Weeks have passed...

02/29/20

The flight to Trat is short, 45 minutes. It is remarkable that the colleagues from Bangkok Airways serve a hot meal! From Trat airport, we continue to Koh Chang by minibus and ferry. We already know the Mercure Hideway from last year. Funny enough, we get the same villa as last year. Less funny is that, just like last year, the air conditioning is not working properly. The mechanic only needs an hour or two to fix it. A refreshing drink at the beach bar, a refreshing swim in the pool... blissful!

Fortunately, we don't have to look for a suitable massage location here, we already know "Good Massage"... probably the best massage in Thailand. The doll is also recognized right away... needless to say, we were also recognized at the hotel...

During dinner, there is a "garlic crisis". Heike cannot tolerate garlic. Unfortunately, the waiter forgot to inform the kitchen to prepare her dish without garlic. The alternative dish is not received with much enthusiasm. However, we celebrate Heike's birthday more than adequately at our private pool afterwards.

Not much has changed at the Mercure Hideway. The service is still chaotic but friendly. The language skills are still mediocre. There are still no parasols at the pool. Well... you can't have everything. But it is very beautiful again, and the coming days promise to be a worthy conclusion of the past weeks.

After 2 days, we suddenly notice that the breakfast service is functioning a bit better. And behold! Oksana comes around the corner, she already belonged to the management last year and is from Kiev. She is very happy to see us again and immediately starts with the report on the past year.

And the time has come soon! The doll and Matthias have their birthdays tomorrow, so we want to start the celebrations tonight. However, I suddenly feel queasy during the sundowner... quickly to the ceramic department and turn everything inside out. Of all times! I send the doll alone with Matthias and Heike for a massage and dinner and take a nap. After that, I feel much better... luckily it's just a stomach upset. The brandy goes down a bit heavy, but it's all working fine again for the toast at midnight. Afterwards, the doll receives the remaining gifts. She already received the first gift in New Zealand (a trekking pants), and the second one in Patong (a cooling bag for insulin pens). The doll is equally pleased with the bracelet and watch.

Otherwise, there is not much else to report. We swim, chat, eat, drink, sleep... and once we drive to another beach area with nice beach bars in the evening.

And today it's raining. And the weather seems determined to keep raining all day. However, there are some small bright spots... our attempt to use the jacuzzi initially fails. Not connected.... sometimes you just have to wonder. But on the last day, we don't want to be bothered anymore!

We have decided to have dinner at the hotel. A Thai and BBQ buffet is offered. Sounds delicious! The hope that it could be a bit special turns out to be unfounded once again. It tastes okay, but otherwise it is rather ordinary. The farewell party at the pool for Matthias and Heike is all the more lively! Who actually threw the empty bottles into the pool?!?

And remember: Make up Room does not refer to the makeup light in the room! But that's just a side note...

The last breakfast, one last swim, an hour on the sun lounger.... it's hard to believe, but our 6 weeks of vacation seem to be really over....

For the return journey to Bangkok, we are not taking the plane, we are being driven. It doesn't take much longer. It's just a shame that the ferry just left and we have to wait for an hour now. Nevertheless, we arrive at Bangkok airport at 8:30 PM after an uneventful ride. Now Lufthansa will take us to Frankfurt. Tonight, we will make ourselves comfortable in the business class one more time before the vacation is finally over.