Day 81, Year 4: Settling In with Sam Aboard
Date: Sunday, January 11, 2009
Weather: Sunny with Slightly Decreasing Winds
Location: Ao Po Grand Marina, Phuket Island, Thailand

We spent another day here at the marina helping everyone to get their sea legs before we take off tomorrow. We walked to Chandara Resort in the morning to swim while the sun was shining, but unfortunately it was too early in the day for the water to be warm. Instead of being in the 80’s, the water was probably in the upper 70’s and that feels chilly when the wind is blowing. So Sam didn’t spend a great deal of time in the water, but we still had fun having poolside fruit drinks and dangling our feet in the pool. All of us jumped in and swam except for Sam. I think only his toes went in the water this morning.

After our swim, we walked down the hill to the little Muslim open-air restaurant to have Phad Tai and Tom Yum Gai for lunch. Delicious! And then it was time to head back to Windbird for afternoon naps. Heather, Jed, and Sam all took a nap and I saw Mark cat-napping from time to time. But I did the laundry and worked on naming photos. Sam took an exceptionally long nap and then we walked to the beach to play in the sand. It was late in the day by the time we returned to Windbird. We decided to be lazy and not fix dinner aboard, so again we all walked up to the Chandara Resort and had dinner. The food there is good but not great, but then all food is great when you don’t have to prepare it. And the food there is presented in a beautiful manner even if it is not as fantastic as it looks.

Mark and I spent most of our time just watching Sam. Mark asked me today if I thought our children were ever as alert and inquisitive as Sam. I had to reply that I am sure they were, but I must admit that Sam has more than the average amount of charm and alertness. We are just totally loving having him with us and observing his every move.

090111 Day 81 Thailand–H, J & S’s Second Day