May the new year bring everyone joy health and happiness.
One more day to go and then it's back to reality for me. I've maxed out my credit cards, the memory cards in my camera and my sightseeing tolerance. I actually really just want to make it back to my own bed and go to sleep. And you know, the best part about going home will be reading the newspapers instead of watching the news channels so at least I can minimise the Tsunami impact.
South East Asia is an amazing place, and I can't wait to come back again, and again, and maybe just one more time. Bali, KL, Bangkok are all spectacular in their own unique way and I am so happy I had lovely people like Mandy and James and all of Atika's family taking me around, showing me the sights and also the local culture. I took cooking classes in Bangkok. I had a curry breakfast in a Kopi shop near the wet market near Mandy's house, and then a steamboat dinner in a huge sidewalk restaurant near KL. In Bali I learned how to snorkel, almost learned how to surf (I try again), had the most delicious prawns I've ever tasted and played pool in a villa with a wrap-around pool and stunning view of Bali...what more could I have asked for?
Well, actually there is one small thing that was missing: Atika. Yup my superstar friend flew off to inform the world of the tragedy in Aceh, and man what a job she did and is still doing. I missed Atika the most this trip, but I am so proud of the amazing work she is doing that I just wish everyone would spend 24/7 watching CNN just to watch her in action.
Well, that's all for now folks. Tomorrow I'm off to Ayutthaya, and then back home. See you all soon, and again Happy 2005 to all.
