Kuantan

Kuantan is a sleepy small city lying on the East Coast of Malaysia. A three hour (or so) drive across the peninsula of West Malaysia it is a rather simple affair to get to... so with the little ones and visiting ones in tow, we headed out for what will be our only out-of-town official vacation of the summer. We stayed at the Swiss Garden Resort, as we have in the past. In fact, this was the location of Irini's first entry into the water a couple years ago when we went with Sammy and Erika (we miss you!). This time it was Amalia's turn, in almost the same exact spot! It was a three night vacation filled with family time on the beach, at the pool, in the restaurants and sharing king-sized beds (always a favorite with Irini!). Add a little bit of massage time at the spa for the out-of-country guests and some batik time for Irini and you have an instant success! Irini began the time not particularly impressed with the sand (too sticky on the toes) but ended up very happy in some one's arms as they bobbed up and down as the waves came up to the shore. There was also discovery time looking at the thousands of little crabs sitting in the tidal pools in low tide. How exciting - just a little bit scary but mostly interesting - to see so many little critters roaming around, pushing minuscule balls of sand around as they push themselves onto the beach. We all watched and explained things to young minds eager to learn. Amalia smiled on, working in determined fashion on her raspberry bubbles...

On the way back we stopped at the Hyatt Hotel for lunch and a coffee. This has become our customary stop before the drive back. This time around everyone fell in love with Irini (could it be any other way?). Within a minute or two of ordering the waiter came over with an assortment of food items from the buffet lunch menu. We happily accepted and ate them immediately. This was followed up shortly by an assortment of appetizers from the buffet as well. Finding that our daughters reminded him of his own, he later brought us a third platter, this time of an assortment of deserts. Irini later walked over and received the gift of a box of chocolates. Just a few minutes after that we walked into their short, where she was given a gift of a small toy. Five gifts in just over an hour! We can only hope that our daughters don't end up being spoiled rotten. The food was great though! :-)

We returned a few hours later, rejuvenated by the salt in the air, the coolness of the water, the physical recuperation that takes place with being pampered for a while, and tired from doing nothing for all that time. Life is good.