New Year's Eve in Phuket

Here's the cast of characters we spent New Year's Eve with. It was a mix of Americans, Brits, Filipinos, Japanese, and Thai friends. We ate at a Thai restaurant on the beach. Luckily, our Thai friend had thought ahead and reserved a table for us. The joint was a hoppin' with revelers !





Here I am with Muk. Muk planned the evening and saw to every detail. She pre-ordered plenty of food for us and we were thrilled to be so well taken care of.





Mia and her friend Michelle were the token kids at the table---they both stayed up until midnight. Mia was a little worried about the "loud fireworks"--note the green earplugs.

Me and my rugged mountain man, or is that just a man in need of a shave?

After dinner we took to the beach. Mia and Michelle had a heyday with roman candles, sparklers, you name it! A pyromaniacs dream.

Something I had never seen before, these lanterns that you light and they drift up into space. A smaller version of a hot air balloon. The sky was filled with these glowing orbs. It felt other worldly.

Up and away!

The grand finale was at the stroke of midnight when the beach exploded with fireworks. I will never forget our New Year's in Phuket.

Happy New Year, from our family to you.