New Year's Eve in Thailand

After a week of relaxation with the Nehdis, it was time to pack up and head off to Asia. Karim and I were each allowed one checked bag, so we're traveling light these next two months. Our flight from Paris to Singapore was as comfortable as a 13 hour flight could be. Singapore Air is a great airline - I highly recommend it.

We landed in Singapore on the 30th and had a day to unpack and start setting up our apartment here at Heritage View. Heritage provides an unreal living experience - every morning I wake up and feel like I'm at a Vegas resort. There are 3 huge towers of apartments with half a dozen swimming pools sprinkled below them. Palm trees and manicured tropical plants are everywhere. I could get used to living like this!

Then, on the morning of the 31st, we headed back to Changi airport to hop on a flight to Phuket, Thailand, for our New Year's Eve celebration. I found a good deal at the Supalai Resort there and nearly 20 INSEAD students and partners gathered there for NYE. After everyone trickled in, it was time to head to our party destination for the big night - Stereo Lab Beach Club at Surin Beach. Let the fun begin!

Maria, Liz, Sara, Char and Daniela strike a pose

Alberto & the ladies

 We dined at a long table on the beach that provided easy access to the vendors selling traditional Thai lanterns and fireworks. A devilish Karim, complete with pink light-up horns, got things started with a purchase of a handful of firecrackers.

A devilish Karim

Then we purchased a handful of lanterns that we lit and then let drift into the night for good luck. Hundreds of others did the same thing along the coast and the sky was dotted by a sprinkling of yellow stars as the lanterns drifted higher and higher.

Lighting lanterns for good luck in the new year

Liz thinking "is this really my life?!?!"

Up, up and away go the lanterns

The lanterns turn into "yellow stars" as they drift higher

The NYE night sky above Surin Beach

The group lets one go for collective good luck

And happy new year!!!!

After ringing in 2011 on the beach, we headed up to the lounge's dance floor for hours of dancing and antics. That was one New Year's Eve celebration I'll never forget! We wish all of you the best and lots of love for 2011!