Arrival Bangkok
Not looking too worn out after a 14 hour flight from Detroit and another 5 hours from Beijing to Bangkok.
We stayed at the Miramar Hotel which was walking distance to the river for transportation on the Chao Phraya River boat and close to the major Buddhist sites. There were many Buddhas to see: What Pho (reclining Buddha), Wat Pra Keaw (Emerald Buddha), the Grand Palace, and Wat Intharawihan (below).
Little did we know what animal encounters were to follow, but we went in search of the savannah monitors (which later would be on our way to dinner in Phuket).
It was very hot and we were a little jet lagged, so we opted for air conditioning and found this little gem, Maidreaming, a Japanese dessert/breakfast/show. They wouldn’t let us video, but with each delivery of food you had to recite a blessing or spell on your food.
Siam Miramit Show is a history lesson/dramatic dance of 4 different time periods in Thailand. Brian and I enjoyed it while the kids passed out.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Our first adventure in Chiang Mai was Tiger Kingdom. A litter of 5 cubs had been born 2 months earlier and we spent 30+ minutes playing with these “kittens.”
Mae Sa Waterfall
Night Safari/Night Predators Show
One of the reasons we chose Chaing Mai was to visit my roommate from college, April Bright Eichholtz. She and her family have been missionaries in Chaing Mai for over 8 years. Ms. Sandy Stuart and Mrs. Macjewski had their students from Alcoa Elementary and Intermediate Schools write a message and added a picture of each student to each book that we brought to help furnish a library that April and Stephen use in their ministry. The church service they have each Sunday actually takes place at the Night Safari.
Banthai Village
We had two adjoining rooms and our own pool.
Flight of Gibbon ziplining
Gibbons (a type of chimpanzee), 28 ziplines/rappeling lines, an amazing lunch, and a hike to Mae Kampang waterfall. Flight of the Gibbons was a highlight activity of Thailand.
Baan Thapae massage
Our best find of the entire trip was Baan Thapae massage. Our hotel was great, but tended to recommend tourist/overpriced services. Just walking out of our hotel, we wandered the streets of the Old Quarter and temples and stumbled across the most precious people we met. Our 1 hour massages were $10 USD with the sweetest people we have ever met.
http://www.baanthapaechiangmai.business.site
Chaing Mai had so many entertainment options. We attended a Wuay Thai fight, the Night Market, and the best way to eat…a Street Food Tour. We were introduced to new flavors, ate authentic dishes we had had versions of in the US, and tried durians (we weren’t fans, but the Thai adore it). There was a $200 fine for bringing the fruit into your hotel room, we reason this is due to the smell.
Chaing Mai Street Food Tours: www.chaingmaistreetfoodtours.com
Doi Suthep-a mountain climb for sunrise.
Wat Pha Lat Secret temple: A hike through the jungle to a secret temple
Laos
Luang Prabang
Villa Santi Hotel was a perfect location to experience the Luang Prabang easily. The Alms Giving passes by the front door. The Night Market was a 3 min walk. Our favorite restaurant Tamarind was a 2 min walk. (We would suggest eating every meal here). http://www.tamarindlaos.com
Alms Giving
Phousi Temple
Luang Prabang Night Market
Elephant Village Loas
The elephants obtained by Elephant Village have all been rescued or purchased from the logging industry. On our of drive through Laos, we saw multiple elephants being used for construction and logging. At Elephant Village, each elephant was hurt and destined to be euthanized. The “baby” who is 7 years old was actually purchased and her mother still is employed by the logging industry. In addition, another elephant was obtained after sustaining an injury to her foot by stepping on a landmine that remained from a past war. http://www.elephantvillage-laos.com
The elephants give rides and are fed by tourists each day. There is a vet on-site and it is interesting to see the medical care that is required. At 2PM during the heat of the day, we took them back across the river to rest until the next morning. They have a full mountain side to roam. We rode the elephants bare back (I recommend long pants, the hairs are very course), fed them, and of course bathed with them.
We are pretty sure that a wet T-shirt contest is a universal thing. My elephant would not quit spraying me with water.
With a little more time, we would have visited Kunag Si Waterfall. A 30 minute drive from Luang Prabang.
Hanoi, Vietnam
After seeing the traffic in Hanoi and hearing the Ho Chi Men City was many times worse, I am glad we chose Hanoi. We arrived and checked in to Hanoi Antique Legend Hotel which is one block from the Hoan Siem Lake. Where there is a Night Market (electronics and North Face galore).
The Thang Long Water Puppet Theater (a type of drama developed due to the floods in the rice fields during monsoon season), and many other random events happening at all hours of the day and night (concerts, flash mob dancing, and interpretive dance).
Hanoi Hilton: Hao Lo Museum in Hanoi
Only a small room was dedicated to the American involvement with the Vietnam War.
Halong Bay Cruise on the MonCheri
The drive to Halong City/Tuan Chau island to board the ship was around 3 hours. Our first activity was to decipher Vietnam pronouncation of the itinerary (we found Vietnamese to be the most difficult and comical). http://www.monchericruises.com
Biking and cave exploration on Cat Ba Island
Kayaking Cat Ba Island and Trung Trang Cave
Vietnamese Cooking Class and Squid Fishing from the MonCheri
Kayak Von Boi Bay-floating village
Cambodia
Where to stay: Central Suite Residence
Walking distance to Pub Street, Psar Chao Night Market, and great restaurants.
Siem Reap Temple Tour
Angkor Wat
Angkor Thom-walled compound and Bayon Temple
30 seconds before Griffin is mauled by the monkey.
Ta Phrom-trees/Tombraider Temple
Local Fare
Cambodian Phare Circus
Get your tickets in advance, it always sells out. This is a traditional Cambodian circus that is a mix between a play and acrobatic stunts under a tent.
Sunrise at Angkor Wat before flying back to Thailand
The Racha, Island a hour outside of Phuket, Thailand
The Racha Plunge Pool Villa
Island activities: Fourwheeling, snorkling, and Muey Thai fighting
Spoiled Children who got upgraded seats
Visas
Thailand: no visa required
Cambodia: evisa Kingdom of Cambodia- All online
Vietnam: vietnamembassy-usa.org/consular/visa-application-process
Apply for a loose leaf visa where everything is loaded online. You can even take a picture on your phone and it will size for you. I was worried at first because they send you a text with a link to pay on PayPal. I even checked with the embassy again and with a friend who is a diplomat and this is the legitimate process for a visa. I paid online and the visa was send to me in the mail 3 days later. Cost was $100 per visa or $80 with $20 shipping fee. If you send all in together you only pay $20 shipping fee once.
Loas:loaembassy.com/visa&applications
This is a visa you must mail in your passport, copy of passport, two 2×2 standard passport photos and $50 per visa. You have to have a certified check and an envelop with return postage paid. They are mailed back to you within 10 business days.
Roaming with Rowan 