Hello faithful readers,
well, it's almost April and still cold, wet, snowy and nasty. What a spring! But enough about that... let's get lost in memories of the good old days... escape from reality as I write about when I had a week (which for me was 10 days, including weekends and Monday) off and went to Thailand. It was my first time inAsia , and it couldn't be better. I posted 800 or so pics on facebook, so if we're not "friends" just request and you'll get to see them.
Arrival
Pasha and I left after work on Friday and came back on Sunday of the next week. We took the metro to a train to the airport and then flew overnight toBangkok
The first Thai person I saw was standing in the tunnel leading from the plane to the airport. He actually smiled at me. What a contrast from hanging out with Russians all the time! I will remember that smile.
When we got through a ridiculously long line to customs to enter the warm, tropical country, we found our tour agency and they put lays on us, just like in the movies! They were made of real orchids.
After arriving at our hotel, The Splendid Resort, which is small enough to be cozy, yet very elegant, well-decorated and generally fine, we got some food and got settled in. By the time we got there it was very late, so the first day was just arrival, getting through the airport, bus ride to Jomtein with tour guide instructions and information about the country, getting into our hotel, dinner and pass out.
First excursion: Ayutaya, Eravan,hot springs
The next day or the day after, I forget, we went on our first two-day excursion to Ayutaya and the river Kwai. Ever heard of the movie bridge over the river Kwai? That’s the one. Ayutaya is an ancient cite of a Buddhist temple, now mostly decayed, but the ruins are still there. It was pretty impressive. See the pictures for yourself. It was also very hot. I mean very, very hot and sunny. Then we got back on the bus and went to the jungle. On our way there, the guide told us to beware of aggressive thieving monkeys. Yes, ma’am! We finally arrived and were pretty dehydrated. The heat was oppressive. We desperately needed to get to the souvenir stand to buy some water. Despite our hats, sunblock and sunglasses, the heat as we trekked through the jungle to the site of the waterfall lulled us into a zombie-like state. However, it was exciting to be in a jungle. We finally got to the place where we bought a drink and a snack, then sat down on a bench to eat it. We had our swimsuits and things in a bag with us. We went to take a look at the river and take some pics. I went around a table, and on the way back, I stopped in my tracks. Good thing I was looking down! A long, thin, light-green snake was in my path. A wild snake, with nothing between me and it!! I very slowly, carefully went around it. We sat quietly and munched, enjoying the day. I looked over to the river again and noticed a huge, I mean 4-foot lizard on a rock in the middle of the river. Cool!! See pics on facebook.
All of a sudden, down from the tree we hadn’t noticed was right next to us, a monkey climbed and tried to take our food! It was really bizarre. Even after the warnings, we weren’t expecting THAT! She just came out of nowhere, literally right beside us. We both jumped back in surprise and fear and Pasha managed to grab our stuff back and kick her away. Those things are really aggressive! We finished eating in caution, and, as soon as we got up to leave, she ambused us from the other side. She had been waiting for us that whole time. She grabbed hold of the bag, but so did Pasha and the handle broke. Darn monkies!
I'll tell you about the rest later. So many adventures. I am home sick from work today with an earache, so if you read this, say a prayer for me. Thanks,
Love always,
Beth
well, it's almost April and still cold, wet, snowy and nasty. What a spring! But enough about that... let's get lost in memories of the good old days... escape from reality as I write about when I had a week (which for me was 10 days, including weekends and Monday) off and went to Thailand. It was my first time in
Arrival
Pasha and I left after work on Friday and came back on Sunday of the next week. We took the metro to a train to the airport and then flew overnight to
The first Thai person I saw was standing in the tunnel leading from the plane to the airport. He actually smiled at me. What a contrast from hanging out with Russians all the time! I will remember that smile.
When we got through a ridiculously long line to customs to enter the warm, tropical country, we found our tour agency and they put lays on us, just like in the movies! They were made of real orchids.
After arriving at our hotel, The Splendid Resort, which is small enough to be cozy, yet very elegant, well-decorated and generally fine, we got some food and got settled in. By the time we got there it was very late, so the first day was just arrival, getting through the airport, bus ride to Jomtein with tour guide instructions and information about the country, getting into our hotel, dinner and pass out.
First excursion: Ayutaya, Eravan,
The next day or the day after, I forget, we went on our first two-day excursion to Ayutaya and the river Kwai. Ever heard of the movie bridge over the river Kwai? That’s the one. Ayutaya is an ancient cite of a Buddhist temple, now mostly decayed, but the ruins are still there. It was pretty impressive. See the pictures for yourself. It was also very hot. I mean very, very hot and sunny. Then we got back on the bus and went to the jungle. On our way there, the guide told us to beware of aggressive thieving monkeys. Yes, ma’am! We finally arrived and were pretty dehydrated. The heat was oppressive. We desperately needed to get to the souvenir stand to buy some water. Despite our hats, sunblock and sunglasses, the heat as we trekked through the jungle to the site of the waterfall lulled us into a zombie-like state. However, it was exciting to be in a jungle. We finally got to the place where we bought a drink and a snack, then sat down on a bench to eat it. We had our swimsuits and things in a bag with us. We went to take a look at the river and take some pics. I went around a table, and on the way back, I stopped in my tracks. Good thing I was looking down! A long, thin, light-green snake was in my path. A wild snake, with nothing between me and it!! I very slowly, carefully went around it. We sat quietly and munched, enjoying the day. I looked over to the river again and noticed a huge, I mean 4-foot lizard on a rock in the middle of the river. Cool!! See pics on facebook.
All of a sudden, down from the tree we hadn’t noticed was right next to us, a monkey climbed and tried to take our food! It was really bizarre. Even after the warnings, we weren’t expecting THAT! She just came out of nowhere, literally right beside us. We both jumped back in surprise and fear and Pasha managed to grab our stuff back and kick her away. Those things are really aggressive! We finished eating in caution, and, as soon as we got up to leave, she ambused us from the other side. She had been waiting for us that whole time. She grabbed hold of the bag, but so did Pasha and the handle broke. Darn monkies!
I'll tell you about the rest later. So many adventures. I am home sick from work today with an earache, so if you read this, say a prayer for me. Thanks,
Love always,
Beth
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