Thailand, anyone? Yes, please!

Finn packed his bags and headed to Phuket, Thailand for some surf and sun. Oh, and he also brought us along with him...now, let's get silly!
Some colorful boats were just at the bottom of the hill near the resort...it was amazing to see how tropical the area is, with jungles nestled right up against the ocean.
At the hotel, Finn loved to feed the fish! It was our little morning after-breakfast ritual. "Fiss! Fiss eat the bread!"
Then we hiked down the path to the beach...
And straight to the ocean. Beautiful blue water at Kata Beach. Finn was a little scared of the waves, but holding Daddy's hand seemed to help...
Finn checks out a safe, dry spot on the beach! After all that swimming, nothing beats a cool mango smoothie! Mmm!
"Mommy, I'm an equal opportunity smoothie drinker. Please pass the giant coconut."
For dinner on Saturday, we headed to a local spot on the beach...tasty Thai food, right near the water! Finn had fun in his high chair, and running around the beach and restaurant.
Early on Sunday, we all got up and took a half day tour to an island nearby. Finn tries on his scuba gear before setting sail..."guys, I think these might be a tad big for me."
And we set off in our boat. Finn didn't like sitting still but he did love it when the boat would "go fassst!"
Ahoy! Land ho! Our deserted island awaits!
They dropped us off on the island, with only our wits to keep us alive...how would we make it with no food, water or people to help us?!
Quickly, we constructed a shack to protect us from the elements. Thank goodness Finn took that wilderness skills class at the Y while in the Bunny Group! A deserted island is no match for the Bakers! Now...where did I put my sandals...
We weaved some plants and created our own dyes from coconuts and coral to build these parasols and beach chairs...A lucky break - we found a rowboat! We knew then that we had a way off this desolate rock, and our survival was never in question! Hurrah!
...but just then a random man shooed us away and rowed away in that same boat. Where did he come from?!
Finn relaxes in the sun, as only a true survivalist who weaves his own coconut/coral chairs can do...
Erin braves the elements, and made her own sunscreen with a leftover bottle of whiteout that had washed ashore...
Ok, ok, so we weren't alone at all. The island wasn't deserted. It was inhabited by (in addition to the crazy rowboat guy) a burka-wearing scuba diver.
We finally made it back to the hotel after the long day of survival. Ahh, a pool and seaside view beats a deserted island anytime!
A view of the room, with Erin relaxing outside on the porch. All that shed-building had made Finn sleepy.
A nice Sunday dinner in the restaurant...Finn samples a Thai delicacy, spaghetti noodles!
One last swim in the pool on Monday before we left...Finn really likes to kick and splash!
"Guys, I'm going to cannonball from the top-deck pool. It's gonna be awesome!"
It was a great weekend in Thailand! Lots of fun in the sun.
Next stop - Shanghai!
Love,
A&E

#8...any day at Middle Road Playground

Around week #2 in Hong Kong I came home from work and Erin told me that she had discovered the most incredible playground, the "Middle Road Playground." I made some dumb joke about the Lord of the Rings, she ignored it and continued..."it's just so wonderful - you can see the skyline of Hong Kong, and they have everything there!"
Ever since then, the Middle Road Playground has been Finn and Erin's #1 spot for fun, an almost daily tradition, well deserving of its spot at #8.
Thanks, Middle Road!
Love,
A

Bye, bye Bunny Group!

Finn's last day of "school" was today, so Daddy played hooky from work and joined them for a day of fun! Finn does some sticker-time...
And (briefly) wears his little smock...
Finn plays "pass-the-duck-and-get-a-marshmallow," an ancient and time-tested Chinese game that traces its roots back for hundreds and hundreds of years...
Finn proudly displays his certificate of successfully completing the Bunny Group class!
Finn and Mommy say their goodbyes to their new-found friends! Finn made a great transformation in the class, going from tears in week 1 to happy student by the end!
Tuesdays and Thursdays in Hong Kong will never be the same!
Love,
A&E

#9...

Continuing the countdown of favorite Bakertown moments...our weekend in Macau was filled with history, good food, and more Finn-fun. While we didn't get a chance to make it back to Macau as we hoped, we'll always remember this amazing weekend in a beautiful place. Finn will likely never remember it, but something about the little smile on his face in this picture makes me wonder...
Macau - we'll miss you!
Love,
A&E

Last trip to Stanley...

Another Sunday was upon us, and with some upcoming travel, our weekends on HK are running out! So we spent this day at one of our favorite spots, Stanley Market. Finn started the day with some rough housing on the couch...
"Hiding under couch cushions is the greatest game EVER!"
The skyscraper being built near our apartment is literally touching the clouds!
We set out by bus - Finn loves to have his own seat!
We happened on some pee-wee rugby games at Stanley courts, so we stopped in to check out the action.
Kids running around chasing each other, but the backdrop to this outdoor court was a little different from most!
Before lunch, we headed down to the pier to take a last view at Stanley from the water's side. Right behind Finn and Erin is the main promenade with row after row of restaurants by the sea. The blue awning above Erin's head is "our" spot.
Blake Pier used to be on Victoria Harbour in Downtown HK and was transported to the other side of the island here in Stanley...
It's September - and still pretty darn hot...but we're in our 'happy place' as you can tell!
This looks like a good place to have a seat and enjoy the shade...
A fisherman off in the distance...
Going straight up the mountain - a hiking trail we're glad we're not on!
At the Pizza place that we always go to in Stanley Market. Probably our favorite place in Hong Kong - cold beer, great pizza, a view of the Sea, stickers for Finn...we've loved coming here over the past few months!
Finn and his apple juice...
After lunch we headed to the Maritime Museum in Stanley, was amazing to see the perfect replicas of junks and ships over the years...
Finn makes a dash for it! He loves to run!
Finally we made it home. Part of our Stanley trip included doing some haggling for sweatshirts for Finn for New Zealand, where it'll likely be a bit colder. A new Calvin Klein hoodie - 5 bucks! What a deal!
Love,
A&E