Massage parlor’s

Rained last night, only during the night. Was thinking about my mom’s several text messages bout the choice of country and time. Due the fact it is rain season here not.  September/ October is the real Monsoon season. Toby and I took Thai and oil massage today. Interesting! I would have loved this kind of massage when marathon running they sure did a great job on my hamstring and bum even my breasts got a work out… (;-o) Toby’s masseuse LOVED his pale skin so he felt a little-bit uncomfortable; in our mind she wanted more than Thai-massage him...

We are checking out from Bangkok today to take the bus to Phuket. Exciting!

Tuk-tuk drivers

Went to Kao San Road market today. Wow, lots or People and Starbucks!! Four costumized drinks, taste exactly the same, and sweets cost the same as a nice thai-dinner. Ohh well it was darn tasty.

Toby finally gets his way expensive eyewear. He is now nuts about if they change into darker shade in the sun, “yes, they do honey!” Björn is getting hooked up as well. We’ll pick them up on our way back from vacation, since we are flying out from Bangkok, July 25th.

We went to TA-ticket location (Tourist Authority= less added cost to any ticket) are checking out to take the bus down to Nai Harn, it takes 10 hours. Not that bad we choose a night bus. We are advised to take the plane since the roads down there are not that great. I called Andy, the local Brit at the dive-shop, he’ll pick us up at Phuket-town central bus-station the arrival morning 7 AM. Sweet! 

Long boat and Air train

Bangkok holds the opposites, the long boat that is powered by a car engine commonly used in the waterways of the city and then there is the Air-rail, that has a dozen of stations in the newer “down-town” area towards the airport. We took a ride through the river system to view, people still live on the water, yet the water-markets seised to exist in the 60’s when lad transportation took over

Change of mind - Decompress in the water, as in diving or decompress in bungalow at the beach...

Moving towards going to Koh Phuket, largest souther island in Thailand. There is so much to se and since we had limited time to research and book in advance we are open for changes. I was aiming for Koh Chang, nature resort island for bungalow on the beach, decompress and then move on. I am thinking that our good friends in Sweden that are part owners in a Dive/scuba shop in Nai Harn, south point of that island had other thoughts in mind. Well you can not ignore that it sounds tempting to go there and dive. We had great success in snorkeling’ many may years ago in Samoa, Pacific Ocean. Fantastic experience that we shared many times with who ever can listen. Well due the fact and since my rule is to try new stuff twice… see how will you know if the first time was the best time doing it perhaps it was not your day for it!? 

Swa-de-ka - Bangkok is amazing

We did not even know how great our hotel are located. Lub’d is very close to Siloh, busy shopping and partying area. City is Big, Busy, polluted and drivers willing to drive in Tuk-Tuk, four-wheel mopeds with a loader, you for peanuts… ahhh there is a hook… There is a open business proposal from local tailor shops. Drive visitors to my shop and you will receive free gas cards. It is understandable because who can raise a family on 10-50 bath per ride. It is ok once perhaps twice to buy into it however the third time and you are still discussing not to enter at the store you are getting “pissed”. Some stores are nice with nice materials. We certainly did not plan to change our personal wardrobe into high fashion “Versage style” on the trip, more towards “fisherman's pants’ and flimsy shirts. So how to go around it. Well know first where you are going. If they tell you they can tour you you are most likely to end up in a tailor store. Like the driver will tell you… “no work-no buy, look interested have a glass of Pepsi and then leave, stay 5 minutes” he’ll get his darn 5-liter gas card (250 Bath/ $10). Dude - I’ll pay you that not to have to enter one more taylor store!! It sounds like no big deal, thais’ can be pretty pushy… after 3 stops one day still not at that temple it is a little bit frustrating… oh I forgot to mention it is about 35C/ 90F and 85% humidity… you are sweaty and getting grumpy after a while. 

Pic - Here we are at WAT THEWARAT KUNCHORN, we finally got the message through to the driver that we are NOT interested in a suite, not even for Madame

We're in Bangkok!!

Just arrived to the hostel, very nice!. Now we are heading out for dinner. We are 12 hours ahead! 

Last dog-walk before the leave on the adventure

We took the last walk with the dogs and family to the close-by lake of Toby's sister Helene's home... little bit windy, yet nice and summery.

We're in the "motherland" wow beautiful - almost forgot... not

Guys - we're here! Sweden looks great! Midsummer solstice coming up tomorrow ight, talk bout timing. Had a great trip and I totally lost my voice. Probably because I talked to much finalize to much before we left. NYC was fun and Great, thanks for all your tips.. some used some kept...

back to planning - exit strategies; lot of work!

Soo, we are no to the final count down. I gave up and bought a new battery for our BMW, $90!!! Ok I can now drive with AC in again. I sort of though it to be my training for hot weather... it's been Very hot for several weeks... anyway. Car works again, yey! Joar said that we might as well have an electric car... since I have been charging the battery for the past 11 nights.. :-) The Boys are out buying stuff now...  We all where summoned to Toby's list session.  Myself is on clean-mode. Gotta clean the house before I leave.

Today was all about the Tata's - RACE for The Cure

This morning - HPW had 100 strong team that participated in the 25,000 (!!) strong walking and running event - fighting to find a cure against Breast cancer... Rachel Lewis my Best friend at Wakefield Plantation visitor center, a proud surviver was there as well with her family and grand kids.

Reading guiding material

Another book arrived today. I almost forgot that I bought all these guide books. Hua-Hin sounds all of a sudden boring. Ko Chang and other islands sounds so much more worth while..? Björn wants to visit the national museum in Bangkok, we are getting antsy... 

Red-neck or Hippie..?

I'll be your swedish hippie!

Bought a bag... knowing the importance of having a god day bag. I am slowly cloned to a mini-Toby.. trying to find the ultimate Bag! The one I got from Fossil is good, nice looking, not too sure on the strap. I am pretty sure I am going to figure it out. Next step is machine wash mission. BTW it is still 100 out side at 4 PM... phew! Still no AC in the car. Just now I refuse to buy a new battery to the before leaving.

NYC lay-over - an 8 hour visit!! What to do?

Brilliant! 

We have 8 hours layover before our plane to Stockholm, Sweden leaves Newark. I planned so we could take the train to Central Station and then visit the city for a day - whoo-hoo! I am thinking all on a shoe string, of course. Take the ferry to Staten Island and back, $2. Visit Ellis island perhaps - its quick? National museum just to verify the displays from the movie... But where should we eat? Should it be at the corner vendor?  . All suggestions are appreciated.

Where to stay first couple of days in Bangkok..?

Soo, we looking into hostels upon our arrival in Bangkok late June. What about Lub d Bangkok? is that location good enough. Hostel looks really nice and it is about $15/ person and night. rather new, built in 2006, I think. Good reviews... However is the location paying for cost to take yourself to the usual cultural attractions.

Toby want me to blog about it so we get best results... Anyone out there with good experience traveling on a shoestring for the experience?

100F in Raleigh - we are getting excited about the trip!

10 days to go and it is 100F in Raleigh, NC... phew!

We are getting excited and nervous for the upcoming trip to NYC, Sweden, Thailand, Austria, Denmark and cousins wedding in Båstad, Sweden. We, the family, Toby, Björn 17, Joar 16 and Anette.

All of us should be outside getting used to this enormous humidity and pressing heat..? All this so when in Thailand this will not face us... however the convenience of AC truly a treat.