water, cloudless sky. Yes, I've been to many a beach location that offers some of these elements. But, never all wrapped into one PLUS the added luxury of the gracious thai people, fabulous and cheap food & beer, and $10 thai massages in a beach cabana. Hard to believe the entire island was wiped out in the Tsunami. Reconstruction is still happening. Don't go expecting it to have the mass market resorts of Hawaii. Or finely crafted tourism of Mexico or the Mediterranean. Expect it to so much better. Expect to pinch yourself to believe that such a place really does exist ... and you really are there...

P.S. our 1-night stop-over stay in Phuket is not to ignore. We stayed at a small guest house of sorts, run by the loveliest man, Manit. Educated in Cambridge, his marketing and business savvy was strongly shaped (in good way) by western culture. But he maintained the Thai spirit in his exceptional service and demeanor. The Summer Breeze Inn provided us with a view into the simple, but seemingly full life of the Thai people and culture: tucked into a tiny neighborhood of the beaten path. A dinner of thai seafood, caught to order, at the one and only restaurant. Sitting on the porch by candlelight with Manit, when the electricity went out across the village. Drinking coke slushy's delivered as a surprise, by a long term lodger. Watching the neighborhood kids play together and adults converse, in the street, into the evening.