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December 21, 2011
Now in paradise...
We so happy to be back at Dolphin Bay Resort in Thailand, the same place we came to and loved last year. Within minutes of arriving here, Rémi had already made a best friend and vacation life was on a good track. We met this British family with one kid more Rémi's age - Zach, and the girl more Simon's age - Amber. And the parents are really cool, so we just chat it up. And we also saw lots of people who were here last year, so it's like a big reunion. Nothing like swimming, eating seafood, getting up a bit late and lazing around. Our bungalow is nice and just by the pool, so I can go to our room quickly to get things and get back in a jiffy. Long chairs, reading novels, a glass of wine, a pedicure, a massage. Gee, that really is paradise. This will no doubt do me a lot of good, and the boys as well. Merry Xmas and Happy New Year everyone back home! You can also check out the updated Thailand photo album....
Getting to Thailand is an easy 1.5 hour flight but still, making it to Dolphin Bay Resort took the whole day with us at the airport at 7 am, landing in Thailand at around noon, and getting a 4 hour drive past Hua Hin town. Now we've been here 3 days and it has been great. It is a bit chilly tho with strong winds, so the boys and other guests have not been swimming
too much. Still lots to do tho like running around with others kids and screaming, pretending to be all kinds of super hero. The sand box with the large playhouse is right in front of our bungalow, which is great. The food here has an extensive menu, but last night we went next door to a little shack to eat more authentic Thai food like a grilled sea bass, and it was yummy. And when we get bored, we'll likely make it to town for a crocodile show or to the mountains for some short trekking if I can convince Rémi....
December 23, 2011
We wish you a merry Xmas...!
We've had fun for the past few days... it warmed up quite a bit which is good because the high winds and initial chilly weather meant that people including our kids did not swim so much. But yesterday it really warmed up and the wind died down, so everyone was cooling off in the pool. Yesterday I rented bicycles to go along the beach, try a new restaurant and get us moving a bit. The day before, we met with Rémi's school friend Ben who is here with his Thai mum. They actually have a house just 500 m from Dolphin Bay Resort! What a coincidence! So yesterday Ben came to swim at DBR all afternoon and had fun
with many other boys his age. And 2 days ago, we rode in Ben's dad's pick-up truck to the city of Hua Hin, about 45 min. away. We went with Jane, Duncan and her 2 kids thinking we would do some shopping and hanging around for a half day. But it was too hot and the kids kept whining and begging us to back to DBR, so after 2 hours of this we returned by taxi. Today is Xmas Eve's day and they have a big party planned for us tonight with a huge buffet, Xmas caroling and of course, Santa will come to give presents to the 76 kids of the resort. Merry Xmas to all our friends and family back home and around the world. We carry you in our hearts!
December 24, 2011
Xmas Eve's day at DBR
We had a lovely time today... The resort had organized a Xmas card making contest for the kids. To my surprise, Rémi did his very carefully and won a prize. Then they set up 2 trampolines so children had fun jumping around, altho there was no safety net! And they also set up a huge jumping castle which was also
great fun. For the evening dinner, we were a bit worried because the winds were so strong that it was hard for them to set up the tables in the garden. But in the end it all worked out and we had the traditional turkey and mashed potatoes, tho the food was a bit cold. Rémi filled up 3 plates with too much food and tried hard to eat it all. They had a nearby school come to sing Xmas carols and then Santa came around. It was great seeing the younger kids so excited to get their present, Simon included. A nice day all around for everyone, kids and parents...!
December 29, 2011
The last days of 2011...
We've had some bad weather again on Monday and Tuesday so it was windy and chilly and no one swam much. I rented a motorcycle and we rode to the nearby town of Pranburi, about 20 km away. There's a shopping mall there with a supermarket so we bought a few things, hung around then came back to the resort. Simon has discovered his love of swings and keeps wanting to for me to push him as hard as I can, all the way to the moon! Rémi went to his friend Ben's
for the day and they built an Indian tipi (kind of tent) with things they found in the bush, under the guidance of Ben's dad. Yesterday the weather finally got better so we swam more and stayed by the pool. Ben came by and played at the resort for the day. Last night we also said goodbye to our friends Jane, Duncan and their 2 kids - we've had great fun with them for 10 days and now it was time for them to return to Qatar where they live and work. It is a lot of work for me to manage the boys 24/7 but generally, things are going well and we are now enjoying the last few days of 2011. Happy New Year everyone!
January 1, 2012
The first day of the year has arrived...
Yesterday for New Year's Day we had a great time, even tho most of our friends had already left the resort. DBR organized some arts and craft painting in the afternoon and also got yet again a jumping castle, to the delight of children. Then we dressed up a bit and the garden had been all set up for a large seafood and Thai food buffet and BBQ. We ate a lot although the kids only wanted to get to the all-you-can-eat
ice cream bar. Then we went to the beach and saw many heat lanterns being flown into the skies all at once. This was followed by thunderous fireworks to the delight of Simon and all kids. There was also a raffle and we won yet again a DBR mug to take home. So today is our last day here and we've fully enjoyed our vacation. Now it is time to go home back to chilly Hanoi and the hectic life waiting for us. Once again, thanks DBR for a fabulous Xmas vacation. We hope to see you again next year! Happy New Year to our family back home and to our friends all over the world!