The Best Beach BBQ...EVER!

 Yesterday was National Children’s Day in Thailand, an excuse for another big party for some very excited children. We were lucky enough to accompany the BTN children to Ko Ko Khao Island for the best beach party I have ever been to!

Close to 100 of us (of all ages) all piled into the buses and trucks and the hour wait for the car ferry across to the island gave us time to poke around the fish market and buy some fish for our beach BBQ. 

Even the opportune eagle was out waiting for his lunch!

Once on the island, we drove across to the other side to a pristine beach called Hula Beach, largely deserted after the Tsunami but no less stunning. 

Our paradise home for the day was quickly and efficiently transformed into a working kitchen, with hot coals, pestles and mortar making my favourite Som Tam salad, and pastes for the fish yellow curry. 

The older students started the food prep with the staff while we took the younger kids to play in the sea. The water soon bubbled with the sounds of squeals and splashes, the children, keen to try out their new swimming skills.

Tom and Gean initially delighted in chasing the many crabs on the beach before joining us in the water. I think Tom was in heaven as there were even soccer goals ready for a very sandy game after lunch!

The food just keeps on tantalising our taste buds and the sea mackerel steaks and black pepper squid were particularly fresh and delicious. 

It was also the first time I have seen eggs cooked on the BBQ!

The children always routinely wash up their plates after a meal and our beach kitchen was soon spick and span, packed away, ready for some beach games, directed by Ella and Nadine, which everyone loved.

Rotjana was looking lovely until someone dropped an egg on her foot, but we soon cleaned her up!

By the time we headed home for a welcome shower, it was nearly time to go out and meet Sue, Kay and Kelly et al at the Hill Tribes Restaurant, to eat again, and this time the Northern Thailand cuisine. Rotjana and Monchai joined us as well for a lovely evening, which finished quite early and I was definitely ready to collapse into my bed, lulled to sleep by the much-needed fan. 

My feelings were overwhelming of total gratitude to be in such a wonderful place with such beautiful and loving people and to be able to share it with Tom, who is loving every minute.

More importantly, everyone who has supported me in raising the $10,000 needed to be able to take part in the Hands ride must know that every cent goes to these lovely children and makes a huge difference to their lives, education and opportunities.  

One more day to go until I fly to Bangkok to begin the 800km and head back down and see Tommy and Angie again.