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.

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.

Ready to Go.....

17^th 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 22^nd 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.