Making friends

We’ve met some fascinating people while travelling in Thailand. For example, in Krabi, we’ve spent several evenings hanging out with Jonas and Andy, a couple from Oslo, Norway. We’ve caught up regularly during cocktail hour in the executive lounge and have dined together a couple of times. This included dinner at Baan Tha Ley Café, our favourite beachside restaurant. Johan and Andy were also in Bangkok enjoying Songkran festivities at the same time as Garry and me.

Andy is a fascinating character. His parents fled Vietnam in the late-70s. He told the story of their journey through Southeast Asia as boat people. For years they lived in a refugee camp in Singapore. When it became clear they might never be resettled, they boarded a leaky boat for a second time. This time they were picked up by the Norwegian navy and given temporary visas in Norway. It was surreal listening to Andy share his parent’s story while sipping cocktails by a Southeast Asian beach. Travel really does broaden the mind.