Indiana invades Thailand

We now have two lovely new traveling companions to share our adventure with. My mom, Janet, who saved the day and brought us a camera, and Jill, our neighbor.

We started off with a world wind one day tour of Bangkok. The tension in the air that we experienced last time in Bangkok is gone and the city is getting back to normal, shops are open and the people are smiling. We started our day off with the Grand Palace. Our tour guide said that normally in one day there are 1500 visitors and since the distress in Bangkok only about 200 are coming a day. So we had the place practically to ourselves. Our guide was a spunky little woman in a full flannel long sleeve shirt and cameo pants. (Keep in mind it is near 100 degrees out) We are still not sure how she didn't overheat, but she was cheery even with sweat dripping down her face. She was not alone in that though. We were all working hard to stay cool. The Grand Palace itself was beautiful with gold plated temples and amazing ceramic tiles for rooftops and decoration. In the end we were able to see the prize possession, the Emerald Buddha, carved out of one piece of Jade. The prince changes the cloths of the two foot tall green statue in accordance with the season. This used to be the King's job but the Buddha is on a high ornate pyramid and he is now too old to climb the latter to get to the Buddha. We saw the Buddha in his hot weather attire, each outfit cost an incredible amount of money since it is made out of gold. We were not allowed to take a picture of this so you will have to use your imagination.

After the Grand palace we took our own private speed boat down the canals of Bangkok or as some say the Asian Venice. There were not any grand sites to be seen, just every day living and houses along the canal. It was a different view of the city and it was fun to be so up close and intimate with the way of life.

Next we climbed practically vertical steps up a beautifully carved and decorated spike called Wat Poh.

Then off to the reclining Buddha which we all four agree was our favorite site. The Buddha is so large it can only be really appreciated in real life. However, we did snap some photos so you can try to take it the scope of it all.

We all hopped on a night train to head down back to Koh Tao and cool off in the water.

We are in front of one of the best diving places in the world. It is called the Japanese Garden. It is a small island, Nang Yuan, that has a sand bar connecting two rocky outcrops. We will be here for the next few weeks so expect more ocean going tales.

Rob says: Send HELP, these ladies are kicking our butts. The wake up at 6-7 AM and keep going until 10-11 at night. Janet and Jill are truely amazing and are teaching Leah and I what it is to be tough. Sadly, only 5 days remain then Jill goes home (and we can sleep). In the 5 days we have been together so far, we have seen more, done more, and been more places, then Leah and I did in 6 weeks.

Here is a short clip of our canal ride in Bangkok.