Krabi, Thailand

It has been quite awhile since I posted anything and I need to catch up. In early January, we took a family trip to Krabi, Thailand. It is a coastal area in Southern Thailand with huge, limestone peaks famous for rock climbing. While we thought it a beautiful vacation destination, it was at times overwhelming with the little ones. Sometime on the first day, Joseph and I looked at each other and said something like, "this is it--no more southeast Asia family vacations for us." It is kind of a relief in a way because traveling with all the children is difficult and expensive.

Because our "resort" was on a peninsula with no roads, getting there was quite an adventure. (I use quotations because it tuned out to more of a twenty-something backpackers cabins and a 15 minute walk from the beach.) We took a car from the airport to the pier. Then we got on a boat with all the luggage and kids in tow to find that we couldn't approach the shore because it was low tide and swampy-like conditions. So when the boat stopped pretty far out, I really thought for a moment we would have to walk through it with the luggage somehow, but to our surprise a tractor with a trailer came out to rescue us.

The kids all had the amazing opportunity to do some climbing on the first day we were there. We hired a couple of guides with equipment and spent 4 hours climbing right off the shore. I had one short turn and that was enough for me. Joseph stayed longer with Abigail, Maggie and Xander. They all climbed multiple runs and did really well. Maggie is pictured below on her first run and Abigail as well on another part of the rock.

This was the view from the shore just behind where we were climbing. So you were either looking at the limestone or looking at this stunning scene. Juliet and Ella played in the water while we all took turns climbing.

Xander had a great time and put forth some good effort for a 5 year old. Below he is pictured repelling down a climb after he made it about half way up (the same one Maggie is doing in the picture above.)

And Abigail repelling down. I just thought this was such a cool picture I had to include it too.

Beach time is always fun. The beaches here were particularly nice because of the sand and the crystal clear water. The kids had fun digging holes, filling them with water and then trying to catch the little fish and sea jellies to put inside them.

Joseph in the water with the kids by Pranang Cave.The boat ride back--I just thought these were some nice pictures of Juliet and Xander.

And finally, we all went on a 1 hour elephant adventure, riding 3 elephants through a forest area and feeding them some pineapple. If you've ever wondered what it feels like to ride an elephant, it is very slow going and uncomfortable but definitely something to at least try once. The kids loved it though.