Highlights of Thailand

We had a wonderful two weeks on Koh Lipe. It was great fun seeing Pierre, Ana, and the gang, including their dog, Stella, our friend and yoga instructor, Fernando, and the boys' dive instructor, Anqi from Singapore. We stayed at Cocos Bungalows beside Castaways but one night, Pierre and Ana babysat so Claudio and I could go out on our anniversary for dinner and foot massages. On that night, the boys slept in a cabin at Castaways and was very excited.

Koh Lipe has a wonderful vibe and although it was busier than last time we visited in March, it was still really nice spending Christmas there together. It felt like being with friends and family at Castaways. We met a family from Sweden and another from Switzerland. The kids played really well together and made bamboo swords and thought of other games. Our boys did volunteer work many of the days which included helping George at reception and throughout the resort, fixing hammocks and doing other small jobs. They also helped at the bar with squeezing limes with an old, non-electric press and in the kitchen with Pierre, washing newly arrived glassware.

The Daddy and the Mommy had chances to sit on the beach and chat, read books and swim. We had great weather, maybe a bit windy at some points, but still gorgeous. We love how Koh Lipe is car-free and quite quiet...except for the odd motor boat.

Diving and snorkeling on Christmas day was one of the highlights of the trip. Frunty got his open water diving certificate with Anqi and Pit did his bubble maker. Both boys did very well and were confident and listened well to instructions. A teenager from the States, Nathaniel, was doing his course as well and the boys enjoyed spending time studying with him too. Anqi was an great instructor and gave the boys extra time to pracise scuba diving. The Mommy was happy that the Daddy participated at all times to ensure optimum safety and security. Pit's bubble maker course was really amazing as he was able to scuba dive in front of Sunrise beach where we were staying instead of a swimming pool full of chlorine. He saw fish and coral instead of pool tiles. Anqi gave Pit extra time to scuba dive and he did really well. It was fun trying to take pictures of the boys in their scuba gear, in the water, with Santa hats on. They looked adorable in their little wetsuit we brought along, purchased in Australia and their mini tanks on their backs. I was so proud of my guys as I lazily floated on the surface, watching them way down below, and enjoyed snorkeling myself.

What a great holiday! I know Koh Lipe will keep developing like everywhere else but we have got special memories of one month of our lives spent there. Hopefully we will get to visit again one day...in the meantime, I will enjoy looking at the photos and reminiscing.