Down Under

Thursday morning we had to get up and out of our room in Phu Pha by 0630 to grab a bite of breakfast from the buffet before our car picked us up. One last large bowl of those luscious fruits, and we said "Goodbye" to Phu Pha at Ao Nang. Most of the flooding had cleared on the roads, but we learned seven people were killed in Krabi from the mud slides. As we drove to the airport, our driver pointed out where a road had been washed out. When we saw the newspapers at the airport we realized many tourists had been evacuated, so our situation, while uncomfortable and boring, was at least not dangerous.

We had a pleasant flight from Krabi to Bangkok, where we arrived about mid-morning. Because there was such a long layover, we had to exit the secure area of the airport and wait six hours to queue up to obtain our boarding passes. Our sweet Thai friend, Toy, called as she had done each day twice a day. She suggested we avail ourselves of the beauty salon and massage services at the airport. I thought that was a splendid idea - had my hair washed and styled dry for $10 - then went next door for a $5 pedicure! I would have signed on for the afternoon of massage if I had been left alone.

The Phu Pha cook, "Rahm," had made goldenbear70 a special treat for the journey, sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves - some just plain and others with pineapple, mango and coconut. We snacked on those at the airport in Bangkok, as well as finding a few delicious menu items at the airport food shops and the duty free food demonstrations.

We even found a lounge full of recliners where we took a little nap while people milled around staring at us (at least it seemed like it). Finally we went to our gate after more than a 12-hour layover we boarded our flight to Perth. We both slept most of the way, and what a treat it was to emerge from the airport into the crisp sunny morning in Perth! The weather here is much cooler than it would have been if we had arrived in February when we first planned to be here.

Our time here has been filled with family just like we had hoped. Russell and Lynn make us feel so welcome, and we have been able to visit Auntie Muriel in the hospital. She had a stroke a few days before we arrived, and it is sad to see her sick, but at least we are able to visit.

Yesterday Holly (Ali's daughter) gave a beautiful "high tea" in honor of Lynn's birthday. There was delicious food, and Ali's family was there (Ali, Gary, Elliot, Holly of course, Sam, Tyler and the dog, Scruff), Auntie Eva came too. Nathan, Leann and their darling two boys (Lochy and Jack - so cute!) came by Lynn's house and brought her flowers. My gift was to blow dry her hair after she washed it and paint her nails, and we all succeeded in making it a very special day for Lynn.

Goldenbear70 has been busy doing projects around the house here - painting, washing and waxing cars - today he even baked a bread pudding. We are having fun just being together. The weather is mild and sunny - love it!

goldenbear70's honey
Perth, Western Australia 1601, local time