We had a lovely time in Phuket. The kids especially enjoyed the beach...they probably would have kept digging until they reached New Jersey if we let them! Tom was actually able to chill...he didn't bring his laptop and only used his Blackberry once a day. Usually only one work related phone call per day as well. What a difference!
Phuket is upgrading. I think a lot of people were able to take advantage of low interest loans due to tsunami relief. Kuhn Pichit, our driver from two years ago, met us at the airport and drove us around all week. He really likes our children, especially James. He kept laughing at the fact that Claire NEVER stops talking. It's a nonstop monologue! Kuhn Gai from Nai Harn seafood (a restaurant on our beach which was washed away) was back. His new premises are much nicer than the old ones. There was also an incredible Italian place which we never went to pre-tsunami. The old place just didn't look very nice. Wow! Incredible pizza, drinkable white wine and cappucino. Also fantastic bruchetta pomadora.
James, who loves elephants in theory, was totally freaked out by them in person. He screamed at the zoo every time an elephant walked by. Elephant rides were out this year. Claire was able to take a short ride at the zoo, though. James did help me feed an elephant a banana but then he went balistic when the elephant started sniffing his new yellow garbage truck with its trunk.
We've been back since Sunday. It's been a full week of school and James' classes. Also I've been watching the first season of NIP/TUCK on DVD and have definitely stayed up WAY too late. Looking forward to a relaxing weekend (right). Claire has piano in the morning. Tom flies home from LA tomorrow night. Claire's 6th birthday is next week and I have a million things to do relating to that. Also, our meeting with the school about James is next Friday. We still do not know if he will be accepted for next year.
Sigh.
