Rayong beach day: pool, sand and simple joys

Day 66 was pure beach bliss. We declared a “beach off” and discovered that Enzo is officially our family’s beach bum. From dawn until dusk the kids bounced between pool and sand, building castles, splashing in waves and collapsing on towels when hunger hit.

Rayong’s beaches are quieter than Thailand’s resort hubs, making it easy to relax without crowds. We alternated watching the boys from shaded lounge chairs and joining them in the water. Sometimes parenting on the road means giving everyone permission to do nothing—and loving it.

Family travel tip: Pack plenty of sunscreen, snacks and water toys, and choose accommodations with both a pool and beach access so the kids can switch it up when they need a change of scenery.

Does your family prefer action-packed days or lazy beach ones? If you’re dreaming of a relaxing seaside escape, I can help you find the perfect stretch of sand. Altogether, we spent about $141 for the day. Highlights: Our stay was $92, a solid deal for the comfort we got., Lunch was $39, offering great value., Dinner cost $10, proof that tasty doesn’t mean pricey.