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
