Chiang Mai

I am back home in Wisconsin. I did not have access during my last days in Chiang Mai to update the blog so here it is:

This is a tuk-tuk. This is the Thai version of a taxi. If you need to go somewhere you flag down one of these and jump in. They are very inexpensive - typically a dollar or so.

One day I took a trip to the big temple. Buddhism is very popular here. To reach this temple you have to climb up around 360 steps. Here I am near the top.

My friends brother had us over for dinner one night and we had "hot pot". It was a great meal. Basically, you grill your meats on the top and on the sides you have broth with the green veggies. When your meat is done you put it in your bowl with some of the broth and veggies, at the hot sauce and eat. It was yummy! I actually bought one of these and brought it back so I will have you over for it.

I had to go to the fan/umbrella factory. Both Ryan and Leah wanted fans. They are all hand made and hand painted here.

This is TinTin the neighbor boy. He was super cute.

I also took a trip that had a combination of things. One of them was river rafting on these bamboo rafts. They were not the safest thing out there but a good experience.

I also went for an elephant ride. My elephant had a baby (3 yr) that followed us. I had bananas so I was able to feed him some. We were supposed to ride in the seat but I asked to ride on the elephant in stead.

It was a great trip. The lifestyle is so much more relaxed, very little stress. Everyone is happy. I am hoping to go back again sometime and to take the kids with. I think that they would really enjoy it.

Bangkok

This morning we flew to Bangkok. After checking in to our hotel we went to find some lunch and do a little sight seeing.

This was one of the signs at a KFC. I guess that the Thai people love their chicken. I thought that this ad was cute - the chicken legs fighting each other.

We also took a river boat tour and was able to see some temples and Bangkok.

Here is a temple.

This is where the prince keeps his royal fleet.

Another temple.

They have an iced tea here that I really like. Here is a little roadside stand where they are making it. It is sort of like an iced chai tea but with different flavors.

Tonight we are going for old school authentic Thai. That should be interesting.

Phuket - last day

Not much new for today. It is our last day here in Phuket. Tomorrow morning we fly up to Bangkok for a day and then on to ChangMi. I should have explained yesterday that the fishermen go out at night and in the morning they bring whatever they get to market. The local merchants have to go to market to buy their fresh seafood for the day. If they are late they get what is left. We have made some requests to our restaurant that we have been going to and then she tries to get it for us. All the seafood that we are eating was caught fresh. At the restaurant you order based on what they have.

Here we are at our last dinner her. Me, Kully, Roger, David and June.

Yesterday we had asked for clams with feet? Not sure what those are. Unfortunately she could not get any so she got us these clam instead. They were pretty tasty.

I also had to show Ryan and Leah that I did go swimming in the pool today. It was pretty warm out and the water was nice. See - every now and then I do go in.

So that is about it. Our relaxing week is about over. In Bangkok we will see the sights and in ChangMi is all the shopping. I am looking forward to that.

Thailand - dinner

Well.... I do not have a lot of new photos for today so here is our dinner...

You have to pick out your fresh seafood from the coolers.... large prawns last night.

Here they are cooked - you do not have to eat the head if you don't want to.

This is a noodle hot pot with shrimp - very good!!

Another whole fish with the sauce....

And the fish when we were through with it. Also - very yummy. It was caught fresh in the morning.

Along with this we may have a curry dish and papaya salad. I do love all the fresh seafood here and having it prepared Thai style.

Phuket 2

Here are some more photos....

Ryan and Leah - here is proof that I went swimming in the sea. It is very salty - seas are salt water.

This is standing on the beach looking left

and looking right - beautiful!!

This is our fish dish that we had at dinner last night - absolutely amazing!!

Our waiter at the little restaurant had just come from his boy scout meeting. This is how the boy scouts uniform looks in Thailand!

The taxis here are called took tooks. He June and I are riding in one.

Thailand - Phuket

I had the opportunity to travel to Thailand with my good friend who is Thai and has family there. After about 36 hours of traveling (including an 18 hour flight) we landed in Bangkok on Monday. From there we flew to Phuket where we are spending the week with her aunt and uncle.

Here is the beach. The water is amazing - clean and warm. I went swimming in it this afternoon.

Here is a photo of one of the pools at the place we are staying. Ryan and Leah - I did not go in - too cold for me. The ocean was much better.

You can get a massage on the beach - one hour is only $12. So I had to get one. It was awesome!

Here I am in front of a little pond. The greenery is beautiful.

This is the restaurant that we went to dinner at last night. It is all open air and family run. The son waited on us while the mom and dad cooked. There were only four tables. The white cooler at the entrance has all the fresh seafood. It was probably the best meal that I have had. A lot of fresh seafood.

We are heading back there to dinner again tonight. I am sure it will be just as good.

More on the trip to come later...