New York Oct. 10-16

New York is quite the place!  The place that we are staying has worked out wonderfully well.  It feels like a luxury showhome apartment with a view of the Empire State Building and New York from our bedroom window and another view out the front room window.  The two |Johns here are great guys and so warm and inviting.  \Having said that we are out all day and they have been gone all weekend. 
It was so cold for a couple of days that |I wore long underwear, my hollowfill jacket, outer jacket, toque and of course a merino base.  So lots of clothes.  Clive wore his winter coat! |Having said that yesterday was comfortable.

We are enjoying the shows, the buildings and just seeing what New York is about.  It is a very large and densely packed city.  We have ridden the buses and the metro and as usual we are pretty good at getting around.  Tons of restaurants and places to choose from...it is a hoppin' place and the number of venues with music or theatre boggles the imagination.  Tons more than |London!..and Broadway does have a lot of musicals.  By the way the term Broadway show means that it has an audience of over 400 and is staged in a theatre near Broadway (the street name)...go to the original Monopoly board and these are the place names.  We have tried to minimize the walking as Clive's groin and now sciatic are giving him major problems.  He can walk slowly and not too too far...not like we usually do but still pretty good.
Having said that, we have managed a lot of shows ...sitting down though that can be an issue as well if Clive can't stretch out the leg.  Hope that it mends quickly after we get home!..and I expect that he will need a doctor and chiropractic visit.  We went up the Empire State Buildding, saw the Chrslyer centre, Rockofeller Centre, public library - amazing, the lines to visit the memorial at Ground Z|ero (40,000 per day), caught the ferry to Staten Island, saw the Grand Central Terminal and little Italy.  It goes on forever.  After glossing over, one can take the time to do a couple of museums ...that was going to be yesterday but the Metroplitan Museum is closed Mondays and we were also trying to get opera tickets. ...so another time.

We did see War Horse which we couldn't get tickets for while in London.  Great puppetry...it take 3 actors to move as one horse so amazing.  We were disappointed with the big name catching show Peter and the StarCatcher...too much fantasy for us but entertaining. We caught the bus to Harlem and went to a Baptist Church in a 100 year old theatre.  The preacher shouted his whole message that we have to let go of grudges and find peace within now.  The people swayed and shouted and the music was involving.  A highly recommended experience not to be missed. Then in the afternoon we saw the New York City Ballet with a relatively modern piece and that was interesting as I have not seen much ballet.  Then we managed to get standing tickets for Carmen in the world's largest opera house - 4000 capacity.  Sat in the back of the orchestra after the intermission but standing was really quite fine.  We tried to get the cheap seats on the day but the senior tickets were gone by the time we registered and we were not prepared to stand in line so standing seemed a good option.  It was a fantastic performance...music that is quite familiar, a huge cast, a Spanish setting and all at the Met.  So a great way to finish off. 

We are relaxing this am....we were going to go to the local town but Clive really can't walk and I am catching up writing you guys.  We hop on the boat today so will not have internet connection there unless we try when we are on shore ...and I am hoping to be too busy for that.

much love to all,
take care, mom



tips for next time possibly
The library does an am and pm tour.  Karen Stockbridge was like an actor and so passionate.  She told us that she does tours at the Waldorf Astoria on Thursdays (order from the menu) or Sat. when the buffet at Oscar's is included for the $50 charge.  It would be worth having her as your guide.
Jazz: met someone who suggest the Small's Club in Greenwich at West10St and 7 Ave. and lots of comedy place and so on in the neighborhood....minimum charge and not so many tourists as Broadway.
The Metropolitan museum is closed Mondays and so are most Broadway shows.  We saw the opera on Monday.
Metropolitan Opera.org/rush for senior tickets on the day of but must be preregistered or you won't get the tickets.
Lottery tickets are a possibility for top shows.
Other possibilities that we didn't fit in High Line, Tenement Museum, Morgan Piers Library, Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, Ellis Island, etc.

June 17, 2013  I guess that writing and recording is not as important for me as it used to be.  Enjoying, seeing, living but all pretty tame from some of our third world experiences.  Having said that I would go back to New York in a minute...go to the Opera again and to church on Sunday are definite repeats.
The Princess cruise was very good.  A port every day.  Clive still struggling with his groin so I often went off for a run or longer walk.  One highlight was cycling through the autumn maple leaves through lots of countryside...hardly anyone out on the trails.  Spectacular and relaxing and lots of km.  The pouring rain in St. John's and the long walk along the seafront to the bore were memorable.  Quebec City was a good wander and from there we drove the minor road to Montreal to catch our flight.  Everything worked out perfectly...a little challenging navigating into the airport in Montreal.  The cruise itself was good...not excellent...the food good but not over the top, the shows entertaining but a bit short and not too much of it.  As usual I enjoyed the steam room and being served in the dining room.

Backpacking 2007 Rockies

I want to write a little about the backpacking trip from last week... before I forget. 

Wow, we did 85 or 90km with a pack from Sunshine village to Whistling Pass, Ball Pass, Floe Lake, Numa Pass, Tumbling Glacier, Wolverine Pass, a mountain ridge and finally out at the Paint Pots.

Georgina (we have done about 12 backpacking trips together through the years - skipped 2 when I went to Australia), her 19 year old daughter Jamie and myself went on this 7 day trip - the longest trip that we have done to date.  It was wonderful - and the pack started to feel much better by about the fourth day.  It is always hard on the ol' back every year - I now realize that I could train and that would help OR alternatively go on a long trip like this one.  I do know how to stretch out my muscles from yoga so that is really helpful after each day.

Before I tell you about the trip I must boast that one day - the third day we did 23 km hiking with that "pig" the backpack on our backs and ended up with the final 2 km of switchbacks into Floe Lake.  Did we feel like it was an accomplishment!  We started at 9:00am and arrived at 7:30pm.  We dried our tent out at the highway and picked up the rest of our food that we had left in a car.  The walk was magnificent - up to Floe was through an area that had a forest fire 5 years ago so that left it nice and open.  We passed through mountain meadows and flowers, through thick forest growth and wonderful open rock sections.  All wonderful - each in its own way.

It feels so good to be out in nature - the simplicity, the beauty, the serenity and the opportunity to walk and really get a comfortable satisfying workout and constantly admiring the beauty and feeling the peace in all directions - the mountains, the sky, the ground beneath you and you out in the elements feeling the sun wind and sometimes the rain. We fit in so well - breathing so evenly on the uphill with a consistent plod and a rest every hour, leading with the heel as we go down hill, using our poles to help the legs and feel the whole body helping out.  We  did so well this year in the rain - we saw it come and go for the first  two days.  The footprint that we used for the tent was awesome - no damp bags in the morning.  Cycling or boating gloves will be the answer to gloves in the backcountry - ours got wet or we kept them dry and used our bare fingers to undo the ropes - they prickled from the ice for 2 or 3 days.Then the only decisions to make are so simple - where to put the tent, get water, heat the dinner, put the food up in the bear hang.  Everyone working together and everyone feeling so relaxed and content in the quietness of the mountain and natural world. Time just to try and soak it in - it becomes almost meditative after a few days.
 It certainly helped in that we took exactly the right amount and kind of clothes and equipment. We were warm and dry all of the time without carrying extra stuff (weight). The food worked out exactly!  And for the backpackers amongst you - again our amount of fuel required is still the same l bottle for 3 days for 3 people - two pots in the morning and two in the evening - main course and a drink.  And one red onion for 7 days, 1 or 2 cucumbers, 1 or 2 red peppers, l kg of cheese, a sweet and salty bar every day, toasted almonds for snacks and to top off breakfast and sometimes dinner, a piece of dark chocolate after dinner each day.  What more could you want...and so simple.  Everything is boiled and the process if more important than the stuff!  Next time we should add broth of some sort especially if it is cold out.

And we learned how to set up a tarp with a ridge line as the starting point.  So put the rope between 2 trees (the ridge line) and then drape the tarp over and pull and tie to 4 tress.  Presto - dry cooking.

We met Kate and her 4 friends hiking from Kananaskis to Jasper.  They were about 9 or 10 days into the trip when we met them.  They were doing great - everyone feeling good and working so well together.  It was truly wonderful to spend an evening chatting with them and watching them do their stuff.  Quite the routine ...and yes it still takes them 2 hours to get up and get ready to go each day ...so we are not really slow at all - just standard backpacking time.
We met 10 year old Cameron and his dad, Andy.  They trained all winter last year carrying packs on the weekend.  I thought that was great - then I saw that Dad had a 92 liter pack - 1.5 times bigger than mine.  That was a real pig!  And there diet - what do you think? - for 7 days dinosaur porridge for breakfast, ichiban for lunch, Kraft dinner for supper, 4 Mars bar between them each day and peach fuzzies to snack on.  Bet that Cameron was happy!

Just for the statistics - we did the max of 23 km one day.  Our minimum was 7km and everyday was wonderful - we enjoyed it all.  One day we didn't move camp - stayed at Tumbling Glacier for 2 nights (we did that a few years ago and knew that is a good spot for 2 nights).  On our 'rest' day we saw a wide open ridge and said that we would climb up there.  It was a great decision - 360 views all along the ridge - unbelievable!!! - and of course strong winds on top - so jackets and pants, etc for lunch.  It was also the first time that Georgina and I saw a ridge and went for it.  In the past we have had others with us that have made that decision.  We loved looking at all the cool rocks on the way up and down - we ambled along all the way seeing cool stuff near and far - and of course feeling the sun and the wind.

So would we do it again!  You haven't read my thoughts unless you shout out yes.  Next year we would like to go from Sunshine to Assiniboine spend a couple of nights there and possibly come out via Burstall.  Does it sound interesting?

  I am confident that I can do this for a few more years.  I do remember being astounded when I knew someone who was 50 and did the West Coast Trail.  Now that I am past 50, I know that it is possible!  And Shelagh wants us to helicopter into Robson for her 60th - it will be mine too in 2 years.

I will send this long spiel that I really recorded for myself to a few chosen souls. 

May you enjoy today and everyday in your special way.

England, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, London April 20-May 12 2012

Music/entertainment
England: The Six Wives of Henry VIII (hilarious 2 man show with lots of music and humor, Exotic Marigold Hotel (cinema)

Prague:  Black Light Image (ok

Vienna:  Mozart concert in period costume
             Barber of Seville with English subtitles on screen in front of you
             Vienna Boys Choir
              Strauss concert and arias in palace with regular black suits

Budapest: traditional folklore in beautiful building
              Madame Butterfly (no translation)
              Operetta Rebecca with English subtitle

London:  National Theatre The Collaborators
              The Lion King


An amazing holiday....more than I ever dreamed possible -cities - not usually my favorite but with music, theatre and food to focus on and the wonderful streets and buildings between it was perfect.

I have been home 2 weeks now and had  better write a comment or two before I forget about it.  When I think of this holiday I pinch myself because it was so much more than I expected.
I do know what to expect in England and we love it every time.  So nice to connect with all of the family.  We catch up in big groups and small groups...brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and lots children.  We enjoy our time with each opportunity. Lots of children becoming teenagers and growing up. Changes each time we go.  We appreciate our time with each person.  We do appreciate the availability of everyone and their sharing a snippet of their life with us.  I marvel at the large collection of family at the pub dinner - I think about 25!
And then of course, we always manage a play and this time we trolled around and weren't sure what to see and then it was a blast...humor, music, a touch of history in a small two man well written play called the Six Wives of Henry VIII.  The quality is just amazing!  We enjoyed walking in the rain and wind and catching the bus to parts of Bristol one day...remembering old times...like when our kids came with us.

Then on to Prague and an interesting time at the airport in Bristol seeing all the party revellers going away for the weekend.  The flight even ran out of beer!
Prague is a wonderful city for walking though easy to get twisted in the old centre with the streets that are meandering.  We walked lots and even went on a tour of the Jewish ghetto area including 5 or 6 synagogues.  The long Charles bridge always had buskers on it and sometimes people stopped just to sing and celebrate!  We wandered and saw lots.  We had a few fun and interesting meals like the pork knuckle on a tripod and spit served on a board.  This was in a great (and noisy) beer hall (really a long room that was kind of cozy and noisy.  Prague is a city of lager beers and we enjoyed.

We scored on a hotel in the suburbs - these do work well in Europe as public transport is so easy and accessible.  So 20 minutes by metro to a classy hotel in the suburbs but the best part with the incredible breakfast buffets of meats, cheeses, breads and fruits and vegetables and then the workout pool with a current so that you could swim lengths staying still.  Of course I enjoyed the steam room and the sauna.  We managed to have time in the late afternoons for this - since we are finding that we need some down time each day...so in order to manage the evening out we took a break in the afternoon.  The day we didn't we were pretty tired but still savouring our experience that day.

The only hitch in the holiday was that our plan to go to Krakow was not working out...good thing that we didn't have reservations there as Rick Steeves good idea did not fit together.  So we decided on an extra night in Prague to figure out plan B.  It was either Bratslava for 4 days or Vienna...and Clive wanted to do Vienna on another trip.  Since Bratslava for 4 days was not too appealing ..and we had a lonely planet for central Europe with us - we decided to go to Vienna this trip!  Best decision ever.

But as we were leaving Prague with our Starbucks coffee in hand and just across the street from the bus to Vienna that was leaving in 15 minutes we were stopped by two apparent police officers and told that we had not crossed the street at the corner.  They were just finishing talking to two younger people for the apparent same infraction.  They asked to see our passports and looked pretty official right down to the brush cuts so clean cut they were.  We said that our bus was leaving; and they said that they could charge us from 2000-20,000 kroner....and emphasized that 2000 wasn't much ($20 or something, I believe ....strange thing to say).  Anyways we had no currency left as we were leaving the country so I followed their advice and went into the bus depot looking for currency exchange (I was a bit frazzled) and ran back saying that no money was available and our bus was leaving.  So the guys told us that they would let us off.  We were relieved - as we did not want to miss our bus.  After we got on our bus, Clive started wondering if indeed they were cops....I looked up the uniform on the internet later and saw that they did not have hats.  Then Clive reads in a yahoo news item that some fake officers blew up a bridge - they fake identification passed the scrutiny of people asking.  Then we arrive in Budapest and pick up a leaflet telling us to be wary of fake officers.  All officers have id, they do not collect money but can only issue tickets, etc.  So each time we thought of it we realized that these were indeed fake cops doing a good job of collecting money off unsuspecting tourists....now that could not happen on an escorted tour ...what a great story and a few moments of pressure to get out of the apparent jam.

Vienna turned out to be the highlight - we would say.  We both enjoy popular classical music so we had 4 evenings at concerts and the opera.  They are worth going to just for the buildings and the prices are so reasonable and tickets available at the last minute.  Every seat seems to be a good seat.  We had a standing ticket for the Opera and it was wonderful - a rail to lean on, a good view, a designated space and a little screen in front of you with and English translation - and on top of that buying tickets 20 minutes before the performance.
And Vienna was only 3 hours by bus from Prague.
We loved the coffee houses with the delicious coffee and cakes and the wonderful ambiance.  We had sausages and beer on the street and a couple of memorable meals here...esp. lunch at a great design place with a massively high ceiling.
We spent a day on the Danube and wandered in a couple of the towns at either end of the boat ride.  Don't think that I want a boat cruise down the Danube - maybe a bike ride on the path beside the river.  Saw a few castles in the distance but not as interesting as I was expecting...and this is supposed to be one of the best sections.

Only 3 hours by bus from Vienna to Budapest!  Got sorted out there pretty quickly and mastered yet another system of public transport to get to our hotel.  A little tricky reading the maps at first as the letters are so different and there was no English in the station.  However, as usual, we managed to get a metro and bus pass for the number of days that we would be there and got ourselves settled so that we could get out to the oldest spa in Budapest in the late afternoon since the weekend is the only day that both sexes are allowed in. 
It was a very pleasant experience - low circular ceiling with a bigger pool in the middle and pools at each corner. Lots of atmosphere. Each pool is a different temperature and the biggest is just above body temperature so you could sit for a long time.  The saunas varied in temperature from moderate to very very hot (I had to put on thongs to walk on the floor it was so hot). I managed a few minutes here - and that was a real trial.  Then out to the cold shower where you can pull a string and cold water dumps on you.  Then I opted for a 20 minute scrub on a massage like table.  People on various tables and a choice of soap or relaxation massage.  I opted for soap - well, the guy is totally impersonal soaps up each appendage and scrubs and rubs like heck for the allotted time and then you like a hunk of meat roll over for the same to happen on the other side.  Sounds awful but I actually really liked it and it is pretty relaxing after.
Then we scored another memorable meal at what is the equivalent of a michelin guide restaurant.  Quite by accident the place that we were looking for was closed and we wanted something close.  Some guy that we asked suggested this and it was fun!  Atmosphere, service and a very interesting menu.  The onion soup started with onions in the bottom of a bowl and they poured on the broth which had balsamic vinegar on it.  We were encouraged to try the rice pudding dessert - a national dish apparently.  Well, it came with thin slices of dried kiwi and sour cherries and very creamy!  Much better than Clive had at school - he enjoyed it despite his idea of rice pudding.

The days flew by as we managed a folklore evening, an opera and an operetta - each top notch and brilliant and in such fine surroundings and such good seating for such cheap prices.
We enjoyed walking the city center for 2 days and a day at the palace.  Always a latte in the morning and a wonderful lunch sampling sort of French inspired meals with a local twist.  Of course the sour cherry strudel was on our list to try.  We ate desserts on this trip - and we usually skip them ...but here they are wonderful.  We tried to get a rest in the afternoons so that we had the energy to be entertained in the evening.

One evening was an interesting challenge - one of those special travel moments that you don't necessarily sign up for.  We enjoyed the folklore show and then thought that we wanted to go to a pub type restaurant that was on our list of pubs to experience.  We found it alright - and it was full.  So we ordered a beer and waited for a table for another wonderful experience eating stew in this noisy atmospheric place full of young people.  We left and, of course, knew the buses back to our hotel.  But alas, it seems that the last buses were gone and only night buses were available - from where and to where?  So Clive thought that we must take a taxi.  I thought great, but all of my reading said don't get a taxi on the street corner as they are notorious for ripping off customers.  So Clive agreed and we went into a five star hotel and the concierge ordered a reputable taxi for us.  So that worked out fine - just had to think a bit after all of our ambling and frivolity.  In fact, the taxi driver told us what the fare to the airport would be and it was just over half of what our hotel would charge.  But of course our hotel would not use this company.  Interesting how the posh hotel could get us a taxi and our hotel had restrictions.  So we arranged our taxi to the airport by calling ourselves and managing to get the person (who speaks English according to the ad) to understand us.

Our final stop was London.  We went to the Collaborators at the National - brilliant serious drama and the next night to Lion King (no seats for War Horse) by default.  I loved the Boris bike - riding in London short distances and parking the bikes.  I got a better idea (certainly more recent) perspective of London.  The bikes let you join up little pieces and save your legs.  The buses work for journeys that are a little longer.  Again food and drink in London is so goooood.  Not like the days of 30 years ago.  Out to lunch and then theatre in the evening and always hoping that the day is long enough for a rest at some point though we did not manage this in London.  Even got a late night pint and did not worry about the late bus being there!

I do love travelling independently.  We learned the bus and metro systems, we got to more shows than I can imagine possible, we navigated about and saw what we wanted between meals and drinks, we encountered the locals serving us and a few tourists as well.  Like in Prague chatting with the guy from the US who was in Prague to sing in Don Giovanni for the summer or the South Africans living in London or the rugby team member who got treated like crap because he did not go on the overseas tour the year before. We created our experience.  We found that in Europe that you don't have to stay right in the centre because public transport is so good.  The internet is invaluable for booking hotels and sometimes even checking out the plays and concerts.
We were not planning this trip so quickly after our last trip but with Jenn and Jordie expecting a baby in late June and not having the vision for the fall we thought that we would jump on the opportunity now.  As it turned out we did have the interest and enthusiasm to enjoy every moment.  We are now home to enjoy the summer and a new baby to welcome.






     

Japan and beaches of Southern Thailand

Hotels to remember:
near CTS: Hotel Wing International Chitose - uses hotel shuttle bus at specific times
Tokyo: Hotel Horidome Villa horidomevilla.jp functional and great price
Phuket: great hotel in central location, great pool but not such a great destination Baan Suwantawe
Koh Lanta: Soontreeya Lanta: great hotel, great price, nice garden and pool, just off the beach
Nautilus Resort: next door on the beach, good bec. beach but no hot water, run by a nice Swedish couple
Krabie: Baan Andaman Hotel: great little hotel 15 minute walk from centre
Railay: Best hotel at top of hill - Phurit Valley? changed name
Bangkok airport: Silver Gold Garden worked well with shuttle and market nearby

Feb. 29-March 21 - 7 Days in Hokkaido, 2 nights in Tokyo, 10 nights in Thailand including, Phuket, Koh Lanta, Krabi and Railay.

We spent a week with Andrew and Yui seeing how life in Niseko works for them. We enjoyed spending time with them. Some of the highlights included Yui making sushi and sashimi, making and eating hot pot with Yui for the staff, and backcountry skiing with Andrew for an afternoon - seeing where the hills are in relation to Niseko (quite close but around lots of corners and past lots of onsens)(I liked the way the heel lifts on the ski bindings and comes down to 3 different heights - technology seems to always be improving). It was fun walking up the mountain, skiing down and seeing an onsen in the middle of nowhere! An afternoon that I treasure. Clive and I each tried snowmobiling - I definitely prefer skiing to snowmobiling but it was fun to zoom around the fields and through the trees (though I am somewhat nervous to go too fast after discovering the lack of balance quads can have in the sand a couple of years ago). A real highlight was having dinner with Yui's parents and brother one evening. It was wonderful and relaxing. There is a language barrier but I did not seem to notice it this time - mind you the kids translate and you can say a lot without necessarily being understood. It was such an opportunity to spend an evening in their home. Yui's Mom made special things and served them so beautifully. Sashimi, sushi, vegetables, special sweet pork, Clear soup with clams. The beauty is in the cutting and arrangement of everything on the plates. As the guests of honor Clive and I were served a plates individually while the others took from a common plate. Norrie, Yui's Dad made green tea in the traditional way - a treat for us to see. A real highlight, as well, was to walk down the street to the local bath (not onsen but another term for water that is not naturally a spring). It was wonderful - the best - with warm and hot pools, an outdoor medicinal pool in natural surroundings and then the electrical portion of one of the indoor pools. I had someone to follow doing the washing and shampooing that happens on a stool before going into the pools. We are grateful for our experience with Yui and Andrew.

We had a taste of Tokyo. We figured out the massive subway system - I love the description of it being like a bowl of ramen noodles that can be sorted out. There is information everywhere as to what train goes where. Works a treat. We saw the busy intersections, the glitzy stores, the fashions, the tons of people and got a bit of a feel for the city. We went the wrong direction out of the subway to our hotel and some gentleman walked us several blocks (back toward the subway station) and then a few more blocks to deliver us to our hotel. We love the helpful people, the smiles, the way they help you read a map or find your way.
We spoke with an 87 year old guy who could speak English at a Shinto-Buddhist temple on the oldest street in Tokyo and he told us the story of a beautiful woman who had been there (gave us a picture and sent us on our way. In one of the shopping areas, I spoke with someone who was part of a group carrying placards in front of the make-up company Sheishodo. They were protesting the loss of jobs for a lot of the women. The company says that they need to cut down the saleswomen because it is too expensive - but they want the work. This person went on to say that unemployment for women in Japan runs around 50% so alternative employment is very difficult to find - and pay is often quite low. ....I understand and feel for them but everywhere in Japan you see a lot of workers where here we would have way less. There seem to be a lot of nonjobs - or jobs where you stand and wait - sales, construction traffic sign holders and so on.

Thailand: We flew to the Phuket area to see some beaches that we have not been to before. Phuket is pretty much a town and the beaches nearby are full of high rises, beach chairs and umbrellas. Not our scene. We had a wonderful hotel there (and everywhere as well) so that was good. We put together a plan and decided to take the boat to Koh Lanta. We found great accommodation on the net that worked well. The accommodation is spread out along the length of the island so it was good that we had made arrangements as one can not just trundle up and down. There are lots of good beaches and restaurants - though we did not find the bakeries this time. We rented a scooter one day (because it is fairly flat!) and saw the island and checked a few more beaches and the old town. This island has 2 Swedish schools and loads of Swedes staying here often for a month at a time. Lots of parents on maternity leave so the whole family gets to come!...in fact Moms can give Dads a month of their leave - what a deal! As usual, I had some massages on the beach and in the town.
Then on to Krabi which is really a jumping off point for other islands and adventures. We managed a night at Railay and saw what is called the world's most beautiful beach - good and lots of nice rock and so on - but I have seen quite a few nice beaches. Saw approximately some of the area that the climbers spend time on. Apparently there are some 500 pitches with pietons so we didn't see them all!
So it was relaxing and pleasant to visit some of the beaches in southern Thailand. It took the first day or two to get sorted. I, of course, could have enjoyed more time to get to the national parks, etc. but I did enjoy the relaxing time and warmth here.

It was a long trip home with a day near the airport (I had a great time having a massage and a foot massage) and visiting the local night food market. Then we caught the train into San Francisco and managed some time at Fisherman's Wharf and a ride on the old cable car before the last flight home.