We did a side trip with the E family and the newlyweds on their honeymoon.  Matt and Cathy were celebrating their 1st or 13th anniversary…depends on how you look at it…13 years together on the 19th or 1 year married.  They say it is 13.  Whatever…we all enjoyed ourselves…leaving them alone on the evening of the 19th for a champagne toast delivered to them by the staff of Baan Krating (house of the red bull) and we were all in bed when they had dinner alone.  Other than that…they were stuck with the rest of us for a good time in paradise on Phuket.

We stayed two nights the Andaman Sea in Patong Bay.  A little too “busy” for us, so we followed Matt and Cathy down to the tip of the bay to the jungle beach of Baan Krating.  What a beautiful place.  Little bungalows nestled in the jungle with beautiful ocean views and little patios to sit on and gaze upon the amazing views.  This was our first night from the Andaman Beach Suites at dinner time.  The ocean was just over those palm trees.  A short walk.  There was even a bit of golf played…

Being the desert rats that we are, we forget how many shades of green there are. 

When we are away from this girl, we forget how many shades of sweetness there are.

Or, how many shades of blue…

Happy Anniversary … Matt and Cathy … One and/or Thirteen…    

The only thing missing is Sean.  We miss you… A picture like this just isn’t the same without you.

Baan Krating was a beautiful and peaceful place to be for a few days.  The beach is always a place to go where one can just simply “be”.  This little piece of paradise was just what the doctor ordered for some much needed relaxation on everyone’s part.  The younger couples did some exploring on motor bikes, but we older ones and the wee one stayed behind…napping, reading, watching the waves make their way back and forth…finding peace in every wave, every palm branch swaying, every grain of sand.  It was peaceful…it was a place that allowed you…forced you to just relax and “be” in the moment…enjoying the moment…savoring it…allowing it to settle into the deepest part of your soul.  Now, remembering that feeling and wanting to hang on to it.  We are packing it in our bags and taking it home with us along with all the memories.