Turning 30...

30 and loving it!

Many people get depressed on birthdays. I don't. I think birthdays should be celebrated more than anything else. I mean, you are celebrating the fact that you have made it this far in this world. What is depressing about that? For me there is no point in complaining about getting old. You just have to get on with your life and enjoy every moment of it, so when I recently turned 30 I wanted it be a memorable time for everybody. I HAVE BEEN HERE 30 YEARS! YAY! LET'S CELEBRATE!

And that we did. It was amazing. Really. I could not have been made any more happy and my family/friends made me feel the most loved person in the world, to the point that I almost feel guilty. I will never be able to thank those involved enough. You think i am exaggerating? Check this out...

The day began quite sedately. I got up, had some breakfast with Mik and opened my lovely cards and some presents that had been sent by family around the world. I got some lovely gifts and I loved the present from my brother-in-law and family that was a report of all things happening at the time I was born, 1982. Then I had to go to work at SUB AQUA Dive Center, Karon Beach, Phuket. I was there on my own for a good couple of hours and then the owner of SUB AQUA came to join me bearing gifts. This was quite the surprise but it was nice to finally have some company after being far too excited to do any real work on my computer.

At about 17:00 Mik arrived looking mysterious. I asked, "where are we going?". "Why are you smiling like that?" Now at this point i should mention that I was fully aware that I was having a 30th birthday party in the evening of my birthday, 24th March. I was also fully aware that my birthday present was to be a Honda Phantom motorbike that I had been eyeing up for quite some time. But on the 23rd March, Mik told me that I had to prepare all of the things I may need to get me through my birthday... and the next day. This should include an 'overnight bag'. Hmmmm... Now I am really excited :-)

So here I was. It was time. SURPRISE... Well, not quite yet. First I wished my 'big boss' farewell and wished him a safe return to his family in Germany. Then I locked the office. Then i clambered on to the back of my soon-to-be-old Honda Wave 125 motorbike and let Mik take me wherever! To be honest, it looked like we were going home and the whole things was to be a disappointment or a wind-up but I should have known my lovely boyfriend better as he drove down to Nai Harn lake and then took a left up a slope to the most amazing villa. He joked, "I've bought you a house!". There outside was my new motorbike shiny and complete with red ribbons - photo......

Now that is a birthday present!

Then there was this...

You too can stay here - http://www.thevillas-phuket.com/gallery/index.php/Crystal-Villa

Wow! The reality hit me... or it slowly crept upon me as I stood speechless in this house that I had just been told was "mine" for the next 2 days!

Words do not cover it. This villa was perfect for my 30th birthday.

Mik had rented this place for not just the night, but two nights! He had arranged with the staff at SUB AQUA Dive Center that Kerry was having 2 days off and that they had to deal with it. I was being utterly spoilt rotten for a couple of days and loving it!!! Mik handed me a beer, gave me the tour and then istructed me to sit beside the pool. Happy does not cover it. I was elated... and I burst into tears of joy (not for the last time that birthday!).

Work over. Beer at the side of "my" pool! Happy!!!!

Mik had even thought to move all my cards across to the Villa so I could spend some time enjoying all the good wishes.

To be honest, I did not want to leave but I had a party to attend and I was told that I could make full use of the Villa later and the next day. So I had a perfect phone call with my 'old' friends from school, Lindsay and Alexis, telling them all about the villa and also congratulating Alexis since her wedding day in UK was the same day as my 30th Birthday. It was a shame we couldn't all be together on this day but we will be soon when Lindsay marries in June and I couldn't stay sad for long. I was on a right rollercoaster of emotions! So time to party and didn't we scrub up well?...

Mik and I ready to head to my 30th birthday party

The party was amazing too. So many great friends made it out and much to my surprise, I received some lovely gifts including spa treatments, cash to by my own, scarves, facials, jewellry, wine... Really. I am not just saying this. I just wanted people to come and celebrate with me. I never expected a pile of gifts as well but I hope that Mik and I threw a big enough party that everyone had a fun, memorable and happy time. We all certainly seemed to be enjoying ourselves and there was even a bit of KERRY-OKE!

Those photos say it all. At 01:00am Mik and I decided it was time to leave everybody partying and retire to the Villa. It must have been perfect timing because I had a remarkably clear head the next day and was able to party some more with dips in the pool, wine pretty much on freeflow and the company of good friends James, Ning and Baby Joshua! My head was not as clear the day after that one!

Mik trying to lose "the fear"

Not our baby! Mik with Baby Joshua

Here are Mum and Dad, Ning and James

The clock says 20:30 and we had been at that wine all day!

Me chatting to Wilkie and Laura (friends in UK)

Me getting some last minute relaxation in "my" pool

This was by far the best birthday celebration ever. It would have been nothing without Mik, my family and my wonderful friends that quite simply overwhelmed me with their kindness and loving birthday wishes. If this is what turning 30 is all about then I suggest you all embrace your birthdays. Create moments like these and you will never be depressed on a birthday again. I am one lucky girl.

Special thanks goes to Tracey Samantha Burr who does an excellent job of making anybody's stay in Phuket hassle-free and memorable with her Villas in Naiharn. Please visit her website here and please 'like' The Villas on Facebook. The Villas and Tracey made this birthday girl a VERY happy girl and if you are looking for a place to stay in Phuket for a real treat without breaking the bank, The Villas in Nai Harn is where you need to be. You won't regret it. (I had a housekeeper/cook for goodness sake!!!)