Catching Up

Last week, we stole away to the beach town of Hua Hin for a couple days. It was beautiful weather (one day it was so cold we didn't even go swimming in the pool!) and the kiddos enjoyed the sand and surf.

A few weeks back I took the kids to the park and when Adele's feet touched the sand there she screamed and I thought "uh oh, not a good sign for the beach." But, she LOVED it...as witness!

Calvin enjoyed his time as well.

I have a funny story to share. When we were away was when the airport was seiged by the anti-government protesters but we were clueless. We didn't know anything about it. So, we're eating at a restuarant our last night in Hua Hin and one of the waitress's asks me if I am afraid about all that is happening. I tell her no, I'm not afraid because it's downtown and we live out near the new airport!!! She then asked me again, "you live near the new airport" and I said,"Yeah, really far from all that so there's no need to fear." Later as I was sharing this with Paul we got a really good laugh out of it becuase she probably thought I was off my rocker! I also should have said that I don't fear because I trust God but it just didn't even come to my mind to say that.


PJ playing in the surf.

And, off the subject a bit, we did homeschool Monday afternoon outside. The weather was so lovely and cool. I think it was probably in the 70s but I am not sure. PJ enjoyed the change in environment. =)

beauty

Pic #1: View from our bedroom window...pool and then the ocean.















Pic #2: Some of the long tailed boats that belonged to the Sea Gypsies who happened to have a small village right on the beach where we were staying. They slept right out on the sand at night with half baskets to give them a shield from the wind.


Pic #3: The guys on their way to a day of snorkeling several islands. PJ went along on this trip. Paul tethered PJ to himself and he just floated around on top while Paul snorkeled. This boat is a long tailed boat operated by a Sea Gypsy.
The island to the left is Mosquito Island and the one of the right is Bamboo Island. The guys snorkeled both.

Getting to Phi Phi

And here is more of the story of our trip to Phi Phi Island. We got on a speed boat at a port in Phuket (another island here in Thailand). We took the speedboat for about an hour and then we came a lone dock and up a small hill was debris and some houselike buildings. We weren't sure what was happening. We thought, surely we are staying here (See second picture)! (there's no beach, only rocks). So, our boat driver called somone and told us that they were coming to get us. We look and coming up over the hill is the truck shown in picture #2. We all laughed, as you realize quickly in Thaliand, things are not as you expect them to be! And, yes, dear reader, this was our trasportation to our hotel....which was on the other side of the hill and absolutely beautiful.
The third picture is of the family climbing the steps off the dock onto a bridge type structure.
And the last pic is the truck. It took about 5 seconds for it to get into gear once the guy changed gears...it was really great! Classic Thai!!!

Ko Phi Phi

Paul's folks and his 17 year old nephew arrived a little over a week ago. We headed to the beach, a small island in the Andaman Sea called Phi Phi Island, the day after they got in. It was beautiful. The only bad thing was that most of us were sick at some point during the four days we were there! Thankfully, we were still able to enjoy the beach, the ocean and the big boys enjoyed snorkeling at several different sites...and from what I've heard it's been the best in Thailand, so far!










Here is Calvin sitting in a beach chair.

























And, Paul and PJ enjoying a fruit shake in the pool. Notice the beach is just beyond the pool.













And, as usual, the search for hermit crabs was on...and we were not disappointed. Here are Grampy and PJ with one of their finds.

more beach pics

PJ and Becca playing in the sand

Adele's first trip to the beach.

Phii Yu and Adele hanging out

And Paul and Dave got to play a game of pitonk or bolles, whichever you prefer. =)