Rounsie

Last day, didn’t sleep that well, disappointed it is over already, can’t believe it went so quickly. Christine is packing and I need to go and buy a bigger bag and ring Eulong. Took Harry and Corry, got them some breakfast and the extra bag. Got onto Eulong and arranged for him to pick us up at 12.00. Isabella and Liam were awake, so we went down for second shift breakfast, they had coconut sticky rice and fruit shakes. Eulong, Oi and their driver picked us up, took us for lunch and back to their shop where they spoiled the kids. Great lunch and really nice to see them. They drove us to the airport, there in good time and no hassles. Although we left Bangkok early last time, it has grown us this time. In ... read more

Bangkok was very hot again. We got up late and decided to get back on bus 53 and go to Chinatown. We had Dim Sum and a wander, but so hot it was uncomfortable. We then went to Jim Thompson House, this was very interesting and no hard sell. They do tours of the house and garden, the house was built from six old teak houses. As we wandered I wash wishing we had bought some of the antiques we saw in Luang Prabang, as we were seeing such similar pieces in here. So hard to know what to buy when you are travelling. From here we walked to MBK which is a cross between a market and a department store, but airconditioned. The kids loved it, and the boys could get some PSP Games. It ... read more

It's time to leave Baan Nam Ping. We have enjoyed our stay here, and Chiang Mai. We have all become fond of Eddie at the resort, particularly Harry who is always at his side. We checked out at 12.00 and went to the train station. Unfortunately no sleepers on the 9.00 train, so we book sitting up (still can’t work out ticket pricing, the more popular the route, the higher the price I think) and we head into town to the markets. They close one of the main streets at 4.00 for the walking street market, so we did a smaller one first. Got some lunch, kids had noodles (it's taken Corry 4 weeks to try the noodles) and I had Pad Krapow Gai, Chili chicken stir fry, and Christine and Harry had an omelet and ... read more

It is not possible to have a traditional Xmas whilst away, so we wont even try. Some cities in Asia seem to be very Christmassy, Kuala Lumpur and Khon Kaen in particular, really strange really. Then there are the mixed up religions, such as Christmas music in the resort on Xmas Eve, with the monks chanting across the river at the temple, or my favourite in Central Market in Kuala Lumpur with the Christmas Carols playing, and the Muslim Woman selling Buddha statues. Harry was up early, Isabella and Liam had made a tree from fern fronds, and Santa had found us. The kids opened their presents and we wandered down to breakfast, more of the same xmas music playing. The kids played with presents for a while, then went for a swim. After catching up ... read more

The kids went for a swim after breakfast, I think they needed to after cereals and cooked breakfast. We relaxed for a while making the most of the environment we are in. At midday we arranged transport into the city. The only downside of where we are staying is the cost of getting to and from the city (and the fact no-one knows where it is). We were dropped at one of the temples in the old city, and went through it and then progressed around the city. The temples are very old, a number around 600 years, and all different, one was teak, another had a huge Stupa. There was Monk Chat at one temple, where you could sit and have a chat with the Monks. This improves their English, and is a nice insight ... read more