Armelle and I have been looking for beach alternatives on the weekends, since Kamala Beach is becoming too crowded as high season approaches. Last weekend we went to Layan Beach which is only 20 minutes away and is very quiet. It is beautiful and we have a relaxing getaway after a busy week of work.We walked most of the length of the beach and passed four people who were under a little shelter up the hill. They waved at us as we went by. On our return trip, we passed them again as we walked in the rain with the sun shining in us. It was very beautiful to see the rain falling on the sea as it shimmered in the sun. As the rain subsided, we stopped to do some yoga on the beach. The people we saw followed us and struck up a conversation. That is how we met Donna, her son, her sister and brother who are from the Philippines. We learned that Donna and Jasper play music in the lobby of the nearby 5-star Dusit Thani Hotel and said we would go and
see them perform some time.
On Friday night we did. Donna has a spectacular voice and is a professional in every way. Jasper plays keyboard and sings well too. They sing a wide repertoire of old Beatles, Temptations, jazz, and international music: in English, Spanish, French and Italian. They are warm and charming. (Us with Donna)
They invited us to Donna's son's 8th birthday party on Sunday today at a villa that a man from Russia lets her use when he is not there. So we went. We enjoyed a huge spread of Filipino foods and enjoyed the company of Thais, Filipinos, Canadians and a Norwegian.
They are a fun-loving group.
(With us below is Donna's husband who works as Training Manager for a hotel in Pattaya, Thailand)
They asked: Will we be back to see them again next week?