Our own little fantasy island...or Paradise Village

I may be showing my age but I remember Saturday nights watching Fantasy Island....didn't it come on just after the Love Boat? Who didn't love the part where Mr Roarke and his side kick Tattoo would say, "Welcome to Fantasy Island."

I felt like I was reliving my Fantasy Island watching days when, in March of this year, we visited Paradise Village. Our own Mr Roarke and Tattoo....well actually the resorts' owners Nanni and Federica.....met us with welcoming drink in hand as the boat docked said, "Welcome to Paradise Village and our family." 

It wasn't the easiest trip getting from Delhi to Paradise (Delhi-Kuala Lumpur, taxi from int'l to domestic airport, 9 hour layover, Kuala Lumpur to Pagang, 2+ hour twisting van ride across West Sumatra, 15 minute speed boat) Once we were on the boat our bodies started to work out the stress and kinks from life and the long travel time. Then, as we sped across some of the bluest waters I have ever seen, I started to smile.  

We pulled up to floating villas in front of jungle covered mountains. 

The beauty is very difficult to put in words....breathtaking, amazing, awe inspiring. 

Our bodies started to unwind and relax before we even disembarked onto the dock.

The staff at Paradise Village is friendly and welcoming while being a calming presence and very unobtrusive during the stay. The adorable young men who work as cooks, cleaners, fishermen go about their day full of smiles. The Paradise family is complete with Marco, the dive master, and Dominique, the hotel manager. Each and every one of them made our stay exactly what we expected. 

 

The bungalows are just steps away from the beach and calm waters of the lagoon. 

We slept each night cocooned in mosquito netting, listening to the waves lap upon the shore, lit by the moon peeking in through the windows.

We dined at communal meals of fresh fruit and veggies, fish that had been caught and delivered in small junk-type boats that morning, and amazing desserts. 

The families became one as the children bonded and started running around as a group. 

We sat on the porch listening to the surf and watching the kids romp in the water that was a calm as a swimming pool. We read, played games, told stories, and focused on a purely family holiday. Even if it weren't named Paradise Village, I would still say it was pure perfection.

We swam and snorkeled each day then slept like rocks each night.

We watched sunsets and sunrises. 

 We collected shells and took long walks.

 

We fished with the island boys.  

 We read books after dinner.

We lived in the moment and didn't think about work, school, house keeping, staff, dust, Delhi, or what was to come next. We left satisfied and relaxed and wishing for a just a few more days in Paradise. 

Isn't that the best way to leave....always wishing for a little more?? 

So, welcome to our own little fantasy island!

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If you are interested visit the website for more information and photos

http://www.cubadak-paradisovillage.com/index.asp

or email them for more information at 

info@cubadak-paradisovillage.com

Being Thankful for It All

I have so many things in my life to be thankful for.... a wonderful husband, beautiful, healthy children, amazing immediate and extended family, good friends all over the world, and the adventure that Dan's job has allowed us to live for the past 16 years. There are days that I get caught in the moment and tend to forget so many of these positives. Life in India is a roller coaster to say the least. I have developed a love/hate relationship with the country. Most days it is more love but every so often those "grrrrr get me home days" creep in.

So, along comes the holiday season. Halloween was all about the kids. I was nervous about having seven families with a total of seventeen children at our place, but it went off with a bang. Friends included us in their Diwali celebration showing us the traditions and joy of this important Indian holiday. Then along comes Thanksgiving. A truly American holiday that I have always loved. Growing up, Thanksgiving was full of aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends. We would eat at lunchtime, then play games, watch football, and pull out the leftovers at dinnertime. Great memories. When we lived in China, most of our friends were American. This meant that Thanksgiving was similar to the way we would celebrate it in the US. Close friends with good food, getting together, being thankful for everything God has given us and creating more precious memories. Our first Thanksgiving in India comes along without any plans. Sadness sets in while thinking of the four of us eating fried rice at home just like any other mealtime. An American friend, who was feeling the same way as I, came along and and bam....let the celebration begin.

We used the clubhouse at our complex which opens onto the playground. We rented a bounce house for the kiddos. No Indian celebration seems complete without a bounce house.

I ordered a turkey with the fixings from the club at the American Embassy and everyone brought their favorite dish. Yummy!! We even had apple pie and a gingerbread house. There were families from all over the world....America, Canada, India, Denmark, UK, Germany, Australia, Sweden and probably one or two more that I forgot.

I think Rachel and her friends put a little of each type of dessert on their plates.

The kids had their own area to sit and eat.

And...the men found a corner to sit in and discuss "man stuff."

I am so thankful for where we live, our friends and neighbors. Every time I am on the hate side of my relationship with India, one of my friends comes along with a smile, an offer to join them for dinner, some much needed advice, and/or a shoulder to lean on. I couldn't ask for anything more.