- Spoiler:
Phang Nga Bay, one of the many gems of the playground of Southeast Asia. Unlike the other equally famous islands of Phuket, this one didn't have thousands of visitors soiling it everyday, all the time. Disturbing it, sure, but since it was just a bay, it was merely meant for sightseeing. The villas and stays of the rich and the average were all on the Western and Southeastern parts of Phuket. As soon as the ferry from the West docked at the Bay, Thierry stood up in his seat, unable to contain his excitement as he thought he could see more of the bay by simply getting a higher point of view, what with some of the adults also displaying equal enthusiasm, effectively blocking his view. No matter. He was sure that there was still time when he could finally get himself out and away from the bustle of the tourists. The guide repeated his warm welcome in the best English that a native Thai with little training of the language could muster. Then, with a gentle advice on order and no-pushing, directed the tourists to the ferry's exit.
Earlier in the morning, Thierry had chowed down on the crispy Thai noodles that was part of the Breakfast spread back at the private Villa on Patong Beach. The boy had certainly grown accustomed to the luxury that the Krum wealth had in stored for him, thanks to Eli. Yet, even though he was not completely floored by the abundance that it brought, Thierry was still not shy of being impressed by it all. He did make a face after his first sip of ginger tea, only because the taste of it was appalling to him. Yet, seeing that it was his first treat of a conglomeration of mostly Thai, and some Asian, food, the boy was rather adventurous, kneeling in his seat as he eagerly took on more of the strange food, with a mission to try all before he could not put anymore into his ickle belly. Still, he was a growing child. There was certainly promise to his mission.
Thierry didn't like the yam cake, nor did he fancy the sweet coconut cakes. Instead, he took to the fried dough cakes most, going for a second, then a third helping of them. As he progressed with them, the boy tried to spread coconut jam on one, then deciding that it was the best sweet thing at the breakfast table. Given that ginger tea was disgusting, he settled instead for the lychee juice that was poured for him by his father. Satisfied after he wolfed down the last of his dough cake, Thierry grinned cheerily, leaned back with the glass in hand, and licked his lips. Fortunately for him, he had sufficient sleep from the night before. The family had arrived just in time for dinner the day before, at Patong Beach, west of Phuket. Already, the humidity of the tropics had begun to set in. Yet, Thierry was unfazed. Here was another big adventure.
"Come, Daddy!" It was as if he was the one leading the family on their summer vacation instead. With a wide grin, Thierry reached for his father's hand and pulled at it, willing Elijah to go along with him. In no time, the boy found himself treading on sand again, excitedly gesturing at the feature that the guide had earlier referred to as
James Bond Island, a limestone rock made famous by a certain Muggle film series about a detective. Thierry wasn't well-informed on, but he could certainly still feel excited about the odd-looking shape of the tall rock rising from the sea. On the agenda for the day was the limestone cliffs, caves, mangroves, fishing villages, and this feature, that are the attractions of Phang Nga Bay.
Ahoy!
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