Week 1: Bangkok..and surrounding.
Monday - Arrival and Nonthaburi
After a frustrating morning of taxi-drivers-who-didn't-take-directions-well, I finally made it to the airport to pick them up. They left their bags at the Guesthouse, and then we were off to Nonthaburi to see where I live and work. It rained all day. We had Italian for late lunch, and by the time we got back to Bangkok they were exhausted and ready for bed. At 6pm.
Tuesday we took the ferry up the river to the Grand Palace, and had fantastic Mexican food when we got back. Dad and I went and saw Toy Story 3D that evening as well.
Wednesday was Dad's birthday, so I decided we would go to Ko Si Chang for the day. Getting there took about 3 1/2 hours, but was well worth it. It's a small island, but we took a tuk-tuk around the island, visiting a Chinese temple and stopping at the beach for two hours to go kayaking. Beautiful weather.
Thursday I took them to explore Khao San Rd, or "backpacker central." Did some shopping, had pizza for lunch, and headed back to wander around Si Lom.
Friday THEY got up early to take a boat tour through the canals in Bangkok while I slept in. It was a bit of a lazy day after they returned, concluded with Japanese food for dinner.
Saturday Mom wasn't feeling well, so Dad and I went to Pattaya for the day to rent jet skis and explore the botanical gardens.
Week 2: Chiang Mai, Mae Sariang, and Kanchanaburi.
Sunday morning brought church, and that evening boarded the overnight train to Chiang Mai. Met a handsome young Dutchman named Steffan on the train, and had hours of conversation with him about life, traveling, and languages. It was marvelous.
Monday morning we arrived in Chiang Mai, where our rental car was waiting for us at the train station. We found our hotel, spent the afternoon exploring the old city(surrounded by now-crumbling wall and wide moat), then wandered through the Night Bazaar in the evening. I found a gorgeous painting of an elephant, and although my parents bought it for me as my birthday present, I negotiated the price; the vendor wanted 3500B..I got it for 2400B. Oh yeah, I've got my bargaining skills down.
Tuesday we booked a zip line tour called the Jungle Flight. Our guide, Soh, was hilarious! Really knew how to make the journey even more fun than it already was.
Dad's $5 "Filet Mignon"
Wednesday we checked out and headed for Mae Sariang, taking a detour through Don Inthinon National Park to visit the highest peak in Thailand. It was cold, foggy, and rainy, but we made it through okay, and after about six hours of driving, ME driving(!), we made it to Mae Sariang. We found the hospital that my mom worked at when she lived there 30 years ago(it's now a center that works with people with disabilities), and met the daughter of one of the women my mom worked with. We also found the house my mom had lived in, although a few changes had been made. Had delicious Thai food for dinner.
Thursday we left headed back to Chiang Mai, dropped off the rental car at the train station, then caught the 4:30 overnight into Bangkok. This time around, I met a charming Australian sailor named Toby, whom, upon hearing that my degree was in Psychology, proceeded to unload numerous stories about his childhood, in exchange for a few stories of my own. He was absolutely adorable. :)
Friday morning, bright and early, we arrived back in Bangkok, and accomplished almost nothing that day, aside from checking back into the Guesthouse and eating dinner.
Saturday morning we headed out for an over night in Kanchanaburi. Took the bus from the Southern Bus Terminal, and arrived just in time for lunch. My parents took the long boat tour up and down the river while I took a nap. We had dinner at the guesthouse, then headed to bed as we had an early start the next day.
Week 3: Farewell!
Sunday morning we had booked a tour of the Floating Market, which left at 7am. It was a long ride to the market, but the little long boat was great, and we were right in the middle of it all. Did some shopping, I helped Mom get a lower price on a painting she wanted(at her request), and watched someone walking their baby elephant down the street. Had the minivan driver drop us off at a bus station so we wouldn't have to ride all the way back to Kanchanaburi just to get on a bus and go back to Bangkok. Got back in time to shower before evening service, and as the parents headed off to bed that night, I went to check out my friend Katie's new apt.
Monday morning, Mom and Dad got up early to go to wander around Lumphini Park. I slept in. Another somewhat lazy day, with a steak and seafood finish. Oh and lots of CNN.
Tuesday morning we went to see the Jim Thompson's House Museum. Jim Thompson virtually rebuilt the Thai Silk industry, and lived in a home he built along the river near the National Stadium for eight years until his disappearance in Malaysia in 1967. We had Japanese food for lunch, went back to help me pack up all my stuff, and after A&W for dinner, we called a taxi and I said farewell to my parents before heading back to my apt. They left for the airport bright and early Wednesday morning.
For LOTS more pictures, check my facebook page. :)
