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Monique and I had been eagerly waiting for our self proclaimed "vaction from our vacation". On Feb.14th my mom and dad arrived in Bangkok. After the long 22 hours of flight time, they were suprisingly chipper and we chatted for hours. After they unloaded our gifts and cards from everyone ( THANK YOU!!!!) and Monique's box of chocolate bars :-) , we got ready for our beach time in Ao Nang.
After a rather rough landing in the Krabi airport, (my dad and I figured the pilot was on a training exercise) and a scenic drive through limestone karsts, we arrived at our amazing resort. The Ayodhaya was built to replicate 4 famous temples in Thailand, so our cab driver had a good laugh calling us a bunch of monks!!
The pool was perfect, and we had stunning suites which Mo and I were definitely not used to. Kinda nice not having a shared bathroom and cockroachs in our room! The good times started as we quickly ran down to the pool. With Monique and my mom eager to shop and browse around the streets, my Dad and I snuck onto a fishing charter. We were lucky to have the boat to ourselves, and to catch some local colourful fish. Red Snapper, Stripped Bass, and a Grouper! We ate our catch on the boat for lunch, then gave the rest of the fish to the crew.
Next, we all boaarded a boat and did a day trip island hopping and snorkelling and sippin' beer and coolers. We all agreed it was top notch coral and sea life. Even mom could tell it was beautiful from the boat (and was looking forward to throwing bread to the fish while Mo snorkeled)! We also docked on the infamous island where the movie "The Beach" was filmed. Leo D'cappucino was here, our guide says! perfect sand. Of course, we had trouble trying to avoid the dreaded sunburn. Small price to pay I guess.
Our next destination was Chaing Mai, the place Monique lived for 3 months during her 'Play Around the World' trip. We had fun showing Mom and Dad her old residence, favorite smoothie shop, restaurants and, of course, coffee shop. Elephant rides, Tiger cuddling, Muay Thai kick boxing, cooking classes and the sunday market were all highlights. What can you say about touching a 180lb. tiger? (Mom and Monique are nuts!!) We ate at the same Italian place for pizza 3 or 4 times (we have been back about 4 more since they left), bought cheap beer and coolers at 7 Eleven, and tried to relax by the pool as much as possible. We have snuck into that pool about 6 times since we checked out, such an easy scam for a free afternoon of fun!
I think the best part of our 2 weeks was seeing some family again. Makes us really excited for Mexico, because not only are some of our best friends going to be there, but Monique's parents are going as well!!
We stayed for another 10 days in Chiang Mai after the parents left. It was time to just relax, catch up on emails and pictures/blogging, read and sneak into the hotel pool!!!
While we were there we thought up some of the 'little things' that we love so much about Thailand (and Asia in general)...
- It is perfectly normal to see a 2 year old in front of mom or dad on a scooter, and looking more comfortable than many tourists!
- Anyone can set up a street stall to sell food... just ask the old lady who sells corn at the end of her lane!
- Elephants walking the streets... that was NOT the beer talking.
- Kids helping at the markets, it is a family affair.
- The contrast between air-conditioned mega malls for shopping and the street stalls with plastic chairs for eating.
- Guys taking afternoon siestas in their tuk-tuks... and getting up to play checkers on a painted sidewalk tile.
- Smiling and laughing is a way of life, everything has to have an element of fun-ness (even haggling at the markets)!
- Some shops are open 7am-11pm... and the same people work the entire time (that is why it is fine that you see them napping when it is slow!)
- There is an element of chaos in the driving that we just do not understand but it works for the Thais.
Thailand did not disapoint, I don't think that it can! We left with heavy hearts but happy because we spent our last day in Chiang Mai with new friends, eating at the Sunday Market, getting foot massages, drinking on the rooftop bar, eating at 'Smoothie Blues' and enjoying Wawee coffee. Our arrival into Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was long but worth it. This city is great!!! We will update on that soon... now we are off to the beaches!!!
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