A Swiss resident, currently residing in Thailand with her child, experiences significantly reduced parental stress compared to her Swiss home.
New Perspective: A Swiss Family's Island Getawayin the Heart of Southeast Asia
Meet Sandy Cacchione, a 41-year-old Swiss mom living her dream life in Koh Samui, Thailand. With her adventurous, diving-guru hubby and their five-year-old daughter, Sandy shares her sensational journey in this insightful, laid-back chat.
Back in 2009, Sandy unwittingly crossed paths with her current partner in a Thai diving idyll. He was on a globe-trotting adventure, while she was on a little Swiss vacation. Their distant dance of love began, and they persevered through the long-distance hustle for a year and a half.
The coup de foudre happened on Koh Tao, a diving paradise nestled in the Gulf of Thailand. Sandy embarked on her underwater videography journey, and her hubby turned into a diving instructor.
Five years later, these two lovebirds decided it was time to settle down as a family. They chose Koh Samui, a bustling entertainment hub, teeming with amenities, and brimming with that carefree island vibe they adored.
Flanked by a cinema, shopping center, international airport, hospitals, and schools, Koh Samui offered the perfect marriage of laid-back island living and modern conveniences. Sandy's mother even deemed the move as an opportunity to be near her very first grandchild.
Daily Rhythms: Reaping the Rewards of a sea Change
Sandy runs a flexible routine, jazzing up the ongoing mommy-daughter bonding. She drops off her daughter at school just after 9, and they reunite between 3:30 and 4 pm.
In Switzerland, schools don't interrupt the tranquil morning calm until 8 am. In addition, students savor their lunches at different hours, making coordination a frustrating hurdle.
Life on Samui doesn't push her or her daughter to clock in for extensive extracurricular activities, eliminating the pressure to be a super- mom. Instead, the tropical island creates a liberating atmosphere where individualism and acceptance thrive.
In Pursuit of a Child-Happy Haven
Watching YouTube videos of Swiss children gallivanting in parks, Sandy's daughter often asks, "Mom, can we go to the park?" The island lacks the green, sprawling outdoor spaces that grace Swiss landscapes. However, they make up for it by cherishing every scrap of open space, where their daughter can run wild and free.
Meeting other families isn't always effortless on Samui, as most connections are fostered through planned activities. For teenagers, socializing can be particularly tricky, especially navigating this island's maze of roads on foot - or any mode of transport, for that matter.
Despite its challenges, Koh Samui successfully nurtures a happy, un-pressured childhood. In restaurants, families are never hurried to leave, ensuring that precious moments are savored. Sandy's peaceful abode is hidden high up in the mountains, offering an oasis of quietude far removed from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
It's the idyllic mix of control and carefreeness that Sandy finds enchanting. With the stresses of city life distant, she can breathe easy and watch her daughter flourish as she revels in island life's simple pleasures.
[1] Cost of living in Thailand[2] Cultural exposure[3] Quality of life in Thailand[4] Healthcare in Thailand[5] Crime rate in Thailand
- In their home-and-garden, the tropical island of Koh Samui offers a unique lifestyle that allows Sandy and her family to slow down, turning their focus towards personal growth and bonding.
- Other families on Koh Samui might face challenges in finding open spaces for their children to play, but it provides an otherworldly lifestyle that nurtures happiness and carefreeness, making for a child-happy haven.
