Getting from the massage place to the hotel was difficult enough, but getting from the hotel to the airport in the pouring down rain proved to be even more so. We had agreed upon a certain price for our ride, but the driver ended up asking for more because the streets were so bad and there was so much traffic. We told him if he could get us to the airport on time for our flight, we'd pay him the extra. He held up his end of the bargain, so we did too.
We made it in time to grab a quick fast food dinner and then boarded our plane for the short flight to Phuket. Once we arrived in Phuket, we then had to take a taxi forty-five minutes to our resort. It was dark and we couldn't see much on the way, plus we were really tired, but once we arrived to the Vijiit Resort, we quickly woke up. The driver took us inside, through the security gate, and dropped us at the most beautiful reception area I'd ever seen. It sat outside under a patio of sorts. Two women offered us the most warm welcome, adorning our wrists in beautiful flowers and giving us scented towels with which we freshened up. The bellman took our luggage and placed it aside while we were given tea. Then we had our photo taken (which we never saw actually). I signed some papers and then two other workers at the resort loaded our things into the back of a golf cart and whisked us away to our upgraded villa. Why were we upgraded? I don't know, but I wasn't about to argue.
We walked through our own private gate into the place we'd call home for the next three nights. Katy and I looked at each other like we'd died and gone to heaven. We were in our "honeymoon suite," later to be named the "friend moon suite." We were the only non-couple couple at the resort. Everyone else we met was on their actual honeymoon. Katy and I were there because she found this beautiful place, and we pretended we were sent to review it.
The villa had a king size bed in the center of the room. The bathroom facilities were the entire length of the villa down the right side. There was a wonderfully stocked wet bar, then the "hers and hers" sinks, followed by a huge jacuzzi tub and the toilet was hidden off to the back. Off the right side of the bathroom was an outdoor shower. Both the tub and the shower had huge wooden windows that opened to an amazing view of the ocean.
The bedroom portion of the villa was completely surrounded by windows and I knew we'd have some view when we woke the next morning. I don't know how we ever got to sleep that night because the excitement was overwhelming, but sleep we did. I woke up early, before the sun, and went out on the balcony. I spent two and a half hours out there, praying, meditating, practicing Tai Chi, and thanking God for an amazing holiday, His beautiful creation, and a great friend that would share the experience. Katy didn't wake for the first sunrise, but she caught the next one and marveled at the view, just like I had done.
The few days we spent in Phuket were amazing. We had room service for breakfast, lunch at a nearby beach, and dinner at the resort's restaurant. Even the wait staff there thought we were having a "romantic dinner" and we kept giggling and letting everyone know we weren't a couple. Our first beach day was very laid back and relaxing. The second day was a bit more chaotic as we visited the nearby Patong, a mix of the "Dirty Myrtle" and Bourbon Street. It wasn't a clean place, and it was very touristy. Those two things are what I try to stay away from when traveling. While lying on the beach, we were harassed by several men, women, and children trying to sell us something or to get us to go for a parasailing or jet skiing trip. "You scared, you American scared," one guy kept saying. In one breath he was insulting us, in the next breath he was hitting on us. The ladies wanted to give us massages; I can't imagine anything more disgusting on a hot day than being rubbed down with oil by a total (filthy) stranger on a beach. The children were even rude in trying to get us to buy sunglasses. It was not enjoyable, but an experience nonetheless.
After the visit to Patong, I was more than happy to get back to our resort and to spend some time lounging at the pool.
Our time in Phuket came to an end all too quickly. I was sad to have to leave such a beautiful place, despite the jaded memories from Patong. Katy and I contemplated that we would now really have difficulty trying to find an actual honeymoon spot when the time came to celebrate with husbands. We were spoiled, that's for sure.
We got up early on the morning of our departure, 4 am, and headed back to the airport. The resort had packed us a lovely little box breakfast for our journey. The hospitably of the Vijiit was above and beyond anything I have seen in a long time, even coming from Charleston, which is known for it's friendliness.
When we arrived in Bangkok, Katy went on to her connecting flight for Cambodia. I spent one more day in Bangkok on my own, but that's where this entry ends. Wonderful memories from our "friend moon," and more adventures to come.
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