Hello Paradise (aka Koh Tao, Thailand)

We have arrived in Thailand...after quite the bumpy ride (figuratively and literally). As most of you know, there was a military coup in Thailand recently...meaning quite a few protests, soldiers in all of the cities, and a curfew. Needless to say, us and our parents were a little apprehensive about coming here....but none of our bumpy ride was about that! From all that we can see - everything here in that regard is just fine. Southeast Asia

The bumpy ride consisted of a plane landing that made your stomach go into your throat, getting from one Thailand airport to other with a taxi driver that did not speak a lick of English or universal sign language and body motions, a boat ride to the islands that had quite a few people leaning over board to do, well you know, and Kyle's getting bag taken by someone when we got off the boat...but don't worry, they didn't think it was good enough and left it at the far end of the dock.

So we stepped off the boat with not the best taste in our mouths and a taxi driver trying to tell us our hotel was over 25 minutes away...to find out that walking 10 minutes from where we were standing, we would enter paradise. Our room is an amazing bungalow (like you see in the movies). All wood with the thatched roof, canopy bed (fancy way of saying a nice mosquito net), and even an extra bed on the porch. We are staying on Mae Head beach which is absolutely perfect. It is the quieter side of the island and even though the main pier is only ten minutes away, you can't hear a thing other than the waves crashing. The absolute best part - there is a sandbar like no other we have ever seen - it truly makes you feel like you are walking on water. You are at least 100 yards from the beach and still in only water up to your knees. Needless to say, we immediately found our sunbathing spot....and the sunburns we have proof it. Oh yes folks, even I am sunburned...I know understand what my husband has been going through all of his life and I am definitely a much bigger baby about it.

The weather the second day was wonderful...third day is another story. Hello monsoon season! The rain was probably a blessing in disguise because I don't think our bodies could have handled any more sun. We were supposed to do what seemed to be an awesome snorkeling tour around the island, but the weather had other plans for us. So we got cozy inside of bungalow, enjoyed some West Wing, bottles of Chang beer and gin rummy. It actually turned out to be a wonderful day. Fingers crossed for tomorrow in hopes we will be able to spend some more time outside on this beautiful island.

(ran is not easy to capture...but trust us, pouring!)

In the evenings, we have managed to find delicious, hole in the wall Thai restaurants. Where every time, we have been only the people there. One restaurant, Na Na's, has the best curry we have ever tasted....we may or may not have already been two times.

Even though we have only been able to experience one day in Koh Tao with nice weather, this place is magical. When you are lying on the beach, you let out a huge sigh of relief and think to yourselves "now this is what a beach and a vacation should be like". We truly have just been soaking it all in and kind of just letting ourselves be without having to worry about anything. 

We hope for better weather tomorrow, but regardless, we will have our one, perfect day in Koh Tao that will be hard for any other beach to ever beat.