beach bums

On our second to last day of vacation, we finally figured out how to optimize our time. Just too bad that it took that long to get it all figured out! We wanted to go to the beach, we wanted the girls to go to the beach...but with the heat influencing mantha's skin the way it did and also trying to work things so that the kiddos can get thier naps (not a happy time for anyone if they don't) we hadn't had any days as a family at the beach at all!

Then we hit vacation gold. We woke up early, ate breakfast early and headed to the beach. The beach we went to was perfect - shaded on the east by trees, ensuring extra minutes in the shade. Palm trees gently swayed against the backdrop of imposing limestone mountains on either side of the beach. The tourists were still sleepy in bed, either hung over from hard partying (too common here in thailand) or enjoying their vacation by sleeping in. The gentle surf came and went, each surge whispering relaxation and enjoyment. Yards and yards of lounge chairs sat out on the beach sat unopened, their shady umbrellas unwilling to give their shade at such an early hour.

So there we were, with prime beach all to ourselves (minus the occasional jogger or retired couple). It is true, right, that the early bird gets the worm? For two days in a row, until the morning of our departure, we hit the beach early and stayed until crankiness forced us to leave.


Self Portait, taken by Mr. Eggroll: Mantha enjoyed fishing her hands through the sand and then relishing every grain as it passed through her fingers. I agree with my sis kate that she is pretty cute! And in the shade, she was happy and delightful!

It's true, hundreds of yards of beach chairs still waiting for the day to begin...and there's mantha, just in the middle of it all.

Early morning family portrait, taken by the local dude who takes the money for the lounge chairs (no, they're not free...) barefoot in the sand...fun times...
Daddy and Emma looking for sand dollars. Total count: 8, plus one pretty seashell.

Emma loved playing in the sand making sand castles, or whatever it was exactly that she was making. The quote of the day comes from a british lady who had been watching her from down the beach for 15 or 20 minutes. She finally came up to emma and josh and said (so imagine it with the cool british accent): "I've been watching your daughter for ages and I think she's absolutely charming! She's playing so well by herself and I just feel absolutely charmed by her!"