Hot Women, and me

Traveling: ferry boat, bus, trains, planes, and always just me, and two beautiful blond women.  How does one get this lucky you might ask.  Simple, marry one of them, then invite her mother to travel with you.  Janet is still with us and she is tough.  We run her, swim her, and walk her, and most evenings end with me asleep and the ladies still out doing something.  What are the somethings we have been doing since our last blog you might ask.

Goodbye Koh Tao: we did it, we left with both our Advanced Open Water SCUBA certification and took the ferry/bus to Krabi.  There we enjoyed a street stall dinner and didn't get ill (last time we fell ill was March I think so lets keep it that way!).  From Krabi we jumped a morning Ferry to Koh Phi Phi ( the pic below, check out the Man with the Golden Gun, or The Beach for films made on the island). We snorkeled for the first time in a week, seeing sea snakes, fish, and a turtle. 

Then a quick ferry to Phucket, were Janet got her first Thai massage, we all three got tipsy, and we watched 100 dancers and 15 (or so) elephants dance on stage. 








Hello Singapore: In an effort to head off another visa run to Burma (not that we didn't love it)  We next hopped a plane to Singapore.  We moved into "little India" and are spending our days, eating, and ducking out of the rain (Monsoon season is going on).  Yesterday was the zoo, but not just any zoo, the zoo that all zoo's should strive to be.  It is big and getting bigger, with lots of room for the animals to enjoy, and many of the animals able to roam free range. There was even a Tropical crop exhibit.  Check out the picture with me and the wild pineapple!

Looking back over this blog, you may note that it was lots of travel.  It was!  But so much fun, and so easy with these two amazing ladies to travel with.  Sadly Janet leaves in 4 days, but we have lots to do back in Bangkok, so stay tuned.

Give me back my passport

So we get to the boarder. Standing in Thailand, Burma (Myanmar) is just over that stretch of river. A guy in jeans and a T-shirt takes our passports and ten bucks, then tells us to get on the boat. So let me get this straight, we are going to Myanmar without a passport? Yep, welcome to "a visa run." You start by running out of time on your Thai visa. Next you pay 50 US dollars and spend the night "sleeping" on "the night boat." Wake up, get in a mini bus and head to the boarder. Where the random looking man takes your money and your passport and you head to Myanmar for a visit. Our visit was about 30 minutes in a boat and 10 minutes at immigration. You are offered cigarettes, whiskey, and of course opium. Back in Thailand you get a stamp and YEAHHH you have 15 days before you have to do it again.

But prior to all this madness, tons of stuff happened as you shall soon see and read.


The baby elephant performing a show for just the 4 of us!

We went on a tour of the Samui Archipelago. This Archipelago is made of up 3 inhabited Islands, Ko Tao, Ko Pang yang, and Ko Samui. Plus a Marine National park with lots of small islands sticking up out of the sea like "crocodile teeth" says Lonely Planet. So we systematically tour the islands one by one. Ko Tao is where we have spent the bulk of our time and where we are currently, getting our SCUBA open water and advanced certifications. After 4 days of Snorkeling the four of us, Mom, Jill, Rob, and I head for the larger Island of Ko Pang yang.

We went elephant trekking and took a day trip to the Marine National Park. All was going well until we made the horrible mistake of renting motor bikes. Rob and I were on one while Jill and mom on the other. We made a wrong turn down a road under partial construction and lots of sand. Never a good combination. And yes mom and Jill ended up on the pavement. A few bloody scrapes and a big bruise later we were ready to return the bikes. We should have know it was a bad sign when we filled our tanks with gasoline from a Vodka bottle.  But we weren't good at listening to signs!

On our next island Ko Samui we took a wonderful cooking class and the 4 of us made enough food to feed at least 16 people. Not sure how they expected us to eat it all. We learned to make our own curry paste and we got really comfortable pounding the chillies since it took almost 10 min to get them to the correct consistancy! By now it was time to say good bye to Jill and the remaining three headed back to Ko Tao. (we miss you Jill)

"Under the sea.  Under the sea.  Darling it's better, down were it's wetter, take it from meeeee..." You know the song, sing along.  Four days, one visa run, and 5 dives later, we are now PADI certified divers.  Today we stayed 30-60 feet under water for over an hour, and got to spend quality time with a baby turtle (about the size of a truck tire).  Still want more?  Us too, we start the advanced course tomorrow at 7:30 AM.  But that will have to wait for our next blog.

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.

Out of Bangkok and into the islands!

(Lots has happened in only a short period of time. And more stories to come, as we are hanging in Thailand for almost 2 months, then heading to Mongolia. There is a problem however. Remember the camera... well we didn't, and it is still riding the train. So pics this episode will be from the archives. Enjoy)



 Angry at not getting AC train tickets
 (pic taken  at Wu Wei Si in China)

Ahhhhh the beach, and the wind, and...WAIT this is the Phillipines











                                                                                            Staying cool at ABC in nepal
Thailand:
May 17th 2010 is our flight out of Hong Kong and into Bangkok. We knew the political situation in Bangkok was getting more and more hostel by the day (check out CNN). We received an e-mail from a friend who said that this time the the "red shirts want blood (sounds scary but..)." Our plan was to get down to the southern island of Koh Tao as soon as possible. Our flight landed at noon and we booked a night train leaving at 7:30 pm that night. So only 7 hours in the fighting capital. Our taxi driver pointed out the smoke in the distance and said that was where the fighting was taking place. As we got further from the airport and closer to the train station, and center of town, the smoke was getting closer. The traffic slowed and our taxi driver became very tense. Little by little we inched closer to the smoky area until we were driving over it. The free way in Bangkok is built above the ground on huge concrete stilts, very good at conserving space. However, the fighting was taking place directly under the freeway. Black smoke was billowing up on either side of the road and between the lanes. We didn't see any actual fighting but the air was very tense (darn political rallies). Soon after we passed the smokey road our taxi sped up and our driver relaxed again and let a smile creep onto his face. He turns to us and says he has to cross that road many times each day and it is very bad in Bangkok. Once we arrived at the train station we dropped our bags off for safe keeping in storage and were off to find some lunch. We had been in Thailand 3 months before and we remembered the lovely food (spicy YUM). Our mouths were watering just thinking about our upcoming meal. We stopped a tuk tuk (motorcycle with a cart on the back) and asked him to take us to a good place to eat. As we were driving to our restaurant we noticed how every shop was closed. Metal gates across all doorways. Later we learned that the King announced a holiday to keep people off the streets and in there homes. We also learned the schools were canceled all over the city for the entire week due to the unsafe conditions. We had asked the information desk when we arrived at the airport to circle the areas where we should stay out of. We had our handy map, but we were in the hands of our Tuk Tuk driver. After several turns and intersections we arrived and a fancy looking restaurant with no customers. We asked are you sure this is a good place to eat. He said, "yes, yes" as he got out of his seat and looked at the restaurant owner in the eye. We thanked him as we handed him 30 Bhat. I have a feeling he gets a little commission every time he brings a foreigner here since it was very pricey and later we realize quite close to the danger zone of the city (it was worth every penny, but yea we got raped). It was even hard to find a little place to just sit and relax amongst all the closed stores. But soon, the time came to hop on our overnight train and sleep the miles away.

Soon after the train started we realized our terrible mistake (terrible doesn't cover it). We had a fan car and not an air conditioned car (no no noooooooo). With our bodies not used to such heat and humidity we did our best to dip in and out of sweaty sleep (Leah slept like a baby, I was up for 90% of the trip). We both had top bunks and no window to let out the heat that lingered on the ceiling only a few feet from our bodies (try sleeping in a humid, 100 degree room some time). The train was delayed 5 hours, and we decided from then on to double and triple check our train tickets (Don't worry Mama French we have AC for you).

Koh Tao soon to be our little home away from home. A friend of mine set up a trapeze here on the island and I was anxious to have a swing. Eight months of travel and no trapeze anywhere in site. As soon as I saw the large vertical aluminum poles and net I felt home. In no time I was up on the pedestal enjoying the tropical island from 20 feet in the air (and got two rips in the hands to prove it). Lovely rolling lush green hills with Palm trees blowing in the wind surrounded me. Taking my first swing I felt a bit like a new born fawn with its first steps. The bar was quite a bit heavier than the one I am used to and as I did my first force-out I bent my arms too much and hit my head on the bar (no damage but she can't remember my name). There goes my first impression. Soon I recovered a bit of grace and regained the rhythm of my swing. The next day my arms and hands ached so much I had to smile. Another lovely feeling of getting back into the swing of things. A few days after our arrival on the island we joined a free diving class. During the into we were baffled by the depth the human body can go underwater without equipment. Records from free diving are unbelievable. Members or our race diving 120 meters underwater with only a rope for reference. Soon we learned the breath up which is the way to breath prior to a dive, and how to become completely relaxed in order to conserve as much oxygen as possible. By the end of day two Rob and I were both diving down the the depth of 20 meters and holding our breath over and minute and a half in order to do it. The deeper we got the more pressure our bodies felt and the more the feeling to get to the surface grew. When I was down deep it is an amazing new world that feels miles away from the surface. However, there was just the rope, lack of air, and water pressure down there. I was happy with the knowledge from the beginner class and felt no more need to push my body to get deeper and deeper, Rob felt differently and continued on the the advanced class. By day three he could hold his breath in a static position, just his face underwater, for 4 minutes 24 seconds. This process looks a bit strange because for the last minute and a half Rob's body was convulsing like a fish out of water (kids don't try this at home). His whole body was telling him to just lift his face out of the water and BREATH (my body is smart, ME????). However, the instructor was right next to him and every few seconds would make sure Rob was thinking correctly and ask Rob to squeeze the instructors hand ( I massed that baby). Rob's main job was to stay calm and relaxed (help help HELP!!!! Ahhhhhh!). It seems that as always the body can adapt to whatever you ask it too as long as you train. (by the end of day five I was diving 20 meters without breath in my lungs and diving 35 meters with a breath)
 

Hodgepodge

Folks, we made it out and we miss it already. That's right, your dynamic duo is no longer in China, but we had such an amazing time we are tentatively planning a second trip in a few months (maybe). Last time we wrote was after one week at Wu Wei Si. We stayed one more week and learned a second, and much harder form in Tai Chi ( several kicks in this one: see video ). Other then that and our return to the wonderful home of Kim and Tom Whilhelm (look them up next time you are in Macau: you won't be sorry). Nothing else crazy has happened. So we are going to take a trip into the photo album and throw out some stuff you might not have seen yet.
Leah thought only her leg would be in the picture, look at that face. Part of morning practice at the monastery now start counting to 50 in a Chinese ascent.

Back on Tiger Leaping Gorge, the view after the clouds pass

Local market, local medicine, there is a angry one handed monkey somewhere.

The View of Lunch at the Monastery. We ate this good, three meals a day. That, plus a place to stay, and 5-6 hours of training a day, will set you back about 50 US dollars per person, per WEEK!

Nagasaki, JAPAN: Check out those hot (formerly French) Girls, and with them those lucky guys: Clint and Me.

Inside the cruise ship playing on the circus equipment!

The Cherry blooms in Japan only about 2 weeks a year. By some lucky chance we hit it right on the nose. Right before the nose fell off, Japan is cold this time of year. (This weather lengthens the season, so again we were lucky )

In honor of our next destination we show you Dr. Fish.

Thailand: Getting your feet cleaned the old fashioned way, by hundreds of hungry fish.

Wu Wei Si in the background, with 20 seconds of the third form.

Going around the Great Wall

We are still in China!  But thanks to the wonders of PPIP networks ( I have no idea what it is ), we are able to get around the cyber wall of China and send our loved ones an update and some pics.  Last time we spoke, we had just finished a hike on the Great Wall.  Such an amazing experience. 

 After Beijing we flew to Kunming (due to the recommendation of Leah's friend and Mandarin teacher).  We had a wonderful time in the city and mostly enjoyed the music at night in the local parks.  Story:  So we are hanging out with, Paul, a traveler from Holland and he wants to go clubbing.  No problem, ( well we are use to going to sleep at 9 PM so it was tough).  We start looking around 10.  We must have gone into 12 different clubs, pubs, karaoke bars (lots of these), until we hit the gold mine.  At around midnight we found a smoky, fun, funky, dance club.  There is an active DJ and fog machines/laser lights.  We loved it and started dancing.  Soon, very soon (within seconds), our 6ft 3 inch, blond Dutchman is surrounded by tons of... you guessed it, topless guys.  We had found the best bar in the city and of course it was a gay bar.  Leah and I laughed and our buddy tried to get free drinks.  Also near Kuming is the stone forest.  We spent the day wondering around hugh vertical slabs of stone.   (see below)

After Kunming we took an overnight sleeper bus to Lijing.  There is a great story that goes with this bus (details must be omitted to keep you all from getting sick ),  it involves Leah waking with a return of her Giardia and having to stop the bus on the side of the road or explode.  I will leave it to your imagination as to the torture that Leah suffered on this one.  Anyway we reached Lijing and enjoyed this magical city for a few days while Leah healed and then we took on the Tiger.  Tiger leaping gorge is a nice two day hike through the deepest gorge in the world.  Good food and amazing views.

Somewhere in all this madness we heard of a Tai Chi class being taught at a Tao/Buddhist monastery near Dali (Suni if you are reading this, take your son and book tickets to China for a month ).  We took a quick bus after the hike and found REAL CHINA!!!  Story: we took a taxi and got dropped off at the base of a stand of trees under and arch.  The taxi driver pointed up the hill and says "Wu Wei Si ! "  That is the name of the monastery.  So, we walked.  Turn after turn, step after step, pagodas, and painted walls appearing as if by magic from the mist.  We had to just stop and laugh since it seemed like the stairs would never end and we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.  Then after ~10 minutes, we are there.  A real kung fu, Tai chi, monastery, dedicated to an art only taught here.  You can't hear the city, and the rain starts to fall.  For less then 50 dollars a week, we get housing, food, and training with the monks.  The only condition, you must work.  Well we have been working, and only came into town to send this blog (and eat meat, there isn't any up there nor is there electricity).  Having found this place, we will stay for the remaining days we have on our visa and think about coming back in a few months. 

We will have more stories about Wu Wei Si in our next blog since we will be spending the next 7 days there.  But here are a few facts to get you thinking about our upcoming week, No electricity,  Monks start chanting at 5:30 a.m.  we have one small bowl and chopsticks we keep in our room between meals and "wash" (rinse with with water and scrub with  our fingers) and  5 hours of practice a day.  Lots of stretching, and periodic rainfall several time a day.

Happy trails

This is a happy story, and ends like most happy stories in Lamma island Hong Kong.  But before this happy interlude we were on... THE ROAD FROM HELL!!! Sorry kids but there is no other way to describe this frightneing place (but here goes).  This road eats jeeps, one lane, dirt, rock and road construction everywhere, switchbacks every 100 meters, oncoming traffic includes massive trucks, goats crossing, cows eating, children playing games, your stomach can't stand it (don't eat), drop over the edge is 3000 ft at it's lowest, no help no hospital, and all this for 6- 10 hours (less then 75 miles in that time ) depending upon your wallet.  We ponied up the extra 3 dollars US and got a jeep.                                                                                                      

Why??? Would anyone take this road?  Well we did avoid the bus once by walking in from Kathmandu (Nepal).  We took a taxi to the beginning of the Helambu circuit then hiked over the pass into the Langtang Region.  For the next 8-9 days we hiked through heaven and earth.  The trek is amazing with high mountain passes ( 4600 meters ), alpine lakes ( we saw the head of Shiva ), Tibetan culture (so so nice ), marble sized hail (doesn't hurt too bad), good food, and of course the views.  You can't image the emotional high you get when waking up in the Himalaya. Almost 6 months down in our travels, and 3 months of it in Nepal

Planting Rice

 

The woman who owns the teahouse (and the mother of the little girl) dressed me up in traditional Tibetin dress.  The belt represents long life, and the belt is very very long that it wrapped around me several times! (we ended up buying the dress and belt!)

Now skip to today.  We are eating fruit and veg. again for the first time in one month.  Hanging out with Tom Wilhelm and stairing out into the ocean.  We started planning our next trip to Nepal today. Tommorow, we meet up with members of Stageflight productions ( Leah's sister and brother in law ) and head out to sea for 14 days on an ocean cruise.  The cruise will put back on the lost Nepal weight and start us (finally) in China!!

Annapurna Base Camp

We can't seem to stay away from base camps. This time we were able to hike to two in 10 days. We first hiked to Machapuchare Base camp then up to Annapurna Base Camp. In comparison to the Everest base camp hike the mountains were much closer and lots more snow. We started our hike a bit before the high season and therefore we were able to choose any room we wished in the tea houses. The first several nights we had a HOT shower and felt like royalty. There is nothing better than to be clean and warm after a day of sweating. The showers did stop when we got up near the base camps but only 3 days without this luxury was not too much of a challenge. We also were able to enjoy many apple pies on this trek. Plus on the way down we had a rest day near a hot springs. Now that is the way to end a hike!

So... This is suppose to be a blog about beaches and SCUBA diving in Thailand. But as you know, we left the hot beaches, and journeyed instead to the mountains of Nepal. But first, a little face paint is in order.


The aftermath of walking down the street in Pokhara, Nepal on Feb 28th. This day is a Hindu Holiday celebrating the end of a battle. All day colored packets are sold on the streets and mobs of people yell "Happy Holi" before tossing the colored powder all over you. Soon after our attach we found refuge in a second floor restaurant and safely watched as unaware passerbyers were "colored"!

Time for a little flute playing. Almost to the top Rob and Aloka full the Annapurna Sanctuary with a lovely melody. ( we are way out of tune, I am playing G and god only knows what he is playing)

Enjoying the view of Annapurna Base Camp over 4,000 meters (13,100). ( I am pouting, because Leah is mad at me for keeping her is the cold of ABC, rather then the cold of MBC 500 meters lower burrrrrrr)

Jumping at MBC with crazy low O2 content, is not that easy, but sure looks cool.

This lovely contraptions made our night MUCH more comfortable. It is an open flame which is hard to see because of the flash, under our dinner table (watch your socks folks). The table then has blankets nailed to the edge to keep the precious warmth from escaping. There are even cloths lines under the table where we can dry our wet cloths (see next picture) and socks. This was amazing but it did cost an extra dollar (hey we are not working, so every dollar counts folks) !

Wet like a bad puppy, we are about 4 hours south of ABC and heading up. This is not just rain but hail. Rob is water proof but Leah decided that the tea house was so close that she didn't bother....

Out of the snow and getting ready to head to the hot springs. Yeah, that is right, Hot springs just south of the snowy peaks of Annapurna. Not only that but the best (and only) Lassana on the mountain.

Running, sliding, slipping and falling down the mountain. It snowed all afternoon the day before so the snow was so fluffy and perfect for a fast downward trek. It took us 2 hours up and 30 min. down. At one point Rob raced some porters down. We were both very sore the next day.

Nepal Himalaya

Yes, the title is right. After a overnight train, 4 hour flight, 7 hour bus ride we are only a day away from the start of a 20 day hike in Nepal! We made this quick decision only a week ago and boom we are here. We will be returning to Thailand in May to see the southern part and spend time on the islands. However, now is the second hiking season in Nepal and we couldn't resist. The mountains have called us back. This time we are trekking through the Annapurna region and up to the Annapurna Base Camp (or ABC trek). It is said to be shaped like an amphitheatre by huge Himalayan peaks! It can be done in 10 days but we are planning on taking our time and add on a few smaller hikes to the end. Now, the only trouble with our last minute decision is that we have beach cloths with us and not hiking Himalaya cloths (we look hot). So we have left a bag of swim suits, tank tops, snorkels, and sarongs in a Kathmandu hotel (now we are naked). Then we went shopping! We now have new down jackets, long underwear, gloves, hiking poles, hats, a "yak wool" blanket (made of cotten and plastic most likely), and rented boots. We are all geared up for $100 each (our boots, left in Hong Kong, cost $250 a pair). Not too bad, but we don't expect our cloths to make it much more that the 20 days since they are all made with the cheapest of materials.

Since we have already put our lab top away for the hike we have no pictures to share with you this time but be patient and in a month we will show you more of Nepal and her glorious peaks.

Biking through Northern Thailand

The last 5 days we rented a motor bike ($5 a day) and went off to explore northwestern Thailand. It was wonderful to have such independence. If we got thirsty we stopped and bought a coconut from a local food stall. I am really loving all the fresh food available here in this tropical region. We never bring any food with us because it is always available and clean. So far we haven't gotten sick since Nepal (knock on wood).





The road we took from Chaing Mai to Mae Hong Son has over 1000 bends (one way). I am glad we were on a motor bike and not a car. Lots of people complained of motion sickness (some turns were well over 180 degees). It was an incredible ride going up these mountains on switchbacks. Even at the beginning of the dry season it was still green and lush all over. Banana trees right on the edge of the road. Lots of little bamboo huts in the middle of rice patties. It looks so peaceful and simple.





Out of the 15 hours we were on the bike I drove 5 minutes (longest 5 minutes off my life). During this time I managed to bend the little front basket, break off part of the break lever, scratch the muffler, and crack the break light cover (I think she is trying to kill me). On my own accord I remained in the back seat for the remainder of the trip, and Rob didn't object (send help). Both of us were unscathed and the repairs only cost us $15.

Time for a little teeth cleaning. Two cavities, and two cleanings set us back 45 US dollars (Leah had both of the cavities, I had several inches of coffee/tea stains to be removed)

Tham Lot is one of the largest known caves in Thailand. In one of the chambers we saw a teak coffin. It looked like a hollowed out canoe and was about 6 feet long. I am not sure why they needed such a long coffin for a Thai person but they are dated back 1200-2200 years old. Maybe they were taller then! At dusk the bats leave the cave to hunt and millions of swifts enter to find a nice sleeping spot. It is amazing to watch hundreds of thousands, of birds circling around till they choose their time to enter the cave at a really fast speed! It sort of reminded me of a round-a-bout ( cover your head though, because they dump a lot of crud, looks sort of like rain in the water).


We took a day off from our motor bike and took a little walk in the beautiful Karst landscape. (We got lost, and got cut up by thorns, at one point we were climbing a hill side, pulling on vines)

Rob is so good at being a Buddha look alike. The other day a Thai woman asked if he was Buddha it took him off guard for a moment till he realised she was asking if he was Buddhist.(Aummmmmmm)

I couldn't resist this perfect round frame! This was taken in the same temple as Rob's meditating picture. We had just rented one speed bicycles and attempted to bike up this momentous hill. Part way up Rob discovered that his bike, apart from it being Thai size (Leah hardly fit on her bike) and way too small for him, the handle bars twisted every time he pulled them (going up hill this can be a problem). We felt pretty accomplished to get to this spot and we chained our bikes outside this temple hopped on a cab for the rest of the way up the mountain.

"Dr. Fish" is how these little bottom dwelling sucker fish are advertised (sorry we had to kill the video, it just wouldn't come out). They nibble away at your dead skin on your feet and leave your feet feeling clean and silky smooth. I guess they have a unique property of continuing to nibble even when they are full! The feeling of these tiny fish is like electricity all around your feet. Also when the tails get in between your toes the tickling is almost unbearable...almost. We think we might do it again... $3 for 20 minutes is hard to beat.

Chiang Mai Thailand

During our first week in Thailand we have ridden elephants, trekked through the hills, rafted, toured many of the handy craft factories, patted tigers, took a cooking class, and shopped in the street markets!! Wow, we are loving it. I think we have taken more pictures in one week than we normally do in a month. We have definitely been doing the tourist route so far and it is well paved. Our guest house which cost $6 a night has arranged all of these activities for us. We have met a lot of other travelers and it is fun to hear their stories about their travels. It makes me realize just how much of the world there is to see!

Today we plan to get a bit of exercise after all of our Thai eating and bike around the city. Maybe we will see more the Thai culture! We will have to be sure to wear pants and no tank tops to get into the temples which will be a bit hot in this weather but worth it to get a glimpse.

Getting ready to cook the soup. One of the seven courses we cooked. ( I think the apron makes my head look too big. Don't you??)

Rob getting his fitting for a custom made suit. It is really quite a cool experience to pick out exactly what you want. Tonight we will get the finished product! (Man I look good!)

Don't we look like a happy trio? This tiger is 17 months old and actually has his eyes open! (we didn't include the picture of Rob being mauled)
Getting ready to feed our elephant, getting some calories for our ride. Latter in the walk, our elephant and anouther would eat and entire bannana tree!

Chinese New Year was Feb 14th this year. It is the year of the tiger. We were on our way to breakfast and happened upon the parade! Good Luck

Up on top of an elephant. I was sitting on the neck during the video. Not as comfortable as the seat so I soon moved back to where Rob is sitting.