Quinn's adaptation ...

Please forgive me for writing a second family post.  By now you must think I've fallen victim to egocentric family life; writing about the family and showing off pictures.  Although I admit there is some of that going on it's also happens to be the main objective of this blog; i.e. keeping the grandmothers, family and our friends abreast of our undertakings in Thailand.  However, those who know me well will appreciate that I intend to include my observations of the fascinating developments in this region at some stage.

In deep thought in the tuk-tuk to school.

As discussed in my last post Quinn is enjoying her new environment.  In fact I think she's loving it.  I find it really interesting to observe the adaptation of a little 2 year old child to these foreign settings.  It's amazing how fast she's adapting to what must be quite disturbing; everything she learned in the past 2 years is altered: new house, new faces, new food, new climate, new language, .....  In the first weeks she was rebellious, a little frustrated and visibly dreaming more intense than I've seen back home.  She also said she was 'bang' (dutch for 'afraid') at moments I didn't expect; like crossing the street, seeing a Asian person or discovering an insect.  Somehow it also seems like she sleeps even less than she did in Amsterdam although I glad to say that she's going back to her normal sleep regime (which is also rather exhausting for the parents).  What's really funny is the new language she's babbling ... it's not Dutch, it's not English and it's not Thai ... although it sounds like the latter 2.

Quinn's school - tropical style.

She loves the little cars at school

Riding the tricycle.

She's always attracted to the little altars.

Fascinated by the carpers in the pool.

Victorious after completing her memory game on the iphone.

Off to Bangkok!

Quinn taking the lead and marching to the gate

After a stressful December month full of exam's for Umit, work and preparations for these 6 months we're off; December 28th 2010! 

Quinn takes the lead and shows us the way to the gate.  She absolutely detested the snow and cold that we were leaving behind in Amsterdam and was well aware that we were heading for some place in the sun.  I guess our weeks of preparing her for the change of scenery had resonated.

She always enjoys new experiences and the plane was one big thrill. The in-flight entertainment system was particularly successful in this respect.  She loved the buttons and the earphones were kind of cool too.

Dad's tired look.

Quinn enjoying the in-flight entertainment

Kids paradise.

Upon arrival in Bangkok we were off to the Royal Varuna Yacht Club for a family reunion with my sister. This place is heavenly and always one of the highlights of our stays in Thailand.  It has to be one of the nicest dinghy sailing clubs in the world.  Boats rigged for you whilst you're enjoying lunch looking over a lawn full of boats sloping into the Bay of Thailand.  Then when you've finished your fresh mango juice you stroll down to the water and jump on the boat.  No need to squeeze into a wet-suit because the water is a pleasure to fall into.  Apart from the sailing this is great place to hang out  Drinking a Singha beer at the waterfront bar whilst watching the sun set is a moment of bliss.  It's also kids paradise and Quinn was enjoying the company of her nephews and niece.  The language problems didn't seem to spoil the fun.

Family reunion in the water.

The dad's actually even got to do a little sailing race and did quite well in their part of it (they were far ahead of the pack in the Hobie 16 race) ... but the ego's got tempered again when the overall prize to someone else.

Dad's having some fun too ... Hobie 16 sailing just like my San Francisco days (warmer water and less waves though)

Varuna would also be the place for our New Year celebration.  Quinn proved herself as a true party animal dancing like true Tina Turner into the small hours of the morning.  Burning through her calories Dad had to find a 711 to get some food for her at 2 in the morning.

Party time!

Brother and sister far from home.

Party pack ... Happy 2011!

My sister and Thijs with a pooped Ebbo

Reading about the "Gruffalo"

Back in Bangkok a few days of rest before normal life and work would start again.  We got ourselves fully installed in our apartment that was a big hit with all of us.  Quinn in particular is enjoying herself; she loves rice (even the congee for breakfast), she's flattered by all the attention she's getting (the Thais love children), she likes the weather, she's proud of her new room and she's addicted to the swims on the rooftop.  All in all a simple transition for the family and frankly speaking there's no desire to go back any time soon.

Quinn asleep in her room.

Roof top relaxation.

Quinn enjoing the command of a tuk-tuk.

Quinn's first brownie going down well.