We woke up on the morning of with loving faces peering down at us.
A couple days ago, my sister decided that a trip to the beach would be easier for the kidlets, rather than a trip to the jungle. And since Bella had been begging to go to Ko Phi Phi, Sue organized an adventure down south to the islands, rather than the beaches in Hua Hin just a few hours drive from Bangkok.
Noi naa waiting patiently.
Hat’s off to my sister, who managed to get all nine of us down here without mishap. We’re momentarily on the largest island of Phuket and by this evening we’ll be on the much smaller island of Ko Phi Phi, which is by and large considered among the most beautiful islands of the world – and where the Leo de Caprio starred in the film The Beach.
Allowed and not allowed in the taxi van.
So far, its taken a 45 minute car ride to Don Muang airport (the old airport), an hour delay at the airport (which afforded the babies plenty of time to run and make friends), a two-hour flight to Phuket, and an hour’s drive to the beachside hotel Karon Princess (where we were put up for the night because the waves were to choppy for the speedboat last night).
All things considered, everything went remarkably smoothly. I did resort to giving Noi na an organic lollipop, and Christian got a few gummy bears. And last night when we headed down to the beach – the long almost completely deserted beach of fine, fine sand backlit with the pale blue light of the set sun, and dipped our bodies into the warm water – every bit of stress washed away. Even my mom said so.
Water like this makes me believe that we came from the ocean. I feel like I am cradled by Mother.
All the boys got up at the crack of dawn to go play a round of golf here before heading to an island with no roads. My mom’s already had an hour walk on the beach, Bella’s watching the baby so I can post (he loves waking up in new places – right now he’s on his belly on the floor watching his sister repack her suitcase), and Sue and Noi naa are having a well-deserved sleep-in.
We’ll go down for our free breakfast and then spend the rest of morning divided between the ocean and delightful jungly pools here at the hotel before we board the ferry to Ko Phi Phi at 1 pm.