Steve Leaves Me!

Gorgeous view!

I'm woken up several times during the night because my hand is itching. After the fourth time I finally turn on a light and look, and see a big bump on my hand. I figure it's a mosquito bite, and since I didn't bring any bug bite medicine, I rub some antibiotic cream on it (best I could think of at 3:00am). In the morning the bump has gone down some, but my hand is swollen.  On closer analysis it looks like it was actually a spider bite. I stop by reception at our hotel, and they have some medicine for it. They don't look concerned about my swollen hand and since there's no red or black streaks, I figure I'm okay. 

The high octane version of the anti-itch medicine.

Later that day I stop by the convenience store to buy my own container of anti-itch medicine.  I'm glad I did, because the next two nights I'm woken up by killer attack mosquitoes.  I've always been a mosquito magnet, so I made sure to get my vaccinations before we start traveling around southeast Asia.  I haven't had a problem with mosquitoes during our visits, but we've been lucky to miss the rainy seasons in the countries we explored.  I had a few bites in Bangkok when we were by the river at night during our bike tour, but nothing like what's been happening in our room at Phuket.  They only bite my hands (not that I'm complaining, but my face is exposed too - why do they miss that?) and only in the middle of the night.  I get huge, itchy welts but I dig out my newly purchased medicine and after about 10 minutes the urge to scratch has gone down enough so I can fall back asleep.  (I've spared you the swollen hand pictures.)  I finally learn my lesson, and after that I spray repellent on my hands before bedtime.  Problem solved!

Steve misses waking up to this view!

A couple of weeks before our trip we find out Steve has a meeting in Tokyo during the last two days of our visit to Thailand.  He usually does some work while we're on vacation (I like to sleep longer and take more time to get ready to go out, so he uses that time to keep up with business) but it's only the second time he's had to leave me while we're traveling (the first time we were visiting a friend in Zurich, so I wasn't left by myself).  We have enough time to reschedule our activities so he can scuba and go on the boat trip before he departs, but then I'm left for a couple of days on my own.  

How many suns are there?

Before he flies out we enjoy a romantic waterfront sunset dinner at our hotel.  A special table is set up for us, with roses, candles and lanterns along the hotel infinity pool overlooking the sea.  The sun cooperates by giving us a vibrant light show as it sets. 

That's us!

Unfortunately, we're not good enough photographers to capture us and the sunset together!  So you can either see us...

That's the sunset!

...or the sunset!  Time to do some reading in the camera manual. 












We ask our waiter to take a photo of us, and you can't see the sun but you can see the beautiful twilight sky.

That's us and the sky!

Steve uses the remaining dusk to try out some of his creative photography skills.  Since we couldn't take pictures where our faces are visible with the sun, he tries some with silhouettes. 

That's me!

And some still lifes...

Steve's favorite picture.

By myself at breakfast

The next morning Steve (and I) are up early so he can leave for his flight.  I don't really want people to know I'm now by myself (typical single female at a hotel) but the fact that he leaves with his suitcase and our giant duffel bag full of all our purchases is probably a give away that he's not returning.  I try to play it off like he just has a quick meeting in Singapore (only four hours away by plane) and that he'll be coming back.  It's hard at a small boutique hotel though - I keep being asked if Mr. Perun will be joining me by the staff.  It's a lot easier to pull this off when I'm at a Hampton Inn.

The sundeck - my favorite part of our villa!

During my last two days I visit the spa, relax in my private pool and enjoy my sundeck.  Thank goodness you can read a Kindle in the sun!













I'm able to take some scenic pictures during the gloaming from my room's infinity pool.

Even prettier in person!

Still the best way to eat a cheeseburger!

When it's time for my departure, I don't have any problems with my flights, even though I have to connect in Guangzhou, the same city we were diverted from last year.  Unfortunately I have to deal with a red eye flight, but the discovery of a Burger King at the Bangkok airport makes up for it.  For only the second time in 18 months I get to eat a cheeseburger MY way, versus Japan's way!

We're good dogs - may we please have a treat?

Steve's busy with work, so we don't have Tie-Dye delivered back to us until after I return home.  It turns out he's not as happy with his suite room now that he's by himself.  The kennel owner and I discuss some different options, and we decide on his next visit he'll stay in a large crate - maybe he'll feel more comfortable without so much empty space around him.  He does make a good friend though - they tell us she and Tie-Dye have a lot of fun together.  Normally he doesn't like dogs bigger than him, but Tie-Dye's probably glad to have another dog his size to play with!

Patty cake...

Come and get me!

Race you to the river!