Monday, April 9, 2012

!!!!HOMECOMING!!!!

If official. Their mission is finally over. WooHoo!!!! Here are few pics from the big day on Saturday.

Check out this great sign Danna Lee made.


Here they come! The idea was that we would all line up along the street with our signs to welcome them.




I just love this picture.


We are so happy to have the Mom & Dad back. We are also very lucky to have such great examples in our family. Thank you for all that you do Garald and Nyla!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

More pix - are you sick of us yet? And we're not even home yet.

Getting on the Long boats as we leave Phi Phi Island yesterday. Had no idea it would take us hours, negotiating, and sprinting to get to our next hotel which spewed muddy water out of the tap. Tonight is our last night in Krabi and we're ready to head out. Hope all the negotiating we've done for transport tomorrow (longboat, ferry, taxi) gets us to the Krabi airport in time for our flight. We're exhausted and sunburned.
This sign was on the beach - you may need to click to enlarge - kinda homemadish looking. Loved it.
Dad feeding a monkey in a mangrove tree.
Another pic from the longtail boat ride yesterday in the ocean waves - about 4 to 5 feet high. With our spindly little Thai guy standing manning a little steering wheel, we kinda wondered what we'd do if he feel off. It was an Experience.
So why didn't I know that while snorkeling, I'd get the backs of my legs so sunburned I can hardly walk. But then neither can Dad. We look pretty ancient. Look at the beautiful, clear water. The fish were amazing and beautiful. First time I've ever snorkled as long as I wanted and then some.
This was at the pier where I wanted to walk around, but had my head down at a table trying to get some semblance of normalcy back so I could get on the ferry - and I forgot to mention in the e mail that after the taxi driver took us at break speeds to the pier - we had to sprint a mile dragging our suitcases to the longboat guy who then over charged us to take us to the hotel - Oh well. Is anybody reading any of this? Haven't heard from anybody - oh yes, did from Ginny. Thanks. And by the way Ginny, I found the new pair of flip flops in a side pocket of my suitcase - was SO thankful. They're just wonderful and getting very broke in on the Thailand sandy beaches. AND I don't think your neighborhood is zoned for baby elephants - with or without hats. Love to all.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

We're in Krabi - wherever that is!

Random pix - probably more than you want to see. Will try to post a few more later
The water is so clear, beautiful and warm.

Maya Bay - Hey... I'm pretty sure I saw DL & Adam's footprints here.
Longtail boat - our mode of transportation here -
Aw, scenery in the background not so great.
But the sunset was stunning!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

more pix - maybe - if they'll load

Our little bungalow in the jungle on Phi Phi island. In spite of being surrounded by beautiful ocean, fresh water here is very precious. We must buy bottled water for every drop we drink .
Unloading the boat at Tonsai Bay - we didn't get off here - thankfully. Sometimes I wonder about we two old people and the places we're going - sometimes rather intimidating. I'd call it an adventure, but I only think it's that if someone else is living it and you're reading about it. Sometimes rather stressful to get where we're going when no one speaks English. All the employees here at this little hotel are Thai.
This is the long boat that a little weathered Thai man took us on for snorkeling today.
Wait - hold everything. We've decided to stay on Phi Phi Island forever. It's just amazingly beautiful here. Was quite tricky getting here - took a taxi from Marriott to boat pier, then did some negotiating for a ticket - but they'd only take cash, so we had to find an ATM - when we used a 2nd one, we finally got the needed cash and booked our ticket on the ferry. After a two hour hot ferry ride, we transferred to a long boat - pic below and then into Phi Phi. No roads on this island - very small - but beautiful. We went snorkeling for 3 hours today and though we thought we were careful with sun screen - the backs of our legs were sunburned. Oh well. On to Krabi tomorrow. We'll see if this will post. Internet sketchy and giving me problems.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Another Day in Thailand

We're vacationing on - but look forward to coming home:What a beautiful place. But as we see Asia, we know that this tourist place is probably not a true pic of people here. But we're enjoying for now.
Today's lunch - we'll repent when we get home... maybe!
Baby elephants on the property here for children to feed and enjoy. One was bathing in the ocean yesterday when we were on the beach. We went for a long walk today on a beautiful beach. Finally found some local people who were fishing and knocking beetles out of the trees. We asked (thru gestures as there was no language common) if they used the beetles for fish bait. Oh no... they eat them. Yum. Yup - we're still in Asia.
Part of the beach - not only is it nice, but it's very open and free of crowds. Nice!