Back to the routine

It has been over a week and we are getting back to the routine.  Sleep is happening at a more normal time frame, although Kasen has not been taking regular naps since we got back, she is at least no longer getting up in the middle of the night.  We have had a bunch of work done on Kasen's room lately and that has not helped the getting back to "normal" (more on that in a future post).

This weekend was pretty packed with soccer, visiting the local firehouse for an open house, the zoo, the farmers market, and a couple dinners out just to name the highlight.  Here are some pictures and video from the adventures.

This video is of Jake (first) and Kasen showing off their big soccer kicks.  Kasen is great at the dribbling part, or little kicks as coach calls them, but the big kicks....well you'll see

Photo day at soccer, Kasen is making sure it's OK to touch the ball with Coach.
Her friend Jake is the other one in the grey Sounders jersey

Kasen sitting in the drivers seat

Kasen on the back of the fire truck,
looking up at the ladders

Hope everyone is doing great, we'll post more as we can. 

"One Night in Bangkok" - Not Enough!

Hello, my name is Debra and I LOVE Bangkok.  Sometimes there have been places that I love almost in spite of themselves.  When finally declaring my love for these cities, it makes me feel like I am admitting some deep truth (especially when other people don't see the place as I do).  Mexico City was one of these places.  No matter how many people told me it was awful, I couldn't help myself.  I loved the architecture, I loved the rich cultural life, I loved the food and I loved the juxtaposition of new/old, traditional/modern.  Bangkok now belongs to this list of places. 

I will admit Bangkok gave an awful first impression.  She was hot, she was loud and whoa, was she dirty.  Still, as we began to get over our jet lag and experience the city, I began to recognize it's beauty and charm.

Spirit house (this one at our last hotel)

A Hidden Oasis

Morning in Bangkok

Walking Everywhere

Now, don't get me wrong.  There were parts that were less than beautiful, but maybe that's what I loved about it.  The beauty was more beautiful when intermixed with normality (like smog, garabage, rats, etc.) 

Here a few pictures near our last hotel (Urbana Langsuan - great location).  One side of the street had a completely abandoned building.  No obvious new work, just a beautiful building beginning to crumble with trash in the front.  On each side of it and across the street, cared for and NICE businesses, hotels, restaurants. 

Totally empty building

Directly across the street

A few buildings down

So while Bangkok startled me at first with some of the realities of a large, foreign city:

Street wiring was a rat's nest (sometimes literally)

Traffic was RIDICULOUS!

I am already tempted to go back.  After all, I never got to finish my fabric shopping... 

Hong Island

We really had not had a full day adventure since arriving in Thailand and seeing Hong Island was high on the list.  It had good snorkeling, a lagoon, and some amazing scenery.  We decided to see how Kasen would do on a full day excursion and since this had a boat plus sandy beach (both things our girl loves), it seemed the best test.  Not to put a spoiler in the first paragraph, she did great - definitely great for a 2 year old.

The trip started off with the tour company picking us up at the hotel.  The start was interesting as the first truck (a converted pickup with a bunch of covered benches in the bed) was full and they were thinking they could fit 6 adults and 2 kids more (there was another couple with a 1 year old from a nearby hotel coming as well).  They finally decided that wouldn't work and flagged down the next truck, an even smaller pickup that didn't have much room (to make room people sat on laps).  We managed to cram in with: Debra and Kasen sitting in the front seat; Kat grabbing a spot on the crowded bench in the bed and Karl and John holding onto handles while they stood on the tailgate.  While they waited for the back to fill up with passengers, Deb took this photo to show the (hopefully) only time toddle Kasen will sit in the front seat with no car seat:

When we got to the pier (the same one we arrived at from Ko Phi Phi), we organized into tour groups and got stickers.  Later we found out the yellow (the sticker we got) was no kayak and orange included kayak...more on that later.  After roll call was completed, we split into two groups for different boats and headed down to the long tail boats.  We had been given an itinerary for the trip, but it was subject to tides and weather (i.e. if weather/tides weren't perfect we would skip some things).  Luckily the weather was great.  The tide schedule meant we headed to the lagoon on Hong Island first.

The travel time was about an hour to the island.  On the boat trip over, Kasen quickly fell asleep.  She seems to love to sleep on boats no matter how bumpy the conditions.  Maybe it's the comfortable seat she always seems to score.

Line up of long tails waiting for passengers at Ao Nang pier

Kasen in her usual sleeping position on a boat

When we got to Hong Island, we immediately went into the lagoon with the long tail.  The guide said at low tide, the boats can't get into the lagoon.  The entrance is small and really only wide enough for a single boat to fit and the lagoon was not much deeper than 3 - 4 ft.  There were some amazing views of limestone cliffs all around.  After a quick swing around the lagoon (maybe 10 minutes), we headed out and over to the beach.  The first order of business was to find a place to put the boat (there must had been at least 20 long tails already there).  Somehow the driver got us setup on the end and we finally got off the boat and onto the beach.

Here the group was to split into a kayaking group and a beach group.  I wanted to kayak, so Debra scored me a spot (for a "discount" even) and the rest of the group hung at the beach.  They were 3 person kayaks, but I went solo on the trip.  The route took us around the island, including into the lagoon.  Around the island was quite breath taking, just seeing the huge limestone cliffs coming straight out of the ocean was amazing.  Along the way there was a cave where a few people were camping (one was in a hammock when we showed up).  These people were stationed to keep tabs on the swallows that nest there, the area is a national park.

Cave that swallow watchers stay in, the red is the hammock

View looking up at the cliffs

more cliffs

Most of the paddling wasn't too bad (there were only a few areas that were a little rough), but the trip into the lagoon made it all worth it.  I was able to be in the front of the pack, so cruising in with very few people around was great, quite amazing.  While the pictures don't do it justice, hopefully you can get some idea of the experience.

coming up to the entrance

A little washed out light wise but wanted to get the cliff detail of the entrance

A view of the entrance from the mangroves

Once we got to the lagoon, we hopped out of the kayak and cooled down.  It was much needed!  The ground was covered with brown starfish, you couldn't take a step without hitting one.  Luckily, they are tough little things.  I grabbed one and took the photo below.  While we were in the lagoon, the guide talked about the tsunami and the fact that all the people who were in the lagoon were fine.  However, about 40 people died that day on Hong Island (mostly tourists).  There were even boats in the jungle about 20 meters up (still there from 2004).  We never made it up to see them, but saw a tsunami memorial that had pictures on a nearby message board.

Starfish from the lagoon

After a 10 minute rest and cool down, it was time to head back.  The trip back to the beach was a little windier/choppier, but went by quick.  Before I knew it, I was back on the beach and reunited with the crew in time for lunch (included in the trip).  Not bad for 1050 Bht ($35 - entire trip).  After lunch, we had about 30 minutes to explore around or hang at the beach, which we chose beach.

While I was on the kayak, Debra, Kasen, John and Kat hung at the beach, snorkeled around and fed some fish.  They would basically swarm you in the water in a feeding frenzy (I witnessed this later after lunch).  Kasen tried it, but got a little spooked when they tried to nibble on her finger.

We all piled back onto the boat and headed to Paradise Island for more snorkeling, beach, and relaxing.  The trip over was about 30 minutes and Kasen took a power nap while we looked at the scenery.  When we got there, we took shifts snorkeling around and watching Kasen.  She tried on the mask (she called them "goggles") but they just didn't seem to fit :)

View of some islands on the trip

Panoramic Kat took of the beach at Paradise Island

After a few beers and 45 minutes of beach and snorkeling, it was off to the last stop for the day, Dang Island (the only island with red rock in Thailand according to the guide).  There we got to snorkel from the boat (there was no beach but Kasen was napping).  Debra and I took turns (well really I got most of the time) to snorkel around.  The guide mentioned we could find "Nemo" here and we did (there were like 4 spots to find him).  I also saw Gill and Dori here as well (two other Finding Nemo characters).

And here is Nemo

From that snorkeling spot, it was back to the pier and back onto a truck to the hotel (this time no one had to ride on the tailgate).

Riding Elephants

One of the things we wanted to do on this trip was to see some elephants up close.  Kasen loves seeing them at the zoo and we figured it would be a highlight for her to see them up close (maybe even get a chance to feed them).  We had done quite a bit if research on possible trips and found quite a few where you could ride them.  It sounded interesting, but that was not a requirement we had.  We especially didn't know if riding an elephant for an hour (the shortest trip) was feasible with a toddler.

Once we got to Ao Nang, we had a three days of unplanned time.  We looked into possible excursions for this time and one was to visit/ride elephants.  We decided to book it (2 hour total trip) and give Kasen something to remember.  

It was a short 15 minute ride from the hotel (they picked us up).  We walked out of the van, up some stairs to a landing and 5 minutes later we were on some elephants.  Here is John getting setup on his elephant Wahtu.  

They had initially pointed at Debra to get on the elephant pictured above, but once they saw she was going to grab Kasen they said "no" and John rode solo.   We wondered if it was like horseback riding and they were matching the elephants to the rider.  Our elephant did seem amazingly gentle.  We got onto our elephant, Tuka, and followed John through the "jungle".  The land was rather well preserved and full of large trees (all things considered).  Our guide sat on the elephants head while our feet rested on its neck or dangled along the side, occasionally getting swatted by the ears of the elephant.  Here you can see the seating situation and us on Tuka.  

The pink legs are Kasen's and the elephant's
ear to the left of the guide

The elephants listened well and our guides did not seem to even yell at them.  The guides did carry hooks, but we never saw them use them.  Our elephant liked grabbing some big branches and eating them, yes eating them (branches wider then my fist).  We could hear her munching on the wood (all the elephants were girls).  It was amazing how she just snapped these thick branches with her trunk.  

At one point we crossed a little river and the elephants took a little drink.   About this time we caught up with another group (we had felt like we were one private tour until that point).  Our guides passed them by taking us off the path and through the bush.  This place did have a number of tours, so those people may have been riding for 2 hrs or more.  We felt 1 hr was PLENTY.  Here is the "elephant jam" on the trail. 

 

When we got back from the trek, we got to feed the elephants (apparently the branches were just a snack).  They basically grabbed the banana with the tip of their trunk and stuffed it in their mouth.  Here is Kasen feeding our elephant.  Kasen loved this part and went through 2 baskets of bananas.

When we finished feeding there was a baby elephant "show", her name was Chika.  She played a harmonica, did a little dance, put a hat on Debra and Kasen, and even bowed when we clapped or some part of the show was complete.  Kasen got to sit on her for a picture, with a little spotting from mom.  After that there was a pineapple snack and some water before we got a ride back to the hotel.  Definitely an adventure.

Next post: the day long trip to Hong Island which included long tail rides, snorkeling, beach, fish feeding and kayaking.

Snorkling off Bamboo & Mosquito Island

While in Koh Phi Phi, Karl and John took a longtail for a snorkel trip.  They rode out to the two small islands that we could see from the beach of our resort. 

Mosquito Island behind one of the hotel's longtail

Mosquito Island (left) and Bamboo Island (right)

We really only had one afternoon of really calm water, so this was really the best snorkeling of the trip thus far.  I was not there, but Karl said the fish were amazing.  The large blue and yellow ones would swarm you if you stayed still.  Karl took a ton of pictures with our camera (Olympus Tg-1 IHS).  We will need to post a more detailed review, but overall I have been happy with the camera.  Best point and shoot I have ever had, plus I have never worried about it since it is waterproof.  The nice underwater shots have been a pleasant surprise.  Here are Karl's fish shots:

Karl the snorkel king

Koh Phi Phi

While are traveling to Koh Phi Phi island was tough, staying there is pretty relaxing.  There is a main "beach" on the island called Tonsai which is where the ferry left us.  This is definitely the busiest area of the island and contains the most town-like atmosphere.  It is full of back packers and other travelers, souvenir shops, hotels and restaurants.  Our resort was up at Laem Tong beach which is at the northmost part of the island accessible only by longtail.  After the debacle when we arrived and realizing we could not get back for less that $40, we were not excited to go back to Tonsai.  So we stayed at Laem Tong beach the entire 2 and half days we were on Phi Phi.

Besides our resort (and a few others), there wasn't much to do.  Lay on the beach, swim at the pool, snorkel.... that was it.   Luckily we had gone into the trip knowing this stay would be pretty quiet, so I think we all enjoyed the down time.  Kasen LOVED the beach and was only happy when sand was covering 90% of her body.  She made quite a few sand angels even though she has never gotten the chance to make a snow one.  Here was the beach:

Nap on the beach - nothing better

There were a few swings along the beach.  Kasen did the pushing.

Kasen did get in, but she wasn't really a fan of the ocean

This was all Kasen wanted to do on the beach.  Best 219Bht ($7.34) spent yet!

One of the days we were there, Karl and John took a snorkel trip to a couple of the islands near Phi Phi.  Those picture next and a review of our underwater camera.