Thailand

Bangkok:  July 2013

Lamphu Treehouse in Bangkok

Room at Lamphu Treehouse. The other two walls are windows with views.

View from room balcony

It’d know those orange shoes anywhere!

The arrival of Daddy!

Big hugs!

Reunited with Daddy

Water taxi on Chao Phraya River

Longboat on Chao Phraya River

Wat Arun, or Temple of the Dawn

Nathan, Aidan, and Neerav take in sites along Chao Phraya River.

Crowded Skytrain. Aidan’s in there somewhere!

It’s nice to have someone else watching Aidan too.

Chatuchak Weekend market, the largest in Asia

Not sure what this was, but it sure was colorful!

Neerav, Nathan, and Aidan enjoying a cool coconut treat.

Coconut ice cream with coconut jellies, nuts, and corn. Yep, corn. Surprisingly tasty!

Quick, eat it before it melts!

Nope, Mom can’t do that.

Pools are better with Dad

Nathan’s turn to be thrown

Famed Khao San Road

Aidan’s goal is to eat pancakes in every country we visit. So far, he’s on track.

Family bonding in Thailand

Spa night for Nathan, Neerav, and Aidan

I think Nathan’s surprised at how much he’s enjoying this.

Nathan and the fish

Aidan is all smiles.

Aidan and the fish

Neerav getting a fish pedicure… sort of

No, this isn’t weird… right?!

Nathan, Neerav, and Aidan taking in the Bangkok nightlife.

Nathan, Aidan, and Neerav near Khao San Road

Yes, we can fit 4 people in one tuk-tuk!

Tuk-tuk driver who was part of the scam

Aidan, Neerav, and Nathan with Standing Buddha

One of many altars near Standing Buddha

Adding wax to large candle in preparation for Full Moon ceremony

This man was very gracious, explaining to us more about the Buddhist ceremonies and traditions.

Had to take a photo… we were color-coordinated with the monk.

Neerav, Nathan, Aidan, and Shellie with Lucky Buddha

Spotted a Thai television crew at Marble Temple

Nathan, Neerav, and Aidan at Marble Temple

Wat Benchamabiphit, or Marble Temple

Guardian at Marble Temple

Rooftops at Wat Pho

Ornate door at Marble Temple

Wat Pho

Aidan finds a seat.

Wat Pho, home of Reclining Buddha

Head of enormous Reclining Buddha

Head looking toward feet

Those are big feet!

The Reclining Buddha measures 150-feet long. The spirals on the toes are made from Mother of Pearl.

Wish we would have seen this sign 3 hours ago.

Nathan and Shellie at Grand Palace

Grand Palace

Neerav and Aidan outside Grand Palace

These framed photos of the King and Queen are everywhere, waiting to be hung for the Queen’s 80th birthday next month.

Muay Thai boxing, Thailand’s national sport

We’re ringside, not by choice. The promoter won’t sell the cheap seats to foreigners.

Nathan seems unimpressed.

Muay Thai is similar to kickboxing.

Aidan seems more interested.

Boxer in red shorts goes down.

He’s down. Bout over.

They soak these guys with water between rounds.

The boxer’s coaches and boosters are boisterous.

Watch where you’re putting that foot!

Koh Samui

Refurbished rice barge

Entrance to rice barge

A room with stairs? We’re so excited!

Ok, Nathan, that bed is not just for you.

A room for Mom and Dad

The boys salute.. it is a boat!

Giant boat pool

Nathan and Aidan playing… together.

Choeng Mon beach

Choeng Mon beach

Aidan and Neerav in boat on their way to snorkeling

Aidan and Neerav after snorkeling at first site

Neerav and Aidan snorkel in the Gulf of Thailand.

Aidan and Neerav hike for a bird’s eye view of Koh Tao.

Aidan with Koh Tao in background

Neerav and Aidan on Koh Tao

No, we didn’t go swimming. We’re wet from the waves crashing over the boat.

Dinner with a view

Aidan experimenting with a new crab-eating technique

Fish served the traditional Thai way with head and tail

Neerav and Shellie on Choeng Mon

Thai massages beachside. Nice!

Really Neerav, you need to relax more. Ha!

Imperial Koh Samui, sister property to our hotel, on Chaweng Beach

WIth that tan, it’s hard to believe that Aidan is my son – but of course, he is!

Aidan enjoys lovely infinity pool.

Happy couple in Thailand

King of the pool

Neerav on Chaweng Beach

Nathan having a teen-motivated, “I want to be alone” kind of day

Aidan sees rocks… must climb!

Speed climbing

Run…

More climbing…

Nathan and Aidan on Chaweng Beach

Aidan can’t help himself. He must go in the water. Go child, go.

Chaweng Beach on Koh Samui

There’s not enough chocolate on the Thai menu. We order milk shakes. (Ok, Neerav got a fruit smoothie.)

Neerav’s dinner – shark

Nathan’s dessert served in a coconut

Neerav wears the flower well.

Vendor named Em lights the red lantern.

Em waits for the right wind conditions.

We each grab a corner.

According to Thai tradition, we make a wish before releasing the lantern.

Family photo, this time with the flash

Going…

Going…

Gone

We wished for family harmony.

Samui Football Golf mascot, made from coconuts

Aidan is sizing up his “putt.”

Aidan tees off on the second hole.

Nathan tees off on the second hole.

Neerav tees off on second hole.

Neerav gets some air on this “drive.”

Hmmm… how to clear the coconut hazard?

Nathan clears the net obstacle.

Despite her poor technique, Shellie clears the net obstacle.

“Putting” green

Nathan makes his “putt” on 11.

Nathan’s ball lands in the coconut hazard.

In the hole

These bunkers are worse than the ones in Scotland!

Aidan makes it officially…

Neerav is the current U.S. champ!

Neerav basks in his glory.

We needed a dip in the pool.

Father-son shenanigans

Imperial Boat House Beach Resort’s beach

These guys do a great business on the beach: grilled corn on the cob or peeled pineapple for 50 Baht.

Fishing boats off Choeng Mon beach

White sand and clear water on Choeng Mon

Aidan begins his photo shoot with Nathan as his photographer.

Showing off his muscles…

Geez, look at the attitude in his expression.

Working the abs

Where is he getting these poses from?

Neerav attempts to windsurf for the first time.

Neerav falls with style.

Man overboard!

Shellie experiencing beginner’s luck

Aidan kayaking

Down she goes!

And again…

Aidan digging deep

Neerav getting the hang of it

Now Neerav is actually windsurfing.

And now he’s not.

Need… more… upper body strength!

Ok, Neerav, you can let go.

Sun sets along Choeng Mon.

Chaing Mai

It’s our very own rice barn. For $75/night, we have the entire building!

Shellie and Neerav’s bedroom

Interesting shower…

Aidan and Nathan’s bedroom

Windows in our rice barn

So much woodworking…

Dining area

Breakfast area

The monks of Tanita House

School bus in Chiang Mai

Boys in theirl uniforms being dismissed from school

At Starbucks, I ordered a Green Tea White Chocolate Pudding Frap. It was kinda like bubble tea.

Neerav and boys entering Wat Chedi Luang

Dragon outside Wat Chedi Luang

Incredibly ornate

Inside Wat Chedi Luang

Standing Buddha with hand in this position references not fighting with your relatives.

Donate money and you get to hang one of these ribbons in your name. The color either corresponds with the day of the week that you were born or your Chinese/Thai zodiac sign.

Offerings for the monks; note the Nescafe.

Ok, I couldn’t resist.

This sign at a local restaurant cracked me up.

Just a small, small part of the Night Market.

Aidan and his coconut chocolate chip ice cream.

Aidan, not so sure about the hair net

Aidan, harnessed and ready to go

Nathan getting strapped in

Neerav rocking his hair net

Neerav is all strapped in.

Shellie working the harness look

Nathan zipping his first line

No looking back now!

Aidan, Shellie, and Nathan headed down the spiral staircase

Shellie and Aidan on bridge

Nathan walking the plank

Aidan tries the upside down manuever.

It’s harder than it looks!

Father like son

Tree canopy

No hands, Mom!

Neerav coming in for a landing

Neerav and Aidan in the trees

Neerav uses the bamboo hand brake.

Aidan heads to the next station.

Reluctant Aidan starts his abseil – 131 feet down.

Down…

Down…

Down

Neerav abseiling

Nathan abseiling

Daily market frequented by Thai people

Herbs at market: ginger, lemongrass, and basil

Oyster mushroom

Vendor cutting durian.

Durian, otherwise known as stinky fruit, didn’t smell that bad when cut open.

Thai people call the pumpkins with bumps – toad pumpkins.

Aidan tries durian, otherwise known as stinky fruit.

Dion explains the difference between different kinds of fresh noodles.

Shellie actually liked durian. It kind of tasted like a peach.

Dragonfruit

Getting a lesson on Thai pumpkins

Thai red chilies – the smaller the pepper, the bigger the taste

Neerav is holding a jellyfish mushroom. It feels like rubber.

Banana flower

Soft and firm tofu at market

Vendor makes mango sticky rice.

Thai version of rice steamer

We start with the basics: peeling and cutting vegetables.

Veggies cut and ready

Neerav and Shellie like watching the kids do the work!

Nathan is toasting sesame seeds. The secret: no oil.

Neerav supervised Aidan as he cooks cashews.

We need one of these: mortar and pestle.

Aidan likes pounding and grinding ingredients. Big surprise.

Pumpkin-coconut soup

Nathan is working on the pumpkin hummus.

Peanut sauce cooking

Shellie and Nathan finish their pumpkin hummus. Delicious.

Aidan shreds the inside of a coconut with a really nifty tool.

This grater is awesome! If Shellie thought that she could get it through security, she’d bring one home.

Neerav rolls his first spring roll.

Neerav samples his creation.

Neerav chopping tofu for Pad Thai.

Shellie and Neerav prepare a tofu stir-fry.

Bailey-Shah family working together in the kitchen

Aidan getting wok cooking down

Nathan and AIdan frying up some tofu.

Tom Yam soup

Green Thai curry and Masaman curry

Tom Kha soup

Dion teaches Aidan the secret to using a mortar and pestle.

Nathan puts finishing touches on Green Papaya Salad.

The boys start the desserts: Potato Pudding and Mango Sticky Rice.

Aidan cuts banana from sticky rice dessert.

Banana and Mango Sticky Rice with Coconut Milk… seriously delicious!

Yep, it was that good.

Wow, we are sooooo stuffed! Really glad that we’re not doing the dishes.

Aidan getting his mahout lesson

Neerav is wondering if he’s going to be able to stay on this elephant

Shellie is trying to show the elephant who’s in charge.

Nathan getting his mahout lesson

Off we go… in the rain!

Better hold on with two hands, Neerav!

Superman is a teenager, 13 years old.

The path was muddy and slippery. Good thing Superman was sure-footed!

Suriea is headed to the water… bath time!

Bath time…

Aidan and Shellie washing Superman

Aidan and Shellie are trying not to think about what else these elephants may do in this water.

Family of mahouts

Here, have a drink.

Still thirsty?

Aidan: “Ok, I guess I’ll let you hug me.”

Aidan: “I didn’t say you could kiss me!”

Aidan: “What now?”

Aidan: “No kisses on the lips!”

Shellie gets a hug from the baby elephant.

Shellie: “I know what you’re thinking!”

Shellie: “You’re blowing warm air through here!”

It always starts with an innocent hug.

Favorite photo of the day

Nathan: “A hug, no kisses.”

Family photo with baby elephant

Shellie gives the baby some milk.

Aidan rides baby solo back to camp.

Group shot: the 3 ladies on the left are from England, the newlyweds from England, and the family on the right is from the Netherlands