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Dear Ron, out the local foods and treated us to a fruit came to the table, leaned down conspira-
smoothie. torially, and looking at Jody said, “Are you
This is our last night. We will be sad to leave keeping her safe?”
our idle time behind. The French family staying at Villaguna gave
us restaurant advice. So did the town mayor, Robbers on Ya Noi? Kidnappers? For
Earlier in the day we were walking down the who we met because of horses. (Too long a a second we panicked until the waiter
Lamsai peninsula and discovered a Muay story for this postcard.) We became regular gestured toward a pirate flag hanging from
Thai training facility. Muay Thai is a martial customers of the fruit cart lady who came the restaurant’s faux rigging. Turns out
art combining kick-boxing and plain-old by on her scooter every day to sell us kilos the waiter was in fact Ya, the owner, who
boxing. We got to chatting with Kerry Mat- of mangosteens. invited us to his kitchen the next day for a
thews, a 41-year-old legal secretary from lesson in Thai grilling.
England who’s here for two weeks to train. Seth Bogart, who runs a flooring store
“I love Thailand,” she said as she unlaced her in San Diego, told us that he’d tried the That lesson will have to wait for our return
red boxing gloves. “Everyone is so friendly Phuket beach-party scene for a while then trip. We had one last morning in Ya Noi
and helpful.” bailed out to Yao Noi because he need relax- and that hammock by the sea was calling us
ation and quiet. “There are no guys walking again. One last dose of amazing idle time.
“Friendly and helpful” should be the island’s around in jock straps here,” he said.
motto. Our trip was as much about people Love
as palm trees and beaches. Olivier’s girl- We had dinner with Seth one night at a
friend, Joy, was a joy. She runs the toniest nautical-themed restaurant -- tables right John and Jody
shop on the island and gave Jody a lesson on the beach – that specialized in grilled
in sarong-wearing. Afterwards she walked seafood. As we were deciding between
us around the town’s market stalls pointing grilled shrimp, lobster or grouper a waiter
Wine Dine & Travel Summer 2014 103

