June 28th, 2009
Here we are!!!
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!!
