VACATIONLAND

Let us tell you about our mini vacation in Maine, or as they call it, Vacationland.

We spent 4 days in Kennebunkport, a quaint little town by the ocean a 2-hour drive from Dedham. Upon arrival at the city center, we strolled around and found what must have been the most right-wing gift store we've ever seen. Obama countdown, Hillary toilet paper - you name it, they had it all.

After this somewhat strange welcome, we began to settle in over pizza and drinks. Marko said later that this was the moment when he knew it was going to be a perfect vacation.

Despite the rainy weather, we spent our first evening at the Kennebunkport beach. It was so worth it! The tide had just gone out and we had endless space to run and play in the tideland.

The best part was that Marko loved it. When he ran along the beach and played with the waves, it seemed all the fears and worries of the past months were gone.

Then we took a drive along the coast, passing the summerhouse of George and Barbara Bush.

And finally warmed up in our hotel room.

The next morning, Samu explained to one of the staff members that we were going to the beach again. We watched as he pulled out a map and pointed to our hotel and the beach and described how to get there ("the grey lines are the roads"). Our son, ladies and gentlemen!

This time we visited Gooserocks Beach close to our hotel. No car needed, just a little wagon. The friendly hotel dog saw us off.

After a 10-minute walk, we arrived.

WOW!

Marko and Samu built a gigantic sand castle.

And Samu went to find one shell for every single tower.

We found all kinds of treasures.

And the kids got a super fun ride in the wagon.

Lobster tail?

After that eventful morning, we found our favorite restaurant. A sweet little place overlooking the fishing bay of Port Porpoise, the most picturesque part of Kennebunkport. It was decorated in all kinds of fishing equipment and the floor was made out of shells.

Perfection.

After lunch we visited the nearby lighthouse and the painters painting it.

Then it was back to yet another beach.

The weather was starting to improve, and we spent a long time playing between the rocks and in the little pools of water the tide had left. Wonderful!

Barbecuing back at our hotel was the perfect evening program.

Only then we realized that our hotel/resort was full of cute little places to hang out and play.

The water in the pool was freezing but that didn't stop Marko from taking a midnight swim.

After such action-packed days, our two little monkeys slept like babies.

Another day, another beach.

Seagulls!

At the beach playground, Samu learned some traffic rules.

Wheeeeeee!

And the rest of the vacation was just that: playground, beach, running, swimming, (Yes we did! In the 11C-cold ocean. It was amazing.) and being together. It was simply wonderful, just what we needed, and according to Marko our best family vacation ever.

What we are taking home: Two extremely happy kids, a lot of energy, beautiful memories, a bag full of shells, a car full of sand, a better understanding of the ocean, a changed view on life on the East Coast, and the knowledge that jumping into stormy ice-cold waves can change your whole perspective of life. Thank you, Vacationland!

Home again!