Enjoy Life! Keeping a record of my life in Asia

Been Too Long

Sat, 8 May 2010 08:59:04 +0700

Just returned from an outstanding long weekend away from the Red Shirts, away from the city sewer smell and the garbage. We rented a car, packed up a bag of toiletries as not much else was needed, and drove ourselves 350 km down the coast.

Thailand beaches are not the best generally if you have been to the Caribbean or Australia. However, we found one to rival all the above. Bang Krut truly was special and just deserted. We were generally the only souls on the 10 mile long stretch of white sand.

The food was outstanding, you can see one photo of a steamed fish marinated in lime, garlic and spicy Thai peppers. WOW it was good.

This place was a must if coming, it will change your mind of Thailand.

Getting Married

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:37:45 +0700

Yes, it is finally happening. Bec makes me extremely happy and we are really one mind, it’s a bit freaky sometimes. She loves the beach, she loves food and wine, she loves so many things and most of all she loves me. For the love of god I can’t figure out why. I am set in my way, cranky at times, sweat easily and then whinge about it. But needless to say she does and so with her father’s blessing (it wasn’t that hard) we are getting hitched next November in Hawaii.

My friend Heather says this photo makes me look crazed, maybe I am but it’s all good and I can not wait to make it permanent.

Hiking the Inca Trail

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:58:17 +0700

One of the greatest adventures to ever have is hiking the Inca Trail in Peru. Here is a summary video of our amazing trip.

An Aussie Christmas, in the Outback

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 10:30:17 +0700

Getting back from the US and dealing with the fact that Bangkok was only running low teen occupancy due to the airport closure for two weeks prior and the political party struggles in Thailand was a lot to deal with. Did we need to do layoffs or not, how do we tell 700 staff members that just before Christmas everyone would have to take two or three days without pay just to keep the hotel afloat. Well the holidays do march forward as does time and we had been planning a quick Christmas with Bec’s parents a week after our return.

So down to Sydney I went for a great four days down under with the Moore family. However, what I wasn’t expecting was a Christmas gift of an overnight trip to Ayers Rock. Known now as Uluru from the Aboriginal language, it is a magical rock in the middle of the country and the desert of Australia.

About a three hour flight from Sydney, Bec surprised me with this quick trip as well as a dinner in the desert known as Sound of Silence. At the dinner the guide takes you through what you are seeing in the southern hemisphere (new to me) in the sky as well as the sounds of nature that are surrounding you.

An amazing experience if anyone ever has a chance to do the trip. I am a very lucky person to have such a wonderful girlfriend who loves her country and wants to share it with this “seppie” from “America”.

What a couple of months it’s been...

Thu, 8 Jan 2009 09:12:30 +0700

The last two months started with Bec and I heading to the states for US Thanksgiving. It would be the first time Bec meets my father and Glenora, although they had been email pals for so long and it seemed they had a closer relationship than she and I did at times.

Bec started this journey actually a week prior with work taking her from Sydney to Singapore (9 hrs) then on to London (14 hrs) then back to Singapore then back to Sydney only to connect to an overnight (11hr) flight up to Tokyo to meet me. We then went on to Dallas (13 hrs) to connect to Palm Beach. While in Dallas we were able to meet up with old friends, Dan and Thanet (I had never met Thanet only emailed for 10 years). It was so nice meeting them at the airport and the fact that they took time on a Sunday to come to meet us was so special.

We went on to Palm Beach and had a wonderful time with some of my dearest friends, Linda and Sally Jo as well as Jeff and his new wife Catherine. Linda hosted a great get together bringing together SJs new family, whom I had not met since she moved to Maui.

Up to Lecanto (north of Tampa) we went for the Big Thanksgiving and few rounds of golf as is always required. Kyra brought her new beau Steve and the small house was filled with all of us coming and going and of course eating a ton as Americans do over Thanksgiving.

Following the Thanksgiving holiday, Bec and I ended up back down in Miami and the Florida Keys. Even though it was cold (a relative term) and the beach time was limited to one afternoon, I still had a great time showing Bec my world of Miami and South Florida.
Even took in a Jason Mraz concert which was outstanding.

This whole time we were in Florida we had had a bit of a political take over here in Bangkok and our airport was shut down and no flight in or out for nearly two weeks. While that was disastrous for our business it was good that it happened while we were out of the country.

Once back in Bangkok, it was clean up the desk and get ready for an Aussie Christmas.