Koh Samui, Thailand

Since we were taking a detour on our way home for the summer, we decided to leave Sri Lanka and make a stop over in Thailand.  We spent one week in each place and now we know we must return and spend at least two weeks in these wonderful, unique, and adventurous places.

We decided to follow our good friends, Justin and Rebecca Somerville, to Koh Samui.  They live about 4 houses away from us in Kaust and have been a family we immediately connected with.  They are from New Zealand, about our age, have three awesome kids, and area also a little looney like us.  This is our second adventure with them and we look forward to making more memories in the years to come.

We also decided to fly Gracie, our niece, to meet us.  She flew to Bangkok on her own and then we continued to Koh Samui.  She did a great job!  Her words: "I love airports!"  She enjoyed the independence, courage, and adventure it took to make this long journey.  We are so glad she spent this week with us.

We didn't spend too much time on the beach.  I think we are a little spoiled by living right on the Red Sea. 

Our place was quite large, but when you shop around you can find some great deals.  4 of the bedrooms faced the pool.  We also had a lovely view. 

Sorry ladies, but I had to post this picture.  Notice how the mommas are hiding behind the cute girls.  We all bought the same suit in different designs from a beach vendor. Rebecca S. worked us out a nice deal.  I did not appreciate being told I was extra large and had to pay more!

Our home!

You can buy gasoline in bottles.  It must be for all the scooters that are racing around the island. 

The food was so delicious! 

This was the name of our villa.

The Big Buddah was a great find!  The shopping was amazing and it is always fun to learn about the customs of the country you are visiting. 

This is a typical boat.

Shopping!  Everything is so cheap!

Carter lost his tooth right when we arrived.  The Thailand Tooth Fairy delivered 50 bot for this front tooth.

Gracie's first night.  She did a good job of not falling face first into her food.  Catching up on her sleep was an important task for the first few days. 

Our good friends.  The Somervilles!  We hiked to a waterfall, which was barely flowing, and a did a little swimming.

Cameron being blessed by a Monk.

Gracie was blessed too.

Bryan and Cameron just had to go to the Snake Farm.  I can't believe I gave in.  It was the most miserable experience of the entire trip.  The snakes were kept in awful conditions, but the people were so happy to show us around.  I tried to be upbeat, but I really thought I was going to pass out. 

This is the snake charmer!  He also had pet scorpions and wanted to prove to me that they were friendly.  It did not work.  This guy also had a USA tattoo.  Very strange!

This has been bit 324 times!  He is missing several fingers!  

Carter wanted a massage.  He was lubed up with coconut oil and a little Thai lady rubbed him down for a 1/2 hour.  Gracie also enjoyed a massage, but mine was awful.  The He-She that massaged me made me feel like I had been in a boxing ring.  I am not a fan of the Thai massage.

Now we are back in the U..S spending time with our friends and family.  We missed everyone dearly, but did enjoy our adventures over the last 11 months!  We will be flying back to Saudi in August and look forward to the adventures that are still to come.