So the holidays begin..... and Amber becomes a Junior Open Water Diver - I become an Old Open Water Diver!!! Who would have thought it?!
Bad hair day - and haven't got a funky matching gear - yet?!
Poppy was able to join us snorkelling - her foot nearly mended!
Amber was totally amazing - she had a leaky mask - so 12m underwater she just calmly swaps hers with the instructors - mind blowing - I am so proud of her!
Hoorah we did it!!! Ian's first dive since living in Thailand..
My first proper diving buddy - Narelle you were a star - we could be a good team - if we manage not dive bomb each others heads!!!!
Bubbles to celebrate - all too fizzy for Amber!!
Off to Rayong next with a lovely friend Sue, her son and mate for a night - Poppy in her makeshift foot protector (an icecream freezer bag!)
Hiding from the rain in a very bizarre Italian man's cafe - not one to be repeated!
Bring on the beers - had a fab time learning more card games - drinking and eating!
Off to the local plant market to buy some more fish..
Ian doing his finest haggling over pond lillies!
Oh massive excitement - our first visitors arrive!! Beth and I on their scarily high balcony at Centara!
Ian looking towards the centre of Pattaya - looks better at night!
The first purchase in Thailand - bought from the back of our pick up truck - Paul's introduction into haggling in Pattaya!
At Centara - white bodies here - no flamingo legs yet!?!
The scary view of the resort from Beth and Paul's balcony!
The first of many drinks - in wonderful new glasses!!! Thank you Beth!
Walking Street (the tame version!)
Luke and Lois doing the foot treatment... (surprisingly they both loved it!)
The same cannot be said however for the Dad's!!!
....all because of these little harmless things.... very very funny!
We declare our balcony bar open!
Khao Kiaow Zoo
The cutest thing by far...
Amber and Lois
Cheeky Amber newly braided
Oops - being braided... on the beach
Had a superb day shopping with Sue and Beth at Chattachak Market in Bangkok - Beth managed to avoid a squat toilet here - but we got her before she left!
Meanwhile..... the boys took the kids go karting - amazingly all survived even though Amber had a massive stack coming back in! (and a huge bruise to prove it!)
Too much shopping makes Beth a tired girl.....
We stayed a night at the same hotel which was great - poshest place so far for us in Thailand!
Just about managed to tear ourselves away from '50 shades' to chill in the infinity pool!
Poppy at Sattahip beach - no dodgy barnacles this time!
Only dodgy rules from the kids whilst playing volley ball - the parents one by 1 point!
Off to Ko Samet!
Who's that cool dude?!
Boat building on the beach
Poppy and Amber had a henna tattoo
Much to Ian's total disgust I had my little 'tail' beaded - ha ha! Didn't last long - now I have no tail as he cut it off!
Beth and I relaxing - wonderful massages - totally oblivious to our husbands and children visiting us!
Start as you mean to go on..... happy hour - it would be rude not to!
The Thornton Clan!
Love this!
Sue and Tom joined us for a night of hilarity!!!
More drinking.... at The View!
.... and on our balcony - using the new glasses from Bangkok!
oh! and again on their last evening.... after watching Ian and the kids on the banana boat - we had an amazing sunset and sat with a beer and ate grilled prawns - it was perfect!
After a totally amazing two weeks and an emotional departure we were rescued the following day by our wonderful friends Nick, Lu, Polly and Tilly - with an awesome roast dinner of epic proportions!!!
Well this is the summer holiday so far..... and we hear there is now sun in England so enjoy everyone! Cheers!
