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Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Buzz Lightyear!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Thailand: Bangkok
We arrived in Bangkok at the end of the week. This city was very different from the quiet fishing village we had just left. Cars and people were everywhere! After checking into our hotel (the super swanky LeBua) we went down to the waterfront to take a water taxi up the river.
Our first stop was the Reclining Buddha that we were anxious to see after seeing the second largest Buddha in the world in Japan. This is supposedly the largest and it was a fun adventure to visit.
After taking off our shoes, we entered the very narrow building that houses the Buddha. Signs everywhere warned us of pickpockets and "non-Thai gangs" that hang around trying to take advantage of tourists. While we were intimidated, we found the Buddha to be so peaceful.
This is the view of the Buddha from the back down the length of the statue to the feet. It is all gold and the feet are covered in Mother of Pearl. Visitors would drop small metal balls into metal canisters in prayer so the room echoed with a sweet plink, plank, plunk sound ($10 for anyone who can name that reference!).
I just loved the statues of the Buddha all around the complex. This was my favorite series around the outside of an open air courtyard.
Teddy enjoyed the visit too and really wanted his picture taken in front of this huge Buddha in a little temple off to the side.
That night, Mommy and Daddy decided to hit the town after Teddy went to bed. We visited the amazing restaurant at the very top of our hotel. It looks out over the city and the hot pink bar was the perfect place for me to get my picture taken!
The next day, we visited the Imperial Palace which was the most ornate group of structures that I have ever seen. I just can't imagine living in such a beautiful place built with so much gold and jewels - although I would love it!
We also visited the huge open air market in the city but it was too confusing and overwhelming to take photos. We had a great time and bought some beautiful souvenirs, but I probably wouldn't visit again with a two and a half year old.
Our first stop was the Reclining Buddha that we were anxious to see after seeing the second largest Buddha in the world in Japan. This is supposedly the largest and it was a fun adventure to visit.
After taking off our shoes, we entered the very narrow building that houses the Buddha. Signs everywhere warned us of pickpockets and "non-Thai gangs" that hang around trying to take advantage of tourists. While we were intimidated, we found the Buddha to be so peaceful.
This is the view of the Buddha from the back down the length of the statue to the feet. It is all gold and the feet are covered in Mother of Pearl. Visitors would drop small metal balls into metal canisters in prayer so the room echoed with a sweet plink, plank, plunk sound ($10 for anyone who can name that reference!).
I just loved the statues of the Buddha all around the complex. This was my favorite series around the outside of an open air courtyard.
Teddy enjoyed the visit too and really wanted his picture taken in front of this huge Buddha in a little temple off to the side.
That night, Mommy and Daddy decided to hit the town after Teddy went to bed. We visited the amazing restaurant at the very top of our hotel. It looks out over the city and the hot pink bar was the perfect place for me to get my picture taken!
The next day, we visited the Imperial Palace which was the most ornate group of structures that I have ever seen. I just can't imagine living in such a beautiful place built with so much gold and jewels - although I would love it!
We also visited the huge open air market in the city but it was too confusing and overwhelming to take photos. We had a great time and bought some beautiful souvenirs, but I probably wouldn't visit again with a two and a half year old.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Thailand: Caves
Another local attraction was at the boat accessible National Park - a cave that has been visited by three Thai kings. If the king has been there, then certainly the Russell family must go!
We hired another fishing boat and captain to take us to the park. On the way, we saw a pod of pink and gray dolphins - a totally amazing sight!
After a 45 minute boat trip, we landed at the National Park and waded to shore. Here is Teddy and Michael at the entrance to the park.
You would think that seeing caves would require a downward trek - I remember visiting caves in New York and Pennsylvania on the way to see both sets of Grandparents during the summer. I certainly didn't think that we would have to hike up a mountain via a steep set of crudely built steps. Did the king have to make this trek too?
Here is Michael and Teddy at the midway point overlooking the ocean.
We reached the opening of the cave after about 30 minutes climbing straight up followed by a 10 minute climb straight down.
The further into the cave that we climbed, the darker and more mysterious it became. Michael and Teddy are standing on the "crocodile's back," a part of the path that is covered in small rocks resembling a long crocodile.
Once through the darkness, the cave opens to the light above to mark the place where the kings have made their royal visit. Below is a small section of the cave that has been turned into a temple.
In the middle of the cave is a shrine to the royal visitors. I can't imagine how much time and energy went into hauling all of pieces needed to put this very ornate temple together. Please note that Teddy and I are standing in the foreground so you can see how big this cave and temple really are.
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After enjoying the cave and making our way down the mountain, we had a wonderful lunch just off the beach. It was one of the best meals we have eaten and it only cost us $5. We had such a fun morning together and we even got to see the pod of pink dolphins again on the way home!
We hired another fishing boat and captain to take us to the park. On the way, we saw a pod of pink and gray dolphins - a totally amazing sight!
After a 45 minute boat trip, we landed at the National Park and waded to shore. Here is Teddy and Michael at the entrance to the park.
You would think that seeing caves would require a downward trek - I remember visiting caves in New York and Pennsylvania on the way to see both sets of Grandparents during the summer. I certainly didn't think that we would have to hike up a mountain via a steep set of crudely built steps. Did the king have to make this trek too?
Here is Michael and Teddy at the midway point overlooking the ocean.
We reached the opening of the cave after about 30 minutes climbing straight up followed by a 10 minute climb straight down.
The further into the cave that we climbed, the darker and more mysterious it became. Michael and Teddy are standing on the "crocodile's back," a part of the path that is covered in small rocks resembling a long crocodile.
Once through the darkness, the cave opens to the light above to mark the place where the kings have made their royal visit. Below is a small section of the cave that has been turned into a temple.
In the middle of the cave is a shrine to the royal visitors. I can't imagine how much time and energy went into hauling all of pieces needed to put this very ornate temple together. Please note that Teddy and I are standing in the foreground so you can see how big this cave and temple really are.
.After enjoying the cave and making our way down the mountain, we had a wonderful lunch just off the beach. It was one of the best meals we have eaten and it only cost us $5. We had such a fun morning together and we even got to see the pod of pink dolphins again on the way home!
Thailand: Monkey Island
Directly across from the Resort's beach access is Monkey Island so named because it's an island filled with very friendly monkeys. Here is the island as seen from our beach.
We rented a fishing boat and captain to visit the island with two other TAS couple who were also staying at Dolphin Bay for spring break.
As soon as we arrived, the monkeys came running because they knew we were bringing bananas and mangoes.
One monkey was so excited to see us that he jumped right onto the boat to welcome us to Monkey Island (or to get first shot at the food).
Eventually, we got braver and decided to venture off the boat to get a closer look at the monkeys. They were all very friendly and enjoyed having Teddy toss fruit to them.
After feeding the monkeys, the captain drove us around the island to take a look at the cool caves that the waves have created over time.
We had a wonderful adventure and this trip has confirmed that Teddy loves monkeys!
We rented a fishing boat and captain to visit the island with two other TAS couple who were also staying at Dolphin Bay for spring break.
As soon as we arrived, the monkeys came running because they knew we were bringing bananas and mangoes.
One monkey was so excited to see us that he jumped right onto the boat to welcome us to Monkey Island (or to get first shot at the food).
Eventually, we got braver and decided to venture off the boat to get a closer look at the monkeys. They were all very friendly and enjoyed having Teddy toss fruit to them.
After feeding the monkeys, the captain drove us around the island to take a look at the cool caves that the waves have created over time.
We had a wonderful adventure and this trip has confirmed that Teddy loves monkeys!
Thailand: The Beach
Our Thailand adventure begin on the beach.
We stayed at Dolphin Bay Resort near the town of Hua Hin about three hours south of Bangkok (although a careful driver, driving the speed limit would have done it in four and a half but not our dare devil driver!).
The town we stayed in is a fishing village. It seemed that most fishermen would go out at night to fish for squid using neon green lights extended out over their fishing boats.
Teddy loved the beach and building sand castles. While he isn't really into the waves washing up on the shore, he was willing to sit on the beach and build castles with Daddy. They also did their fair share of playing soccer.
The whole family enjoyed our time on the beach and our time at the pool at Dolphin Bay.
We stayed at Dolphin Bay Resort near the town of Hua Hin about three hours south of Bangkok (although a careful driver, driving the speed limit would have done it in four and a half but not our dare devil driver!).
The town we stayed in is a fishing village. It seemed that most fishermen would go out at night to fish for squid using neon green lights extended out over their fishing boats.
Teddy loved the beach and building sand castles. While he isn't really into the waves washing up on the shore, he was willing to sit on the beach and build castles with Daddy. They also did their fair share of playing soccer.
The whole family enjoyed our time on the beach and our time at the pool at Dolphin Bay.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Cute Story
While we are in the process of downloading photos and putting our adventures in Thailand into words, we are going to share a little story with you.
At Teddy's school, there are two other American kids, Lauren and Alex. Yesterday, Lauren and Alex got into a fight.
One of the Chinese language teachers was explaining to the kids that they would need to apologize to each other but she didn't think her point was coming across in Chinese. She asked one of the English language teachers to explain to Lauren and Alex in English that they shouldn't fight and they should apologize to each other.
When she finished her explanation, the kids are silent.
Then, all of a sudden, both Lauren and Alex start to argue again...in Chinese. Lauren is saying that she doesn't want to apologize and Alex is saying that he didn't start the fight.
Teddy happens upon this second round of arguing and starts telling Alex and Lauren that they shouldn't fight and they need to apologize...in Chinese!
Imagine the scene with three little American kids, all under the age of five, arguing with each other in Chinese. So cool!
Just thought we would share this little story that brought a smile to our faces.
At Teddy's school, there are two other American kids, Lauren and Alex. Yesterday, Lauren and Alex got into a fight.
One of the Chinese language teachers was explaining to the kids that they would need to apologize to each other but she didn't think her point was coming across in Chinese. She asked one of the English language teachers to explain to Lauren and Alex in English that they shouldn't fight and they should apologize to each other.
When she finished her explanation, the kids are silent.
Then, all of a sudden, both Lauren and Alex start to argue again...in Chinese. Lauren is saying that she doesn't want to apologize and Alex is saying that he didn't start the fight.
Teddy happens upon this second round of arguing and starts telling Alex and Lauren that they shouldn't fight and they need to apologize...in Chinese!
Imagine the scene with three little American kids, all under the age of five, arguing with each other in Chinese. So cool!
Just thought we would share this little story that brought a smile to our faces.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Thailand, here we come!
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