A new tooth...

Claire turns 6 on December 29.

She has lost her first tooth but the new one has quickly replaced it.

I love the look of these little kids when they have

a toothless gap in their front teeth.

It is such a right of passage as a child.

 

 

It's all about the food....

There are street carts on every corner.

They have fish, chicken, pork,

shrimp & lobsters.

They add little side cars to their motor cycles

and have a small

little charcoal grill to cook the food when you hail them down.

They are resourceful and hardworking people and they love their food!

It is no wonder that Thai food is loved

everywhere it is served.

They also make some great pineapple

mini pies and cake.

You see pineapple fields everywhere here.

I love how they showed how a pineapple grows

in their wheelbarrow.

They also makes very yummy cold drinks such as

iced lattes and smoothies.

 

Weekend joy....

We have been doing some more exploring,

it is fun to see the interesting sights

around this town we have come to love.

Not all of it is rural.

There is a new multi billion dollar "BluPort" mall that has opened

with 200 shops, it's very modern and upscale.

Wonderful place to have a coffee and a treat.

I have been having fun playing with

the flowers found around our pool.

Even using a bottle I found to use as a vase.

 

More alleyways and lanes to discover...

The sign for the Nong Kae Railway Station beckoned.

Another place to explore.

Even early in the day it gets quite warm and humid

29 - 31 have been the mid day temps.

There was lots to see down these lanes.

Not all of them clean, but we did see evidence of local

Thai people doing some

renovations and clean up.

I think plastic and garbage is an endless problem

for most developing countries.

But as we find in our walks,

there are glimpses of beauty everywhere.

 

 

Walking over to the Hyatt Resort..

I love to know what is down the little alleys,

wondering what lies done the path.

The path lead us

over to the Hyatt Resort.

We have walked along the beach past this resort many times last year.

It is stunning from the water and the grounds

are even more gorgeous as seen from the hotel and walking thru the grounds.

Here are a few of the photos I took today with my IPhone.

 

 

My sweet little Claire....

Every year I make a calendar for Claire.

I was just waiting for a photo that would be great for her December page.

Was thrilled when Jeremy and Julie sent me these.

These photos made my day.

She is losing her teeth already, looking forward to seeing her new smile.

Her 6th birthday is at the end of December.

How quickly these years have gone!

 

Down for a few days with a cold...

It always happens to me,

Perhaps it's the recycled air from the plane, the change of temp, the a/c,

but whatever it is, I have gotten a cold.

It's hard for me to just sit back and not be active...especially swimming.

I am starting to feel better,

things are looking up again..

It's a wonderful thing that I have so many magazine, newspapers and books down loaded all thru our library.

Spending lots of time down by the pool.

Plus we brought our backgammon game,

I have lost every game except one.

We did manage to go to one of the larger night markets,

here are a few photos of the amazing sea food there.