Laurie's World

good morning from Thailand–it is Monday morning 6:33 am…I think–yes, that is early for someone on vacation eh? I am sitting here by the pool waiting for my water to boil for my coffee. So I am going on day 5 now with nothing but instant coffee–for anyone that knows me–you would know that is a stretch for me. I am by no means a coffee snob (I drink whatever!) but instant–yikes! That being said the instant coffee here is better than instant at home…or maybe that is desperation talking. I could go buy coffee…but that is unlikley. I am anxious to try the breakfast that they include with the hotel here–it is a new outdoor seating area (new since last year when Troy stayed here) and there will most likley be real coffee for me there. The beds at this place are more Thai style that the Holiday Inn–meaning hard–but the pillows are very big and fluffy–so that makes up for it. The AC works in all our rooms. The weather right now is 77 degrees (feels like 82 with humidity). There is a slight breeze and the occasional cloud goes by. SO for 6:48am, that seems pleasant. Our plans for today are nothing nothing and more nothing–I am so excited. The kids all have books, journals and the pool to keep them occupied.

I suspect we will wander down the street at some point to look in the shops. We are trying very hard not to buy anything this early in the trip as we just have to lug it around for 6 more weeks.We flew down here to Phuket on Air Aisia. We got a screamin good deal on the tickets back a couple of months ago $3USD + tax=less than $10USD per ticket. The down side was, no free checked bags, so I bought one checked bag at the time I bought the tickets for $1.50 USD. We had 3 more checked bags when we actually flew, so we had to pay another 200 baht (so another $6 USD). I guess that is not too bad actually…I dunno!

Folks are asking about the food??  The food has been great so far–the most we have paid for a meal is the very first place we went in Bangkok for pad Thai and it was 200 baht each. I suspect we were given the “foreigner” menu?? We have not paid more than 80-90 baht for a meal since. We do have to pay for bottled water at each meal which ranges from 15-30 baht (so they get you there eh?) Every meal has been spectacular–to say the least. Troy and Russill are probably the most adventurous with their pallettes. Brooklyn is starting to step out too and Jackie had a cool meal last night. It was similar to one that Russ had 2 days ago at the floating restaurant in Ayutthaya. An open faced 1/2 pineapple with rice, pineapple, and some different seafood cooked and then served in the pineapple–very cool. I have a picture of Russ with his, but forgot to get Jackie’s last night. So other than the very safe Pad Thai that we all had the first morning…we have had a variety of noodle dishes with pork, chicken and seafood–mostly shrimp. Rice dishes, soups, Troy tried the morning glory recommended by his Mom. We have had banana pancakes a cuple of times (including last night–It was close to 9pm and the stand was just down the street from our hotel and there was the most beautiful little girl there behind the stand with her Dad–having a banana pancake just hanging out with her dada i guess.

That is something else–how beautiful the children are here. All the people are very nice and so polite and quiet. There were a couple of times when we were in Ayutthaya and the Grand Palace in Bangkok that we saw groups of school children and when they are together, they are very giggly and silly, like our children.  I am getting very good at ignoring the “touts”. Those are the people who chase you down the street trying to sell you something. I think all of Bangkok (and a a good portion of the street we are on now) is determined to get Troy in a handmade suit–“High quality for you sir!” hahaha!! Don’t they know he does not wear suits???? They will learn!

Lots of dogs here too…they just wander around–we are trying to figure out if they are strays or not?? Russ thinks so as some are pretty mangy looking..but there is no dog poop anywhere…

More to come…I love hearing from everyone–so keep sending me e-mails with your questions…

Hi to all from Thailand This is my first chance to blog as we were in Bangkok up until now and internet was not free at the Holiday Inn where we were. 502 baht per day ($17USD)–too much considering that where we are staying in Phuket, it is included–wahoo! We had uneventful flights–long of course, but eased by the comfort of business class. Troy, Brooklyn and Jackie did not sleep at all over 24 hours, but Rachael and I captured a couple of hours at the end of the last flight. Which caused us to miss our Haagen Das ice-cream : (

We felt the extreme heat the second we walked off the plane…and the airport IS air conditioned. It was 10:00 pm at night and 85 degrees…So when we left the airport–we about died. It was like walking into a brick wall. So let the sweatin’ begin. You might hear us talk alot about the heat for the next while as it really is something–daytime 95+ degrees with high humidity (not sure how high—but well over 50%). Certainly higher after the monsoon we survived last night. I use the term “survive” loosely as we were not in any danger of course–but it was an instant massive downpour. We had like 3 seconds warning. Spectacular lightning and thunder–if you are into that sort of thing!! We were in search of supper food for Jackie’s birthday–so we huddled under an awning for 10 or 15 minutes and then decided to just go for it…so we got entirely soaked and I was in a light cotton white sleeveless shirt–so for anyone with an imagination–you can just go from there!! We went less than 2 blocks to find the place we were looking for…and by the time we finished eating, we were dry : ) All part of the adventure!! Our hotel in Bangkok was just “OK” by my estimation–I thought we were having breakfast included i our rate of $40 USD per night but apparently not. Also, the AC in my room (where I stayed with BK and Russ)–not working, so it was a bit muggy, and the tub drain took about 2 hours to drain. The other room where Troy, Jackie and Rachael slept was preemo (OF COURSE)…but for $40 per room per night, we did all right : )

We jam packed about 5 days of sight seeing into 2 days since this was the only time Russ would have in Bangkok–so we wanted to make sure we got some of the really important stuff in. Our very first mode of transportation (other than the 5 seat van from the aiport that managed to hold 7) was the infamous Tuk Tuk. So this was kinda cool actually, the breeze very welcome. The extreme proximity to the FULL ON pollution was alarming–but once you get your mind wrapped around it–manageable (I think) for all but Rachael really. SO our tour of Bangkok in the Tuk Tuks (probably the high lite of the kids trip so far), took us out to breakfast, to a very fancy tailor shop (so the tuk tuk drivers could get gas money–Hahaha–yes we “fell” for it Chad!) to the Grand Palace of Rama the VIIII and the Temple of the Emerald Bhudda, went to Wat Aui Chayamongkol, took a Klong tour on a long tail boat.

On day 2 we went to Ayuttayah via a private driver with an AC van. The kids fed and rode elephants, saw three different famous temple ruins, Saw the summer Palace of Rama the Vth, ate at a floating restaurant…No wonder we were exhausted at night–we did manage to squeeze in a trip to the pool each day as well as a couple meals : ) We have had great food–so far my concerns about starving are for naught…

I will get some photos up soon!!