Welcome to Malaysia!

We arrived in the melting pot that is Malaysia today after a long road trip, but let me get you up to speed on my last week in Thailand! Going south last Sunday, we traveled from Bangkok to Surat Thani on overnight train that arrived around 9:30 AM, just in time for a cup of joe, eggs & toast... and then it was off to Khao Sok National Park in a Songthaew. (A pick-up truck with two benches and a "tall"- topper built in the truckbed.) Going on small curvy roads we arrived to a beautiful part of the country, the jungles older than the Amazon Rain forest! Our resort had small bungalows which looked towards the mountains, which was beautiful and the garden... filled with tall coconut & persimmon trees, orchids, and all sorts of flowers. The food here was truly amazing, and at morning mist (our residence) had presentation down to a T!! We took advantage of the park by going on a day trek in the jungle & tubing down a lazy river since we are in the dry season right now. We also visited a Buddhist temple that monkey's hang out at- and were able to feed them bananas & peanuts. I actually didn't like them as much as I thought I would, they are sort of a funny creature- but can almost seem creepy in a way up close. The jungle was more dense with bamboo here than up north, and it was interesting to see how it varied in vegetation slightly to the north. After Khao Sok it we went to Ao Nam a small beach village near Krabi, where we spent time relaxing at the beach and taking a day trip to the PhiPhi Islands on a speed boat tour. The tour was amazing, I have never seen such beautiful water the most amazing shade of turquoise and huge rock- islands that rise from the sea. I went snorkeling for the first time- and saw all sorts of creatures from small colorful fish to a sting ray and sea urchin. I really look forward to try snorkeling again since we only did a bit of it while visiting the islands. We also stopped at Maya bay and Phi Phi Island which is the main island where the Tsunami hit in 2006, killing almost 3,000 people. It is mostly all rebuilt now, but they were still doing some construction there. Our other day we spent going to Railay beach, where we relaxed for the day- and took our first long tail boat ride.... which was fun. I am looking forward to all that we will find here in Malaysia, but I really truly enjoyed seeing so much of Thailand and all of my travels there. It was such a range of experiences all with great food along the way, I honestly haven't even missed a hamburger yet!! The only thing I do miss is chocolate- and I don't really like all the sugar in their pop, tea & juices.Thailand is an amazing place though- highlights being the hill trek tribe visits, the temples in Bangkok, and Phi Phi Island tour... I'll upload more pic's when I get the chance- but in the mean time.... hope this finds you all well - and getting ready for the holiday season! Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah!

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