As part of our homeschool lessons over the past few weeks, Ethan and I have been studying and discussing Tropical Coasts and Ecosystems. Our recent trip to Koh Samui in Southern Thailand made for a perfect, and relevant field trip.

Our vacation rental was located across from Bang Makhon Beach near the northwest corner of the island and it was an optimal spot for beachcombing. We set off on a long walk at the peak of low tide so that we could wade as far out toward the reef as possible and observe as much as we were able.

Heading north along the beach toward the headland, I pose some initial questions for Ethan to ponder. “Why do you think there is a wide, sandy beach here but a mountain up there where we’re going? What do you think we will find when we get there? And why do you think the beach here is so wide and flat?” Continue reading A Geologist and a Pirate Go For a Walk on the Beach →