Wash, Rinse, Repeat

I think that it's going to be a challenge to post much in the way of new and different daily experiences here on Koh Phangan. Not that we're not enjoying ourselves - how can we not? It's just that the days will flow from one to the other in a fairly predictable daily routine of swimming, snorkelling, eating, reading, relaxing....you get the picture.

The island, once famous only for it's Full Moon Parties (which happen far away on the other side of the island), has now become a destination in Thailand for family travelers looking to escape the package tours, loud music and parties, and general over-development found in some of the other islands and resorts in this region (such as Phuket and Koh Samui).  

So of all the stops along our six month trek, this will feel most like a vacation. There's Shirley comfortable nestled in a deck chair at the Salad Hut, our beachfront guesthouse for the week. The name comes from Haad Salad (Salad Beach).

It's a place to catch up on journal entries. However, upon reading back through Owen's in more detail, it seems like every day has the phrase "today we had another long bus ride" - I hope he has other fond memories, too!! The kids are getting ice cream every day (never happens at home), but does he bother to mention that?

And it's a place to have a morning dip in the ocean....

....followed by art class. Today we shall study scuplture. Our medium will be sand. Pick a spot, any spot.

Mom also needs pampering. I think Shirley has her week of daily treatments planned - pedicure, traditional massage, manicure, foot massage, facial scrub....as I said - this week is vacation mode.

But not all fun and games - here is mean Mr. Boltwood leading today's math class. Notice the grim expressions and dejected posture. They do not like this substitute teacher. How come I'm always the bad guy?

Maybe I can make it up to you with an afternoon snorkelling trip? This will be our biology lesson for the day. 

Just off the beach is a small reef which we are slowly discovering. It's by no means a diver's paradise, but any colourful fish get us very excited.

We also got to test out Owen's little waterproof camera - seems to work really well. Annie spotted this giant clam on our afternoon trip. Of course on our morning swim (during which we saw a huge pufferfish), daddy forgot the camera.

We came to the island hoping to go on our (me and Annie) first scuba dive together, but the local dive operations have been honest (to their credit) about the fact that the last couple of weeks have seen a storm and some windier than normal conditions around most good dive spots, so visibility is way down. But we're happy enough to stay in our bay and snorkel.

Then it's time to enjoy the evening sunset - same time and same place, but always a different show.

Dinner entertainment involves fire and a stick - somewhere in there is a local Thai guy. This got (and kept) the kids' attention. If there is any career which involves twirling a fuel-soaked burning stick, then Owen definitely wants to apply to that university.

And then it's off to bed under the rustle of blowing palm fronds. I've said this to many people - I don't feel like I am on vacation unless there are palm trees. And there are plenty here. 

I'll do my best to keep regular entries while we're in our little slice of paradise, but don't be surprised if I skip a few days. But if I do, and you really wonder what we're up to for the next few days, then just go back and read this page again.