Third BISP International Morning

It is marketed as International Day but really it only last till half ten, so it is actually International Morning (and it is great but I do wish it lasted the entire day).    But it was another stunning day, and very hot so maybe just as well it ended in the morning.  Really all I  did all morning was eat and the food is delicious, although I must admit I do hover around the India tent.

Luis and I celebrating all our Nationalities, well all but one (as they have no Nicaraguan flag there).  I do think this day should change though, it causes a lot of people anxiety to choose where they are from.  Some students have only ever been to their 'home' country once or twice and identify as something else, others have parents from different nationalities that want them to be their Nationality etc. etc.   I heard another school does it where everyone learns about a country that they have no attachment too, and wears their National dress etc and learns about that culture, I think a nice idea.  

Either way a nice morning of performances, food and seeing the kids out of the classroom environment.  

New Places

In an attempt to be out of the house and keep a little busy (not watching crap stuff on the tele), the last two evenings we went for dinner at two new places we have been pretty excited about trying.  Suay, a Thai-fusion restaurant that opened up right down the road from us.  They have a sister restaurant in another part of the island and we have heard great feed back.  We went on Wednesday, it is a beautiful place and just so happy a hop skip and a jump away.

This was our starter, vegetable tempura, like nothing I have ever had before.  It was more like leaves, but interesting and tasty.

 Veggie Thai tacos, they were good but I must say I love Mexican so it was always going to be a difficult sell.

 And a treat for me from this wonderful man :)  It was a little on the pricey side, I thought.  Although even as I say that, it sounds ridiculous.  My main was about 8 pounds and Luis's seafood one about 10.  So really not that bad and it was fairly swanky!

 Then last night we went to the new Bowl place that I have been so excited to open.  Not really restaurant but a cafe of sorts.  I had super high hopes and the food was good but was a little disappointed about the use of plastic in a new eatery that certainly is trying to give off an earth friendly vibe.  Might have to mention it next time.

Lola Cola who is perking up a bit.  She is on a big diet now, so hard when she is looking at you like this!  

Restaurant Critics

In an attempt to be out of the house and keep a little busy (not watching crap stuff on the tele), the last two evenings we went for dinner at two new places we have been pretty excited about trying.  Suay, a Thai-fusion restaurant that opened up right down the road from us.  They have a sister restaurant in another part of the island and we have heard great feed back.  We went on Wednesday, it is a beautiful place and just so happy a hop skip and a jump away.

This was our starter, vegetable tempura, like nothing I have ever had before.  It was more like leaves, but interesting and tasty.

 Veggie Thai tacos, they were good but I must say I love Mexican so it was always going to be a difficult sell.

 And a treat for me from this wonderful man :)  It was a little on the pricey side, I thought.  Although even as I say that, it sounds ridiculous.  My main was about 8 pounds and Luis's seafood one about 10.  So really not that bad and it was fairly swanky!

 Then last night we went to the new Bowl place that I have been so excited to open.  Not really restaurant but a cafe of sorts.  I had super high hopes and the food was good but was a little disappointed about the use of plastic in a new eatery that certainly is trying to give off an earth friendly vibe.  Might have to mention it next time.

Lola Cola who is perking up a bit.  She is on a big diet now, so hard when she is looking at you like this!  

Poor Lola Cola

Poor little Lola, well actually not so little Lola anymore (she has put on loads of weight and the vet is not happy), she just can't get a break.  Her health took a beating last year with that tic bite and I am not sure the first vet we went to did her any favours, prescribing 12 pills a day (I think her liver has never recovered).  Now our strategy is keep getting new opinions until she is sorted.  For the past few months she has been panting loads (better and worse at times), and just hasn't been herself.  We thought we were on the right track last week with a vet, but she just seemed to be getting worse, so we were off to another one last night.  Hopefully, we are now on the road to recovery!

 This vet has to be the real deal, they even had a blood pressure machine for dogs.  It took her ages to be calm enough to get a reading.

You know she is a under the weather when she chooses to come and cuddle with me (this is a rare event, only if she is super scared or tired).  She is pretty much unable to go outside for too long, as it is too hot and that isn't helping, more Netflix for us (although almost done Mad Men and just not sure what I will do next!).

No Photos

I have no idea what happened but my picture taking trigger finger went on hold this weekend and I missed loads of wonderful shots.  I guess it just needed a break.

 Friday evening I went down to Kamala beach to meet our house sitters for April.  They are an Irish/English couple, about my age and we could probably be best friends forever.  We had a great evening getting to know each other and I feel very happy that they will be looking after our girl (who is a bit under the weather right now).

 Yesterday was Leica's birthday celebrations down South.  A day on the beach followed by a night in a spectacular villa.

I made the beach and the villa for dinner but was unable to stay the night, unfortunately.  It looked like the ladies would have a fabulous time without me but, well sometimes life gets in the way.

Luckily Luis's picture taking finger was fairly active and he snapped this great photo of Lola lazing around yesterday.  How cute is she here!  And this is how I intend to spend this day relaxing with Lola.

Phuket Progress

It has been nice to see Phuket make some progress from when we first arrived.  As I have probably mentioned a few times there is a huge rubbish issue here, not as noticeable now but in the rainy season it is very depressing.  The beaches are covered in trash, washed in by the rough seas (to be fair it is not all Thai rubbish but it is a massive issue).  And what doesn't help is the huge consumption of plastic in Thailand, for example 500 000 000 plastic bags are used and discarded every day here, that is a ridiculous amount.  Recently, there have been some efforts made, more reusable and paper straws, the 7/11 promising big reductions and yesterday I was so thrilled to see that the supermarket has stopped using them and you must bring your own (this may seem small and behind but it is huge in a country so reliant on plastic). 

I then left the supermarket and noticed a sign for a new small 'bowl' restaurant opening. I spoke to the owner who said it would be largely vegan/veggie based, this was wonderful news and just more of what we need.  There have been many more places like this open since we arrived which is fantastic and now one on our doorstep.

Baby steps, but all in the right direction!

Back to the Grind

We tried to squeeze as much holiday time as we could before heading back.  Having some breakfast, beach time, lunch and then starting the journey home.  Not that it is a long journey, 4 hours, which should have been less but the ferry traffic was fairly bad.  I was actually surprisingly happy to be back in our house, felt a bit like home, but nothing compared to Lolas excitement who seemed thrilled to be back.

 Lola taking in the last views.

 Until I broke the news that I would be starting work again the next day.

 The last lunch before hitting the road.

My gang of dogs were all waiting for their walk this morning, as usual, they were super excited to see me and Lola come out of the house.  Extra treats and love for all of them.  Had the best vacation and super happy to be home to the same blue skies and sunshine.  Not as thrilled to be at my desk right now!