Gift of Love

Yesterday, Valentine's day, was an unexpected treat. Ron and I took a song tao , the communal truck taxi's, into Nathon town to meet up with Ricardo and Plaa. It was her day off. We once again met at our favorite coffee/fresh bakery spot, Jun's. After lunch, we went to a nursery where Ricardo bought Plaa two beautiful orchids. On to the open air market for fresh coconut milk, a ripe pineapple and homemade massaman curry paste. Markets here are rich in colorful fruits, some we never get to experience in the states. Brilliant magenta dragon fruit, longons, mangosteens, the list is long. Then we drove to their home on the leeward side of the island, the sunset side. They have a lovely bungalow set on a fairly private beach with lush vegetation. You drive along narrow roads, small local shops here and there, a few houses and lots of coconut palms. Down a private road, between a large pond on one side and the sea on the other sits their house. As a gift of love plaa and ricardo set up their massage tables side by side and gave us each a wonderful massage. Plaa mixed fine ground powder from Bali with scented frangipani oil and gave me a gental rub down to exfoliate my skin. Then with the fresh yogurt she bought the day before, mixed with honey and heated to a very warm temperature, she drizzled it all over me in slow increments and massaged it into my skin. Oh so delicious, soothing and relaxing. Next to me, Ron was getting a more intense deep tissue massage from Ricardo. I was emitting contented sighs as he was making deeper groans as Ricardo worked on his tight spots. After I had showered off my skin felt so soft, and glowed with a renewed lushness. Ron went for a kayak and Ricardo for a sunset swim. Meanwhile Plaa went to work, making us a most healthful dinner in her tiny kitchen. Fresh squash roasted with olive oil and then fresh fried slivers of garlic. Baked giant mushrooms and fried tempee which we skewered and dipped in homemade peanut sauce. A fresh som tom with an unusual sauce made with tamarind paste instead of the usual lime. Steamed cauliflower and broccoli with an excellent spicy sauce she made for another dipping variation. All a mixture of favors and textures to excite our taste buds and so unlike the usual Thai dinners we have been experiencing. A final salad with lettuces and arugula which when you travel in Asia is special. You don't order salads unless you are one hundred percent trusting of the people washing your lettuce. It must be in pure water or you will pay a huge price the next day. Sitting on their front porch, candles and shells everywhere, the sun setting into the sea, soft breezes, sipping white wine and eating slices of fresh pineapple for a dessert. Perfection with two very dear friends who created a day to always be treasured, and remembered with love.