Sunday 16th August 2015
Our Thailand trip is almost over. What with computer and internet problems at times, I have not kept up with this the way I intended to. However, photos of our trip are on Face Book on my page, and also on Andrew's.
We had a wonderful time at Dolphin Bay. It was great to have our whole family there, as well as other families who needed rest and recreation. We enjoyed motor bike rides, kayaking in the bay, the swimming pool and accommodation at Juniper Tree, and everything about the place. Especially, that all our meals were provided, and we didn't even have to do the dishes!
Then we went back to Bangkok for few days, by van this time, and on were able to visit a great adventure park, an elephant park, and nearby Lumpini Park. It was a good transition time, and then Andrew, Vania and boys were leaving to go home.
On Tuesday at 7 am we were picked up by our driver and guide for a four-day tour to the north. It was a great time also, of seeing many amazing sights and being well looked after, with great hotels and wonderful meals. We even got a river cruise (very short) on the Mekong River.
Yesterday we visited the amazing 'Art in Paradise' museum, a place of amazing 3-D art works where you can be photographed in such a way as to put you right in the picture. A lot of fun. Then we were picked up by our friends, Greg and Rosie, to spend a few days with them.
We had one night in Chiang Mai and then today drove two hours to the village where they spend most of their time. We will have three nights here. A neighbour has been around with a huge tarantula he dug out of the ground, and while here dug out another just in front of our verandah. He de-fangs them and then will take them home to cook for tea. Another local has just called to tell Greg where the water leak is that we looked for earlier on finding on arrival that the water supply was cut. When there is a water leak someone will turn off a tap, so everyone further down the line has no water until it is repaired. Just as well they also have tank water available.
So, our time is almost over. On Wednesday we will go back to Chiang Mai and catch the overnight train back to Bangkok and then the following day fly home. We feel ready to go home now, but it has been a wonderful time.
Sunday, 16 August 2015
Monday, 27 July 2015
At the Beach
Yesterday, 26th July, we met up with Craig and family. Andrew and his family had flown in the night before and got to our hotel about 9.30 pm. So yesterday we went off to the main Bangkok train station to meet the others and found they had gone off to McDonalds to fill in the waiting time. They soon came back and we had a good chance to catch up before catching our train at 1 pm to Hua Hin. There were 18 people in our party and loads of luggage spread half way along the racks in the carriage.
Air conditioning on the train consisted of ceiling fans and keeping all the windows fully open all the way. A bit noisy and dusty, but it did keep the temperature down.
Two vans were waiting for us at Hua Hin for the half hour drive to Dolphin Bay. It took longer than that though as some wanted to stop for shopping part way.
So about 7.30 pm we got here, tired but glad to be here for eleven days. Being dark we didn't see much but got the keys to our rooms. Snacks on the way meant we didn't want anything more to eat so it was pretty much have a shower and get to bed.
Today has been a glorious day, because we have just been able to blob out here. We are staying at a Christian Guest House that can take 100 people. They do all the meals and the dishes!! We are a few steps from the beach so we've had two beach walks today, and the children are happy playing there for hours. Also the pool here is amazing, the children played there most of the afternoon and I was in the water for about an hour this morning.
We are sharing a 3-br cottage with Andrew and family, each bedroom has its own bathroom, and there is a communal area. Very comfortable and plenty of drinking water supplied. Craig and family are in another cottage just along the path a bit. The grounds have been well landscaped and are very pretty and restful.
We all came from busy situations, so finally the chance to rest and catch up with each other is wonderful. Great to spend time with Craig and Darlene and see all the children catching up with each other too, as well as the other children who are also here. There are plenty of exciting things to do, but just enjoying this place is enough for the moment.
Yes, it is hot, we are not too far above the equator, but it is manageable. Pool, beach, showers, and air conditioning help.
Pity that my photos are on my tablet. Tomorrow I'll try and transfer them so that I can try again to upload some.
Air conditioning on the train consisted of ceiling fans and keeping all the windows fully open all the way. A bit noisy and dusty, but it did keep the temperature down.
Two vans were waiting for us at Hua Hin for the half hour drive to Dolphin Bay. It took longer than that though as some wanted to stop for shopping part way.
So about 7.30 pm we got here, tired but glad to be here for eleven days. Being dark we didn't see much but got the keys to our rooms. Snacks on the way meant we didn't want anything more to eat so it was pretty much have a shower and get to bed.
Today has been a glorious day, because we have just been able to blob out here. We are staying at a Christian Guest House that can take 100 people. They do all the meals and the dishes!! We are a few steps from the beach so we've had two beach walks today, and the children are happy playing there for hours. Also the pool here is amazing, the children played there most of the afternoon and I was in the water for about an hour this morning.
We are sharing a 3-br cottage with Andrew and family, each bedroom has its own bathroom, and there is a communal area. Very comfortable and plenty of drinking water supplied. Craig and family are in another cottage just along the path a bit. The grounds have been well landscaped and are very pretty and restful.
We all came from busy situations, so finally the chance to rest and catch up with each other is wonderful. Great to spend time with Craig and Darlene and see all the children catching up with each other too, as well as the other children who are also here. There are plenty of exciting things to do, but just enjoying this place is enough for the moment.
Yes, it is hot, we are not too far above the equator, but it is manageable. Pool, beach, showers, and air conditioning help.
Pity that my photos are on my tablet. Tomorrow I'll try and transfer them so that I can try again to upload some.
Saturday, 25 July 2015
So Here we are
We had great flights with Emirates, and now we have been in Bangkok for three days. It is sort of unbelievable, but here we are.
We think we've done well to find our way around and start to learn the train system. With help from a Polish family staying at the same hotel on the first day, we went into the city by train, and now we feel confident to do anything. In spite of a few fraught moments with differences of opinion on which way to go, we always seem to find our way home.
Today we had our first tuk tuk ride from near where we are staying at the Bangkok Christian Guest House to the river, and then had a two hour river cruise on a long boat, just the two of us and the 'driver'. All these drivers are so skilled, I am amazed at the taxi drivers and all those on the busy roads. It seems like chaos to us, but they find a way through. The river too was quite busy, and we went up a series of small canals where the boats all had to fit around each other.
Today Andrew and family are flying here from Melbourne, a long flight. We expect them here about 9 pm. Tomorrow we meet up with Craig and family and all catch the train south to the beach at Dolphin Bay. Looking forward to it
Hopefully, I'll get the right photos in the right place in a day or so and get them up here. Our technology capability is not quite what we'd hoped, but we'll get there.
The sound of children playing below is so nice at this Guest house, a very family-oriented place with a great ix of nationalities. Besides accommodation it also has conference facilities so is ideal for all sorts of groups.
Anyway we are having fun, and feel very privileged to be able to be here and experience another country and culture.
We think we've done well to find our way around and start to learn the train system. With help from a Polish family staying at the same hotel on the first day, we went into the city by train, and now we feel confident to do anything. In spite of a few fraught moments with differences of opinion on which way to go, we always seem to find our way home.
Today we had our first tuk tuk ride from near where we are staying at the Bangkok Christian Guest House to the river, and then had a two hour river cruise on a long boat, just the two of us and the 'driver'. All these drivers are so skilled, I am amazed at the taxi drivers and all those on the busy roads. It seems like chaos to us, but they find a way through. The river too was quite busy, and we went up a series of small canals where the boats all had to fit around each other.
Today Andrew and family are flying here from Melbourne, a long flight. We expect them here about 9 pm. Tomorrow we meet up with Craig and family and all catch the train south to the beach at Dolphin Bay. Looking forward to it
Hopefully, I'll get the right photos in the right place in a day or so and get them up here. Our technology capability is not quite what we'd hoped, but we'll get there.
The sound of children playing below is so nice at this Guest house, a very family-oriented place with a great ix of nationalities. Besides accommodation it also has conference facilities so is ideal for all sorts of groups.
Anyway we are having fun, and feel very privileged to be able to be here and experience another country and culture.
Thursday, 16 July 2015
Ready to Go.....
17th July 2015
Some time ago it was decided that we would join Craig and
Darlene on their holiday in Thailand when they go down to the beach south of
Bangkok after their conference in Chiang Mai. Then it worked out that Andrew
and family could come too, so we will all be there together
Bookings were made. When we get to Thailand we will get a
visa for 30 days so we decided to make full use of the 30 days. After we leave
Craig and Darlene we will do a small tour to get us to the north of the country
and we plan to spend 4-5 days with Greg and Rosie Blok in Chiang Mai before
flying home.
In the meantime, we have bought our caravan and been on a
short trip to Oamaru. This has worked out well to find out all the things we
need to learn. Heavy frosts and frozen pipes have been interesting. When we
come back from Thailand we will be getting into spring, so the days will be
longer and hopefully warmer.
So now we are five days away from flying off to Bangkok on
22nd July. The time has gone quickly and we are really looking
forward to our time away. After a frantic time moving out of our house, and
getting used to the caravan, it will be great to have a real rest, and of
course relaxed time to catch up with all the family.
Thailand – here we come.
Saturday, 20 June 2015
Lead up to departure
21st June 2015
Plans come together and it is all on. Andrew, Vania and boys are coming to Thailand too, so we are looking forward to a wonderful time.
But.........other things are happening too. We put our house on the market with the plan to down-value to free up money for travel and other things. Just as our contract was running out and we thought we wouldn't sell, a buyer arrived and the deal was done. Now where will we go?? Where is that perfect house for not too much money??
It wasn't around! Within a couple of weeks our thinking was taking a different turn. We had already had the thought of taking a storage unit to store stuff while overseas, and now it was a real possibility. And why not buy a caravan to be our home in between times. Before we knew it we had bought a UK caravan, a Bailey Senator Virginia, 19 feet long, and totally self-contained. It is to be delivered to Amber Park Holiday Camp on Friday 26th June where we will learn how to set it up and will start to settle in. Settlement on our house is 3rd July, so that gives us time to move into it.
Woops, we find out we need to upgrade our car to pull the caravan! Our trusty 1997 Toyota Caldina at 2 litres is not up to the job. So we start looking at cars and get totally confused. Finally on 15th June we buy a Holden Commodore Omega which is 3 litres so should be cruisy. The first job is to get a 2-tonne tow bar fitted - more money to spend already!
In the meantime I have a birthday. I'm officially 70 so that's supposed to be old, but it doesn't feel it. Interesting time of life to be setting off on a new adventure.
The broad plan is to travel around New Zealand when we can, but we already have Thailand booked for 22 July to 22 August, and are going to Sydney in January. Perhaps next year it will be possible to go to the UK for their summer. I certainly hope so.
So now we are in the midst of packing in earnest with the house a mess. I will make a new blog for our Caravan Capers but for now we have to pack our suitcases for Thailand in the middle of the mess of moving. I am sure we will get there. Today is officially the shortest day of the year, and it is cold, but in a month we will be in the warm (maybe hot) and we will be wanting to cool off! Thailand here we come.
Plans come together and it is all on. Andrew, Vania and boys are coming to Thailand too, so we are looking forward to a wonderful time.
But.........other things are happening too. We put our house on the market with the plan to down-value to free up money for travel and other things. Just as our contract was running out and we thought we wouldn't sell, a buyer arrived and the deal was done. Now where will we go?? Where is that perfect house for not too much money??
It wasn't around! Within a couple of weeks our thinking was taking a different turn. We had already had the thought of taking a storage unit to store stuff while overseas, and now it was a real possibility. And why not buy a caravan to be our home in between times. Before we knew it we had bought a UK caravan, a Bailey Senator Virginia, 19 feet long, and totally self-contained. It is to be delivered to Amber Park Holiday Camp on Friday 26th June where we will learn how to set it up and will start to settle in. Settlement on our house is 3rd July, so that gives us time to move into it.
Woops, we find out we need to upgrade our car to pull the caravan! Our trusty 1997 Toyota Caldina at 2 litres is not up to the job. So we start looking at cars and get totally confused. Finally on 15th June we buy a Holden Commodore Omega which is 3 litres so should be cruisy. The first job is to get a 2-tonne tow bar fitted - more money to spend already!
In the meantime I have a birthday. I'm officially 70 so that's supposed to be old, but it doesn't feel it. Interesting time of life to be setting off on a new adventure.
The broad plan is to travel around New Zealand when we can, but we already have Thailand booked for 22 July to 22 August, and are going to Sydney in January. Perhaps next year it will be possible to go to the UK for their summer. I certainly hope so.
So now we are in the midst of packing in earnest with the house a mess. I will make a new blog for our Caravan Capers but for now we have to pack our suitcases for Thailand in the middle of the mess of moving. I am sure we will get there. Today is officially the shortest day of the year, and it is cold, but in a month we will be in the warm (maybe hot) and we will be wanting to cool off! Thailand here we come.
Monday, 16 March 2015
Beginnings
March 2015.
We have this bright idea: to meet up with family in Thailand. Craig and Darlene will be there for a conference in July and then we will meet up with them when they holiday at the beach. Yippee doo!
Bookings are made and we study maps and the internet. We will find out all we can to make the most of our time there.
Broad plan: Fly to Bangkok, have a few days there and then go to Dolphin Bay with Craig and family. He has booked us into the Juniper Tree Guest House - sounds lovely. Back to Bangkok for a few days, on 11th August join a five-day tour to travel north to Chiang Mai where we will have time with friends. The plan is then to take the day train back to Bangkok and fly home. We will be away about a month, 22 July to 22 August 2015.
Look forward to it.
We have this bright idea: to meet up with family in Thailand. Craig and Darlene will be there for a conference in July and then we will meet up with them when they holiday at the beach. Yippee doo!
Bookings are made and we study maps and the internet. We will find out all we can to make the most of our time there.
Broad plan: Fly to Bangkok, have a few days there and then go to Dolphin Bay with Craig and family. He has booked us into the Juniper Tree Guest House - sounds lovely. Back to Bangkok for a few days, on 11th August join a five-day tour to travel north to Chiang Mai where we will have time with friends. The plan is then to take the day train back to Bangkok and fly home. We will be away about a month, 22 July to 22 August 2015.
Look forward to it.
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