Thailand: Day 12

I woke up most mornings and would get some quiet time in prior to Gabe 

joining me at the pool.  I thought it was cute he documented the resort/me!

Ahhh the vacation life ... How could this ever get old.

AND, I had to document the spring roll gals that I mentioned in my last post.  This was their "stand" on the sand, rain or shine ... they were there.  It was the most fabulous spring roll I've ever eaten, and we supported them three days in a row for lunch as it was the perfect lunch snack after a big breakfast.  I am a super picky eater and meats gross me out, so it really was the perfect fix for me.  They also made a tasty salad with all fresh veggies and a spicy dressing.  Delicious!!!

Then we worked it off with a long ride in the double kayak - although, I must say my husband didn't appreciate my kayaking skills.  He said I made it more frustrating and requested I just sit there in the middle of sea and enjoy the sights.  Haha, really Gabe!?!

The beginning of this makes me smile with us saying "hey" same pitch and all, and then I may make you sick trying to figure out how to kayak while videoing.  I mastered it later, but this one ended up being my fav!

Then our afternoon daily massage:  these Thai gals loved Gabe ;)

and we went back to our room TO FIND a package with our name on it.  Our SUITS (yay yay) delivered as promised, such a relief.  We will be using Thai Tailor for years to come as they really did an exceptional job and exceeded our expectations.  Sure hope my weight doesn't fluctuate, ever, as they only have the current measurements on file.

Swanky little outdoor bar with swings I loved

Nom nom nom - The Thai food never got old

and our night ended watching the stars ....

If only I had a trust fund and could quit my job and escape to the other side of the world, just to travel from country to country.

Thailand: Day 11

We are a coffee, espresso, latte family.  Seattle has definitely turned Gabe into a coffee guy, and I have grown up around it with it being a staple in my home growing up.  Still to this day, my dad probably drinks 15+ cups a day.  I kid you not, there is no exaggeration as it is probably more like 20 cups a day.  The coffee pot is always going at the office, and he makes a full pot at night when he walks in the door from work at 7pm.  He's an addict and will need it in dripped directly his veins one of these days :)

After breakfast, we headed out to Fisherman's Village, 

which was a great shopping area just a 10-15 minute walk away.

We realized everything didn't open for a few more hours and the sun was out, so we headed back to the hotel and to head to the pool.  Yes please!!

We saw people left and right there were just fried.  Like lobster friend, and I didn't understand it.  Until this day when I was just going to layout for an hour or so, and I might have put on a little oil as the hotel provided it so kindly.  Which I regretted later after burning.  UGH, and I did so good up until this point.

Then, after much debate and checking out many other hotels in the vicinity, we decided to pick up and check in to the hotel directly next door.  It was actually the hotel I wanted to stay-in in the first place, but they were completely booked for the beginning of our Koh Samui trip.  And Gabe totally agreed as the Anantara was stunning, but we kind of got swallowed up in the 5 star resort as it was so large.  We happily packed up and walked our bags to the hotel next door.

This makes hotel #6 in 11 days :)

We fell in love just seconds after arriving and knew this was the place we would call home for the next 3 nights.  The Bo Phut Resort & Spa was incredible, just exactly what we wanted and although it's hard to believe, it was more relaxing.

We walked right out our terrace to this .... HEAVEN!

I took more naps sitting out here than I ever anticipated.

NOW, for one of my favorite things while we were in Samui and staying in BoPhut was the spring roll stand directly on the beach.  The sweet ladies sat out there for 10 hours at a time, and this "street food" was my fav!

Then, we cleaned up and took a picture at our hotel before the humidity got to us, haha!

How cool is this dinner spot overlooking the beach with this HUGE tree!

 

And, I'm pretty sure I was in bed by 9pm ... 

Thailand: Day 10

I know it's the worst way to start my day in regards to my metabolism, BUT I am not one who eats breakfast.  Ever.  My regular morning consists of me running out the door to work, and I'm lucky if I could brew coffee for the road.  But, if it's available without me having to give up minutes of sleep, I will absolutely indulge.  Like below :)

Omelet, extra crispy bacon, fruit, and 

TWO types of toast to go with my fresh orange marmalade.

Check out that lush forest behind me.

The Anantara Spa - such a soothing sanctuary

Hubs exploring it all

The hammock was totally calling my name!! 

And of course, so was the SPA!

And it never got old to say, we just dreamed, chatted, and read!

Then this was one of my ALL time favorite nights in Thailand as we were the first to arrive to dinner and the last to leave.  As much as I love technology ... it's times like this that make you realize how fantastic life can be without them as they are the biggest distraction.  Just me, the hubs, and nowhere else I'd rather be. 

Until next time .... LOVE

Thailand: Day 9

Our last morning in Chiang Mai consisted of us being super-duper-excited to pick up our tailored suits just before catching a redtruck to the airport.  

Quick overview to catch everyone up to speed ...

- on Friday night at 9pm, we spur of the moment popped into a store and pulled the trigger to get tailored suits.  We picked out our material, chose our so-called preference style from a picture book, and the salesman took our measurements.  Someone came to pick up the material and measurements while we were there and left to get to work :)  We paid for half the total cost in Thai Bhat hoping their work was up to our standards and we would receive our suits before leaving town 36 hours later.

- on Saturday morning at 10am, we went for our first fitting and was pleased with fit and requested for some of the material to be let out so it wouldn't be SO fitted.  Heck, I wanted to be able to sit down.

- on Saturday night at 9pm, we went for our final fitting.  The suit was 90% completed (yes they did two beautiful suits and one of Gabe's shirts in 24 hours).  They just needed to make final tweaks and press it for us to pick up Sunday morning.

- on Saturday night, we also decided heck these are amazzzzzing, we should order MORE!  So, we picked out another suit material for our second suits, which is hysterical as we chose the same.  I actually picked out the first one for Gabe and then went with the same when I decided to get a suit made.  Then, I picked out the second material and Gabe went along with that one too.  We are total TWINS, but will never wear them to the same place at the same time as we don't work together.  So, we both win!!!

- on Sunday morning, we were completely satisfied with each suit and paid for the remainder of the first set as well as the second set of suits and four shirts for Gabe with his initials embroidered on the cuff.  The salesman told me it would be best for him to keep the the suits to be able to make an identical copy ... which means I left with nothing.  Period.  No suits, no shirts, just a receipt and my information for him to mail them to our hotel in Koh Samui with our name on the box.

I must say, I was quite on the fence being in another country trusting one so, but he assured me that he "would be in trouble with the Gods if he took customers money without providing a final product."  My lovely readers, you will have to wait and see if we received it across the country in the islands of Koh Samui!

************

Off to the airport for Koh Samui, in my new sandals from the market :)

From the northwest of Thailand, to the southern tip

Bangkok Airways is the only airline to fly into the small Koh Samui airport, which was a sleepy airport with I think four gates.  I didn't realize this island was as small as it was until arriving and the fact that taxis weren't available and only prearranged shuttles.  

We chose to stay in BoPhut at the Five Star Anantara Hotel as it was just a redtruck away from the shopping in Chewang and nightlife, which was ideal to us.  We saw a lot of relaxation on the horizon.

In awe of this place~!

Found the perfect spot to park a few hotels down @ the Coconut Rum

Ohh, how I miss the island life as a vacationer!!