We arrived at Bangkok airport in the early hours, a bit frazzled and confused by the time change, but in spite of only have slept for half an hour I was surprisingly fresh. And I was able to watch the sun rise as we struggled to find our gate for the flight to Phuket. I can't remember the last time I saw the sunrise. I must have done so, but not for years. I was never the kind of person who liked to stay awake all night and I certainly don't enjoy getting up early, so although I have a big thing for watching sunsets, sunrises are a rare phenomenon. I enjoyed it.
And everything ran smoothly enough for us. There were no problems with visas or luggage. A car was at the airport to take us to our hotel. We are staying on Phuket, a place I have only passed through before. It's quite a touristy island and the drive was not particularly scenic (though we saw the Big Buddha on the hillside and charmingly and slightly alarmingly the driver took both hands off the wheel to make a praying gesture as we approached). On our last few holidays we've been to quite isolated hotels, but this time we're within walking distance of a little town packed with shops and restaurants, but our hotel is rather lovely and gives us the option to keep ourselves to ourselves if we wish.
Because we were a little early we had to wait in reception for our room to be ready. My girlfriend was flagging and nearly asleep. I felt odd but awake. The man at reception wanted to take a photo of us (I think he said for their website but my ears were a bit blocked from the flight and he was softly spoken). We must have looked awful.
Today was always going to be about acclimatising and we were in no fit state to do anything. Our room was really beautiful and the bed was strewn with flowers and had two towels sculpted to look like two swans facing each other making a heart shape. Which was more impressive than it maybe sounds. It is the most romantic use of a towel that I have ever seen. No, hold on second most romantic...
It was overcast, but warm and my girlfriend snoozed on a lounger outside our room, whilst I remained confident that I could stay awake until bedtime.
But then I thought I should have a little lie down on the bed for half an hour. I ended up sleeping through the afternoon. Ah well, I am sure our body clocks will have adjusted by the time we have to come home.
We had an earlyish dinner and were the only people in the beach front restaurant and were looked after well by the cheerful and friendly staff. Our waitress asked us our names and then called me Mr Richard for the rest of the meal, which made me laugh, partly because it reminded me of the Curious Orange. We managed a brief walk along the beach after our food, but admitted defeat and returned to the room, watching the first two episodes of Dexter to prevent us going to sleep at 8pm. I've not seen it before. Not quite sure what I think, but overall enjoyed it, but wondering how long a serial killing protagonist can remain sympathetic. He only kills people who "deserve" it though, so that's all right then!
