Thailand - part 2

The one time we left the resort as a family was to go on an Elephant ride and see a temple.  We were picked up at the hotel early in the morning and loaded into the back of a pick up truck with benches along the side.  There was no gate in the back, no seat belts, but it was covered so you were protected from the sun.

Looking out the back of our ride.

Electrical wiring running through Phuket, Thailand.

Kids enjoying the ride.

Our first stop was to an area where they had a variety of animals and a bit of a tourist trap.  We took a short ride on trailer pulled by two oxen.

Kids in front of our second mode of transportation.

Girls enjoying the ride.

Picture of the surroundings.

Hailey on an oxe, I think, or maybe some sort of cow.

Aaron's turn...

There was a short monkey show.  This monkey was a little temperamental.  You can see the rope a person, I don't know if I would go as far as trainer, was holding when the monkey would get upset.  It would put its hand in your hand but if you put your thumb over his hand he would get made and bite himself.  Not exactly comforting when it is your child up there!

Sydney and the not so nice monkey.

Before we went on the elephants you could buy bananas to feed to the elephants.  They elephants loved them and if they knew you had some there trunks would be right up next to you looking for them.

Do you have a banana for me?

They also put on a little show and finished by giving everyone who wanted one a massage.  I kindly volunteered Randy for an extra special massage.  His massage included a "trainer" putting a banana up each of his short legs for the elephant to get with his trunk.  We all got a kick out of it and had a good chuckle.  Randy still gets squirmy when he thinks about the hairy trunk getting the banana!

Hailey getting her massage.

Aaron getting his massage and a kiss at the end.

Randy getting his "special" massage.

Last stop before heading back to the hotel was a temple.

Temple in Phuket.

Entrance to the temple.

Kids in the bell outside the temple.

Randy took Aaron golfing on the golf course at the resort.  He loves to golf and hasn't had many chances since we moved to Switzerland.  It was a great Daddy and Aaron outing!

Aaron on the 2nd tee.

Sydney ready to head out for her first open water dive.

Here is the video montage I put together of the kid's show and our elephant ride.

It was a great vacation and the kids did great on the 12+ hour plane ride.  The kids keep wanting to go back and Aaron even asks if we can move there.  We are very fortunate and blessed to be able to travel and expose the kids to so many different cultures.  It has opened their eyes to the world and it will be interesting to see what impact this has on them as they grow up.

Thailand - part 1

We are allowed to take one "home leave" every year, but do not necessarily have to go home.  This year we decided to head to Phuket, Thailand and stay at a Club Med.  This was a true vacation consisting of scuba diving, pool time, massages, and only one trip for sight seeing.  This was our first time at a Club Med and we decided to stay there so the kids had a place to hang out and have their own fun while we went scuba diving.  We arrived at the resort mid morning and after getting checked in and introduced to all they had to offer, we were off to get some lunch before we headed to the pool.  After some fun at the pool we headed to the restaurant to get a snack where Aaron proceeded to fall asleep after our 12 hour flight.  I guess the fact he only slept for a couple hours caught up with him.  We met one of the GO's that worked in the Kids Club for dinner where Aaron briefly woke up to pick out what he wanted for dinner only to fall back to sleep.  This was the only night all 5 of us would end up eating dinner together, if you can call it that with Aaron sleeping.

Aaron and his dinner that was never touched.

Hailey fell asleep after the kids show and we decided to call it a night after 2 kids were out for the count.

Our first full day was Easter Sunday where the kids painted eggs before they were off with the kids club all day.  Randy and I hung at the pool and then thoroughly enjoyed a very relaxing couples massage in the afternoon.  It was so relaxing we wanted to try and schedule another one before we left.  The kids had a blast all day and finished with a small water slide filled with soap suds.

Aaron having fun in the suds!

The second day we were up early to go scuba diving.  We arranged for a sitter since the Kids Club wasn't open when we needed to leave.  It was a beautiful day and we had 3 dives planned.  As we made it out further after the first dive I was starting to feel a little sea sick and just wanting to jump in to stop the motion.  I made it through the next two dives and was very happy when we made it to land.

Looking back at Phuket and a buddha on the top of the mountain.

One of our dive sites was along this wall.

I decided to stay on land while Randy went out the next day for 2 more dives.  I wanted to go, but feared it wouldn't be good as the waters looked more rough than the previous day.  I enjoyed time at the pool, water aerobics, and a peaceful lunch by myself.  Randy said it was good I didn't go as he was even feeling a little sick.

Aaron enjoying their kiddy drinks!

View from Phuket.

Randy and I heading into a small cave

Our first wreck dive, anyone need to use the bathroom...

Randy ready to head out for our first day of scuba diving.

Sydney and Hailey were even able to try scuba diving in the pool.  Sydney was old enough to head out for a real dive with an instructor and Randy.  She thought it was really cool and a great introduction for her!

Club Med is a great family place and every night the kids perform a show and then it is followed by a show for the entire family to enjoys.  The girls made some great friends and were at the Kids Club whenever it was open.  Here are some pictures from the kid's shows.

Aaron and his girlfriend in the fashion show. 

The kids on talent show night.

Aaron showing his kickboxing talent.

 I will post a video montage as well as our day out in the next blog post.