happy new year!

happy 2007! can't believe how quickly 2006 passed by.

last week, we managed to squeeze in one more vacation before the year was over. we spend a fun-filled week in Phuket, Thailand with two of our new friends from HK, Ed and Sooly. we celebrated Christmas by chillin' by the pool and enjoying a nice dinner at Silk restaurant in Laguna. but not only did we spend time lounging at the pool and beach, we stayed fairly active throughout the week too. we biked for 4 hours (and got lost along the way), went snorkeling around Phi Phi Island, worked out at the gym, took a yoga class, and the guys played tennis.

the most strenuous (as well as exciting and memorable) activity of the week has got to be sea kayaking around Phang Nga Bay. my only experience with kayaking was half an hour of paddling in circles around the Hudson River pier in NYC over the summer. apparently, that didn't do much to prepare me for actual kayaking in the open sea, where you have to paddle continuously through long stretches of water, rippling waves, and strong currents! not only was it tiring from kayaking nonstop for 3 hours, but we then got caught in a storm while paddling! we had to take cover in a cove for an hour from the strong winds and heavy rain, and cling to trees for safety. luckily, after an hour of being stuck in the rain, we were finally rescued by our longtail boat, although we still had to paddle through the 3 ft.-high crashing waves in order to reach it, all the while with heavy rain beating down on us. talk about a dramatic rescue! scary, but exciting and fun. wouldn't have traded it for anything...

what a perfect trip to end the year with... looking forward to more adventures in 2007!