Nong planned for weeks on end to keep us on the go, so that I could see an abundance of famous places in Thailand while also arranging two different reunion parties. The first introduced me to many of her old friends and the next day was like an OU alumni/Thai Raja Alumni reunion. We rarely rested at all as we ventured in and around Bangkok, Pattaya, Ayutthaya, and out to Phuket and some surrounding islands. How we managed to do what we did at such a low expense speaks volumes about the meticulous planning on her part and I cannot thank her enough. Through her I found the "magical shower" at Panwa Beach resort (meaning when I sang in the shower the acoustics were the best ever - it was like I had auto-tune on for every Maroon 5 song I wanted to sing). I also experienced some uniquely funny misadventures involving bad taxi drivers, a king sized monitor lizard, a rude tourist from India (in four different locations), a wardrobe malfunction involving a Chinese tourist in the pool, a middle eastern spandex wedgie to the extreme (thankfully, I was the observer) and barge workers gone wild. Kob kun krab.
Haruka, bless her heart, had to take time off work (which I know can be a nightmare in some Asian countries), but she did so regardless and managed to keep me completely happy in showing me many shrines, historical locations, unique architecture (as well as her funny side upon learning of my fear of heights), beautiful rice fields, Japanese gardens, from Osaka/Kyoto to Izumo and many stops along the way, and if that wasn't enough - she took me to see Daichi Miura in concert. Actually, I'd never heard of him until he took the stage, but needless to say, I was impressed and appreciative of the opportunity. I was once again happy to be back in Japan and all the more happy because of her lovely mother and sister who each spent time travelling with us and helping her tolerate me. Arigatou gozaimasu
Funny in looking back that I met both of these "young ladies" in 2003 less than a month apart and today, we are all three close friends. Since I know you both will read this, I thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. You made my 19 days off work completely enjoyable. I only hope you enjoyed it as much. You both probably need a vacation from my vacation, so I owe you. How lovely and funny each of you are in your own special way.