bangkok
i almost called it off a hundred times. but i didn't. friday i hugged and kissed the kids goodbye, hopped on a plane and, 23 hours later, stepped into suvarnabhumi airport, bangkok, thailand. chip is here for a commercial shoot at the end of this week and i'm here because i needed a stamp in my passport. we've ridden on boats, subway, sky train, tuk tuks, motocycle taxis and elephants. we've eaten from the vendors and shopped the markets. we've inhaled the pollution and scents of unfamiliar spices. we've wandered a bit, gotten lost some and we have smiled a lot and been smiled at a lot.
tomorrow we head for the central plains, toward the end of the week i may take a solo day trip to an island just south and the weekend may take me up north. i love the flexibility of our days and the fact that we're still adjusting to the time, so that by 9am we've done a day's worth of adventuring.
i miss the kids. especially when i see entire families packed onto a scooter- toddlers squished between parents and bigger kids. but they are all in great hands.. and flying by myself was amazing. a good amount of sleeping and an embarassing amount of movies, none of which would have entertained the girls.
Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 04:07PM
Reader Comments (37)
So excited for you! Have a great time!!!!
this makes me want to take a vacation.
After having just returned from a loooong plane trip with Marian, I think I am most jealous of your solo flight. That little screen with all its movies, music and wonder sat inches from my face for HOURS and I could not enjoy it's splendor.
can't wait to see more from your trip!!!
Good for you. I have always wanted to go to Bangkok, and now I want to go even more. I can't wait to see your photos when you get back. Enjoy your vacation!
http://dailyobsesser.blogspot.com/
good for you katie, i am green with envy!
Katie....awesome, so happy for you!!! I went to Thailand earlier this year and it was a long time dream of mine fulfilled....I just had to ride an elephant there. i even took my three year old with me and met hubs there (military!)
I just can't get enough of their food (pad thai, yummy cocounut milk soup, and fresh fruit!)
Hope you enjoy every last minute of your time there, what a great experience!
cheers! looks fantastic.
Wow! That's amazing! I've never been (anywhere, really). On a totally unrelated note, I would love some advice from you on where the best place is to stay in NYC. My husband and I are taking a 10th anniversary trip in the spring...we honeymooned in New York and thought it would be the perfect place to celebrate. Any guidance would be so appreciated. We're looking at maybe renting a studio for the week...
I bet megan is so jealous.
It sounds like such a fun adventure, have a great rest of the time.
banana pancakes with condensed milk from the street vendors are the best. have an awesome time!
Have a wonderful time! I wish I could do a vacation without my kids, just for the sleep I think. Thailand sounds like a nice destination!
My husband and I honeymooned in Thailand for 3 weeks 8 years ago. Actually, we were there at just about this time!
We loved Chiang Mai! A small city that's easy to traverse and lots to see -- not as overwhelming at Bangkok was. Our favorite meal was grilled marinated pork or meat with sticky rice bought from a street vendor for 5 baht per skewer of meat. So delicious!
I also agree with Peta - the banana pancakes with condensed milk are good, but the mango ones were also very delicious. Either way, you can't go wrong. We ate one every morning we were in Thailand.
Have a wonderful time!!!
Exciting plans!
I'll be heading to Bangkok in January for a week and I can't wait to check off your list of boat, subway, sky train, tuk tuk, motocycle taxi and elephant riding!
I absolutely love Bangkok, have a fabulous time. If you get time try to get to
The fabric house
2nd floor, Central world plaza
Bangkok (nearest BTS chidlom)
It has quilting fabrics and Japanese natural linen really cheap!
Here's my post on crafty shopping in Bangkok from our trip in May http://japancraftjournal.blogspot.com/
you haaaave to go to koh san road in bangkok and get a cheap massage. it's the foreigner hangout and it's lovely. and green papaya salad.
We lived in Chiang Mai for a while and I really urge you to go up North. It is the textile/handcraft hub with a more relaxed pace and really particularly good food. The Sunday walking Market is a great place to wander and hang out and the RiverView restaurant has excellent ambiance and fabulous smashed catfish salad and wing bean salad (my favs). Have a great time!
The Weekend Market is great. They have Habitat in Bangkok, which is a thrill for me in Hong Kong. Enjoy the food, the lovely people and the time off from the kids. I did the same (a long weekend) in Bkk with my girlfriend a couple of years ago now and had a ball.
Wow - fantastic! Enjoy the trip - can't wait to read about it.
have a great time! I lived in Chiang Mai and have traveled around Thailand, so so beautiful and so much to see! The beaches are like nothing else. Enjoy!!
HOW FUN IS THAT?! Whenever you go without the kids you miss it- but there are the things that help you overcome that (like the plane ride and all the freedoms :) SO JEALOUS! Someday maybe I can be on "The Amazing Race" so I can go to a bunch of cool places!
Oh how great! Have a wonderful time!
Tell us every detail of your trip! I am thinking of studying there next year for a semester and would like some persuading. :)
Nice. Have fun.
I dream about taking sans-children trips with my husband. I just might have to do it.
am so jealous. we are in australia so have been a few times. i went alone last year as a 40th b'day treat & had a fab time. if you get a chance take a tour with tong. i spent a day with a female guide & saw things from a local perspective. also did amazing buddhist things like paying for a coffin for an unclaimed body. all really good for the soul. the massages, shopping, food.....mmmm. enjoy!!
kaz x