Spatafora Family - The Thailand Sabbatical

Nov. 22nd

Ahhh, Koh Lanta. Two years ago we had visited here about one month before the tsunami, so when we decided we were going to take a trip to the beach, we really wanted to return here and see how the island was doing. Fortunately it was spared most of the major damage as compared to so many other places. We stayed at the Royal Lanta, which is a nice, quiet resort with bungalows that are connected by boardwalks. Plus they are only about 100 meters from the beach! The Royal Lanta restaurant is an open-air restaurant that has both good food and a great view of the beach and the ocean. It makes for a great place to eat, have a drink, and rest from a strenuous day of laying and playing on the beach.

Today was a much welcomed lazy day. We arrived late last night and were very tired, so we slept late (or at least some children we know did) and everyone headed to breakfast and the beach on their own time. After breakfast we swam in the ocean, walked on the beach and had a very relaxing day. Postcards were written, spas were visited, massages were had, and tans on our Oregon-white bodies were dramatically improved. We love the beach.

What a great day. Good friends, good food, and the beach. What could be better? How about sailboats silhouetted against the sunset and a brief rain shower to complete the tropical effect? Night on the beach is also fun with restaurants and shops, people watching, and a paper lantern offered up to the sky just before bed. To be honest, I think the parents liked the lanterns more than the kids. There is something so serene about watching them float up and away into the night. Once again, it was a very nice day.