Bangkok

Our first night in Bangkok found us wandering the street for some tasty Thai food.  We settled on a street "restaurant" which had tables on one half of the street, and tables on the other side of the street.  The waitress had to keep crossing the street (which was always busy with cars/motorbikes/tuk tuks) to serve all the customers.  We had pad thai and "spicy soup with beef" ... questionable name, but DELISH!

The next day, our first full day in Bangkok, we got to meet up with my momma, two aunties, and my cousin's wife, Purita, who is originally from Bangkok.  It was nice to see family, talk to people who understood us, and have a knowledgable, personal tour guide.  We took a scenic long neck boat ride on the Chao Phraya River for about 45 min. and ended up at Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn, which is probably the most photographed temple in Bangkok.

Our private boat driver 

The temple in the middle of the picture is Wat Arun

The long neck boats cruise the river all day

On the boat tour, you can stop and feed the catfish bread (for good luck).  The fish are crazy!!  There are sooooo many of them and they all flap about and splash water into your boat.  

Hungry hungry catfish

Pulling up to the dock for the temple

Wat Arun - GORGEOUS

James and I climbed the incredibly steep stairs to the top

After visiting Wat Arun, we went through a street market.  I felt like a sardine, packed into a tiny space.  It was claustrophobic, chaotic, and incredibly HOT.  The street food was good, though!

  The packed street

Peanut and pork in two different kinds of jelly-wrapping things

Exotic and tasty!

We found Bangkok to be so incredibly different from Chiang Mai, and it was a little hard to adjust to.  The air is much more polluted, it's definitely more crowded, and people in general are not as friendly or helpful.  But, we are trying to stay positive and are grateful to be broadening our horizons and gaining wonderful travel experience!! New adventures await us daily!

Up next on the blog: the Grand Palace and Wat Pho (the reclining Buddha) - probably my favorite two sights in Bangkok.

- Meredith ♡

["Wake up and live." - Bob Marley (James chose this one for me! :D)]

Baanchang Elephant Park

Our last full day in Chiang Mai was spent at Baanchang Elephant Park.  I really wanted to go to a place where the elephants were treated well and not exploited in any way.  Of course, there really was no way for me to know for sure what happens when the tourists leave... but reviews of Baanchang were good and it was recommended to us by the owner our guesthouse.  

On our way to the elephant park, we made a brief stop at an orchid farm to pick up more passengers for the tour.

As soon as we arrived at the park, I was in awe...  Elephants are such gorgeous and intriguing creatures.  Our tour guide told us a lot about the elephants at the park - 21 in all.  The owners have made the park a sanctuary for the elephants.  They adopt and rescue elephants who have been treated poorly or exploited for money.

Elephants love to scratch themselves up against trees - it's like a self massage!

We had to wear these hideous clothes so the elephants think 

we are their mahouts (trainers) - then they will listen to and respect us

We got to feed the elephants their favorite treat: bananas!

We learned how to command the elephants to go

forward, turn left/right, stop, and lay down (to mount/dismount)

Then it was time for a bareback ride through the jungle!

Finally, we got to bathe the elephants, which is their 

other favorite activity (besides eating bananas)

Such a wonderful, once in a lifetime experience!!

I will definitely post more pictures of these amazing animals when I return home to Hawaii (I must have taken about 100!).  There were two elephants at the park that were a "couple" (we rode the male) - and the female was pregnant!  They were so adorable, they went off and ate together and they stayed together in the water. Tugged at my heartstrings a little :) 

We had one more morning in Chiang Mai, where we visit the oldest temple in the city... then, it was onward to Bangkok!  When all was said and done, Chiang Mai was by far one of the most exciting, interesting, and awesome places I've ever visited.

- Meredith ♡

["Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind." - Seneca]

Hillside tribe, scenic Chiang Mai, and the Sunday Market

Our last two days in Chaing Mai were as fun-filled as the first few.  On Sunday, we visited the "long neck" and "big ear" Karen hillside tribes.  Although this village can be somewhat controversial, seen as a "human zoo," I thought it was a once in a lifetime experience that I was not going to pass up.  On one hand, you are paying to go into the village, essentially the "zoo" aspect of the village - and it is an EXORBITANT amount to go in, 500 baht/person.  On the other hand, the average daily wage in Thailand is about 150-180 baht (about $6 USD), and the women of the village can make much more than this very easily, they can sell just one of their handmade items for upwards of 200 baht.  

Honestly, the women seemed very happy when we were there, smiling and laughing.  The women of the village make the most beautiful hand woven cloth on looms.

We also saw a big ear Karen woman in the village.  She was very happy and smiling the whole time.  

Big holes in the ear, black teeth.  HAPPY :)

After the Karen village, we decided to discover the mountains of Chiang Mai and rode our motorbike around the Samoeng Loop.  It's about 55 miles and it took us a little over 3 hours.  The mountains of Chiang Mai go for miles and miles and it was such a beautiful scenic ride.

We finished the day by wandering around the Sunday Market, or walking street.  The market is held once a week and and the street is closed off entirely to traffic.  There is an incredible array of goods sold at the market - many of them handmade, as well as copious amounts of food and drink.  There are also street performers aplenty.  Definitely a fun experience! 

Chiang Mai has definitely found a spot in my heart.  I love this city!  Next up on the blog: Baanchang Elephant Park!

- Meredith ♡

["Make voyages!  Attempt them... there's nothing else." - Tennessee Williams]

WAT's up, folks!

Finally visited a wat (Buddhist temple) today!!  Chiang Mai has over 300 wats, but being tourists, naturally James and I chose the most famous one: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, which was built around 1383.  We got blessed by a monk with holy water and were given holy cotton to wear for good luck.

                                 

After the temple, we decided to try some random street soup.  The cost was about $1.25 USD and I could not tell you what was in it if I tried...  That blackish goop in the soup is Thai chili paste - VERY SPICY (but oh so yummy)!!

Instead of taking a tuk tuk, we decided to rent a motorbike (moped) for a couple of days.  It's more convenient and only costs about $6 USD for the whole day [sorry for not wearing a helmet, mom!].  After visiting the temple, we went for a scenic ride down the mountain and stopped at a waterfall to rest and listen to the sounds of the rushing water.

In the evening, we (of course) got massages, ate dinner, and then checked out some Muay Thai fights at the Thaphae Boxing Stadium.  We initially did not pay the extra $$ to sit ringside, but James ordered enough alcohol (and even bought a shot for the bartender) that they upgraded our seats.  It was such a cool experience, the "stadium" is seriously like a giant garage.  Gambling is encouraged, and bookies walk around constantly taking bets.  Those fighters were incredible, even the ladies.  The kicks/blows to the body are so loud and must hurt like there's no tomorrow.

Overall, a truly amazing day!  Coming up on the blog: Long Neck Karen village, motorbike ride on the Mae Rim Loop, and the famous Chiang Mai Sunday Market.

- Meredith ♡

["The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." - Saint Augustine]

Sawasdee ka!

Sawasdee ka is the traditional Thai greeting for "hello," although I think it is used much like how we use the word "Aloha" in Hawaii.  Sawasdee ka can mean hello, welcome, and goodbye.

Yesterday was a fun-filled day from start to finish.  We got up early, and took a tuk tuk (one of the best/easiest ways to travel around this CRAZILY busy city) to Mae-Rim to visit the Tiger Kingdom.  The Tiger Kingdom was such a wonderful experience, we got to visit with five different sets of tigers, ranging from 3 months to 2 years old.  They really are just big kitties!  They are playful, loving, lazy, and love having their bellies rubbed -- just like all the other house cats I know!

 

After the Tiger Kingdom, we decided it was finally time to try a traditional Thai massage, which combines elements from yoga and acupressure.  For being so tiny, those ladies sure are strong!!  We both got foot reflexology massages and traditional Thai massages (James - full body, me - head/shoulder/back only).  The four massages were one hour each, and we paid just around $20 USD for everything.  This is definitely a luxury that can, and will, be had daily while I'm here! 

After our massages, we ventured down the street to eat some dinner.  As expected, it was delicious and cheap - our entire meal, including beers, was less than $8 USD!

Pad Thai with shrimp

Chinese kale in a chili/fish sauce

In the evening, we went to the Night Bazaar.  Basically a huge night market where street venders sell you ANY and EVERYthing, and you are expected to bargain for your items.  I didn't think bargaining was in my blood, I mean, I pay full price at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet!  However, James did the first few purchases and I got to see how it should be done.  My best score was getting one skirt at 350 baht down to TWO skirts for 360 baht. 

The Terrible Towel made an appearance at the Night Bazaar

Of course, we had to sample all kinds of random street food!

What an amazing day!!  Today we visited a famous wat (temple), ate more street food, rented and cruised around on our own motorbike (moped), got massages, and watched MUAY THAI boxing at the Thaphae Boxing Stadium!  Stay tuned for those pictures tomorrow, friends!

- Meredith ♡

[Carpe Diem!!]

Let the Thailand adventures.... BEGIN!!

Whew... It has been a LOOOOOONG two days!  Three airports (HNL, MNL, and BKK), one layover (4 hours), and two flights (11 hours + 3 hours) later, we arrived safely in Bangkok! Spent the night in an airport hotel, and left Bangkok early this afternoon to our first real destination of the trip: Chiang Mai.  I am so excited to not spend another minute near an airport or an airplane for the next 5 days.  Below are a few captures from the past two days.

Leaving Honolulu - Goodbye to the USA for 18 days!

 

Our one-nighter at a Bangkok Airport Hotel + the hotel's patio

The Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok) has the most amazing orchid flower displays!

After two days of what seemed like only airport/airplane food, I FINALLY had my first real meal tonight in Chiang Mai.  It was nothing short of amazing!  Hands down the best panang curry I've ever had...  Add in a Chang beer, and total my meal at just under $4 USD.  

Yes, all of this for under $4 USD. Delicious and cheap!

Tomorrow is the first full day to explore Chiang Mai.  I'm planning on seeing some kitties at the Tiger Kingdom, getting a Thai massage, and visiting a Night Bazaar.  Stay tuned, my friends!

- Meredith ♡

["Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has courage to lose sight of the shore." - Andre Gide]

LifeProof

My anticipation and excitement are constantly building for the upcoming trip.  I still have to pack and make copies of the passports, but for the most part, I am ready for a new adventure!! T-minus two days.

One of the items I bought for the trip has quickly become my new obsession: the LifeProof phone case for the iPhone 4/4s.  This case claims to give "true mobile freedom anywhere you go" - even UNDERWATER, and it is waterproof, dust-proof, and shock-proof.  I need to thank Instagram for introducing me to this wonderful invention.  After seeing all the cool underwater pictures people were posting, I told myself I had to have the case.  It is a bit pricey for a phone case, but completely worth it.  Amazon has it for sale too, and for quite a bit cheaper.

LifeProof iPhone case

Everyone I've shown it to has showed some kind of disbelief or hesitation towards it, like it is just too good to be true.  Yes, I'm taking a giant risk plunging my phone underwater... But I feel the rewards far exceed the risks!  Besides... it really is just a phone.  I can always replace it.  I took the case for its first outing yesterday, in the pool.  With just the one outing, it has already proven it's worth the price.  

Me and my dog Emma going for a swim

- Meredith ♡

["Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." - T.S. Eliot]