Thai trekking

I'm sure I will need to revise this post when I get back home but for now here is a quick summary of the past few days.

We went to Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand and did a two day trek.it started with our group picking us up at our hotel... It was me, Erin and 4 Germans. I was super excited that they were German, as I have a better chance at being able to understand and talk with them...

The trek continued with a stop at the local market where our guide (Don... The coolest old Thai guy you've ever met) showed us what they have at the market and bought what we would need to eat for the next two days. 

After the market we drove up to the elephant camp and ride the elephants. We named ours' Pablo, Pablo the pooping pachyderm! (You can guess why he got that name). 

Then we went rafting. Picture Huck Finn and Captain Jack Sparrow combined. 

Note: Most of my pictures are on my real camera so an update to this post will be needed when I get home. 

After the rafting started the hiking. Up the mountain into the jungle to the small village of refugees from Burma where we would spend the night. The hike was about 3 hours and it was HOT. but it was really pretty (again, pics coming soon)  

The village was awesome. Bamboo huts. No electricity. The villagers did a show for us around the camp fire. More stars than I've seen in a long long time. 

Only complaint... Apparently it was a holiday for the villagers so after our show ended around midnight their celebrations continued with drums and dancing until at least 4 am!!! Woah. We did not get much sleep. 

In the morning we hiked back out of the jungle and went to a temple cave. (No pics from the cave on my phone)

After the cave we stopped at the butterfly and orchid farm. 

Then we went back to our hotels for the BEST AND MOST NEEDED shower ever!!

Overall.,.,It was a very cool Thai-adventure. 

* I will update this post when I get home *

Marketing Mayhem

Yesterday before we left Bangkok we went to one of the biggest markets. It was big. They had everything you could ever not know you needed. Tshirts, jeans, spices, bags, suits, puppies, eggs, veggies, bunnies in little outfits, sunglasses, budah statues and more. The market has its on metro stop and was PACKED! Now, I am the girl who needs to take a Xanax to go Christmas shopping at Pentagon City Mall so you can imagine I was a bit overwhelmed. We didn't take any pictures because it was too crowded to even get to my camera. I'm glad we experienced it but I don't really feel the need to go back. 

That being said, after Bangkok we flew to Chiang Mai and promptly went to the Night Market. This was also huge but not quiet as crowded. You are suppose to bargain for stuff and its better to buy more than one thing so we tried to do that but who knows??? There has been a lot if guessing and uncertainty here. 

For two people who don't like to shop at all.. We didn't do too badly we got some art, a dress, some bags, and paper flower decorations. Not too shabby especially since we don't really need anything either. 

Bangkok Day One

We went the the Grand Palace . It was grand. They have an "emerald budah" that is really made of jade (why it's not called the jade budah... I don't know). 

To get there we had quite the adventure. We have decided there is no way we would win "the amazing race" but so far we aren't loosing either. We can do things. We are just not quick or efficient at them. We had to walk from the apartment to the BTS (above ground equivalent to the metro) and then buy tickets, ride, transfer and then get to the Water Taxis and ride a boat down the river to the market by the palace. It's tiring. Lots of brain power is needed. I am very very glad Erin and I have each other.

Once we got to the market we stopped for lunch and a coconut drink!

They literally use the hatchet to crack open the top and stick the straws in. 

Then we went in to the palace. You can't wear shorts or a tank top into the palace... We had on both. So there are genius little street men renting wraps and things outside the gate. We paid about 30cents and wore some "highly fashionable" clothes. Then we went in. 

You are not allowed to take pictures of the "emerald budah" (sorry)

After we saw some stuff it was time to make our way home. The water taxis are not very efficient and we missed one because we didn't know which dock to be on. Once we figured that out we continued on our journey back to the metro to transfer and walk back up the way we came to get back to the apartment just in time for the rain. Much like Florida it happens every afternoon from 4:00-5:00 and so that's a great nap time.

After naps we went out to the market for dinner and drinks with Chelsea and her friends. It was a fun day. 

On the schedule for today... Shopping market in Bangkok and then flight to Chaing Mai!!

Thai-adventures

I have never used the app on my phone to update my blog so let's see how this goes. 

I'm currently in Bangkok. Erin and I came to Thailand to visit her friend and ride some elephants. I started my journey with a quick trip to Portland to see Liz and her new husband! 

Then I met Erin in San Fran and we started out time traveling adventure. 

I think in reality we were in the air for 16 hours but we left on Wednesday and got here on Friday?! It will be even better when we go home... We land 30 minutes before we leave????? Crazy!!

We got to Bangkok last night at 1am so we haven't done much yet. It's stupid hot so sitting in front of the fan has been a good idea. We will go explore Old Town later and see the grand palace and some temples. I will keep you posted as we go as I can.