Lazy days on Koh Lanta

It has been about five days since our last post and this will be a short one. We are beginning to perfect the art of hanging out and "allowing" ourselves to kick back. Koh Lanta has been a time of endless swimming, reading, eating, playing backgammon, listening to our music....etc
It is nice to slowly inhabit this space after such a long time getting ready for this journey and finishing up all our business back home. We are also getting into a daily rhythm around schooling with Kai and Pippin doing some regular journal writing and Math. Reading does not need encouragement since there are endless hours to fill with such frivolous past times. Social studies speaks for itself - with endless cultural experiences every minute of the day.
Our trip to Koh Lanta was very enjoyable despite the small rickety boat. It included some spectacular sights -- flying fish that looked like small swordfish, gigantic colourful jellyfish, lovely exotic looking islands and lots of interesting company from all over the world. On arrival we got accosted by many young men trying to get us to come stay at their guesthouses - each with photo albums under hand for viewing. We took our time having fun interacting with the various characters and eventually focused in on two that seemed to fit our needs. After a hot and muggy taxi ride (in the back of a pick up truck) we found the place we liked the most and embarked on a bit of bargaining to come up with a good deal. We can do this given that it is quiet down here now and so they want to fill up their rooms. The "Clean Beach Resort" we have been staying at is a beautifully landscaped and comfortable space with a nice a pool and it is right on the beach. The pool is a bonus when the kids are tired of the midday sun and need another activity.
The beach is a lovely long stretch of calm water with great swimming and fabulous walking.
Here are some "sunset pictures to give you a feel for the beach.




This is a very sweet little beach side bar/restaurant that has provided us with great space to take in the ocean over our meals. The kids hang out in hammocks while we sit on the comfortable floor seating enjoying the great R and R. What a luxury!

This is the pool. I think the kids hair will be green by the end of this trip. They will be getting full marks for PE this year. I think 4 to 5 hours of daily swimming would not be an exaggeration.

Tomorrow we head off for a 5 hour boat trip to an Island called Koh Lipe. It is almost on the Malaysian border and apparently it has many healthy coral reefs with gorgeous tropical fish. We plan to stay for at least 6 to 7 days given that it is far away and takes some effort to get to it. So until our next post - we hope this note finds you all happy and well.