Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Day 7: Island hopping

After a few days of calling various people, Khun Top (The McGuire's driver and the man with ALL the connections) helped to get us set up with a private boat to go visit a turtle sanctuary, snorkeling, and all around island hopping.  We get there...and see this little dingy.  Oh boy!!!  We are all about to freak out.  Then a few minutes later...a much bigger boat comes.  We were all a little relieved.

For a total of $13000 baht ... give or take ... we have a nice boat at our disposal.  We went to three islands...got to spend as much time as we want at each island...and got to pick exactly where we went.  The boat driver had us all a massive lunch, water and soda, and fresh fruit.  We could not have asked for a better time or more for our money...

Island #1:



Island #2:  





Island #3:




 Simply...beautiful!




Thursday, April 17, 2014

Day 6: ATV trek, Thai cooking class, and Tiffany's

We started the day off with a 2 hour ATV ride.

We drove through pineapple and tapioca fields, ponds, and beautiful scenery.  

After a mad dash back to the house, we all showered and went to Happy Home Thai Cooking School.

Our kitchen station precooking


Waiting on Jason and Ken

Ingredients for Pad Thai

Plating my Pad Thai

For our evening entertainment, we went to the Tiffany show


And of course...Wezul had to get in on the act...by participating briefly in the show, you will have to ask him for the details.  Haha!  Too bad they prohibited pictures and video.  Then afterwards....









Day 5: Elephant trek, movies, and Mam's

Jason and Ken went on an elephant trek, ox cart ride, and a riverboat tour.  Maria and I watched two movies and went to the floating market.  This post to be edited at a later date once I gather all the pictures and videos back in the States...

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Day 4: Animals galore...

Our first stop was the Sriracha tiger zoo...


Need I say anymore.  We also got to feed the tiger cubs...

We went on to watch a Crocodile show...but once you hold a tiger cub...it kinda pales in comparison.  Then we went to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo.  Here we were able to feed giraffes, rhinos, hippos, deer, and other critters....


This is one of the sweetest zoos.  Besides being able to get up close with the animals, you can either drive around in a golf cart or your car...get out at the attractions and walk up to the exhibits.  Then some of the animals cages are open.  All hey have to do is literally run and jump.  We still do not know how they keep them in.  Then they have the biggest aviary I have ever seen.

And this is just a waterfall they built in it.  



Monday, April 14, 2014

Day 3: Nong Nooch Gardens


First...and simply...all I have to say is ELEPHANTS...


And elephants...

And more elephants...

There is a lot more to the Nongnooch gardens than elephants...like...




















Day 2: Sanctuary of Truth

Our first official stop was the Sanctuary of Truth.


This is a wooden structure that was started in 1981.  The entire structure is put together by the use of various woodworking joints...like tongue and grove...dovetails...etc.


The structure is not complete.  They are still busy building, hand carving, and repairing the wood that has been eaten by the termites.  



The string you see above was placed by a monk during a special ceremony.  Unfortunately, I could not catch what the ceremony was or when it took place.  

Just amazing this is all hand carved.









Sunday, April 13, 2014

Day 1: the flight

Our first flight little did we realize at RDU...we will be sharing the flight with the world champion super snorer champion of 2014.  While waiting at the gate, it was on...then after we board the plane he picked up where he left off after being rueful awaken by the boarding call....he snored the entire way to Houston.  

Flight from Houston to Tokyo...was long...REAL long.

We had a nice layover while there and chilled out at the United Club.  Where we met a couple from Raleigh headed to Thailand for their honeymoon.  Then we boarded the plane for Thailand, and Jason fell in love with the carrier...ANA.  They offered up free booze...warm towels...and lots of food.  United fed us three times, but no FREE booze.  ANA:1 United: 0.  

The six hour flight to Thailand from Japan seemed way longer than the 12-13 hour flight from Houston to Japan.  We thought it would never end.