Thailand Trip - Part I

Day 0 - Christmas Day
Our flight left at 7:50pm so we were able to enjoy a lovely Christmas morning and see some friends before we headed to the airport. Makoa was so excited when Don was showering and he remembered what I had told him, he said, "Dada no work (gasp) Mama, Dada, Koa airplane! Mama, Koa shoes, mama shoes . . ." He dressed in his new Christmas jammies and put on his shoes without a fuss and practically pranced all the way on board. I am so impressed with how little we have packed for 3 people on a 3 week trip to Thailand. The green backpack weighs 37 pounds, the child carrier is stuffed with nappies, and the two small backpacks hold toys and camera.


Day 1 - 26 December
Today we took a taxi from our hotel to Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and the former residence of the monarch, the Grand Palace. Don was wearing shorts so had to rent something to cover his legs! The place was beautiful covered in gold and artwork. We were able to go in the temple and see the Buddha as well as walk around the gardens and different buildings which held the king's throne used for ceremonies.


Day 2 - 27 December
Jeff arrived at midnight last night and Don went to the airport to meet him. I hardly slept in anticipation, and to make sure Don woke up to take the shuttle. Makoa and I woke Jeff up early and he gave us presents and Makoa showed Uncle Jeff the porch swings he had found the day before. We hung out a bit and then packed and headed to the airport again and flew up north to Chiang Mai in the afternoon.

The guesthouse we are staying at is called Vanilla Place and the owners are lovely. Their son-in-law picked us up from the airport and we are right near the Night Bazaar. We were a bit tired today so we just went to dinner next door at the Antique House and Makoa found they had live music and . . . a swing set!!


Day 3 - 28 December
Today we rode in a red truck taxi - really just the back of a truck that had a cover over the top - to the Chiang Mai Zoo.

Right where we got dropped off was a ton of those little kid rides that Makoa still doesn't know take money. We spent probably an hour as he tried each one.

While waiting I had my first encounter with a squat toilet. You get your paper outside, or can rinse yourself with the water, and stand on the sides and, well, squat.

We finally made it to the zoo and saw a few animals but mostly played on the toys and met other families and had some kids practice their English with us. (I also got to use a little of the Thai I learned in class.)




Day 4 - 29 December
Jeff left this morning for his hill trek and Don and I had nothing to do but take walks and plan the next week of a trip. It was very relaxing. Don left to get online and was sad because this was the first time he had to leave us - how cute! When we left Makoa and I ran around yelling, "mama koa mama koa mama koa" and fell into a heap on the floor laughing. We met Don for lunch at the place with the swings and checked out the river near where we stayed.

And in the evening decided to spruce things up a bit and test out our bargaining skills at the Night Bazaar. Don's first encounter:
Don: How much?
Lady: 250
Don: Um, um well, how about 50?
Lady: No, that is a loss, I sell for 250 (she types into the calculator)
Don: Oh, oh, sorry . . . can you do better?
Lady: 220
Don: 200 and sold
Lady: Um, ok for you

I laughed so hard and teased Don for about 15 minutes. Apparently when she said 250 he thought she said 70 so was thrown off his game! He wanted me to try so I found a skirt I wanted and it went something like this:
Me: How much?
Lady: 400
Me: Can you do better?
Lady: 450
Me: Wait, you said 400.
Lady: Oh did I? No 450.
Me: You went up.
Lady: Oh, okay 350.
Me: 300 and you got a deal
Lady: For you I can do.

Not the best bargaining attempt but hey it was our first time!

Day 5 - 30 December
Another lazy day and Makoa just wanted to stay in the room and play with cars so Don and I took turns going out. He rode in a tuk tuk to a vegetarian place for lunch where he bought a meal for the three of us for less than $4. I had a massage and when Jeff got back from his hill trek he and I went to dinner at a great Indian restaurant.