Thailand

We spent a few days in Bangkok between trips and over New Year's weekend. On New Year's Eve, we went to Khao San Road which was packed and crazy. The following night we were still pretty exhausted and so we went to see a movie since the movie theatre is extremely cheap in Thailand compared to the $18 tickets in Japan. After a few previews, the audience stood in unison to pay their respects to the king and there were about two minutes worth of photos of the king and queen flashing across the screen as maybe the national anthem (??) played. Although this patriotic display wasn't too surprising since there are billboard size pictures of the king everywhere, it was one of my most interesting experiences in Bangkok and despite my huge hesitation to go and see The Chronicles of Narnia, it definitely made the movie worth it.

The "Golden Buddah"
Monks in the market

After a few days of this in Phuket...

...we were able to find this in Ao Nang and then Southern Thailand was everything how I'd dreamed it would be--steep cliffs in beautiful clear water.


It was great to meet up with Scott and his friend, Wayne, from home. We did some snorkling, sea kayaking, and just hung out.



Can you guess the name of this island? (see below)
Our little bungalow with some pretty interesting plumbing procedures



(Photo taken by Wayne Jones)

Monkeys on the beach
A pre-massage foot scrub

**If you guessed "Chicken Island," you are a big winner