Happy New Year ... Well this is fun!

Oh, my golly gosh we're still in the first throws of 2021 - does anyone else think it could be a long year? 

It was so lovely to see all of you who had stopped by to say happy festive season before Christmas. I just wanted to say hello before we got too far into this year which as others have said does look a bit like the ugly sister of 2020... 

Kata Beach

Nevertheless and thinking positive, Happy New Year to you where ever you may be reading this. Did you have fun and fireworks as best you could where ever you were celebrating? Or did you see the 2020 out with as much good riddance as you could muster, settling in for another early night? 

Kata Beach Phuket

We have been in Phuket an island in Southern Thailand. Normally at this time of year, the beaches would be packed with people from all over the world celebrating. This year was a subdued affair, not only were we without our fellow Internationals, many within Thailand fearing our own COVID-19 lockdowns on the horizons, cancelled their New Year travel plans.

Kata Beach Phuket 

We had fun, we had a beachside NYE dinner but in an eerie taste of what was to come, a Spring tide brought an exceptionally high tide. The sea splashed violently over the break wall of the restaurant and we all got wet. The Guy on the next-door table ended up looking like he was entering a Miss Wet T-shirt competition! Luckily for all of us, it is always warm water here in Thailand.

What started off as a reasonably well social distanced event became a huddle against the back wall of the restaurant as we doggedly enjoyed our dinner. Keep calm and carry on is always a good mantra!

Is this a corona firework? Are they having a laugh?

For the big countdown, we popped into a local hotel (masks on) for their firework display. In what is usually a golden night in Phuket where entry is by way of gala dinner and exorbitant accommodation costs, this year it was 'yes please come on in'. All is not lost on us how fortunate we have been in Thailand throughout the year and our thoughts were firmly with family and friends in lockdown around the world.

In Thailand, paper lanterns are lit and floated off into the sky carrying people's wishes for the year ahead. Normally the night sky would be aglow. This year a few forlorn lantern-sellers trudged the sands in hope of a 200 Baht sale (that's nearly five quid, it would have been a big night for sure for lantern sellers) 

Now there is a big moral dilemma, is this pollution? But this year, of course, we bought one, someone had to make sure that the world's wishes were listened to - right? We sent it high with our big wish that this pandemic will end and we can visit our family and friends overseas.  

Rawai Beach Phuket

Hmmm, I think I want a refund! Only a few days later Thailand's increasing Covid-19 numbers force stricter measures, with Bangkok being one of the red zones with the highest number of cases. Schools and entertainment venues are closed and Mr Wren is back working from home, all non-essential travel within Thailand has been stopped from red zones. 

But less of that this is my happy place and so I'm here to bring you some soothing photos of beaches in Phuket and some happy turtle news. 

Remember I mentioned the Springtide on New Year's Eve? Well, bless her, up Kata beach came a 300 kg leatherback turtle at 1 am to surprise remaining revellers. 

She laid 50-60 eggs on the beach outside the Community Centre. No-one remembers this happening for over twenty years! Isn't that a lovely start to the year? The area has been fenced off and an educational tent set up with information on the turtles. You can read more about it here

Kata Beach Phuket

Here's hoping that fifty baby turtles will be born in March and that calmer waters are ahead. I hope you have enjoyed a little Thailand escapism where ever you are reading. 

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Have a lovely day! Chat soon!

Linking with thanks to Angie at Mosaic Monday