THAIS

“How long have you been working here?” I asked. His response was a smile and a salute. But the sunset was magnificent.

Our next destination was the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket on the doorstep of Patong Beach.

The countryside is gorgeously green and modest homes are scattered along the way. Suddenly the serenity we had become accustomed to was replaced by the sound of a thousand scooters and tuk-tuks, weighed down by speakers spewing hip-hop. Not the sort of place one would typically have a family vacation — or so I thought.

“Sawadee,’’ came the now-familiar greeting as we entered the oasis among the clutter.

The place is a fortress capable of accommodating about 900 people. There are four restaurants and six pools, including one for children, fitted with a slide.

“Let’s do some sightseeing everyone!’’ I announced one day.

But they did not want to leave the resort with its chocolate fountain, airconditioning, wifi and basketball court.

Nurah and Yusuf could not wait to retire to our family suite, where they shared a pirate-themed room. We lazed on the beds, which were wooden ships, and admired the colourful map of Phuket on the wall. There were Xbox games and family movies on tap, so the boys were in heaven.

Father and son were pampered at the Tea Tree Spa. Yusuf had a “My First Massage’’ to “help build up good mood, relieve stress and anxiety’’. It worked, he fell into a deep sleep almost immediately, said his dad.

Nurah and I teamed up for our