Hua Hin Getaway

Thought I'd share a few more pics from our mini vacation to Hua Hin, Thailand. One moment worth sharing for sure is on the bus there Rylee just out of the blue shot chunky strawberry yogurt flavoured pukey all over herself and me! What do you do when you and your toddler are trapped in van that's been packed like sardines and are covered in throw up? Honestly I have no suggestions... Just don't throw up yourself! Thankfully I had packed a towel and could sop up most of the mess before pulling over at the next gas station, but let me tell you that sour smell sure does linger!

On a brighter note, we arrived safe and sound at our little guest house located a few minutes from the beach. It was lovely and so spacious! Rylee even got her own bed! We spent three days in this little beach town and had quite the relaxing time checking out the sights. The first night was New Years, but before partaking in those festivities we went to a local night market and ate a lot of great food.

New Year's Day we slept in, casually made our way out to a temple located at the top of a hill at the end of the beach called, Khao Takiab. This little hill is also known as "Monkey Mountain", and they're not kidding, there were monkeys EVERYWHERE (so many I was bit freaked out)! Note to the wise: don't carry any food or garbage, monkeys will attempt to get it from you (I know from first hand experience!). After climbing an absurd amount of stairs to see the temple and get a great view of the coast and Gulf of Thailand, we walked down to the base to a little fishing village, which is also where a giant golden Buddha statue stands. From there we walked the beach/hip waded back to our neck of the woods.

Our last night we went into the main town area to check out another night market. Again lots of food was consumed, hah we don't shop we just eat! Our last day we made one last trip to the beach, unfortunately the tide was up making for a short and sweet outing before heading back to pack and begin our trek back to Bangkok (with no more puke incidents I might add).

Check out this months feature sponsor:

R&R In Penang

I've gotten a little sidetracked with all this new blog designing, but it's time to get back to our recent trip to Malaysia! I thought I'd share a few snapshots from our time in Penang, specifically Batu Ferringhi (a popular little beach town).

We splurged and stayed a nicer hotel that was located right on the beach and enjoyed four days of complete R&R... it was AWESOME! If I had to describe this area to anywhere I would say its a lot like Tofino, B.C. (minus the great surf). It was quiet and easy to find our way around, you truly can't get lost when theres only one main road! At night the place came alive with a bustling night market and a million food vendors that seem to pop up out of nowhere.

The hotel was great as it had a pool, kids waterpark and pool, playground, kidzone (a big room full of toys & crafts), and did I mention... beachfront! 

Most days were spent by the pool or down on the beach, although one day I got to experience ear candling for the first time ever, so gross yet so satisfying! Another day I got henna done on my belly as you saw on my latest "Bump Watch" post. But for the most part you could find me perched in a chair poolside reading, "And The Mountains Echoed", the most recent book by Khalid Hussain (you may know him from the Kite Runner, or A Thousand Splendid Suns). Sevio found solace in sleeping in and gorging himself with the delicious Indian food in the area or our hotel buffet. And Rylee...well she wasn't too fond of the pools (as seen in the picture below), or the ocean, but she did have a great time destroying the sand castles we would build for her, and playing in the Kidzone area.

Trip To The Beach

Is everyone enjoying this fabulous weather!? I know we are!! Yesterday we went to the beach to throw some rocks in the water and break in Rylee's new sunhat (I splurged, but I'm calling it an investment...I bought it two sizes too big because its super adjustable and bonus it has UV protection!). We had fun and a trip to the ocean isn't complete without a slip on seaweed...Ry got a bit of soggy bum and from that point on wanted me to carry her around. 

Don't forget to follow us on facebook and twitter for photos and updates not posted on the blog.

Beach Day!

 "At the beach, life is different. Time doesn't move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides and follow the sun."

-Unknown-

 “The beach is in our blood. Everyone in our family returns

  to the beach instinctively, just like the sea turtles.”

-Sandy Archibald-

“Play in the sand; splash in the water; get dirty; get wet. The beach is the only place my mom doesn’t get mad about me doing that stuff.”

--Dixie Dykens (age 5)-

 Summer has arrived (finally) and what better way to celebrate than to go to the beach! It was Ry's first time to dip her toes in the Pacific Ocean, and her first time setting eyes on little crabs, and her first time touching slimy seaweed!

I wish I had a picture of her first encounter with the poor unsuspecting crab, I was holding it to show her and without the slightest hesitation she reached out and grabbed the little guy by his pincher and just let him dangle around. Don't worry he survived, maybe a little traumatized, and with all limbs attached!

It was a beautiful day, and hopefully the first of many! Can't wait to get her to the lakes swimming to kick her little legs and so she can wear her itsy bitsy teenie weenie little polka dot...swim suit! She's a little young for a bikini folks, don't want those rowdy toddlers chasing after her, Daddy would have a conniption!