Vacay Does a Body Good!
I have tried to get better about blogging. I have all these ideas and notions and try to set up reminders on my checklists (yes, I’m a huge list girl) but when it comes down to it, between the varying hours of my job, writing and planning different segments and keeping up with my very fun best friends, I have been exhausted and not on track with keeping it up.
Therefore I couldn’t have been happier when the morning of October 28th came about. The best part about doing segments across the country is being able to schedule them in tandem with weddings, visits and special occasions with my friends that live in those areas. But this time, I was ready to really take a break – that is, turn off the cell phone and really try to step away from the email. While I kept in contact with the office everyday, this vacation gave me the chance to really recharge and rejuvenate my body. I worked out, read two books, meditated and did yoga. And while I was ready to get home, I still find myself looking at the gorgeous pictures and thinking… “Take me back.”
Where was I for the past 9 days ….. THAILAND! I absolutely love traveling and have to say that Thailand has been one of the most beautiful countries I have been to date. The Thai people are so kind and with Buddha’s being present literally everywhere, there is something so ethereal and spiritual about the country that it’s hard to describe unless you are physically there.
My brother has been studying and backpacking until his job begins in December and my family met him in Bangkok. We were originally slated to stay there but immediately flew to Phuket due to the flooding. It wasn’t as bad in the central parts of the city, but it was still interesting to see many of the barricades set up and flour bags piled in front of storefront windows and doors.
If anyone is planning on going to Phuket in the near future, I would recommend staying at the most incredible Westin Siray Beach Hotel. The entire hotel is built on a mountain and has numerous infinity pools and romantic seating areas throughout the complex. The view below is beyond picturesque and the sunsets and rain storms that occur once a day are amazing. I would also recommend taking a day to visit the islands of Ko Phi Phi (where the movie, The Beach, was filmed) or Crabby by boat and/or spending the day at Kata Beach or in Patong. This area is like the Asian version of Miami without the glitz and glamour — a little much, but worthwhile to get the experience.
The other thing that I was beyond looking forward to upon venturing to Thailand was the FOOD! I know many of you know how much I really enjoy the eating/restaurant process, which was why I was very much in charge of our dinner plans. I like to get a Thai opinion of the best places and don’t like to consult the concierge’s at the hotel – many times they will try to send you to an American venue of choice (in my family we would often say, “kickbacks”.) Favorite restaurants and bars included Baan Rim Pa, Crepes & Co. in Bangkok and the gorgeous Lebua Hotel Bar/Sirocco (tallest building in Bangkok and home to the famous “stair” scene in Hangover 2).
I love noting the different trends and styles of different countries when I travel, so another blog post on the trends of Thailand and some of the goodies I brought back coming up next…..
