Thailand

Jeff and I spent a lovely winter holiday in Thailand, taking in the craziness of Bangkok, lounging beside pools, and dipping our toes in the Andaman Sea during dinners. We've both been before, but this time we traveled to Koh Samui and Koh Yao Yai (a much lesser known and less developed island), both islands we hadn't seen before. 

Soi Rambuttri - the "little bit quieter" alternative to the jam-packed Khao San Road

A giant water monitor on Chao Phraya River. We got lucky and saw one of these in Bohol, too, but it was not nearly as big as the ones we saw in Bangkok!

Somehow we made it across this street alive!

Koh Samui 

PS - This island has the best airport we'd ever been to - it was so serene and lush, an outdoor boulevard that is so well kept - far from the usual hustle of an airport.

I had no idea the banana flower is quite so large!

Part of the walk from our bungalow to the hotel restaurant on Koh Yao Yai. 

This place was awesome! Our booking on Koh Lanta was suddenly cancelled (suddenly meaning just a day before we were meant to arrive!), and Thailand at Christmastime is not a time to be without a room. Despite that, we got lucky and were able to find a reservation at Koh Yao Yai Village, and in the end, are so happy with the change. We highly recommend this place for a quiet getaway (and it doesn't hurt that it includes an amazing breakfast buffet spread!).

In media-related news....
In my earbuds:

Mostly this, an oldie but a very goodie. My favourites here and here.

PS - Her latest.

On the Kindle:

Not usually my style, but it was awesome!

On the iPad during quiet nights in:

Funny story: On a plane to somewhere years ago, I was able to watch all of  these episodes in-flight...

all, that is, but the finale! 

Finally got around to finishing it up and can now move on to seasons 2 and 3. Love it!

Why the quiet nights in, you ask? Well, I've had to take it easy since the last vacation because we're having a baby! Beginning in June we'll be booking one extra ticket:

Gone (finally) are the days of the first trimester, which I actually feared would never end in my daze of nausea, food aversions, and constant eating!