Hanging In Thailand

Well I’m finally making my first Thailand post. Stephanie and I and the kids took off for Thailand on Dec.9th. We decided to spend Christmas and New Years in Thailand. We will be in Thailand until Jan. 4th. To all my brides and grooms out there. Don’t worry I have a team of Amazing people back home making sure the studio is running strong while I’m gone. Michelle and Tiana are there to make sure everything you need is taken care of.
As you might know from my past travels we like to stay off the beaten path as much as possible. So I had hear about volunteer vacations you can do in various countries. So I did some research and found Cross Cultural Solutions.
They are an amazing organization that sets up these volunteer opportunities that people like me can take part in. It’s also an organization that is open to families volunteering together. They welcome children which was very important to us on this trip. We really wanted Matt and Nadine to experience giving in a great way for Christmas. So no Christmas tree for us this year. We traded the traditional Christmas back home for an amazing experience in Thailand. We might just start making this a tradition every year.
I was actually going to come to Thailand 12 days ahead of Stephanie with my oldest daughter Korynn. But protests broke out in Bangkok at the airport a couple days before we were suppose to leave. It was a bummer because that first 12 days was the only time Korynn could go. So by the time the protests cleared up it had cut into Korynns trip to much. So we had to cancel. Don’t worry Korynn we will make up for it in 2009.
So I changed my flight to fly out with Stephanie and the kids on Dec.9th. So we geared up for our 18 hour flight and headed to Thailand.
It’s a long 18 hours. But we were able to sleep most of the flight.
When we first arrived we had 2 days to kill in Bangkok before heading to Trang were our volunteering would take place.

we made it

which way do we go

she looked comfortable

After making it through all the bangkok traffic we finally made it to our room.

You will always run into a monk in Thailand

Anybody for a Thai massage?

So our first day we just wandered around the streets. It was fun.

You have to watch out for these scooters. They might just be flying down the sidewalk.

Time for our first Thailand meal. We got a great table. We alate a great meal for a total of 40 baht each. Which is about $1.20 each. Crazy!

This guy must of had a long day.

Just cruising up river. If possible take the water taxis. The traffic is so bad on the streets. Avoid the streets at all cost.

On our first day in Bangkok our sleep was so off we ended up falling asleep around 3 in the afternoon. Then woke up around 2am. Our 2nd day in Bangkok we decided to head out of the city and explore. Our first stop was this train station we heard about where the people set up a market right on the tracks. Then when the train pulls in to town they pull there stalls back very quickly with just enough room for the train to make it by. Once it goes by shop opens up again. It’s crazy. You really have to see it to believe it.

It’s a really tight area. They had so much for sale. All types of fruits & vegetables ,meats, seafood and of course frogs and insects.

Anybody for a frog. This is the lady selling frogs on a stick. They were fresh frogs. SHe has a live one in her hands.

This is how the end up. Don’t they look good.

Anybody for some big bugs for lunch.

Matt wanted to give somebody a ride in a tuktuk.

The train is coming. Time to shut down shop.

From a busy market to this in less than 5 minutes. There I am on the right hand side.I want to see how close the train will come to me.

On the way back to the car we came across a baby elephant. I love Thailand.

Our next stop is the Floating Market. I can’t stay awake any longer. So be sure to check back soon. I will be adding to this post as soon as possible.