Khop Kun Kaa Thailand

---

It’s warm. It’s beautiful. Its people are gentle and kind.

It’s Thailand.

That’s it. That’s why gazillions of people flock here for relaxation and a retreat from their everyday stresses. Us included.

Our 1 week stay was divided between adventure and beach time. Perfect for a family with active, older kids. The “adventure” took us on a 3 day, 105km bike ride through the countryside outside of Bangkok. The desire for sand between our toes took us to the island of Phuket.

Countryside of sugar cane and red dirt covered roads. Jungles and rubber tree plantations. Phuket with multitudes of beachgoers and warm teal colored waters. Islands around islands. Contrasting starkly to bustling Bangkok with its street markets, congested traffic, and modern shopping malls. But then, just when you might think there’s no continuity, there’s the food. Somehow it connects it all. Eating Thai food in Thailand is pure pleasure - whether it be at the riverside resort breakfast buffet, lunch on a boat in the beautiful bays surrounding Phuket, or evening dining at a tropical outdoor restaurant - the flavors mingle and permeate into your palate to define and represent Thailand. Coconut milk, spicy peppers (watch out for the tiny green ones!), seafood, noodles, curries, fragrant rice, and always fruits to finish it off. Metaphorically refreshing, exciting, nourishing, and oh so sweet!

---

Photos

A sweet haul
Sugarcane loaded trucks. A typical sight on Thai roads.

Native
Our first stop on the bike ride was at an elephant village.

On the way
Typical roadside scenery along our countryside bike ride.

Local hospitality
A hammock, a smile, shade and rest. Another nice stop on our trek through the countryside.

Wat Prasat Muang Singh
These 12th century Khmer ruins have striking similarity to those in Siem Reap area of Cambodia. Fun to climb on.

Haven
This mom and baby enjoyed peace and shade as the other sugar cane workers hacked away nearby.

Sweeeet!
Chomping on sugar cane on a hot day in the Thai countryside. Fuel for the coming hilly ride. Simple pleasure.

Tranquility
These buddah statues loomed large in a deserted field where we stopped for fruit and tasty sweet sticky rice snacks.

Yo!
Don't let the frail appearance of our bike guide, Yo, fool you. He can really pedal fast up long hills and seemingly never gets tired. Even when wearing a sweater in 90+ degree weather.

Inviting
At the bottom of a treacherous hill, Matt pauses before crossing on a rickety river bridge.

Careful!
This is the bridge where I learned to focus my vision on where I plan to step - instead of where I'm afraid I might.

50th
Not exactly a flattering picture, but a great memory. What better way to celebrate spending 50 years on this planet.

Bungalows
The view from the veranda of our bungalow, looking toward Kirsten, Ty, and Jessie's abode. Lovely local resort.

Country roads
The red dirt and dense foliage cover are typical of our ride through the Thai jungle areas.

Chance encounter
I love this photo as it shows a typical vegetable bike with the long green beans, friends happy to greet one another, and Kirsten in the background, enjoying the moment.

Sawatdee kaa
A wonderful treat to experience more than 50 "sawatdee kaas", complete with a reverent bow and folded hands, as each child passed me by on the bridge.

Bangkok by night
The view from our hotel room.

Welcome 2010
The tiny lights in the background are "wish lanterns". These candlepowered lanterns are released into the night time sky and carried away by the gentle breezes. Magical.

Phi Phi island
This beach was lovely, but way too crowded for my liking.