Like royal. (PART I)

An 'event' which I think is 'blogworthy'
was my trip to Phuket.
It wasn't a holiday but a business trip.
My first overseas trip representing my agency.

A very special client from Thailand
requested my company to send two representatives
to present fresh TVC ideas in
his new private island in Phuket.

Yes. You heard me right.
PRIVATE island.

So freakin' rich that he bought the island for himself.
(I thought these kind of purchase are only
popular amongst Hollywood celebrities).
Guess I'm wrong. Ha!

Anyway, he named the island "Honeymoon".
Haha.

So, besides my company, other agencies
from around the world that handles
his account were also invited.

According to his email, he specifically requested for
a GM and/or Creative Director or Group Head.

Who ended up going in the end?
Nope. Not the high-ranking big shot
but me - the erm, Copywriter.
And yes, I went ALONE.

Haha.
Don't ask me why my company decided
to send me. And me only.
My client actually offered to pay for everything for TWO.
Yet, company still decided to only send one representative.

Oh well, good also lah.
I got an all-expense-paid trip to a private island.
YIPPIE! So, off I went.

When I arrived at airport,
a thai lady assigned to take care of me
was already there.

She escorted me straight to the jetty,
Then, I was told we'll be going to the
private island by speed boat.

Speed boat! *Gulp.

Being a Sabahan,
islands are nothing foreign to me.
Back in my hometown, we also take speed boats
to the nearby islands.

But I was feeling stupid because I felt 'overdressed'.
Kept thinking I should have worn t-shirt and shorts lah.

This was the equation in my head:
SPEED BOAT = SPLASHING SEA WATER ALL OVER.
I thought I'd be soaked by the time I reach the island.

But when I arrived at the jetty,
that 'speed boat' turned out to be quite different
from what I expected.

It came with zipped-up transparent PVC 'windows'.
Much more luxurious and a little like the ones
you see in movies. Ahh... Classy.

Outcome:
Not a single drop of seawater landed on me.

About half an hour later, I arrived at Honeymoonn Island.
A lady in traditional Thai costume
was standing at the jetty, waiting for me.
She placed a flower ring around my neck,
and said, "Welcome to Honeymood Island."

Seriously, that moment felt like a scene
from the Amazing Race or something.
Haha. So funny.

She handed me a golden plate with lots of
cut-out bread cubes, pointed at the fish in the sea,
motioning me to help myself with feeding the fishies.

I glanced down.
That was when I realised just how
crystal clear the water was.
It was amazing.

After throwing a couple of handfuls of bread into the sea,
I hopped onto a buggy, which they used to
chauffeur me to the lobby.

The island isn't very big.
But it's definitely NOT small (more on that in next post).

Minutes after I arrived, I realised that 8 other countries
have sent their reps to that presentation.
I was the first to arrive.

So, I had the island to myself
for a few hours before they come.
Loved every minute of it.
=)


Psst... Stay tuned for Part II.