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ShareMumbai: I had been planning to spend some quality time with my family since my mom had not been in the best of health in recent months. While having a family dinner last Christmas Eve, a New Year trip to Bangkok and the beautiful island of Koh Samui in Thailand came about. Somehow, we managed to get the visas of my mother and brothers Khalid and Rizwan.
REVELRY AND MORE
I was quite thrilled at the prospect of indulging my mother in a week of relaxation and fun away from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai. As part of it, I had made a dinner booking for a 5-course meal at a swanky restaurant in Bangkok.
However, by the time we had dressed up in all our finery for the New Year dinner, we were behind schedule by an hour. As we hit the road in the cab we were dazed to see the roads blocked by thousands of revelers who had hit the streets to celebrate New Year. The fun had to be seen to be believed; quite
unlike anything I have seen anywhere in Mumbai or the rest of India. There such joie de vivre on the streets and what was amazing was the crowds were so civil! Wading past the crowd delayed us quite a bit despite which we managed to get our reserved table. Just as we finished two courses of our meal, we were informed by the manager that there is no more food left. To look at the bright side of things, we weren’t required to pay for our reservation!
ISLAND DESIRES
After indulging myself in shopping for clothes and shoes at Bangkok, we were all set to travel to the serene environs of Koh Samui with its combination of sun, sand and beaches. Before that we just had time to relish some exotic Thai Som Tam (green Papaya salad), which was the best I have ever had in my life.
At the resort in Koh Samui it was as though time stood still! We had a cottage that overlooked the blue sea, the swaying palm trees and white sands. I pampered myself to several spa massages there.
A few other things will remain in my mind, for one the lovely temples of Bangkok which were filled with people at midnight as they prayed to usher in a prosperous New Year. We also witnessed a Cabaret Lady Boy Show at a city hotel, which was stunning. The performers were not just pretty looking but by the grace and finesse with which they performed, it was hard to tell that they were not real women.
