After spending hours in the Thailand heat at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, Emily and I were ready for a dip in the gigantic pool at the Hyatt Regency Kamala Beach. Before doing so, though, we wanted to get our feet wet in the Andaman Sea. Our hotel had a “beach” right across the street that was neither appropriate for swimming nor lounging but did allow for enjoying calm sea waves and simple sunset views. The hotel staff had asked us at check-in not to swim in the ocean at this beach due to hazardous debris, but they did offer a free shuttle to nearby Kamala Beach every couple of hours. Time did not allow us to visit Kamala Beach during our stay, but at a glance from a quick drive-by, it looked to be a beautiful place to enjoy the waves and sunshine. Our visit to the hotel beach didn’t last long but did include a few rides on a rope swing that we found hanging from a desolate tree. We then spent several hours at the hotel’s luxurious pool. Situated at the perfect elevation with sweeping views of the ocean from the pool’s infinity edge, this was the first time Emily and I had enough time to relax and take in the reality of the beauty that surrounded us. We ordered exotic cocktails from the pool bar and reclined for a few hours before we needed to return inside to prepare for the wedding we’d crossed the globe to attend.
The Wedding of All Weddings
What’s better than getting to embrace the happiness and love emanating from a good college friend on her wedding day? How about taking it in from a mountaintop villa in Thailand at sunset? Emily and I had traveled the world to witness Pippa marry Tony, an invite we felt incredibly fortunate that we could accept. We had planned this entire adventure around her nuptials, so there was no doubt that this evening was the main event.
Pippa and Tony wed in a beautiful, personal, and private ceremony held at a secluded villa in Kamala Beach, Phuket. Bann Chang Thai was the perfect space for their dreamy wedding. A small group of close friends and family witnessed Pippa and Tony exchange vows in an incredibly personal, incomparably unique, and at times hilarious ceremony. These two pulled out all the stops for their guests, which was evident from the moment we arrived to a group of people so inviting and friendly that you’d have thought we were all old friends. Every detail was exquisitely executed, from the luscious cuisine to the perfectly-planned DJ playlist. I’m no professional wedding reviewer, but I’m confident that Pippa and Tony’s big day would prevail on any episode of TLC’s “Four Weddings”. We ate, drank, and danced until the night’s end and enjoyed every minute of it. We even got to play with a baby elephant (again)! Here are some of our favorite photos from the lovely evening. Congratulations again to Pippa and Tony!
