The overall:
We are an American expat couple who own a small business in Southern Thailand. We often travel in low season (May-Sept) to do yoga retreats abroad and need someone to watch out for, love and adore our dog children who are 2 totally lovable, off leash, ride or die, roll dogs: Bird and Mango. They are 6 and 8 year old female Formosa Mountain Dogs (akin to big black labs). We all moved here 4 years ago. We have had them both since they were tiny pups and they are as good as they get. They'll chase cats, of course, and Bird will vigilantly protect the garden at night from falling leaves ;) They are known and adored on their turf, which is a big section of a 2 mile long, sandy beach. They live at our yoga studio where people come in and all out day and they mostly just lay around and get attention. Mango is extremely affectionate and Bird is dutiful and reliable. They are entirely trusted around children. They are off leash in terms of they won't run away but they go on the leash for long walks because they’re lazy. They are guaranteed charmers!
The Details:
We are in transition…For the last 3 years we have lived, very happily, at our yoga studio. We love living here will be quite sad to let go of it in the near future. We are expanding our studio to a new location and to also include a healthy restaurant, juice bar, pool and 23 bungalows. It’s a pre-existing, nearby place that will be in need of renovation and some construction. We get the keys at the beginning of May and will immediately begin getting everything in order. It’s for this reason that we can allow our dog sitter to choose between 2 different living situations. To be honesty, on our end, so long as the sitter understands the pros/cons of each then it’s an equal amount of preparation for us on either end. Both homes will be equipped or have access to: WIFI, Movie Projector, Blender, Cold Press Juicer, Espresso Machine, Bread Machine, Large Toaster Oven, Panini Grill, Yoga Space, Yoga Mats, Yoga Swing, Kettle bells, Heavy Bag, Pull Up Bar, SUP Paddle Board, Tool Set, etc. House sitter can have use of our “jump on and go” scooter (assuming competency on motorbike driving and bike upkeep). We have a motorbike with a sidecar that the dogs ride in so it's preferable to find someone who can drive an semi automatic bike but certainly not a requirement. They don't actually "need" to go anywhere they can’t walk to and the vet does house calls.
OPTION 1: The Studio
A unique indoor/outdoor living space under a wood shala yoga floor. One bedroom, outdoor bathroom and shower, indoor/outdoor kitchen, large covered indoor/outdoor living/dining space.
All photos you see are of this property which is ideal for it’s private totally secluded garden with outdoor dining and hang out spaces. The entire upstairs is a lofted tree house that could be set up ideally for yoga, fitness, writing, art projects, etc. The downstairs includes one indoor bedroom with aircon. We have fiber optic WIFI here (best available here). The bathroom is indoor/outdoor and although it’s tastefully decorate it’s fairly basic. It’s a common Asian scoop flush system and the bathroom fluids in very heavy rain. The kitchen is also semi outdoors which means it’s important to keep things clean at night.
Option 2: The Resort
Ideal for someone wanting to contribute time to starting up an organic compost station on our new property. Our Thai staff will regularly be around for a more immersed feel.
The accommodation will be a newly renovated 2 bedroom, 2 bath, small living and kitchen villa on the property. The property has a pool and is a one minute walk to the beach. The main road with shops, veggie markets, restaurants, banks, ect is an easy walk as well. There will be a small place to practice yoga/workout but our main studio will be construction on the at the back end of the property. The villa will be at the front end away. The majority of work at that time should be fairly quite cement work. Our Thai resort manager will be around overseeing the construction and staff will be around but the resort is entirely closed during that time.
The dogs will have only lived at this space for 6 weeks by the time we leave so we want someone to come early and spend time getting to know us, the lay of the land, and our newest routines (as they will be slightly altered due to the move but not by much and it's still their usual walking territory).
The Wrap Up:
In the past years, we have always found it very easy to have a friend to come and stay but we thought we would give this a go this year. Ideally, we would love a couple or small family as we think it suits the time and environment best. It's a very safe, family friendly beach. House sitters should understand that it is low season on a touristic island. The rainy season in Southern Thailand can be idealistic but please don't anticipate endless sunny days with a beach full of people. Many of the beach front businesses close in low season and the beach is quite empty. It's typical to wake up to a beautiful sunny day with empty beach and around the same time everyday expect an afternoon tropical rain. Great time for hammocking, yoga, reading, or art projects. Then clearing up for a nice sunset. The occasional storm can pass by that leaves it rainy pretty solid for a few days. The tides change during low season as well and rubbish can wash up from Malaysia. The beach does get cleaned twice a week, you could even help if you wanted!!!! Regardless, it's warm and tropical and we personally LOVE low season for what it is.
Here is what we need a house sitter to be: A DOG Lover!!! Clean (more than 20s, single, male, “clean”). Strictly no cigarettes. English Speaking. Adapted at living in a Foreign Environment. Self Reliant. Kind and Courteous. Physically fit, capable and eager to walk 2-3 miles daily. Someone who finds our relationship serendipitously mutually beneficial.
This is a totally free opportunity that doesn’t provide salary or travel expenses. Please feel free to ask more questions about us and how this may work out well for you.