Arrival At Baan Tharn Namchai..finally!

After the shopping feeding frenzy and well-deserved foot massages in Bangkok for 2 nights, we left on the plane this morning to fly to Phuket.  Our driver who we had met coming in from the airport was true to his word and showed up on time to drive us and our six HUGE bags to the airport.

It was the girls who were late getting out of the shower, their room and completing their packing and we were lucky to make it just on time for our flight.

Tom spent his time on the flight learning his Thai expressions in anticipation of his meeting his penpal, Gean.  Anticipation is such a wonderful thing and I sat watching him, hoping and wondering whether finally meeting his penpal would live up to his expectations.

I stood by my rule and took away the iphones that the girls would have back in 2 weeks time, not without a small amount of protest and pleading.  The girls had spent 2 full days indulging in selfies, photographing the clothes they had bought themselves and sending images back to friends, seeking their approval.  They had books, diaries, pens and paints to document their adventures from now on!

We arrived in the heat at Phuket on a plane full of Russians, it seemed.  I was feeling at home already. Baan Tharn Namchai sent their driver to fetch us and we drove about 1.5 hours up and beyond Khao Lak to what will be our home for 2.5 weeks.

The place was quiet as all the kids were at school.  We were shown to our beautiful little bungalow and settled ourselves in.  Lunch of Pad Thai had been prepared for us and we were called in to eat.

Barely had Tom taken a couple of mouthfuls, than Gean and his friend, Gan appeared.  The smiles said it all. The 11 year olds were all so happy to finally meet.  It was a very touching moment.

Suddenly the whole house was full of children, bustling in busily from their school day.

Tom was quick to make sure that the boys would play soccer with him and disappeared for ages.

Children here are so affectionate and will grab your hand and take you off to show you things. They were all delighted to have found their new friends.

The girls were treated to a personalised guided tour by the older girls. The initial reservations were falling away and I am sure that daily life at Baan Tharn Namchai will present a whole new way of looking at the world.