5°24′N 100°14′E

Two weeks we left to go on a week and a half vacation. Our plan was take the train to Penang, Malaysia, another train over to Kuala Lumpur, and finally a third train to Singapore. We ended up taking 2/3 trains. Our first train was canceled due to the record rainfall southern Thailand has recently received. After refunding our train tickets and foregoing the option to take a bus, we took a plane to reach Penang. We arrived one day earlier that originally planned on an extortionately priced flight to enjoy an extra day at the beach.


Highlights of Penang for us included the staying on the beautiful beach in batu feringgi and visiting the cultural capital city Georgetown. We enjoyed a few days reading and lounging by the beach/pool of our hotel. Our final and favorite day was spent exploring the neighborhoods, Little India and Chinatown, of Georgetown. Even our friend from southern India says, “Going to Little India in Penang is just like going home.”

Hard Rock Penang We sat by the guitar signed by Weezer.

Sunset

If you notice, the women on the beach are wearing head coverings. Malaysia is Muslim country. We even saw women in full burqas on jet skis. 

Reading on my kindle +cold beer on the beach= priceless

Georgetown

Trishaw

Fort Cornwallis

Trishaw outside government building

Dinner in Little India. Greg said Little India was, "Delicious and dirty"

Suk-San Wan Songkran

Happy Songkran Day!

Songkran in the traditional Thai New Years that is celebrated each year on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of April. Songkran is supposed to come at the end of the hot and dry season. This year's weather has not been typical March/April weather. This past week we had 3 days that did not reach 80 degrees to add to the many cool days the past 2 months. The dry season has also been quite wet.  As one mother at school put it, "The weather is very confused this year Ms. Mary"  I'm just fine with the weather being confused, we've enjoyed having our windows open, wearing jeans with long sleeves, and not sweating to death by just walking outside.

The weather the past few days has gone back to normal and luckily for kids at school it was warm enough on Friday to participate in our Songkran  Activity Day. In the morning it was full of carnival activities and in the afternoon my class was able to participate in more traditional water activities. For more background information on Songkran look at the Wikpedia Entry here, then click your back arrow to look at more photos of adorable students at my school!

After all the activities we had time for computers!

This one wasn't take on Friday, but it's our group shot from earlier in the week. On the board behind you can see the ocean, desert, and land!

Ms. Jenny, the other teacher from the US helped with Facepainting

Waterfight!

An Epic Journey... Some notes on Evening and Eating Adventures

A final entry from my dad...

Evening and Eating Adventures…
I, like all of the other visitor bloggers, have marveled at Greg and Mary’s sense of adventure and exploration. Their assimilation to this culture is amazing.
Our Tuesday-Friday evening meals consisted of a wide variety of food. We ate German food, Thai Food, anchovy Pizza, and Irish Food in an Irish Bar in downtown Bangkok on St. Patrick’s Day. 

It was so nice this evening, we took the 25 minute walk over riding the train.

Enjoying a Guiness and Guiness Beef Pie at O'Reilly's Pub on St. Patrick's Day

On Friday night when we were out and about we explored a new place to all…The Iron Fairies.  It claimed to have the best (and I would argue strangest) burger place in Bangkok! Greg, Mary, Melanie, and Eric agreed it was a great burger. The place was so unique. There was a magician, silent movies playing on the wall, a saxophone tap, and a working blacksmith within the 2 storey restaurant. It’s based on a children’s book, read here for more information.

Outside at Witch's Tavern, our first stop of the evening, where we enjoyed some free pizza.

Inside Iron Fairy's

The unique tap.

Greg and his burger! 

Our group!

Trying to figure out a magic trick!

Saturday night after a long day of walking we went to a place that should definitely be on anyone’s itinerary when visiting G and M. The restaurant is called Cabbages and Condoms. The atmosphere, the cause, the food, and even live music at C&C was a great way to end my last night in Bangkok.

An Epic Journey Comes to the End

Another entry from my dad!

Thursday March 17th... A day of much needed rest spent at Mary and Greg's home. I was there to meet their landlord and also watch as their condo was sprayed for bugs and their air conditioners (3 total, one in each living space) were cleaned. Mary said it was the coldest day her assistant can remember ever in Bangkok (it was in the 60's all day) and it was nice to have the windows open while the workers where there cleaning, but it almost was a little chilly! Yes, chilly in Bangkok!


Friday March 18th…International Day at Mulberry House School


Here is where I was introduced to Miss Mary (Mary MacLeod) and her colleagues, Ms Pu and her Rabbit children; no not Rabid…her class is the Rabbit class!


The kicked off with a parade that the parents could stay for, then activities, snacks, lunch, recess….to me it was all like skillfully herding minnows all day long!We, Miss Mary and I were the American/USA exhibit. We had lots of flags, pins and US Navy Pens with flags on them! The craft was a statue of liberty crown and torch. The game was running with the American Football. It was a busy day, seeing all 96 kids within a few hours.
But what a great and enjoyable day…Miss Mary is a wonderful Rabbit teacher, herder and caregiver!

Ms. Katie's Room was Ireland!

Holly, in her British costume, with Ayako in her Japanese Costume

Kai running with the football

More running with the football!

The Parade!!

The board displaying where all the kids at Mary's school are from in the world

Teachers and assistants.

Saturday March 19th….My Last Day in Bangkok
Mary and I got up early and went to the Chatuchak Market, it was pretty amazing. Greg stayed home to enjoy some time along after a busy work week.  We later went to a mall for Japanese lunch that came around on boats, then on to the Aquarium and finally to the tallest building in Bangkok with a rotating upper deck. It was a day full of walking, a great last day in Bangkok.

Exploring the market

Where I bought one large bell and a small one as  a Christmas Ornament. 

Food on a boat for lunch! My first experience trying some sushi, I liked it!

Giant Crabs

Pretty Clams

Lion Fish

By the fresh water fish

Zoomed in on Mary and Greg's Condo building from Bangkok's tallest building.

A view of the city!

In Conclusion...

The earth quake and delay took away three days out of my trip…regretfully I did not see HTO (where Greg works) or Ayutthaya or elephants or the beach…maybe next time! What I did see through the guidance of Greg and Miss Mary was a wonderful snapshot of a vibrant city, a people who have a great pride in their independent culture and two young adults really making the most of their adventure in Southeast Asia!

Thanks to the Macleods for a wonderful time in your new home!

Till next time…Blessings to all, continued prayers for our Japanese friends….S

An Epic Journey Contines

With my dad spending only 5 days here in Thailand, he didn't have time to finish his blogging. He recently finished up his notes, and it took me a few days for me to add the photograph, so finally here they are for all of you to enjoy! ~Mary

Tuesday March 14th


Life in Thailand begins…Tour Guide Mary had 9 planned stops…we made 8. Highlights of our day for me was first of all marveling at Mary’s comfort with transportation…subways, sky trains, water taxis and of course the Thai taxi.

We took in lots of Buddha’s…reclining and otherwise….lots of street vendors…a few animals and two great stops; one at the Museum of Siam, (click for link) an archaeological and anthropological look at Thailand and a first for Mary. We also stopped at the Jim Thompson House. (click to link) Jim Thompson was an American who revived the silk industry in Thailand.  A long busy, action-packed day ended with a swim in the pool…a quick snooze…and supper with their friends Eric and Melanie.

Our first stop of the day, Lumpini Park

Mary brought her camera too, so we were both tourists for the day.

The first monitor lizard we saw in the park.

An action shot!



Pretty statue, "A Mother's Love"



A very old looking lizard

At Lumpini Park, Statue of King Rama VI

On the River Taxi

The Reclining Buddha, Wat Po

Museum of Siam

Lunch!

Lotus Flowers at Jim Thompson

Outside Jim Thompson house Museum

Wednesday March 15th
As tour guide Pam puts it…this is the VERY best Buddha in all of Thailand! This is something Mary and I heard lots of during our toured with tour guide Pam. She shared lots of history, took us to the flower market, the Emperor’s palace and Vimanmek the world's largest golden teakwood mansion. What I learned today was that the King in Thailand is personal, "My King," said Pam whenever she referred to the reigning king, King Rama IX. I also learned that King Rama VII did a lot for the country pushing it toward free elections and a constitutional monarchy. Real Thai food lunch and street food snack. Great Day in Thailand!!! And a cool day, I wore black pants the whole day!

Roses at the flower market. One bunch (about 50 long stem roses) will put you back around $3.30

Beautiful Orchids

A river taxi going up and down the river (this is the kind we rode the day before) The orange flags mean it is an express boat.

Wat Arun/ Temple of the Dawn

Wat Arun

A street snack, fresh and hot rice/coconut dumpling. 

The Grand Palace!

Wat Phra Kaew/ Temple of the Emerald Buddha this is inside the Grand Palace.

Pam and I by some gold!

Doors leading into Wat Phra Kaew, that's all mother of pearl

More at the Grand Palace

By a guard

By the main building

The Golden Teakwood Mansion

Suan Si Ruedo Residential Hall Museum, lots of pretty things inside that were given as gifts to the King and Queen It felt very European with paintings high on the ceilings. 

It was very busy first two days of seeing Bangkok. I was very grateful that the next day's plans didn't include much. An Epic Journey Ends is next!