New Years Eve 09

A quiet but very enjoyable New Years Eve for us. The last of our Christmas presents from family arrived today so Clancy had fun doing it all over again. The Father-Son matching PJ’s were a winner with Clancy (thanks sis). Anny and I set up outside with a Cambodian street BBQ and grilled asparagus and local prawns, washed down with a bottle of Veuve and a ½ bottle of Moet. This explains the unfocussed photo and Anny’s position on the couch later. Anny lasted till 3 am Samoa time and 12.30 am Adelaide time. You do the math. Have a Happy New Year everybody.

Kidz Cool

A new kid’s play ground with pools, slides, climbing gyms and activities has opened up across the river. We went to have a look and fill in some school holiday time.

Xmas Lunch

We had an tropical Christmas so charted a boat along with lunch to a local island. The trades were up by the time we headed out so the trip was little bumpy, so Clancy curled up under a comfort sarong and slept the trip there and back. Out on the island we had lunch, swims and Clancy had his first sea snorkeling experience. Clancy invented a new Christmas dish, Watermelon baguette, somewhat tropically French.

Christmas Morning

Santa came to Phuket. This is the first Christmas that Clancy understands the association of present to Christmas. It was a lovely morning with lots of "I am soo excited". There have been days and days of negotiations to try to get into them early. Cute and tiring all at the same time.

Christmas Eve

Relaxed and feeling like we are on holiday already. Head down the beach to Wat’s and the Sunset bar for a drink.

Christmas Holidays

We headed to Phuket for 4 days for the Christmas break and stayed at Dewa Phuket on Nai Yang beach. Nai Yang and Nai Thon are on the North western side of the island only 10 minutes form the airport. The beach strips are much less developed than the rest of Phuket resort areas, much like Kuta 40 years ago with many beach bars and restaurants, but none of the designer shops and advertising, in fact only two souvenir shops and a minimart. The beach is beautiful and clean. It was a lovely place to spend four days. We ended up here on the advice of Don Wagner, an old yatchie mate I hadn’t seen since Suva Harbour in 1997. I tracked him down a few years ago and found him married with two kids in Phuket, living just up the road from here.

Mary’s Christmas Tree

Julian invited us to help Mary, Nan and himself put up their Christmas tree. Mary had been excited all day waiting for Clancy. She doesn’t speak any English as yet but they get on pretty well.

Dad’s Birthday

It was my birthday today. We started the day with presents in Bed and then headed to the living room for breakfast and then to Victory Park where Clancy took his bike for a spin. Anny and Clancy gave me a fantastic Nikon Digital Camera, so the quality of photos on the blog should be evident. Anny had tried to get me a berth on one of the racing yachts doing the Melbourne Hobart Race with the help of Mouse, but by the time that they made the request, crew registration had closed, just one day earlier. Anyway it was a great gift just to know Anny had tried to arrange this.

Last Day of School

Clancy’s school broke for winter break today. They spent the last part of the day making Christmas gifts, paper trees and snowflakes. They also decorated Christmas biscuits and followed it all with a big lunch