Naimah and Daddy, Club Med, Cherating Beach, Malaysia
There’s something I want to say about Club Med.
I had one of those dewy-eyed moments – as I was line dancing (!) in front of the dais in the bar area of Club Med, Cherating Beach – when I realized, firstly, what a parent I’ve become, and secondly, how much happier I am as one.
Had I been to a Club Med 10 years earlier, in the child instead of the parent role, I could easily imagine myself rolling my eyes and cringing as the line dancing began… and my parents joined in. “Oh my god, how embarrassing, get me out of here” is roughly how my thought pattern would have gone.
The unselfconscious joy I felt – line dancing alongside my nearly-two-year-old (which she loved), trying to get her into her into her first ever conga line (which she vigorously resisted) – reminded me of how I’d felt on our first trip to Disneyland. Somehow, as Naimah’s mom, being “cool and jaded” just isn’t me anymore.
But in any case, who says “line dancing” isn’t cool?
(I must admit, my moves were not quite at this level.)
I’ve never considered myself a communal type of person. I like privacy. I’m not too crazy about most people, especially random strangers. And when we arrived at Club Med, I was a little appalled. I didn’t want to admit it, because Liam and Nim were happy, and because I’d spent ages arranging the holiday… but what I saw (and heard) was not what I’d had in mind.
We arrived at noon on a Sunday. Euro disco was blaring in the bar area (since Club Med, Nim’s new favorite thing to sing is Hey Baby. Yes, I can officially no longer hate that song!). Sunburned white tourists were downing margaritas before lunch. There was an MC and there was.. (you guessed it) line dancing. Add this to two really bad night’s sleep and two flights and you understand why my heart sank just a little.
Well, the very next day, Monday, the resort emptied out. A lot. Turns out the weekends are always busiest at Cherating because Malaysians come for the weekend.
As for the MC and line dancing, I came to appreciate the Club Med rhythm…
11:30am: Water aerobics – which Nim loved. The workout zone was also just shallow enough for her to stand. Imagine how cute it is to see a toddler imitating aerobics moves. Nim’s used to this kind of thing – back home, she joins in with tai chi nearly every morning!
Noon: Organized game in the pool (e.g. kayaking, a ball game), followed by line dancing along the perimeter of the pool. We joined in from inside the pool.
Lunchtime: Amazing buffet – and so it was three times a day. At Club Med, all food and drink (including alcohol) is included. Which feels very relaxing – especially to a fanatical bill checker such as myself. Why is this type of holiday concept the exception rather than the rule?
Afternoon: Nim’s nap and another swim, more free cocktails…
Evening: Eat, eat, eat, drink, drink, drink (the only shame of it was that Nim was a first-class monster at every meal. Liam and I didn’t eat together a single time on holiday). Then, line dancing and conga line!
9:30pm: The show – and what a spectacle! Somehow the GOs (gentils organisateurs) at Club Med manage to conjure up a one-hour performance every single night. The show includes comedy (with audience participation), singing, dancing, and even acrobatics! The latter made a big impression on all of us – and especially Nim, who for days after would spontaneously burst out: “Dey swinging!”
We thought we would be going on excursions – toddlers need to get out and see things. But at Club Med, they bring the fun to you. There’s really no need to go anywhere.
They also have something called Petit Club (for 2- and 3-year-olds) and Mini Club (4- and up). There are even sullen teens trouping around from time to time with a GO! Liam and I were soon fantasizing about coming back to Club Med with friends and a friend for Nim… 
As I said in my last post, there’s no lying on a deserted beach once you have a two-year-old in your life. With that in mind, Club Med is the perfect way to keep the LOs (little ones) entertained, while allowing the GUs (grownups) some form of relaxation.
Part II (the emergence of humor)…
It’s great to see Nim enjoying the water as much as she did at Club Med and continues to do back home. As mentioned in my post on swimming, I put it all down to frequent trips to the pool from an early age.
As I also mentioned, Nim hates to go under. But yesterday, something remarkable happened. We were in the pool singing “Happy and you know it” when Nim slipped and went under. Whenever Nim goes under accidentally, time seems to go really slowly. I was soon gripping her firmly under the arm. With her eyes closed and still recovering, Nim goes, “Happy and you know – go under!”
So there you have it: the emergence of self-deprecating humor. It happened the day after Nim turned two!
(More on Nim’s birthday after her party – this Saturday.)
I may not believe in the inviolable superiority of natural birth, but I certainly empathize with the sentiment. The major obstacle faced by proponents of natural birthing is practically the same as the one faced by proponents of breastfeeding (myself included). I may want to empower women to have confidence in their ability to breastfeed. But what about the woman who tells me she’s perfectly happy not breastfeeding, thank you – and I can stuff my empowerment?
