This airbandb is definitely keeping us on our toes! I have never been so busy and definitely never cleaned so much. In ten days we have had four sets of guests, which means washing, scrubbing, mopping, windows every couple of days. And as we are trying to be that 'extra special' place the little individualised extras are taking a lot of work. But I do love it and all worth it!
However, it does mean that we have no time or space (as we give up the pool area) to do my other favourite thing, entertain. This weekend we had a free day in between guests so took the opportunity for Luis to show off his culinary skills. He prepared a fantastic two course lunch that he spent all day on. I could not eat as am veggie, but I could tell by the faces and the effort that it was fabulous.
Everyone left with full tummies and then we did a huge turn around and waited up until 4am for the next guests!
What a fabulous night we had last night! A few days ago I saw on Facebook that a very good friend that I have not seen in many years was on their way to Thailand and even better Phuket. Ryan Seeds, an Acton buddy, who is a big player in many of my high school and University memories. I was so happy that him and his partner Jamie made the effort to come and spend a night with us after I contacted him to say we lived here. Ryan now lives just outside of Calgary with Jamie and their daughter Jasmine (a name I use to call myself!). He has actually lived there for the past 12 years which means I have not seen him over the years when I visit my father and friends in Ontario. I was so happy to meet Jamie, who is great and Luis was so happy to meet both of them. We had an afternoon/evening at the beach, followed by an Indian take away and a huge catch up.
It was so nice to see them!
A beautiful evening
Ryan told this story, about the year we all went to Sunshine Park for a long weekend and me and Tracy got busted on the second page of a major national newspaper. Being under age we told our parents we were going to Mandy's grandmas cottage and not the biggest under age camping site in possibly Canada! I then remembered I had a clipping and went and searched it out. So much fun remembering all these fun times. This morning they went off to Phi Phi, I am sure they will have an amazing time.
Well in theory it was a beach clean up but I am not sure how much good we did. Today a group of teachers took the year 9's to clean a near by beach. They did some picking up and of course we made a bit of a difference. But then I must admit that I was a little disappointed to see that it had been organised that we then gave each of them a bottle of plastic water and a lunch in a styrofoam container! I obviously did not organise this bit, I just do not know they cannot carry their own water bottle and maybe pack a lunch.. I just felt that the whole point was a bit lost.
But I do have to admit the beach looked much better.
The other disappointing factor is almost all the waste was left over from the festival I so enjoyed, Loi Ktahong. We made all our float wish boats out of fish food or safe material but I can see that this is not caught on all over Thailand. I just get so sad seeing the sea so full of human waste.
Yesterday was Loi Krathong which is a festival celebrated mainly in the South of Thailand. The festival involves making a Krathong, using banana stalk, folded leaves, incense sticks and a candle. On the night of the full moon in November Thias launch their krathong on a river, canal or pond making a wish as they do so. The floating Krathong symbolizes letting go of one's hatred and anger.
I made two yesterday in school, one for Luis and one for me. We went down to the running lake near by to take part in the festivities. What a beautiful tradition it is.
I am not really sure how the wishes work, but I am assuming like birthday ones and I cannot tell what I wished for. I tried to sneak in two as well, which also might be a bit greedy but they are two fairly important ones so I took my chances.
Well we have had two sets of guests so far and two great reviews. We have definitely we found our calling in life! First we had three Germans for three nights and we have leaving today a couple from Texas and their daughter. Well more accurately, Carrie lives in UK right now and her partner in Texas. They had a bit of a rough start having an accident with a bike just up the road from us. But we tried to help them as much as we could and take them out with us after that as they were nervous to drive. I fell totally in love with their daughter and we had a great couple of days with them. She then added me to Facebook and I just saw this post, which actually had me near to tears!
I also had to post it as I know that not everything will run perfectly and there will be times where the review is not what I had hoped for. This has the potential to ruin me, as slightly sensitive, so hope I remember to look back on this one!
What an amazing weekend we had enjoying our beach and celebrating Lola. I was told that one day in November the weather would change and so would the sea. Well the weather has now definitely changed and the sun is shining brightly. But the most amazing change is the sea. A week ago it was still rough, the beach small and I would not really go in it. This weekend it was just beautiful, much calmer and the beach just lovely. So excited for the next six months!
Apparently it just gets better. A lovely Lola weekend.
I cannot quite believe my girl is 11 today, seems like just yesterday I picked her up on a snowy night in Devon. Well I probably do not need to mention this but I love her with all my heart and so happy to be celebrating her today. Actually the celebrations started yesterday with a 'Lola Birthday Day' with all my classes. I made a game for them, they had to solve a crime, a robbery of Lola's birthday toys. It was so great, they were so excited to play it and solve all the clues.
These were the first slides of my presentation to them on the crime and what they needed to do. Basically they solved six clues to unravel the puzzle.
This was the first clue, finding out who committed the crime. It was so funny and I just laughed all day with them.
This morning before we head to the beach for a Lola day, Daddy spoiled her with a meat cake.
She was a pretty happy girl! Now we are off to enjoy a day all about her!
