Wanderlust: Expat Life & Style in Thailand Aug / Sept 2017: The Kids & Family Issue | Page 45

To explore . To escape . Two dueling purposes of a holiday . But what if you could have both , right alongside each other — and have them in a way that the entire family could appreciate ?

It happened to us , and it can happen to you , too .
We hadn ’ t traveled as a family for a while , and everyone seemed they could use a break from Bangkok ’ s commotion . So we made plans this summer to fly to Chiang Mai , northern Thailand ’ s largest city , and stay at an upscale hotel with a mellifluous name : Dhara Dhevi .
During the month before the flight , knowledge of the upcoming trip became a near-obsession for our young daughters . Chloe , 4 , was careful not to wear the cozy sweater deemed her “ airplane jacket ” for weeks in advance , just to ensure it ’ d be clean for the flight . Her sister , Isabel , 8 , socked away travel clothing , stationery and toys in eager anticipation . The kids were acting like dutiful little squirrels gathering nuts for a long winter , but us parents wouldn ’ t lend a thought to anything travel-related until a day before take-off .
We could afford this relaxed approach because Dhara Dhevi is so complete in its offerings . More than 120 teak wood villas and suites grace Dhara Dhevi ’ s generous 60-acre plot of land , upon which are the hotel ’ s restaurants , swimming pools , spacious spa , gym , tea and cake shop , library , and a children ’ s activity center — all laid against a backdrop of manicured gardens , impressive architecture and verdant rice paddies . To soak in an extra dose of nature , the hotel staff could also arrange , if we liked , visits to a nearby elephant park and an orchid and butterfly farm .
If we didn ’ t have the energy to leave the hotel grounds , though , we would easily enjoy ourselves just by staying put . The girls could swim in artfully designed pools and wrap themselves in quilted bathrobes . They ’ d savor the novelty of sleeping ( and giggling ) beside each other , rather than snoozing stacked like pancakes in their own bedroom ’ s bunkbed . And Isabel couldn ’ t wait to lumber to the buffet each morning , still in her pajamas , to indulge in waffles , bacon , pastries and other breakfast items far more interesting than her usual bowl of cornflakes .
Convenience draped in serene luxury awaited us , and the girls could hardly contain their excitement . My husband and I were glad the kids were so enthused ; as seasoned but hopeful travelers , we crossed our fingers that all would run smoothly .
THE AIRPORT DILEMMA
Normal child-rearing events become a few degrees more stressful when there ’ s a plane to catch . Parents traveling with kids must anticipate , with more patience than usual , lost teddy bears , spills , possible bickering , multiple trips to the bathroom and perhaps a boo-boo or two . On the bright side , those who allow themselves can experience the wonder of air travel through their children ’ s
curious eyes and take advantage of a chance to feel young again .
I am following in the footsteps of my daughters ’ upbeat attitudes when we arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport . I teach the girls how to navigate the terminal , bearing in mind that they ’ re wide-eyed and eager , even if I ’ m a smidge tired — and in dire need of caffeine .
Boarding passes secured , I brace myself for the step I always dread : security . I pretend with the girls that security check is a game . ( I do this as much for me as for them .) Water bottles go in the bin . We extract our laptops from their sheaths . We load our hand luggage onto the knobby conveyor belt . Chloe , not convinced of the game , asks me when we will be on the airplane . At this moment , the suitcase procession comes to a halt and backtracks to a bag suspiciously
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