It's great to be back home finally and back to work after my first real vacation in this entire year. Thailand swayed me in ways I didn't expect it to and it went beyond my expectations. I'm putting down a few random thoughts into this post so kindly bear with me. 

SteemFest 4 was great and as always I try and interact with as many people as I can and collect some feedback along the way. For better or worse due to fewer attendees this year I was able to talk a few more folks in depth than I have managed in the past and forge some new friendships.

As for the event itself, there were no surprises. It's my fourth year and I know the drill. 

But, looking back it feels great remembering my own journey with Steem and this event from when it was just an idea back in the day. Clearly, I'm feeling a little nostalgic today and hence this post.

Few months ago I remember telling our crew that we should try our best to make it to this event because we don't know if we'd be doing this again. The multi-year bear market coupled with Steem's under performing price has changed things for many of us drastically. 

So when I arrived in Thailand and the rest of the crew trickled in before the event I was happy that we were all coming together, probably for the last time or may be not. We don't know for sure...

But given the positive vibes around the event itself I feel more certain that we could do this once again. But this is up to Roeland and the rest of our community to decide on the future of SteemFest. I'm glad I could support this event this year and I hope to be there for the future events as well. 

I'm thankful to all the members of our community and sponsors for making this happen. 

But most importantly I want to thank @roelandp for taking the initiative to put Steem on the crypto-blockchain conference map right from its early days. 

Events like these are great for networking but I've forged some real life friendships with the people I met here due to SteemFest and I know many of you have as well. 

Executing an event like this isn't a walk in the park contrary to what some feel around here. Many were skeptical when they landed in BKK as it was their first time traveling out of the western part of the world into SE Asia where nothing seems familiar except for that fancy shopping mall perhaps. 

But during the course of the event and afterwards, from my interactions with everyone it seemed people were leaving feeling satisfied and optimistic about how the whole event went down for them. 

In life you gotto take a chance and make it work sometimes. 

Roeland took a chance on Thailand which turned out to be an epic experience for all those who love travel and open to newer experiences. Our team had a great time in Thailand. We were glad the weather wasn't cold for one. 

Meanwhile, I am also happy to have been able to see my friends in our crew and spend some time with them. It's something I get to do once a year. Because, we're all based out of different places and traveling around isn't as feasible as it once used to be. 

The team itself has seen a few changes over these 3 years. Apart from Roeland and myself, @sjennon -a friend I introduced to Steem are the only ones in the team from the first event. However, as is normal in life, I expect the crew to continue to evolve as we move forward. 

But the amazing part is that I've made some real friends for the long haul through Steem and that's a huge take away for me. To my friends I made here - Thank you! 

When I consider all the amazing things that's happened to me because of this blockchain and crypto project, the human connection is at the top of my list. That is my biggest take away from this project.  

I wasn't sure we'd get this far back in 2016. I hope we can do another SteemFest and maybe, the worst is behind us and the best is yet to come. Time will tell! 

Thank you @roelandp for bringing the SteemFest fam together once again. Thanks to the crew for 2019 @poezio, @sjennon, @aishwarya, @varunpinto, @mynewlife, @esko and @wandereronwheels. 

River cruise managed to lock us in at one spot to get our picture taken together. Finally! 

![firepower-crew.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmXtnrAiRRrbhLtnuHcAWkQG5M7QdGPj5ndbb54C9NKNwj/firepower-crew.jpg)