We made it to Thailand! Thailand is a really cool country. The streets are super busy and a lot of times there are motorcycles zooming by. When we came here, we took two flights—one to Russia for a three hour layover and the next one to Bangkok. The travel day took about twenty four hours, door to door. When we left our apartment in Novi Sad to go to the airport, it was early in the morning, and we each got, at most, four hours of sleep on the plane that night. When we arrived, it was 10:40 AM in Bangkok so we still had a long day of tiredness ahead of us. That night in our hotel, we slept for 14 hours!!
The next day and night we noticed that there were so many Christmas decorations around the city–lights, Christmas trees, Santas, and some incredibly decorative buildings. One of the buildings might have been a hotel… It was very wide and it had strings of lights hanging down from the top and a big bow made out of lights spread out over the building. It was super neat. It is interesting that they are so festive for Christmas because the main religion in Thailand is Buddhism. They still put up tons of decorations and play a lot of Christmas music (even Christian Christmas music!).
One of my favorite things here is the food. I am a huge fan of spicy Thai food. We usually order the phad Thai, Chang Mai noodles, a curry or two or three, lots of rice, some soup, and sometimes we might choose an appetizer that looks really good. In the Balkans we got tired of the salty meat pretty quickly, but I don’t think that we will get tired of Thai food anytime soon!
So glad that you’re in Asia! Enjoy a very different part of the world that you’ve never been. Enjoy food, learn about unique Asian subcultures in the countries where you will travel, and experience hospitality.
Thanks Ching-Ching!! It is amazing here–Thailand is such a beautiful country and the people are so kind!
Hi Hartshorns,
Have enjoyed following your adventures and checking in with your folks when we see each other. I am amazed at all your adventures!!——–Now you are in Thailand and seeing Bangkok. You know I and my family were there 9 years (1958-67) and I helped start a small hospital and mission West of Bangkok in Ganchanaburi Province–on the River Kwai.– The Kwai River Christian Hospital. Check the web site.——-Interested to know what your itinerary is for time you are there. It would be fun if you could get to Sangklaburi town and perhaps visit the hospital. Many changes.–All weather road to there now.– A long 7-8 hour drive day from Bangkok- but the last part in the hills.—Good snorkling in South near Puket. Lots of interesting things to see.
Will follow your Thailand adventure with interest.
Doug Corpron
email– doc913@charter.net
Hi Dr. Corpon, thanks for your message! I’m glad you’re following along and keeping in touch. That would’ve been really interesting to check in on the hospital you helped start. Our time in Bangkok flew by (we were there less than a week) and now we’re in Krabi down South before spending our remaining Thai time further north in a trio of Chiangs (Rai, Mai, Khong). We really love it so far, the Thai people are so friendly and of course the food is outstanding. Hopefully we can find some of that good snorkeling!
Best,
Michael
Those lights are stunning! And the food sounds amazing.
Bangkok was so surprisingly and incredibly festive! It was really beautiful.
Amazing how much more details (and money) they put into decorating for Christmas there than in the United States. I guess they try to be more “politically correct” here by toning it down.
I love the lights! Very cheery and open and fun for everyone to enjoy.
Yes! I was thinking the same thing — what a display and how much money that must cost! And it did strike me as really interesting that they don’t seem to have the concern about being p.c. that we have in the States. So many people were out enjoying the decorations and festivities…it was really fun to see!
Very cool and Merry Christmas from snowy Colorado! -Avery, Lexi, Tim and Abby Isaacson.