snorkeling in ao nang krabi

Snorkeling in Ao Nang Krabi: Reminiscing it this CoVid-19 Pandemic

It was 2019 just a few months before the news of CoViD-19 broke when we and our families from the Philippines visited Ao Nang Krabi. One of the activities we had in mind was to go island hopping in a longtail boat in the morning, and snorkel in the afternoon.

And so we did.

We booked a day-long island hopping trip at one of the shops outside of Ao Nang Regent Hotel, the hotel where we stayed in. For 13 people, the longtail boat rent cost us 173USD. With this amount came a lunch set with fruits and bottled water, and snorkeling gears. Renting a long tail boat or a speed boat is the best way to go Island hopping if there are more than 10 people in your party. This way, you’ll have the entire boat to yourself and you can be yourself without having to worry about disturbing or offending other people, well, especially if you have children with you.

Our snorkeling experience was totally great. The children enjoyed it so much that they want to go back. Unfortunately, two years after this awesome experience the world was immobilized by the CoViD-19 pandemic.

Now (late 2021), Ao Nang and the whole of Thailand is starting to open its border. We had the chance to go and have our annual family staycation at Ao Nang. Although many shops and hotels were open, several have been hit economically hard by the pandemic. Ao Nang beach as well as Nopparat beach were quite, so quite. There weren’t many tourists, and there were little to none island hopping and snorkeling trips.

To have an idea how lonely and quite Ao Nang Beach and Nopparat Beach in 2021, watch this short clip.

Have you ever been to Ao Nang Krabi? If you have already, how did you find your visit then? Are you considering of coming back anytime soon? Tell us on the comment section.

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swimming pool at Phutara lanta resort

Phutara Lanta Resort Koh Lanta Krabi

We stayed in one of the Two-Bedroom Luxury Poolside Suites on the second floor of a two-storey  duplex building.

children looking at fishes in a big aquarium

Kids Fed the Fishes in Aquaria Phuket: Exploring the Largest Aquarium in Thailand

Aside from island hopping, this could be a great destination, especially for families or a group of friends. Aquaria Phuket is divided into four distinct zones, namely Station Aquarius, South China Sea, Coastal Heaven, and Mystic Forest.

Koh yai grand canyon park swimming pool

Koh Yai Grand Canyon Park: Krasaesin Songkhla Thailand

Koh Yai Grand Canyon Park is another great place to create memories with family and friends. It’s a refreshing recreational place amidst the greens of Krasaesin District Songkhla.

Two girls playing chairball

Chairball a Popular Game in Thailand

For someone who’s into basketball and maybe a bit of football, chairball sounds, well, odd and different. It’s different from chairbasketball and certainly not Tchoukball.

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Asian Cultural Village Sadao Thailand

Asian Cultural Village: Sadao Thailand/ Dannok Malaysia

Let’s watch the 5 Amazing Parks in this video

Asian Cultural Village is conveniently located in Sadao, Thailand/ Dannok Malaysia. This huge and amazing tourist destination is something you don’t want to miss when visiting the South of Thailand. It has so much in store for all it’s visitors, not only it has accomodations and restaurants to choose from, but it also has 5 different, amazing theme parks.

Dinosaur Theme Park is arguably the most visited of the five. It is a favorite among children and of course those who are kids-at-heart. This place always makes to the list of places for school field trips, science club exploration, or Dinosaur enthusiasts getaways. Speaking of Dinosaurs, this park has life-size dinosaurs of different species. Together with each display is a detail information about them They roar and move! Recently additional features were added like the dark cave with velociraptors and super huge dinosaur eggs, and the dinosaur mascot! Kids just go nuts; they love to touch it, poke it, and even cling on to it. Well, not all though, little ones cry their wits out. Dinosaur park is not only a fun haven to bond with families and friends, it is also educational and informative.

Dinosaur Theme Park

Farm Animals theme park is popular among animal lovers. Here, you’ll find plenty of farm animals from the most common to the rarest, huge to the tiniest, and from the ordinary to the most exotic looking ones. Like the dinosaur park, animal farms is also vast, with ponds, cages, lush trees, benches, and a hanging bridge. Animal enthusiasts would definitely have a great time here.

Rabbit Garden theme park is next in the list, from the name, it has a lots and lots of rabbits. In a gated garden, rabbits are free to roam around, and visitors are also allowed to play with them. Aside from rabbits, this park also has other equally fascinating animals – turtle, fish, otter, and variety of reptile species. Although, we were not able to play the rabbits when we visited, we had a blast with the giant iquanas and snakes.

Futuristic Park may just be the place for Avengers fanatics and enthusiasts. It got giant replicas of The Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, Thanos, and so much more. And what’s so interesting about this replicas is that they are all cleverly made using scrap metals. The best time to visit is at dusk to early evening when the colorful lights are on as they are open from 9AM to 9PM. There are so many superhero replicas that visitors might run out of poses for their instagram photos.

Water Fun Park is one of the most visited theme parks in the Asian Cultural Village. Aside from the fact that it is located near the entrance, the enormous fountains are just too magnificent to ignore. They are as if calling very eager children to come and have fun. It also has a large water tank elevated and built high up on the main pool that splashes water into the pool. Children wait happily as the tank fills up and splashes water unto them; they would then giggle and laugh their hearts out. This place is indeed a fun park.

Have you gone here? Please do share your experience on the comment section.

For more information visit their facebook page Asian Cultural Village亚洲文化村

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shicked kids- A Submarine in the Newest and Biggest Aquarium in Thailand
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What Costumes Teach Us About Style

Halloween is coming soon. With only a few weeks left to prepare, it’s normal to start thinking about fancy dressing and fun treats. While Halloween is generally perceived as an American celebration, it has long spread across the world. Some European countries run Halloween-related commercial actions and events. While the traditional trick or treat runs organized by and for kids remain mostly a US-based event, you can find some neighborhoods all around the world, creating mini versions of it. 

What does Halloween have to do with Thailand? Well, it’s simple: The best parties are in Thailand. If you are looking for an unforgettable Halloween dress-up party, you can be sure that Bangkok is the place where it’ll happen. So, you can expect a mind-blowingly awesome safe party, especially at a time where we all need to clear our minds from the worries of a global pandemic. 

As shop offers for Halloween costumes are multiplying, now’s the time to consider how dressing up affects our everyday style. Did you know that your party costume can also change the way you experience fashion in your day-to-day routine? Here why: 

Glasses showcase your personality

Adding a pair of glasses can completely change your face. It’s the preferred Halloween props and the easiest costume accessory to manage. But the same principle applies to your everyday life. A pair of glasses can turn you into a fashion idol, a serious business person, or a romantic geek, to name but a few. The shape and color of your frames add a playful dimension to your outfit. So why limit yourself to fun glasses one night a year when you can have fun everyday? Admittedly, it’s worth pointing out that the typically plastic fake glasses you wear at Halloween may not be suited for day wear. But they can let you experiment to find your style. 

Wigs can transform your look

Are you turning yourself into a vampire? You need a long dark wig for the show! 

Do you prefer to dress up as your favorite cosplay character? A wig is an essential part of your gear! 

The bottom line: Wigs are not only fun to wear, but they are a safe way of changing your hairstyle. But you can also invest in a quality wig to wear on special occasions. Many artists around the world have a number of wigs they use to change their looks overnight. If you don’t want to damage your hair with excessive bleaching, a wig is the ideal solution to transform your appearance. 

Playful colors

One of the preferred costumes for Halloween is the creepy clown. It’s full of bright colors, and at the same time, there’s a scary edge to it. While you may not want to wear a colorful clown costume every day, you can learn from your costume choice. If you are naturally attracted by vibrant and bright dressing up outfits, why not inject a little more colors to your everyday wardrobe? 

It’s silly to assume that Halloween costumes are something that you wear only one night during the year. They are filled with stylish tips and cues to define your style. If you gravitate naturally towards wigs, why not try one to change your hairstyle? Do you always buy a bright costume? Perhaps your wardrobe needs more colors. There’s so much to learn about yourself when you think about your favorite dressing up outfits! 

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Two girls playing chairball

Chairball a Popular Game in Thailand

For someone who’s into basketball and maybe a bit of football, chairball sounds, well, odd and different. It’s different from chairbasketball and certainly not Tchoukball. Chairball is a popular game in Thailand.

It is definitely a big thing here. The first time I heard of it, was during a sports week. Fellow teachers who were in their 50’s were playing and they were good at it. It was a bit strange to watch because they were passing the ball without dribbling it. I didn’t understand how it was played and I was totally uninterested.

Recently, my daughter got into this sport and join her team for their school’s sports week. Although she’s been training for basketball, she apparently was able to adapt to chairball. This time, the sport got my attention. Unfortunately there is not much information (in English) about this game in the internet.

Here’s a short video clip of a chairball match played by primary students in Thailand.

What do you think of the game?

For now having watched the game there are few things I’ve learnt about Chairball.

  1. It is definitely a team game. So the one-man show in basketball is a no-no in this game.
  2. The ball is passed from one player to another without dribbling.
  3. Once a player has received the ball s/he has to pass it without moving her/his legs from where she’s/he’s standing.
  4. The player standing on the chair holding the basket is allowed to catch the ball. In other words, the player could bend forward, sideward, backward, and could tilt the basket towards the incoming ball, as long as s/he stays planted on the chair.
  5. The team that earns more points in a given period of time wins the game.
  6. For every ball that gets into the basket earns the team two points.

Have you heard of chairball game before? Have you played it?

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sunset, road trip

Tips for Planning a Family Trip

tips for planning a family trip
https://pixabay.com/photos/family-trip-italy-alps-wander-789029/

Going on a family trip can be one of the best experiences for both you and your children. Trips provide opportunities to experience new environments together, and can open your children’s eyes to the world. However, without proper planning, traveling in large groups with kids can quickly turn stressful. In order to make sure you make the most of your vacation, here are a few things to keep in mind when planning a family trip.

Hold a Family Meeting

The first thing to do before starting off on any family trip is to hold a family meeting. Why is this important? According to the Center for Parenting Education, a family meeting is a great opportunity for children to feel like they have a voice in family decisions, and can increase family closeness. When it comes to planning a vacation, this is a great opportunity for family members to touch base on where they’d like to go and what they’d like to do. You can discuss dream destinations, as well as streamline and adjust vacation plans to fit family members’ schedules and expectations.

Plan Ahead

Once you’ve got an idea of where you want to go and how long you want to be away from, it’s time to start planning. While it may be tempting to leave things until the last minute, planning ahead will definitely save you a lot of worry and headaches in the long run. The Huffington Post recommends forward planning because it leads to less stress, as well as helps you spend less time and money. The earlier you start shopping around, the higher the chance you can snag rooms or tickets at a discount, especially if you’re looking at taking a trip during the holiday season.

Research Your Transportation

Traveling with kids can be difficult, especially when they’re young. You’ll need to do more research on your modes of transportation, as children have different needs compared to adults. If you’re renting a car, look at insurance packages and child safety regulations. For longer haul trips that require time in the air, an article by Aviation JobNet recommends comparing airlines before making a decision. Among the factors they suggest for consideration are ticket prices, luggage surcharges, customer satisfaction, and frequent flyer status.

Manage Expectations

Finally, before you head out on your trip remember to manage expectations. Traveling with children comes with unique challenges that will require a bit of creativity on your part, so you should be realistic about what you expect from this holiday. For example, child development psychologist Dr. Amanda Gummer recommends that international trips be reserved for children older than five, as they’ll be less likely to remember the trip at a younger age. Children also react differently to high-stress situations on the road, so parents should be patient and be ready to take lots of breaks. However, although being realistic is important, remember that vacations are supposed to be fun bonding moments. Leave some space for you and your family to have fun, and you’ll be sure to make tons of beautiful memories.

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wigs

Two Fun Ways to Wear Wigs: Find Out for Yourselves

Wigs are covering for the head made from either artificial or real hair. Wigs have certainly evolved in terms of use and the people who use them. From England judges and barristers of law, wigs have found their ways to the masses. Many people use them for various reasons; people in the fashion industry frequently change hairstyles like they change their clothes. They are able to do this by using wigs. We’ve seen Kim Kardashians, Kylie Jenner, and Gwen Stefanie go from long, straight, jet-black hair one day, and then to short, curly, blond hair the next day. Insane, right! But, yes, they are able re-invent themselves in a blink of an eye, by using wigs. Some use it to cover baldness, while others to give their natural hair time to rejuvenate. Aside from these, there are other fun ways to wear wigs. They’re no longer just for the famous. And one doesn’t need to have a reason to justify wearing a wig. Nowadays, whenever people feel it, they wear it. Below are two fun ways to wear wigs.

Some Fun Ways to Wear Wigs

  1. Parades. Institutions and organizations hold annual parades whether to mark a special event, or a part of a holiday tradition, or for everyone to see a special person. During these time, people going in the parade would surely want to glam up. They would want to show their best self to the onlookers. In Thailand, this is a sure thing. Paraders always look their best. They get up so early in the morning to get their make up done and their hair styled. Most often than not, wigs are used to get that updo hairstyle, that curly hair, that human hair weave, or human hair weave bundles with closure. Adults and children alike look forward to special events because they love glamming up. Moms who are into wigs have so many to choose from. There are even human hair wigs for black women.
paraders- some fun ways to wear wigs
Sports Week Parade
paraders in pink costume - some fun ways to wear wigs
Sports Week Parade
beauty contestant- some fun ways to wear wigs
University Night

2. Cosplays. Cosplay is a thing of today. With the popularity of Japanese anime comes cosplay, and it has rocked the entire world. Cosplay is the practice of dressing up as a character from a movie, book, or video game, especially one from the Japanese genres of manga and anime. Here dressing up is a totally new, whole different level. It doesn’t detail the costume alone, but with it comes the make up, the props, and of course the hairstyle. Cosplayers, most of the time, use wigs to achieve the look.

Photo Credit: The Mainichi

For some, wigs are a necessity while others for fun. Whatever the case may be, wigs are part of today’s world and will be for a long time.

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“Momcation” Nay! 10 Reasons Momcation is Stressful

I recently read an article advising moms to go on “momcation” to unwind and de-stress. I thought of this long and hard.  I’ve decided nope not for me. It would stressed me up even more. Here’s 10 reasons “momcation” is stressful.

It spells W-O-R-R-Y!! 
I’d be dead worried about my kids every second I’m on “momcation”.

10 Reasons “Momcation” is Stressful

1. I’d be worried that they’d forget to change into dry clothes after playing. 
2. ….worried if they’ve eaten on time or if they’ve eaten at all or if they’ve eaten food out of 7 11 shelves. 
3…. worried that they’d binge-watch “Naruto” and forget to do their homework. 
4. …worried that they might not finish their homework because it’s time for bed. 
5. …worried that they’d sleep late because they’re still either watching “Naruto” or doing their homework.
6. …worried that they’d forget to take their medicine/vitamins/milk because they need to rush to bed. 
7…. worried that they’d oversleep and be late for school. 
8. …worried what they’d have for breakfast. 
9. …worried that they’d forget to bring their water bottles/scouting hats/projects to school
10. …worried that they’d be picked up late from school. 

Then….  my worries come on full circle to #1, and the cycle begins. 

Or

I may be able to put all these matters at bay for the sake of relaxation and boosts my mental health. However, my phone would be ringing every second of that “momcation” and my husband would be on the other line calling to ask about the what’s ,  where’s, why’s ,  who’s, and how’s of things at home.

momcation sayings

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modern movie theater

Watching “Avengers:Endgame” without Bathroom Break: Tips for Parents

We did it! Props to my 7-year-old son for surviving the Avengers: Endgame.

We’ve watched almost all of the Avengers movies in the big screen, and there was never a time when he didn’t have to go to the loo, interestingly just when things get so exciting. With this final Avengers movie, we didn’t want to miss a thing. We had questions from the Avengers Infinity War that needed answers. And all the comments in social media like “a fitting ending”, “masterful”, “epic”, “sooooo good”, “a great combination of action, emotion, and humor” only fuel an already brewing anticipation. We planned to watch it in a much later day but the spoiler alerts in social media the day it opened were too much to handle. So we decided to watched it the following day.

All these excitement on one hand, and the fact that we would surely miss out on some important scenes because of bathroom break on the other, led us to make changes in our viewing practices. Usually, we have popcorn and some colas while watching, which my children look forward to. However the combination of low temperature inside the cinema, and icy cold colas scream bathroom break for them.

Well some changes are inevitable. Read on and find out. You might also want to watch our experience in Hatyai Cineplex in Central Festival Thailand where we watched The Avengers: Endgame.

 

Here are the changes we made in our viewing practices. It worked for us. It might help you too.

  1. Satiate their taste buds before the movie. We took the late afternoon show slot, and came two hours early in the mall. We had a proper meal and some ice cream after. Reason for this is that, my son has the appetite of a goldfish. We could then simply tell him off by saying “We just ate ” when he starts asking for something to eat again.
  2. Ask them to go to the bathroom a few minutes before the movie starts. A Piedmont urologist recommended emptying your bladder every 3 hours whether you have the urge to go or not. If your child pees five minutes before the movie, s/he will most likely be able to watch the entire movie without going to the bathroom to pee.
  3. Popcorn and drinks after the movie. We explained that for this particular movie we won’t be having popcorn and drinks. Of course it didn’t go uncontested. There were a lot of “whys”. We explained the whys, and we made a deal. They could have popcorn and drinks after the movie. I’m happy and proud that my children could understand reasons and are capable of delayed-gratification. In fact, they passed with flying colors the high-delay children challenge we previously did with them. 
  4. If possible sit at the utmost back row near the aisle or better yet at the aisle. There will be idle moments in the movie and your child will start fidgeting, standing, and/or moving around like a Kangaroo out in the wild for the first time (a bit of an exaggeration here, or maybe not). This is normal and when it happens at least nobody from behind gets disturbed. And also your child could have the entire aisle to himself/herself to do their thing.

So there you go folks! We recently did these, and we successfully watched the full 3-hour the “Avengers: Endgame” uninterrupted with our two children with us. My son got into the movie so much that he became so emotional. But for sure my son wasn’t the only one who cried.

I hope these tips would help parents out there or at least give you some ideas. For us though, we’d reserve these practices for movies that really matters.  

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A Dog Isn’t Just For Christmas: Understanding The Demands Of Life With A Puppy

cute puppy playing with a stick

We’re all in agreement when it comes to the simple fact that puppies are adorable. But plenty of people think that and still don’t prepare themselves for the responsibilities of being a dog owner. It’s so important that you actually understand the demands of looking after a puppy. They’re incredibly cute, and there are plenty of rewards that come with owning a dog, but you have to play your part. Much like having a baby, hard work is required. A dog isn’t just for Christmas, but the advice in this article might help you to start understanding the responsibilities of life with a puppy.

Learn about their needs.

First of all, you need to do your research. If there’s a certain breed of dog you want then find out everything you need to know about that specific type of dog. Different breeds have different needs; that little rhyme should stick in your mind. We’ll talk about this more in the following point, but even the type of food your dog needs to eat will depend on their size, breed, and the type of lifestyle they’ll lead. You need to learn about your dog’s needs before you buy them. If you’ve already got your eyes on a specific puppy then it’s important to learn about their history from the owner or the breeder. This is particularly important for rescue dogs; they might require more training if they’ve suffered physical or emotional abuse.

Whatever their history, of course, your puppy or grown dog is going to need some time to adjust to their new surroundings. They won’t immediately see your home as their home, and that’s because the environment is foreign to them. Make sure you reinforce positive behaviour, but do so in a positive way. Training a dog can be hard, but you mustn’t get annoyed at your puppy whilst they’re still learning; it’s all about understanding why they’re making certain sounds or doing certain things. Again, it’s very similar to understanding a baby when they’re crying. Make sure you prepare yourself before getting your dog. You need to know what to expect; learn about their needs, and learn about what those initial months will be like for your dog.

Stock up on supplies.

As mentioned briefly in the previous point, different dogs have different needs in terms of the food they need. When you stock up on supplies before getting a new puppy, it’s important that you do your research in terms of the things they’ll actually need. This ties into the previous point, but we’re talking about more than training your dog here; we’re talking about providing them with a suitable bed, suitable food, and even a suitable leash. You might want to check out pet supply plus for cheap dog supplies. They have a wide range of options, so you’ll find the things that suit your situation. To reiterate, the important thing is that you do your research.

Make time for your dog.

Finally, the most important piece of advice to take on board is to simple make time for your dog. You can’t be in the house 24/7, but you should make sure they’re being watched by someone 24/7 whilst they’re a puppy. Again, this is much the same as watching a growing baby constantly. You might want to hire a dogsitter whilst you’re out at work. But when you or anyone else in your family is home, you need to make time for your puppy. Showering them with love and attention is essential to their mental wellbeing. That’s the most crucial thing to remember if you want to become a dog owner.

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happy family

When Do You Know Your Family Is Complete?

When we grow up we all dream about living in the perfect home, and having the perfect family. As we experience more of the world, we change our preferences, and our needs or priorities change. You might feel like you have created something that is very close to your definition of a perfect home, and this is the time to find a way to make the most out of your family life. Find out more below.

You Have Joy and Work-life Balance

If you know that you have everything you wished for as a little child, you know that you are there. You can look after your kids, build strong relationships with them, and make them understand the world without having to argue all the time. You can still pursue your career and do what you enjoy, while spending time with your loved ones and your friends. If you have achieved the work-life balance and are financially comfortable, you should be grateful.

Mother Together Kids Happy Family Baby Newborn

You Are Ready to Focus On Your Family  

Image via Max Pixel

In some cases, moms take a career break or change their job, maybe set up a business to have the time and energy to build strong families. If you have made a decision that you will not compromise your kids’ wellbeing for a corporate job, you will be able to improve your long term happiness. If you decide that your family is now complete, you can find out about the vasectomy cost and focus on your family planning eliminating stress from your life.

You Have a Family Support System

Image via Wikimedia Commons

If you can achieve work-life balance and enjoy your life with your loved ones being supported by your family members, this is a good place to be. After all, you don’t want your kids to grow up without knowing their grandparents or aunts or uncles. You have to involve your extended family in your life, so they can provide even more value to them and give them new perspectives in life.

You Have Shared Values

Successful families work together and achieve their goals because they share priorities and values, If your partner has the same values and standards when it comes to raising kids and finances, education, and social issues, you will find it much easier to make big decisions and get ahead with your life.

You Feel Like You Have Settled Down

If you sit down at night after a great day spent at work and with your family and you feel a sense of achievement, you are happy, and there is nothing you have to change. Being grateful for your kids and the emotional support you are getting from your loved ones is something you have to celebrate every day. Not everyone is as lucky as you.

When we look at our lives and see what we have achieved, it is easy to focus on what we don’t have. Take a step back and be grateful for the family you have, the love and support you get and the work-life balance you have achieved by making the right decisions.

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