F P W L _ Day 1

We arrived at Phuket International very early.
As a matter of fact, we were on the first flight out - at the check-in counter by 5.30am, on board by 6.40am, in Phuket by 8.30am. What a start. Early early early.

Our host was to be Steven Emma, an American now in Thailand. Steve himself has - shall we say - a unique past. But that is his story to tell. Suffice it to say that he welcomed us. Sleepily, but graciously. :) I was to find out later that Steve is a man after my own heart. A very late riser. Aw yeah! lol.

Steve has a beautiful house. He's ensured his gardens are lush, thriving and it was gorgeous but welcoming. However else can it be on Phuket? :) But I didn't take any pictures of the inside so you'll have to be content with these.


From the driveway, off to the left, the start of the garden. You can just see the 2 spirit houses. One for the land, and one for the physical house itself. Very important these, in Thailand.

Steve is also the only person I know of who has 2 parts to his kitchen. Both parts complete with stovetops. lol. Here's one of the many walkways into his gorgeous garden.

Which opens up on to this lovely secluded nook.


Steve even has lush greens growing up on his roof, which he calls the sundeck. Yeah, where I slipped and fell in the evening. haha. But it was worth it. He has this gigantic creeper that's growing like crazy with beautiful, seamless flowers and which smelt like jasmine. Does anyone know what this plant is?

And the guest room. No, make that the bathroom. (I am a woman. Bathroom's are very important! Need I say anything more?) Yeah! My first shower? I just stood there for a few moments to enjoy the view!

We settled in quickly and then we were off for lunch.
The interesting thing about this trip was that it wasn't full of mad touristy things. I thought a lot about what we did and the words that come to mind are quiet, restful and thoughtful. But more on that later.

Lunch was at Don's Cafe. Don being a ex-NASA engineer who saw loads of excitement with his tenure at NASA and then moved to this beautiful island to retire. As we left, there were these two papier-mache-like cows at the front and and it was a Quick! Sit on one of them! I'll take a picture! moment. There's Bernie on a cow and Steve, well masking his bewilderment at these 2 strange women . I rather suspect he was beginning to regret having us.....

Back at Steve's and into the pool. Oh yes, did I not mention? Steve had a pool and we were water babies throughout the 4 days :)


Another surprise. Don's had an adjunct complex which sold essentials and meats. And sausages! Yum yum sausages! Perhaps it's because there are so many Europeans on the island that winter the season away that most places served nordic foods. And I got me some bratwursts. I don't think Steve expected us to cook but yes. Cook we died. We provided dinner that night and Steve and his friend Mr Wood plus us two ladies sat down to an unexpected home-cooked meal.


More to follow!