24. New Years in Thai paradise

On December 26th, I flew from Jaipur to Phuket (via Kuala Lumpur). At the airport, I reunited with my good friend Ilya, who hosted me for the next three weeks. It felt like coming full circle: I started this trip with Ilya and Vika in Saint Petersburg back in July, and now I’m finishing it with them in Thailand.

This was my second time in Phuket, and it was exactly what I needed. After the intensity of India, I finally had the chance to rest. I enjoyed the comfort of a nice apartment, stunning beaches, and the warmth of constant company after being alone in so many cities.

Ilya and Vika have launched a photography business here. Ilya goes to the beach daily for shoots, and a few times I tagged along to help as an English-Russian translator. It was a fun experience!

For New Year’s Eve, we took a 2-hour boat ride to Phi Phi Island (famous for the movie “The Beach”) for a two-night stay. We rang in the New Year on the sand, surrounded by tourists from all over the world. The vibes were incredible, and I danced on the beach until 9 AM! The next day, we rented kayaks and paddled to Monkey Beach, a spot accessible only by boat. True to its name, it was full of monkeys trying to steal food from tourists.

Back in Phuket, I tried to continue transcribing the milonga piece I composed in Russia. However, I’ve hit a wall, it’s too slow without a piano to check my work, so I’m pausing until I get home.

I have a few days left before heading back. Tomorrow, a couple I met in Irkutsk back in September is arriving in Phuket, so we’ve planned to spend the day together.

I’m going to miss this 30-degree sunshine when I return to the Barcelona winter, but I’m ready to get back to work and prepare for the year ahead!