Bangkok Week 839

July 25, 2024

A super busy week: and one we’ve been waiting for! A long-weekend in Hua Hin, at both the luxurious Sheraton and the benevolent Wildlife Friends Foundation of Thailand (WFFT).

These two are looking fab in their matching stripes. Happy Friyay!

Lucy's taking Granny to her (make-up) swimming lesson today.

Granny's a natural now.

Lucy insisted on helping Dad work.

Oh no! We're going to miss the purple bloom again while we're away.

And we're off to Hua Hin!

We've been upgraded to a fancy suite, and Arlo thinks it's great.

Here he's posing for all the photos.

Our ginormous bathroom.

And the living room.

And the office space.

And testing out -- and getting sand in -- the bed.

Our lush, ocean-view yard.

Lucy's made herself at home on the sun lounger.

This is the life!

But it's Granny & Grandpa's room that has the pool access!

Not too shabby a pool view!

Without further ado, it's lunch time!

Beach front dining, 10 steps from our yard.

And so begins Arlo & Lucy's weekend of fries.

The best we could muster, posing with the beach...

Now taking a tour of the property.

(Finally) back at the lobby.

The Kids Club was being renovated, but Lucy still enjoyed the swings.

A quick stop at the temporary kids club.

And sneaking in one golf cart ride back to the room afterward.

Whee!

Time for a swim! The TV became our sunscreen distraction.

We love the lagoon pool!

First time swimming under a waterfall for these two.

Choosing the pool right in front of the lobby to do big, loud jumps.

Splash!

The jacuzzi bubblers are not too bad, after getting used to them.

Group shot, at the edge of infinity.

And checking out the kids pools.

Rescuing little beetles from the kiddie pool.

And checking out the tiny beach.

It's nothing like the Rayong beach.

Even the shells aren't as nice... says Lucy's face.

Wave jumping is more difficult because of the steep angle of the beach.

Washing up in our waterfall bathtub - how lush.

A dinner of fries: our favorite food, at our favorite restaurant.

Clambering for the beach.

Two cuties.

The sleeping situation: as full of fraught as the photo suggests.

Walking to breakfast.

Arlo's hotel special: waffles with sprinkles.

Stopping to swing...

... and ping some pongs.

Checking out the beach again - this time at low tide.

What a difference half a day makes - now the beach is a mile deep.

Jury's not yet out on the shells here.

Fascinated by the little crabs.

Group shot!

One last swim in the pool before checking out.

And one last splash in our lux bathtub.

Bye bye, Sheraton! Off to...

... the elephant sanctuary!

The view from our room is different than when we were here 3 years ago.

It's soon bedtime, so the elephants are in their enclosures for the night.

Bath time!

And dinner time!

Some of the volunteers getting to bathe one of the big ladies.

Ice cream break!

Granny is elephant-gazing from her balcony.

A quick dip to cool off before dinner time.

Dinner with a view.

The mama of all spiderwebs!

Oh no. Are we really going to put 3 people on a Single bed tonight?

Early morning elephant viewing.

Breakfast door-busters.

The gibbons are up nice and early with us.

Checking out the local millipedes...

... and plant life.

Little sister leading the way for big brother.

Morning, elephants!

We were privileged to have a great view of these two ladies enjoying brekkie.

Running toward the gibbon cages and jungle bungalows.

Handsome but loud. So loud.

The elephants are out in their enclosure today.

Count them all!

Playing with the local dogs...

... and enjoying another dip in the pool, while Granny & Grandpa are on the tour.

Two 2-year-olds. Any resemblance?

Bye bye, elephants! It's been nice to see you again.

Someone's exhausted. And must have a sore neck, too.

Whoops! We missed Lucy's tree photo two days ago...

... so here it is, slightly belated. 2 years and 4 months.

Our purple cactus flower bloomed while we were away.

Meanwhile, this yellow one bloomed two days in a row! That's rare!

Helping Granny with the carrot grating.

Arlo is wearing his cool new WFFT shirt...

... and so is Lucy!

Learning to play Uno the "right" way with Grandpa.

The two pink panthers.

And a peacock with a bare bum, helping mum in the office.

Delicious bite of pad thai from Baa Wan.

The two shoppers back from a successful mission.

And time for a late-afternoon swim.

A sleepyhead.

With no intent of getting out of bed.

Uh oh! Grand stole Lucy's nose!

Lucy is placing beads on a spinning top.

Very pleased with herself; and Granny is impressed.

Great artwork by Arlo!

So expressive.

And closing off the week with everyone's favorite board game: Monza!

Arlo cleaned Grandpa's clock!

See you next time!