January 2, 2016

Took off for Thailand (Phuket) for the first time as a family. We arrived in Bangkok and had to rush to our gate for a domestic transfer as we were already late. We ran to two different gates and then finally were directed to the correct gate—of course I was sweating profusely. We made it to the plane and considered ourselves lucky.

Upon arrival we found our driver and were taken to Kamala Beach. We were a bit perturbed and then astounded that we accidentally booked an apartment instead of a hotel room.

January 3, 2016

We woke up around 9:00 Thailand time and I went for a gruesome 7 mile run in the sun. After that we found the pool at the hotel and after a couple of hours of swimming we had lunch. Maya and Naila stole all of our prawns even though we each ordered a prawn dish. Then we went to the beach and Laura had a massage while the girls and Bernie built a castle that was eventually destroyed by the tide.

Upon return to our apartment  I went for a massage. It was a combination of an oil massage and a Thai massage which I hadn’t previously experienced. I was pushed, pulled, force stretched and had many of my joints cracked—I was also mocked several times with “Do you want to cryyyyyyyy (insert Thai accent)?” To cap off the evening the Manker clan found a nice little family restaurant and ate some Thai pork, chicken and prawns (girls). It was a fantastic day.

January 4, 2016

Beach and Pool.

January 5, 2016

I went for the same 7 hill 7 mile killer run but this time in reverse. The heat and the hills were exhausting but it was easier than the first time. I came home to find the girls beginning to stir—we played for a while as Laura slept a bit more. We then went to have “Thai Breakfast” on our way to the Beach.

Swimming and paying in the sand was great.

January 6, 2017

Laura and I got up and ran today—not together—that is still projected for some 3-4 years off. Same pool and beach routine. Maya and Naila have impressed us with their newfound ability to play together and to share. Laura and I have even had the chance to sit and chat together while the girls are building sandcastles or playing with their dollies. Amazing.

A few catch phrases from the girls that we’ve had a chance to catch over the course of our winter break: “Let’s build a hello kitty pool”, “Can I help put on the scrubscreen?”, “Can we ride the alligator to go up there?”