Chiang Mai Visit

Arrived last night in Chiang Mai after almost missing our flight from Bangkok. All I will say about Bangkok is, the traffic is unlike anything I've ever seen ANYWHERE. We're going to explore the Old City this morning, then maybe book a massage and take in Muay Thai (kickboxing) tonight. This is a very exotic place!

I hope you like the photo of my new "friend." He loves bananas!

Happy Reunion

Here are some photos from our re-uniting with Andy. Love my boys! Thailand is amazing and it's so great to have Andy fluent in the language so we can just relax and let him navigate for us. Tomorrow we're off to the "floating hotel" with no electricity or hot water - no one would believe it of me, the Starwood Queen!

Floating Market in Bangkok

Today we had the most amazing day, cruising through a floating market outside of Bangkok. I'll post a video as soon as I can get the internet to work properly here at our hotel but suffice to say that it was a once in a lifetime experience.

Thailand at Last!

Arrived from TOkyo at 1:00 a.m. and spent the day sightseeing, then finally hooked up with Andy at the hotel. It was AWESOME to see him again!

More Shrine Photos

Temples and Fortunes

Will, Laurie and I went to the Sensoji Temple, which was constructed in 678 A.D. Very peaceful and provided a time for reflection. Here is the fortune I received for 100 Yen: "The cloudy sky will get more and mor clear and the moon will appear. Te linen robe turns into a green one. What you've been troubled for a long time will soon begin to fade away. Your virtue and happiness willl reveal themselves."

Here are some photos - amazing that something 600 years old can co-exist with modern high rises.

How Many People Can You Fit in a Japanese Train Car?

Spent about 40% of our time on trains today, really wild how complex the system is.
Fathom these facts:

- Busiest train station in the world
- 2 Million commuters pass through every day
- 60 Exits

If it weren't for my neice Laurie's navigational skills, we would still be wandering around trying to figure out how to get around!

Just arrived in Tokyo, initial observations:

1. Will is taller than anyone we have seen here.
2. The towels in the bathroom are made for 4 year olds.
3. Why does the toilet in our bathroom have 20 separate control functions?
4. No Bible in the room, but there is a copy of The Teaching of Buddha.

Going to check out neighborhood and accommodate Will's request for sake bombs!

Tokyo and Thailand Prep

I'm finalizing our trip plans . . . 35 days and counting. Itinerary as follows:

Will and I fly to Tokyo December 19 and stay at a Ryokan (Japanese B&B) for 4 nights, www.sawanoya.com We're meeting my niece Laurie, her husband Phil, and their 2 year old daughter Sophia. I'm leaving the itinerary up to Laurie as she is the resident expert. So far Will has nixed the public baths - "No way I'm getting naked in front of a bunch of guys!"

On Christmas Eve we fly to Bangkok to meet up with Andy, who's been gone since August 16. We stay in Bangkok for 3 days and then off to Kanchanaburi, where the WWII movie "Bridge on the River Kwai" was filmed. We're staying at a floating hotel (no electricity or hot water), http://www.riverkwaijunglerafts.com/activities.html Then to Chiang Mai for a few days, after which the boys will meet Kenn in Phuket and I will have 5 days on my own. I'm renting an apartment http://www.vrbo.com/230714 I hope to take some Thai cooking classes, do an elephant trek in the jungle, and visit the Hill Tribe villages. Of course shopping for the local handicrafts and silk is on the agenda too!