Another Day in Paradise....

When Matt and I originally planned this trip, we thought of Thailand as our "vacation within a vacation". We figured after 3 months of travel in India and Nepal, we would be ready to hit the beach and do absolutely nothing. Despite that fact that India turned out to be much more difficult and Nepal much easier than we imagined, Thailand has delivered all as promised. We have done absolutely nothing, for the most part. Which probably explains why I have had little to blog about. So, let me describe to you what exactly "nothing" entails, Thai-style....
Before arriving in Bangkok late two nights ago, we spent nine nights in utter paradise. It was really the perfect type of pause, or vacation within a vacation- one that gently coerced us into slowing down and finding the rhythm of our surroundings. We traveled by bus and boat to Koh Tao, a popular diving spot in southern Thailand. We immediately went to the less touristy and less populated area of the island, settling in a small, family-run beach resort. Our bungalow was nestled on a semi-high hill above a crystal blue bay- The Gulf of Thailand. The water was so clear we could see the reef from our porch! All around us were huge granite boulders and lush green trees, interrupted only by their blossoms of fluorescent pink, deep red, and crisp white. As Matt said, it looked like some kind of exotic Japanese garden.
Here's how our days passed...
Wake, eat breakfast at the small restaurant on the beach, head back to the bungalow and settle in to our hammock made for two. There we'd read and nap until mid or late afternoon. Then we'd venture down to the beach for some sunbathing, snorkeling, swimming, and of course more reading. I read two books while there! Evenings were spent over a slow dinner and a round of backgammon.
And....that's about it. It has been a long time since I have exerted myself, well- so little! :)
Now we are back in Bangkok and it seems startling, the amount of life and activity in this bustling city! Wow!