Maria and Doug

Yesterday we were lucky enough to host Maria and her fiance Doug, to a sunny brunch on the back patio.  Maria, was one of the first people featured on my blog 6 years ago, one of the very first people I met at my first job in Basel.  I vividly remember being taken to her flat for introductions as we were both starting at the school that summer.  I walked in to see this drop dead gorgeous Romanian women and thought 'damn I hope she is not single!'.  She was, and really it did not matter as that was trivial single girl thinking, either way I feel in love with her immediately and she has been a great friend ever since.  And just by pure chance the two times I have been in Canada this year so has she. Doug's family lives very close to my Dad and therefore it has been easy for us to meet up.  It is definitely a small world!

 Me and Maria

Dad was totally in his element, he told loads of stories I have never heard before and was in great spirits.  We heard all about hitch hiking through Europe and his Dad the spy.  For the rest of the evening all he talked about was how lovely and interesting they were!

 After they left we had an afternoon walk.  It was much warmer on the patio which is such a sun trap but there was five minutes during the walk that the sun was super bright.

Adventure 1

Yesterday me and Dad wrote a plan for the days that I am here, maximising our time together, doing some fun things and most importantly building some strength after a small operation.  Our outing yesterday was pretty exciting, a couple of hours in Acton, hitting some key places.

 First the post office.

 Then Shoppers Drugmart where I was so shocked to see the prices!  Even the most expensive places in Phuket the prices are not as high.

My favourite place of all, the supermarket.  I love getting some of my favourite foods that I cannot get where ever I happen to be living.  I must say though I always race home to cook them and am slightly disappointed.  First adventure a success!

Memories

After a 44 hour, four stop flight I finally landed into Toronto airport late Wednesday night.  It was a long flight but worth every minute to see my wonderful father.  We have our time together all mapped out, each day with an activity, nothing big but each one special as it is Daddy-Daughter time.  So far we have just been hanging out at home, enjoying our time together and catching up.  It has been great.

This afternoon I spent some time walking around what is one of the most beautiful properties around.  When I look long and hard enough around the property it comes alive.  Memories come flooding back, all of the sudden there are twenty people at one of the summer parties trying to get involved in a volleyball game, Mum is giving out her prizes, and all the kids are enjoying the pool.  It is an over whelming feeling, but a nice one.  I feel so lucky to be here and realise how lucky I was to be raised here.

 The big meadow, in the winter we use to ski and go sledging here.

 The volleyball court was down here, along with horse shoes and baseball

The pool and back yard.

The pictures of me and Dad are coming soon.  To be honest I have just been lazing around in comfy clothes that are just not blog appropriate.

On My Way...

Today I said goodbye to Cody, Luis and Lola to start my travels back to Canada to see my Dad.  I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband who is so supportive of me and such great friends who know when to just listen.  I was spoilt with both this summer and I feel so thankful for that.

I cannot say enough how wonderful it was to have the Ecua's here, they just make you feel so positive and happy.  They helped me search for flights to get me to Canada probably saving me half the cost.  Just such a fabulous group that I cannot wait to see again.

I am now sitting in a coffee shop in Bangkok airport, pretty much where I was a year ago today.  I cannot believe it has been a year; a great one but not without its challenges.  First year of marriage was easy (as married to Luis), learning the new job was pretty easy too (as an amazing staff), but being so far from all our family has been a huge challenge.  I have a new niece I have yet to meet, I miss all my family, and it has been especially hard to be away from my Dad during a year where he has faced several challenges.

I am so thankful now that I am able to go and spend time with the bravest most positive man I have ever met.  Despite facing some serious health problems this last year he maintains a spirit that most people can only aspire too.  He is an inspiration to me and many more and I cannot wait to get there to give him a big huge hug!

Phuket Town Sunday Night Market

Obviously it is great having your friends visit as well you get to see your friends but it is also wonderful as it makes you go out and explore new things.  We have forever been saying we should go to the Phuket Town Sunday Market and for whatever reason have not made it there yet.  So thank you Cody Rook for giving us the push to seeing another brilliant Thai market.  

 It is a lot like the one we love near us, lots of food, clothes, trinkets and tourists.

 Phuket town is famous for its wonderful street art.

 Stopping for a little beer

 The architecture is Portuguese although no one seems to be able to agree on the origin, either way beautiful

We enjoyed the markets, lots of street performers and stalls we had not seen before.  I still love our one best, but that might be because of the ten minute drive rather than 45!

And Now There is one...

After almost two wonderful weeks with Des and Jimmy and four nights with the rest of the visiting crew we are now down to one Ecua fam member.  It was great having so many here together for a few days and a couple more for longer.  I am so lucky to have such great friends who would come all this way to spend some time with us.  I am even more lucky that Cody is sticking around a bit longer, as it gives us more time to discuss world issues and decide what should be done.  We finished the last few days with Des, Kristi, Mark, Jimmy and Nick with another island day, loads of food and a mass amount of laughter and fun.  It went far too fast and I cannot wait till we all meet again.

 Kristi and Des last day and dinner with us, I was ridiculously sad to see them go.

 Another day at the island, but this time with high tide and waves.

 Mark, Jimmy and Nick's final dinner here, a new spot for us, very close, veggie friendly with winning food.

And now we are down to one..  One of the greats though and so happy he is still here!

Beach MiniEcuaFam Olympics

I was so excited for the MiniEcuaFam Beach Olympics, mainly as it meant that there was so many of us together in Phuket but also I love planning these events.  It is great having everyone here, it is like we have never been apart. 

These were the gift packs to kick off the event

 We started with two events in the pool, a floaty relay and then a little tennis

Off to the beach where a sand storm prevented all my plans!  Luckily I had a scavenger hunt planned so that kept the Olympic dream alive.

 Dinner before the big night out in the infamous Patong.

 A little singing

 A little games in Patong.  I have a strange relationship with this place, sometimes love it and sometimes hate it.  I defo think it is a place I can probably go once a year or when visitors here (the images in the background should give you some ideas as to why!).  So wonderful to have them!!