We've been home for almost a week now, but our hearts are still soaring from an amazing 5 weeks in the Land of Smiles :D
Here are a few highlights from our trip:
We spent our first week on the coast and I'm convinced we chose the perfect spot to rest and recover from travel and jet lag. I usually prefer simple low budget guest houses, but this time we splurged a bit and stayed at Dolphin Bay in Hua Hin, which is basically a waking dream for families with small children. Playground, grassy areas, pool with slides, kids room with toys and giant beanbags, an endless stream of little girls to make friends and play with, yummy Thai food, Thai massage, and right across the street from a calm sandy beach filled with crabs of all kinds, clams, starfish, jellyfish, and beautiful seashells. We were able to settle in and breathe deep and just be together for a while with nothing to do but relax and enjoy ourselves. What a blessing!
And now we are home, facing the lingering jet lag by grocery shopping at 1am, going to bed at 5am, letting the house go, eating out more than usual, and crashing out on the floor mid-day without warning.
Here are a few highlights from our trip:
We spent our first week on the coast and I'm convinced we chose the perfect spot to rest and recover from travel and jet lag. I usually prefer simple low budget guest houses, but this time we splurged a bit and stayed at Dolphin Bay in Hua Hin, which is basically a waking dream for families with small children. Playground, grassy areas, pool with slides, kids room with toys and giant beanbags, an endless stream of little girls to make friends and play with, yummy Thai food, Thai massage, and right across the street from a calm sandy beach filled with crabs of all kinds, clams, starfish, jellyfish, and beautiful seashells. We were able to settle in and breathe deep and just be together for a while with nothing to do but relax and enjoy ourselves. What a blessing!
A surprise rainstorm only added to the fun, with puddles to stomp in and lots of little frogs to catch!
After Dolphin Bay, we took an overnight bus to Chiang Mai and then a 3 hour crazy curvy minivan ride up to Pai, our main destination in Northern Thailand. Some dear friends of ours were away for most of December and offered for us stay in their home, so we were welcomed with a beloved home to move right into. The kids jumped right into playing with friends, exploring the land and catching butterflies and grasshoppers.
Ian and I were inspired by the rich community and Christ-centered meditations at Shekina garden three times a week. Here are some pictures from our Christmas Eve celebration:
New Year's Eve in Thailand is dazzling, the sky sprinkled with paper lanterns and exploding fire crackers!!!
And now we are home, facing the lingering jet lag by grocery shopping at 1am, going to bed at 5am, letting the house go, eating out more than usual, and crashing out on the floor mid-day without warning.
