Josh & Lenette

Today we went to see the four oldest wats in Chiang Mai. A wat is a buddist temple. Each was unique and beautiful in its own way, for some it was inside and others the grounds. They were all majestic and it was calming to experience.

Later in the day, we went shopping. Surprisely, Josh did more damage than Lenette on the check book. However, Lenette won the award for taking the most time and testing the patience of sales people.

We both enjoyed going to the back of the different “handy-made” craft warehouses to view how thai silk, jade statues, rugs, and hand-painted umbrellas were made.

Still shopping.

Josh & Lenette

We signed up to take an all day cooking class at Baan Thai Cookery School . The class included; going to the market to shop for ingredients, preparing six dishes of your choice, sharing meals, and a cookbook to take home with us.

Today’s menu included; fresh fruit, spring rolls, pad thai, tom kha gai, red curry paste, panang curry, and mango with sticky rice for dessert. It was a progressive meal and each dish was better than the last.

At our table, there were four Americans (us and a couple from San Francisco), four Swiss (two couples), and a guy from Holland as the referee (just kidding). We had a good group of people to dine with. Our whole group was stuffed by the end and probably won’t be eatting dinner tonight.

Lenette was surprised how easy it was to prepare many of the dishes, but it may be hard to find all the unique ingredients back home. There was a lot of ingredients in each dish, the preparation involved a lot of chopping which josh is great at, but the actual cooking was simple. The red curry paste which is used as the base to red and panang curry was very labor intensive. However, they said once you make curry paste it is good in your fridge for a few months so it could be utilized for many meals.

See the photos by clicking on the photos tab up top. Take care and good eating to all.

Josh & Lenette

Five hours to New Year’s we arrive in in Chiang Mai.  Four hours to midnight, we arrive at the Parasol Inn to find out our reservation was messed up and no room is available.  Three hours to midnight, told by desk clerk there were no rooms available in town due to New Years Eve so we start calling around ourselves.  Two hours til midnight, with Josh mad and Lenette ready to cry, we take a room with twin beds as a last resort.  Tuk tuk delivers us to the Royal Princess Hotel.  One hour til midnight Josh and Lenette sound asleep before the fireworks started.

Next morning, we start off the New Year positively by indulging ourselves and planning a relaxing day.  We book four hours of spa treatment.  Your money goes a long way at a spa in Thailand and we were given royal treatment at the Oasis Spa.

We also found a great little restaurant, conveniently located  across the street from our hotel.  We would tell you the name if we could read the sign.  Josh has been living off various versions of Panang curry and Lenette has been rotating through variations of friend rice and noodle dishes. We both really like the soups and our looking forward to our all day cooking lesson tomorrow to learn some authentic recipes.

Josh & Lenette

Yesterday, our last day on the Ko Phi Phi Don was probably our favorite. We spent the morning laying on the beach and drinking pineapple juice. After lunch, we got on a sunset cruise.

First we went to monkey beach and had to avoid the sea urchins..which was easy from our boat to shore.  Next we parked near Phi Phi Le where we snorkled, Kayaked, and swam with the fish.

Our last stop was Ma Ya Bay, ‘The Beach’, where we swam and relaxed.  As we departed, we saw the most amazing sunset and shared a beer with some Aussie friends.

Today, we are traveling to Chaing Mai.  We were sorry to leave the south and all the amazing beaches where we could have spent weeks or perhaps never come back.  But, we are excited to explore the north and it’s unique culture.

Check our new photos that we just posted!  Happy & Safe Travels to our Aussie friends & happy new year to all!

Josh & Lenette

Paradise.  We thought the beaches of Phuket were beautiful.  The majestic rocks rising out of the emerald waters near Ko Phi Phi are stunning.  They surround the many islands that make up this area and the post cards we will send don’t do it any justice.

Today Josh dove twice for the first time in Thailand.  It was an experience that was just as amazing as it was addictive.  I think Josh will be diving around the world, perhaps with my dive buddy.  Josh borrowed an underwater camera from one of the dive instructors and hopes to have some amazing pictures to share soon.

Lenette spent the day laying on the beach, taking in the sun and a good book, and bought the first of many souvenirs.

Tonight we are shopping, eating, and enjoying the many languages that surround us on our walks around the island.

Spent the morning exploring old Phuket Town on foot.  Found many fabric stores were still open even though it was Sunday and many things were closed.  There was a Tuk Tuk driver at every corner willing to take us to the market.

Came back to Kata Beach, our home base, for lunch and a nap.  Spent the afternoon laying on the beach near Kata.  The water is clear, warm, and calm and the sand is nearly dust.  In the evening we explored Kata Beach more and went out for a nice dinner.  The ambiance at the restaurant was a lush garden on a hill side overlooking the town.  We paid for the ambiance/experience and not the food.  It was good but the cafe at our hotel is far better and authentic.

Off to Ko Phi Phi this afternoon.

Josh & Lenette

Destination Phuket, 3rd Street Cafe & Guesthouse Hotel.

High note so far…first shower after over 24 hours of travel. It took a while to find this place but we’re finally here at our hotel and home for two days. It’s a cute little boutique hotel that has made a good first impression.

Low note…having to check our bags anyways after hours of strategic packing. Heads up fellow travelers flying China Air watch out for the weight limits on carry-ons! Our backpacks did not make it on with us.

Josh & Lenette

Merry Christmas!

Just writing to let you all know we arrived safely in Taipei  for Christmas and will be heading on to Bangkok in a few hours. We will post again when we find a connection at our final destination, Phuket.

Josh & Lenette

Happy Holidays!

Departing from Concord on 12/24/09 at 7:30PM and arriving in Phuket on 12/26/09 at 3:25PM local time, 12:25AM for those in the states (Thailand is 15 hours ahead).

We wish you safe travels this holiday season.

Josh & Lenette

We’re back in the states!  We arrived this evening and will be staying with Aunt JoAnn here in Concord.

It was a long two days of travel but we are happy to be home, almost.

Ciao