Thailand, Bangkok and Koh Samui

We had an amazing three days in Bangkok where we visited temples and learned some about Thai history and culture.

Some of the highlights of our trip included:

Boat ride through the city.

Street Shopping.

Taxi rides through the city.

Train ride from the city of Bangkok to the countryside.

Bike ride through the countryside with a stop at the local mayors house for lunch.

Koh Samui, Thailand

We spent Easter in Koh Samui with friends.  To get to Koh Samui we took a plane from Bangkok since it is an island.  The beaches were beautiful and the people were wonderful.

Eating fresh fruit and corn on the beach.

Eating banana pancakes (like crepes) with any filling we wanted in Fisherman's Village.

Flat Stanley joined us and loved the banana pancakes also.

Kate lost a tooth on the beach!

Relaxing at the pool, on the beach, and in our private villas pool!

Easter egg hunt in Koh Samui with our friend Selena!

Our good friend Selena

Easter dinner on the beach with the Hicks Family.

Writing our wishes on paper balloons, lighting them, and then letting them go in the sky over the ocean.

Home Again!

Arriving in San Francisco with our 20 (plus) bags!

We are thrilled to be back home and want to thank all of our friends and family for a wonderful homecoming.  We loved the sign with all of the notes and signatures from friends and classmates!  A big thanks to everyone!

A special thanks to Aunt Kris who also had a sign for us on our garage door.  It was a great surprise to see it as we pulled up to our house for the first time in six months.

Goodbye Singapore-Three More Days Until We Are Home

We are almost done packing (our 15+ suitcases) and we leave Singapore in the early morning.  Our last stop before returning home will be Hong Kong.  We will be back in CA on Friday night.  Goodbye Singapore!

Welcome Flat Stanley(s)

Kate was so happy to have not one, but two Flat Stanleys come to Singapore for a visit.  A big thanks goes out to Katherine and Isabel for sending the Flat Stanley's to us.  We will take good care of them while they are here and they will travel back to CA with Kate on the airplane!

Cambodia, Siam Reap

Angkor Wat Temple

Our trip to Siam Reap, Cambodia was a wonderful experience which included learning the history of Cambodia and exploring the ancient temples.  Our guide was fantastic.  Not only did he teach us the history of the temples, but we learned of his personal experience living through the reign of Pol Pot and the devastation he and his family went through.

We spent most of our time exploring the area of Angkor, which is the region that served as the seat of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to 13th centuries.  There are more than 70 temples in Angkor and they were built over 1000 years ago.  The temples were either Buddhist or Hindu, depending on the king reigning during the time the temple was built.   By the end of the 15th century, the temples were abandoned as the King relocated to Phnom Penh.   Over the years, the temples were largely forgotten by the people and the jungle grew and completely covered the temples.   It wasn't until the late 19th century that French archeologists began to explore the area and uncover the ancient temples.  Restoration of the temples has taken place since the early 1900's.

It is difficult to describe in words the detail that went into each of these temples.  There were carvings on almost every stone and ancient sanskrit writing everywhere.  The temples are still being restored today.  Restoration includes strengthening the foundations, finding the stones, and piecing them together like a puzzle.

Angkor Wat

Angkor Thom:  It is difficult to tell from this picture, but each point on the castle has a buddha on each of the four sides.

Angkor Thom

Banteay Srei Temple was made largely of sandstone and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

This gives a good view of the detail in each piece of sandstone.  Flat Stanley really enjoyed these close-up views!

Each temple was different.  This one was made largely of sandstone.

The famous Ta Prohm temple where the movie Tomb Raider was filmed.  

This pile of stones on the left are pieces that have not been put back together yet.

Ta Prohm was built as a Buddhist Monastery and University.  It is unique among the temples because it has been left in much the same condition in which it was found.

Other Highlights of the trip:


1.  Tuk Tuk ride through Siam Reap.

Most tourists travel in Tuk Tuk's.  Most locals drive motorcycles.  The traffic in Siam Reap seemed tame compared to Vietnam.

2.  Getting Buddhist prayer bracelet at Angkor Wat.

3. Buying souvenirs from the Cambodian children.

The girls bought many bracelets from this six-year-old girl on our way into the temple.

We bought bananas from this woman at the floating village.

4. Having our first-ever fish massages in Siam Reap.

Kate loved the fish massage and was the only one who could keep her feet in for an extended period of time.

5.  Our wonderful guide Sopanha.

6.  We all enjoyed traveling with our new friends, the Monroy's.  The kids were delighted to have Olivia along to keep them company while exploring the temples.