We Travel World

Videos in the Playlist:

1: An Alternate Way Home? 9 secs
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Bus To Chiang Dao
As it turned out, we’re still not sure if Rhea smuggled any of those tiger cubs because the bus we took north from Chiang Mai had no chickens or other creatures to lure any stowaways. However, we are a little suspicious at her recently acquired habit of ordering rare steak for dinner then taking most of it back to our room.

After exploring the caves north of Chiang Mai and finding them full of bats to the fascination of some of us and the consternation of others, we figured that the beach would be a nice place to spend Andy’s 11th birthday. However, in order to make that happen we’d need to either fly south, which would fly in the face of the spirit of our trip, not to mention adversely affecting our budget, or do a marathon songthaew/bus/songthaew/songthaew/train/train/taxi/van/bus/ferry/songthaew journey to avoid traveling on Andy’s birthday. By the way, songthaews are pickup trucks with covered seats in the back that are widely used as taxis in Thailand.

We opted for the budget friendly version and covered the 900 or so miles over 2 days to arrive on the island of Koh Samui the day before his birthday. In
Waiting For The Bus Back To Chiang Mai
contrast to our usual attempts to have a pre-booked hotel when we arrive in a new place, we wandered the streets and beaches until we found an acceptable place. The place we found was so darn acceptable that we’ve extended our stay here three times and are finding it difficult to leave. Ellen says the latest extension is only to ensure that the clothes she is having made at a nearby tailor are made correctly.

As you can see from the video, the kids have gotten quite adept at kayaking so we’re thinking about cashing in the return portion of our air tickets and kayaking home across the Pacific. That’s what Wayne has been lobbying for anyway.
We also have become adept at avoiding the giant snails (think fist sized) that slowly crawl on the walkways in the evening. Rhea, in particular, now only shuffles her feet after accidentally stepping on one barefoot. Her bare feet, not the snail’s.

Our recent days have been spent mostly in the arduous activities of lounging on the beach or by the pool, interspersed with snorkeling trips, kayaking, shopping, eating, foot massages, serious sandcastle building, and periodic trips to the tailor for
Train To Bangkok
the fittings of the multiple items for Ellen’s new wardrobe. It does get difficult, however, deciding in which of the dozens of beach restaurants to have dinner. On the other hand, going to dinner barefoot (no no-shirt-no-shoes-no-service signs here) and squishing sand through your bare toes while perusing the menu isn’t bad either. Don’t get the idea, however, that things are all fun and games here. Wayne needs to put on his watch tomorrow (if he can find it) so he is on time for his Thai cooking class.

We do plan to move on at some point but sitting on the veranda in the evening listening to the waves while sipping a rum concoction from a hollowed out pineapple garnished with fruit is a powerful lure. BUT we are stronger than the fruity drinks and we WILL move on.

Someday. When we’re ready to tackle such an endeavor on our own terms.

In A Songthaew Going Somewhere.

Sleeper On The Train

Yet Another Foot Massage

Andy’s Birthday Dinner

Hot Air Balloon To Celebrate Andy’s Birthday
Fortunately the breeze pushes these OUT to sea.
Civil Works On The Beach

Yep, That’s A Real Mummified Monk

Expanding Rhea’s Wardrobe

Hmmm? Should We Eat Here Tonight?