We had an amazing vacation in Thailand. I could spend hours writing about all the wonderful things we did. We had a packed itinerary and everything came together seamlessly. It was the best vacation I have ever had. What can be better than two weeks alone with your husband in an amazing country.
We began our trip in Bangkok. The moment we stepped out of the airport Chris commented, "I remember this smell. Just the smell brings it all back to me." Before we left he had been excited about going, but felt a bit like he would rather visit someplace he had never been before. But I could tell that at the moment he smelled the city, he was ecstatic to be there. He talked to the cab driver all the way to the hotel. I think that his Thai was very good and I was impressed with all that he remembered. Many people were shocked that he could speak the language so well and some had a double take because they wondered were the Thai person was. I just viewed the sights and soaked it all in. It was incredible to see the homes, buildings, shops, billboards, markets, etc for the first time. Just amazing.
We were able to see many temples including the grand palace and temple of the emerald Buddha. I was fascinated by the Buddhist religion and their practices of worship to the Buddha. I enjoyed watching the people and how devoted they were. Everywhere people had a Buddha and a picture of the King (whom they hold in the highest respect and honor.) Shrines for both are everywhere!!
We went to Chiang Mai and rode elephants, went bamboo rafting, and visited the hill tribes. We had a wonderful tour guide! We had toured the Bridge of the River Kwai sites on a private tour while in Bangkok and when we got to Chiang Mai we booked another private tour. (only Chris and I with a driver and tour guide for the whole day) She told us so much about everything we saw and the customs of the country. She even took us to some extra places because we had some time left at the end of the day. She used to work with the hill tribes in helping them to not be embarrassed by their ethnic clothing and customs. She even speaks their languages. So, when she offered to take us to see some of them I was ecstatic!
We began our trip in Bangkok. The moment we stepped out of the airport Chris commented, "I remember this smell. Just the smell brings it all back to me." Before we left he had been excited about going, but felt a bit like he would rather visit someplace he had never been before. But I could tell that at the moment he smelled the city, he was ecstatic to be there. He talked to the cab driver all the way to the hotel. I think that his Thai was very good and I was impressed with all that he remembered. Many people were shocked that he could speak the language so well and some had a double take because they wondered were the Thai person was. I just viewed the sights and soaked it all in. It was incredible to see the homes, buildings, shops, billboards, markets, etc for the first time. Just amazing.
We were able to see many temples including the grand palace and temple of the emerald Buddha. I was fascinated by the Buddhist religion and their practices of worship to the Buddha. I enjoyed watching the people and how devoted they were. Everywhere people had a Buddha and a picture of the King (whom they hold in the highest respect and honor.) Shrines for both are everywhere!!
We went to Chiang Mai and rode elephants, went bamboo rafting, and visited the hill tribes. We had a wonderful tour guide! We had toured the Bridge of the River Kwai sites on a private tour while in Bangkok and when we got to Chiang Mai we booked another private tour. (only Chris and I with a driver and tour guide for the whole day) She told us so much about everything we saw and the customs of the country. She even took us to some extra places because we had some time left at the end of the day. She used to work with the hill tribes in helping them to not be embarrassed by their ethnic clothing and customs. She even speaks their languages. So, when she offered to take us to see some of them I was ecstatic!
In Udon Thani we were able to go down to the nearby village of Kumpawapi and visit a church branch that Chris worked in. It was his favorite area. We even took the missionaries with us and visited a family that he baptized, but had gone inactive after a couple of years. They recognized him immediately and were overjoyed to see him! They promised to go back to church and the missionaries were excited to have met them and will be visiting them again. It was amazing that we found this family, as addresses mean nothing in that area. Chris remembered pretty much where it was and they asked around the neighborhood the find the exact house. It was wonderful to visit this family and go to church there. The people are so welcoming and the spirit was very strong at church. After church they always have a potluck lunch together. We enjoyed spending that time with them.
We spent the last part of our trip in Phuket, an island very popular among tourists. It was gorgeous! We stayed at the JW Marriot Resort at a private beach there. No other hotels were anywhere close and the beach was pretty much deserted. The water was warm and clean and beautiful. We walked the beach, layed by the pool and enjoyed the extensive tropical grounds! We took a day trip snorkeling at the Phi Phi Islands and loved it so much that we booked another trip to the Similan Islands our last day there. It was a great experience for both of us. The number of fish and the variety of colors was fascinating as well as all the coral!!! The water was so clear and a beautiful blue color. The islands were amazing to see as well. Just a great experience all around.
We spent the last part of our trip in Phuket, an island very popular among tourists. It was gorgeous! We stayed at the JW Marriot Resort at a private beach there. No other hotels were anywhere close and the beach was pretty much deserted. The water was warm and clean and beautiful. We walked the beach, layed by the pool and enjoyed the extensive tropical grounds! We took a day trip snorkeling at the Phi Phi Islands and loved it so much that we booked another trip to the Similan Islands our last day there. It was a great experience for both of us. The number of fish and the variety of colors was fascinating as well as all the coral!!! The water was so clear and a beautiful blue color. The islands were amazing to see as well. Just a great experience all around.
At night we walked the beach and the grounds around the resort. They had torches all along the paths and around the pools and huge torches in a shallow reflection pool in the center of the resort. The sunsets were gorgeous.
Like I said, I couldn't come close to relaying all that we saw and did on our trip. It was a very cultural experience and a trip we won't ever forget!
Like I said, I couldn't come close to relaying all that we saw and did on our trip. It was a very cultural experience and a trip we won't ever forget!
