Just What the Doctor Ordered

Vacations are a funny thing, especially vacations when you live overseas. Travel is wonderful, but being a tourist is not generally relaxing. Sometimes it's nice to have a vacation where you actually come home more rested than you were when you left. For that reason, I often prefer to be when I am on vacation than to do. Often easier said than done. 

This week, however, I managed to do just that. I came to northern Thailand with friends for a few days. We stayed at a homestay near the Laos border, a little more than an hour outside the city of Chiang Rai and it has been absolutely perfect. The house has nice spacious rooms and a courtyard with a pool and a peaceful fountain. In the mornings we've taken excursions and spent the afternoons napping, reading, and swimming. On one excursion we did a short hike to a cliff at the Laos border, looking down into a Hmong village nestled in the valley below. All of our meals are included in our stay and the food has been delicious, and always accompanied by local fruit, including the melt in your mouth mangoes that are in season right now. In the evenings, after a post dinner walk and when my friends put their toddler to bed, we have been able to sit and talk over wine and chocolate before curling up in super comfortable beds. 

It's been a few days of sleep, rest, good conversation, a good book, and fun and laughter that leaves me feeling rested, renewed, and refreshed. God's blessings again, overflowing in abundance. 

Views on our evening walks. 

Waterfall walk in a national park 

Border marker, I'm in Laos! 

Hiking with a view of Laos.

View from my poolside beach chair. Gonna miss this...