Bangkok

We flew Saskatoon to Vancouver to Seoul to Bangkok. The flights were smooth and flying time totalled 18 hours. As excited as we were for our upcoming 3 week adventure, we were able to sleep on the plane. Until we were bombarded by the very efficient Korean stewardesses. We were front row lights out, chair back, sleep masks on, iPods in ears and drool running down each of our faces. Until the 4 stewardesses snuck out from behind their curtains and pounced. They flicked our lights on, popped our chairs up and started frantically reciting our meal choices!! dazed and confused we each woke from our deep sleep to "chicken, or beef or noodles!"..after taking a few seconds to wake up, and figure out what the heck was happening, we decided on our meal choices.
Mom was still a little too shaken from the excitement to eat her meal, and Kristen still had drool coming from her mouth while Chelsey was still pulling the tape off her eye and eye mask up.
In all, we were slightly traumatized, but made out ok :)

Arrived in Bangkok at midnight and time we reached the Rambruttri village plaza and inn it was 130.
Kristen said she was going to Bed! Chelsey wanted To go out. Mom was happy to go to bed but was not about to let Chelsey go venturing out on her own so agreed to tag along. Somehow 3 minutes later, we were all asleep!
awoke to a hot sticky, Bangkok kinda day. Mom was up at 430 stomach growling, she patiently waited for us to to wake up. We enjoyed our first free breakfast of eggs, oatmeal, egg fried rice, fruit and tea! Delicious

We went for a walk down the quiet road to stretch out legs and check out the area. We are in a touristy, but energetic area.

After regrouping and packing a day pack, we ventured out .

We thought we could walk the 15 minute distance to the river to take a river cruise, however we were led in the wrong direction and soon decided to take a tuk tuk to the pier, we got onto a long tail boat which took us for a private hour cruise through Bangkok canals where we saw where locals live, work, play and where tourists stay.. We even slowed down to watch the "jumping fish"- large fish that came to the surface for air flipping and flopping like dolphins,. Soon into our boat ride, a local  Thai man floated up to us in his little kayak with a load of fresh fruit. We tried leeche and pineapple while we enjoying the  scenery.

After the quiet boat ride we visited the tallest Buddha in Bangkok. It was impressive with its gold and detailed offerings alongside. 32 meters tall, 24 carot gold on the outside.

We got suckered into the (Classic)Bangkok tuk tuk deal..check out a couple sights and go to a suit shop for a look around. The tuk tuk driver gets a tank of gas every time he brings customers to the shop. Often times the customers end up getting measured up for tailor made outfits . And we get a half price tuk tuk ride. We pleasantly enjoyed the air conditioned shop, told them Kristen was getting married so we were looking for possible wedding dress and mother of the bride dress but after the required 5 minute stay we left the shop. A win win for everyone but the suit shop.

We ventured back for lunch and a swim at the  Rambuttri  Hotel pool to cool down, mom and I had our first mango shake and pad Thai. Kristen ordered a pesto vegetarian dish which ended up being too soaked in butter. Good decision not to eat that!

The swim was on our roof top hotel which was was a great break from busy Bangkok. Refreshing.

Already tired and stimulation overload, we went back for a 2hour nap. Well  needed after 36 hours of travel the night prior. Kristen not needing a nap did a work out!

Then we mustered up the courage for koh san road!! loud, exciting, stinky, busy, crowded, fun, shopping, food, people, ...lots to see and experience. We opted for pizza for supper tonight. We carried on shopping and in one open air shop something scurried across the floor only a few feet from us and into a hole in the wall. Yup, you guessed it. Rat viewing #1. Later in the evening cutting thru a back alley we saw yet another in the garbage. After making a few purchases we ventured back to our quiet road where we indulged in a Thai and oil massage.

Kristen and I got a thai massage consisting of pressure points and twisting and cracking. Kristen cracked lots ,mom enjoyed her oil massage (opting out of the twisting and cracking massage!) Each $250 B which is about 10 $ for a one hour massage! Tea and a cookie and we were on our way.

Prior to the trip Ashton had written out directions on how to locate the suit shop that him and his groomsmen had come to, to have their suite made for the wedding in 2013. Manu was the name of the tailor who had measured up the boys and made their suits. Three years later us gals were able to locate the exact store where the boys had been measured up. We met Manu and gave him a photo of the wedding party. He smiled with glee and remembered "Austen" and all the guys who "drank a lot of beer" inbetween suite fittings. ;) it was pretty cool to meet Manu and his family.

Another wander along the roads which came alive with music and lights, and people, drinks flowing and thai people selling something everywhere you looked.
We treated ourselves to a coconut ice cream served in a coconut shell with real coconut shavings (yummy)and walked along enjoying the sights. This city brings alive all your senses...

Time for bed! Midnight and Kristen and mom are sawing logs and I'm sore from my massage.
Another day for the books!