Category: Thailand

Phuket with Kids Done Luxe

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Trapeze flying, batik painting, and organic vegetable planting.  Milk and cookies at turn-down.  A  bakery with a selection of old-school American candy.  A pool with water fountains, giant turtles, a life guard-assisted slide, and continuous bubbles.  Free popsicles from noon until three every day.  Two baby elephants walking the resort’s extensive property and occasionally playing in the surf.  A newly-renovated kids club.  Giant scoops of ice cream atop home-made waffle cones.  You guys, this is the place:  the JW Marriott Phuket.

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Atop Ya-Ya at the JW Marriott Phuket

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Beautiful private beach at the JW Marriott Phuket

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In Asia, It’s a Fair-Haired Child’s World

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I’m guessing that many of my readers in the region will be able to relate to this piece about what it’s like to raise fair-skinned babies in Asia.

Many, many thanks to World Moms Blog, a “Must Read” by the New York Times Motherlode and listed in the Forbes Top 100 Websites for Women 2012, for publishing my piece.

In Asia, It’s a Fair-Haired Child’s World – via World Moms Blog

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Kate making friends in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Ode to Asian Air Carriers

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Kate enroute home from Phuket on Bangkok Airways at 13 months old

Ode to Asian Air Carriers

Oh Asian air carriers how I love you so,

You still allow my family priority boarding

so we don’t block our neighbors’ row;

You give my children stickers before take-off so they won’t throw a fit

when that seatbelt sign is on and we’re not quite cruising yet. Continue reading →

Dishing on the BTS: While Pregnant and with Kids

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Hi Everyone!  I wrote a little something about my experience with taking the BTS while pregnant (spoiler alert:  much more comfortable than taking the Washington DC Metro while pregnant) and with tots in tow.  Check it out on the Expecting Expats site here.

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Okay, so this was not taken on the BTS, but I thought I should leave you with some photo, and this is a recent favorite of mine (Anantara Golden Triangle)

Go Here Now

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We just spent an excellent five days in Pran Buri, Thailand – a relaxed, picturesque, and largely undeveloped beach area just south of Hua Hin.  I have heard about the charm of Pran Buri from friends that have lived in Thailand much longer than we have, but it took us two and a half years to make it there on our own.  And now I’m glad we did it with one year in Thailand to spare.

Perhaps the best thing about Pran Buri is what it is not:  Hua Hin We’ve all been to a fancy resort in Hua Hin and enjoyed it (we sure have), but what it lacks is the ability to feel like you are far removed from Bangkok; meaning, you still get traffic, you still deal with relentless vendors (on the beach, mainly), you still get the crowds, and your view is still tall buildings (with a bit of ocean).  Pran Buri offers you something much less urban, much less fussy, and even more beautiful.  So go.  At least once.  I’m pretty sure you won’t regret it.

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Views from the Dolphin Bay restaurant in Pran Buri

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These guys don’t know how good they have it!

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