From Autumn to Summer! - Anne's Travels

May 28, 2005

From Autumn to Summer!

Hi all!
After many days wandering and wondering around the main roads and back streets of Melboune, Australia, I finally made it to Southeast Asia! I arrived in Bangkok, Thailand three days ago. The adventure began at the airport and the journey via taxi to my guesthouse. Thai drivers are like none I've ever seen before. It was an amazing ride. I couldn't help but laugh at it all. I found my hostel and crashed for the night. The next day, I woke up bright and early for breakfast which consisted of fresh pineapple, papaya, watermelon, and other fun baked goods. I had my fill and was reading when i ran into a friend from Melbourne (Chris from England). He mentioned that he was heading north as was I. We were on a city bus two hours later on our way to Kanchanaburi. I really didn't know what to expect except that it was North. I later discovered this is the location of the "bridge over the river Kwai". Upon arrival, I grabbed my backpack and found that the straps broke away from the pack. I grabbed ahold of it another way and barginned a ride on a bike taxi to our hostel ~the Jolly Frog. We set up in a decent room for 200 baht a night which translates to 5 dollars for two people. The place is really nice and sits right on the banks of the river. We had a very yummy lunch, where i really got excited about all the food options and chilled out the rest of the day.

Today we booked a tour that included a hike up a seven tiered waterfall. We were able to swim in the top pool. It was SO refreshing after the long, hot hike. Next was a elephant ride and bamboo raft float down the river. We jumped off the raft and floated for a bit. The current was so strong we lost the boats pretty quickly. Luckily, we "stopped" by swimming upstream and were able to get aboard the raft just before we came ashore. From there we took a train ride through the country side that ended on the famed bridge. I had mixed feelings about being on the train ride. The track was mainly built by POW's of WWII. The bridge itself was the site of many bombings. There was so much agressive history, I felt the need to respect it. I'm going to research a bit more at the museum tomorrow.
The group I was with included a family of four. They are an amazing family. The mom, dad, and two daughters (14 and 12ish) have been sailing/traveling for four straight years together. I learned so much from there experiences, it was all very inspirational.
Tomorrow my plan is to check out a bit of this city and catch a bus North either straight to Chaing Mai or a few stops along the way. I don't know yet. I'll keep you posted!!
Love to All!

Posted by Anne on May 28, 2005 06:49 AM
Category: Thailand

Comments

Hey Annabelle!

Thailand sounds awesome!! How crazy is that seeing Chris??!! That's cool. Everything seems to be working out just right for you, which makes me feel good. So when do you expect to get home??? I can't wait to hang out with you AND see pics. Today Jay and I are standing up in a wedding (Kris and Alysia) the couple that lives downtown on the eastside right on Oakland. I can't wait it's going to be "super duper fun"! =) JAHA!!

Well have fun in Thailand and we'll hear more of your stories soon. Thanks for emailing us and letting us all know you are okay. WE LOVE YOU AND good luck with your backpack! Duck it. (duck tape it)

Ginger

Posted by: ginger on May 28, 2005 08:01 AM

Anne,

I love hearing about your travels. I'm sure you'd like to hear about home...so here goes. Today Mom came over to help peggy plant flowers. They had a great time together. Dad biked 15 miles to get here today and we cooked a turkey on the grill. They just left an hour ago. Everyone is happy and tired. Elyse is now a climbing expert...last week she said "daddy I climbed the door" ....I asked her to show me and SHE CAN CLIMB A DOOR!!!!!!!She is also following your in your footsteps by hiiting the heck out of a baseball. Nicole is happy to shag the balls and is learnign to hit the ball too. She also is just finishing her first year of preschool and loves it. Emma is our little fearless climber. She is holding her own when it comes to keeping up with her big sisters. She is also a climbing expert. Last week Peggy caught her standing on the dining room table eyeing up the chandelier.....she jsut missed grabbing it before Peggy caught her....stay tuned. Peggy and I are doing great. Summer is here and we are looking forward to a great season of camping, fests and parties.

We miss you and pray for you every night.

Be good to yourself.

I love you.

Mark

Posted by: mark on May 28, 2005 11:16 PM

Hi Anne!!! I am so thrilled that your travels have been adventure filled and full of wonderful people to connect with!
Life here is going well although the boys have me up at 3:00AM checking out your blog. We are progressing well...we hit our 34 week point and expect to get to our full term of 37 weeks. My only issues right now are discomfort and sleep (lack of). The boys are weighing in at 4.5lbs and a bit under 5.5lbs with 4.5 being average at this point. The latest ultrasound shows them as beginning to develop that adorable baby fat you love so with a few weeks to go, these guys are in great shape to bound into this world ready for anything. I will keep you posted on our progress now that it is getting close and you keep on posting so the boys can 'hear' what there wonderful Aunt Anne is up to. By the way, Michel is doing great, training for the Trek 100 bike event this weekend, getting the boy's room ready and picking up everything that I drop on the floor and can't pick up.
Well, Anne, going to try the sleep thing again...keep having fun-filled adventures and take your time coming home!

Love you!!! Laura++

Posted by: Laura++ on May 31, 2005 03:11 AM

I've been to Bangkok twice. I loved it. So much culture to take in.
Their fresh fruit just livens the soul, every bit was sweet and I yearned for the next moment.
You MUST see the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace. You will not believe the beauty. I had to steady myself at times taking it all in.
My advice would be to find the most beautiful spot, take off your sandals and do some mediative breathing, you will know what I'm talking about when you do it.

Ginger, is this fine by your standards?
You might also want to take note of my lack of swearing. I feel it just to be the nice thing to do.

Posted by: Sharon on May 31, 2005 01:16 PM

ooh... how exciting to be in such an exotic land and enjoying such new and entirely foreign things!

Looks like everyone was waiting to hear and post a quick message! Well, I talked to Annie on Saturday, she has since headed north and will hang out for some time in the forests and mountains, and then head back south for beaches. Possibly staying another week till after the 21st for the Full Moon festival. anywho, hope eveyrone is doing well.

I love you annie, and best of luck with every step you take over there. I'm by your side!

Posted by: bill on June 1, 2005 10:01 AM