I officially became a senior citizen in Thailand - my 65th b-day spent 40 feet in the air

When I learned we were going to Thailand (we were told in January that it would be a late addition to the itinerary because we were not allowed to enter China), I decided I wanted to go parasailing on my 65th birthday - April 4.

I got my wish.

A group of similarly minded folk from the ship agreed that, when we got to the first Thai port, we were all going to go flying off the back of a speedboat. And then I read the fine print. The parasailing was open only to those 60 years of age and younger. Which disqualified everybody. Including me.

But I still wanted to do it. So when Josie, Virginia, Tilka and Ed and I caught a shuttle to Pattaya - a resort town much closer to the ship than Bancock - they went off to do some shopping and I went to the beach.

It took all of five minutes for a young man to approach me with a sign board offering parasailing for the equivalent of $22 US. No questions asked about my age. He helped me into a motorboat which took me to the parasailing platform. Some gals hooked me into a harness.

They ushered me to the centre of the platform where a group of men attached the harness to the parachute. Then the motorboat started and I was running and then I was flying,

We circled the platform for about five minute with me 40 feet in the air. I had to keep reminding myself to stay in the moment and take in the view rather than think about the harness that was cutting into my thighs. The driver slowed the boat once to let my bottom half glide through the water, then revved the engine and I was back in the air.

At the end, I was dropped gently back on the platform and unhooked.

What a blast.

Back at the beach, I went for a swim in the soupy water, and did a bit of shopping before meeting the gang for lunch, and some bragging.

We returned to the ship for the birthday celebration. Josie and Virginia had a bottle of Barolo delivered to my room. And my cabin steward made me a birthday cake out of towels.

At dinner, Pande our waiter made me a bouquet of paper.

And I was given ballons by the cruise staff, Chris and Patrick, who are in this picture with Antonio, Ivan and Brian. It was a birthday I will always remember.

The following day, Americans John, Judy, a Canadian couple named Dawn and James, and a British couple named David and Heather and I took a tour around the island of Kho Samui with a guide named Pot.

We started in what was called a fisherman's village but is really a place for tourists.

Then we went to a massive Bhuddist temple complex which is known for the Big Bhudda.

The van stopped for a bathroom break at a beautiful seaside resort where rooms rent for the equivalent of $30 US a night (thoughts for future travel adventures).

We went to a market where Dawn and I tried the sticky rice and mango - so delicious... like the best rice pudding I have ever eaten.

At another Bhuddist temple we saw this monk who is mummified and behind glass. Apparently his family could not bear to part with him.

And finally we went to a beach where we all had a local beer while staring out at the water. Heavenly.

Now we are off to Singapore and Malaysia. Just four weeks until we return to Europe!