Sky’s love affair with Hua Hin began on her first visit 11 years ago, but she did not move here until October 2021, after her now-husband Adel decided during the Covid pandemic to quit his job and explore the joys of the early retirement lifestyle.  The couple were able to embrace this because Adel, of Italian and Bahraini heritage, had long worked in the finance industry and had applied this knowledge to his own future financial wellbeing. Notwithstanding the difficulties of a two-week long stay away from each other in quarantine, the initial steps to building their new life together began.

The positive spirit of the community and its diversity is what attracted the couple to Hua Hin.  It fits in the “Goldilocks” zone of quiet, but not too quiet, good weather, close to Bangkok but just far enough away, in summary, “just right”. However, Sky does wish the roads were a bit wider and traffic circulated in a safer manner.

Doha was a completely different world for Sky to navigate, so it was fortunate for her to have family to rely on.  If you know or meet Sky, you might ask her about the pivotal role her young female cousin had in securing Sky’s future happiness.  That’s a story you just have to ask her about yourself.

While living in Doha as a young woman, Sky became a valuable and much appreciated volunteer at the local Thai embassy.  Initially, she was befriended by an official only 2nd in importance to the Ambassador, and was asked to teach Thai language lessons to young Thai children from the ages of 4 to 6 years of age.  This work branched out to include teaching Thai classical dance classes, another of Sky’s many talents. When the Embassy participated in the ASEAN festival, Sky’s skills were called on again, as they were for hotel performances and a fund-raising charity performance to aid Nepal after a natural disaster. Sky also cooked for embassy events and the proceeds were donated for charity.

Sky and Adel met in Doha, and although their first date could not be called an instant success, Sky proved the adage that the way to a man’s heart is definitely through his stomach. Sky cooked Adel authentic Thai food for the first time and slowly taught him the difference between Thai food in Doha and the real deal. When Sky divulged that she was also a good pasta cook, and Adel scoffed at her, stating that only Italians knew how to prepare and cook fresh pasta, she was determined to make him eat his words.  Today, he is keenly aware of what a lucky man he is, to have such a great cook for his partner. Perfecting pasta is a passion, but as a personal favourite, Sky can’t go past Som Tam, green papaya salad.

Sky is a calm, well-mannered woman.  She chose the words warm, accepting and respectful to describe herself, and treats others exactly the way she hopes she is treated herself.  Sky is a firm believer in the circle of Karma, it appears.  She is proud of her “can-do” approach to challenges, even though she confirmed this is not always easy for her.  One way Sky handles difficulties is to remain non-confrontational and just move on.  Sky felt this might be one of her weaknesses until I pointed out I felt it might indeed be a strength.

Sky loves a laugh and she can often find one at the expense of her husband. They share a love of a strong coffee sitting outside in the cool of the morning and a glass of good wine later in the day.  I learnt that Sky loves rock music, her favourite song being “Made in Thailand” by Carabao, the most popular Thai rock group of all time.  The other things Sky can’t do without are her ring and watch. As a worker still, I imagine it is important to still keep a firm track of time.  By contrast, sometimes I struggle to recall what day it is.

Sky is not one to sit on her laurels.  She has a 5-year plan that will see her building a couple of guest houses where she aims to host and feed small groups of guests in a family-like atmosphere.  It sounds magical and I am happy to put my name on the waiting list for when these open.

If you’d like to meet Sky in person, the Chokdee Market, held regularly at the Centara Grand Hotel, would be the ideal opportunity to meet her at her stand.  Failing this, Sky’s Fresh Pasta on Facebook is easy to find, and an order is guaranteed to make your tummy very happy.