27th – 29th December

As I explained previously, time is continuing to fly by and life is definitely busier, more expensive, more stressful but mostly, even more fantastic with our offspring by our sides.

There are many reasons for the increased stress but one of the main ones, since Joe and Ellie’s arrival, has been their insistence that they need mopeds. Rob and I had hired a car big enough for all of us for the whole time in Koh Samui but this wasn’t to their satisfaction. We managed to put them off until Ellie and Rob picked Tom up from the airport on the 27th but as soon as he’d arrived and settled in, the three of them set off to procure their chariots.

I knew that all of them had ridden mopeds before in various countries. I’d even had a go myself with Joe and Ellie in Marrakesh but soon gave up when I realised I was woefully bad at controlling one. Despite their experience and proficiency we still felt worried every time they set off and evidence showing that 60 tourists a month are killed in motorbike accidents on Koh Samui did little to allay our fears. It did give them a little more freedom and so each time they set off we just encouraged them to wear their helmets and drive safely and I prayed copiously for their safe return.

The next few days was a mixture of culture, food and relaxation. We visited the big Buddha and a lady with many armsas well as many other Buddhas and templesWe enjoyed lots of time by the sea and the pool and spent our evenings trying out another quiz, not quite as successfully this time, at one of the worst bars in The Fisherman’s village,and went to watch some Thai boxing in Lamai, not really my thing especially when the first fight was just children but it was well organised and officiated and is a massive part of the Thai culture.

More entertaining by far than the competitors were their mothers. We arrived about one minute before the start of the first match but managed, purely by chance as it was totally packed, to get front row seats right next to the fighters’ trainers and families. One mother in particular mirrored every movement her son in the ring made, adding excited sound effects and amazing facial expressions. It was difficult to concentrate on the fight when she was providing such compulsive alternative entertainment. Her jubilation when her son was pronounced victor was contagious and you couldn’t help be affected by her unbridled enthusiasm and support. It won’t be something I’ll rush back to but it was interesting to see how popular the sport is amongst all ages and both genders to tourists and locals alike.

These were a lovely few days and as we went to bed very late after the Thai boxing I was very thankful for the time we were having together as a family and quite excited as the following day was my birthday.😊🎉