Road Trip 2010

Claire looking for shells on the beach at Koh Samui

I think I can confidently title it that, because it was a once-a-year-max type trip. We wanted to test out our new wheels (2002 Volvo station wagon) and new GPS, so after weeks of internet planning, we were off (4am on a Saturday). We knew the kids wouldn't do well for drives longer than a few hours, so we had lots of stops in mind along the way. We went south from Bangkok along the Gulf of Thailand. We stopped at Ao Manoa beach near Prachuap Khiri Khan and then Mu Ko Chumphon National Park, where we saw a mangrove forest. Next we took a ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Samui, where we stayed four nights. This island is a little more built-up than I was expecting, but our third day, we found a nice quiet beach (pictured above). On our way home, we stopped again at two different beaches on the Gulf. Somehow in my mind, a road trip in a station wagon means we have "arrived" as a family. 

Making Merit

monks chanting during the "making merit" ceremony

An important part of Thai Buddhist culture is "making merit." One does this by donating food or other goods to monks. Businesses, schools and even families will often invite monks once a year to bless them. We were able to attend the annual making merit ceremony at Claire's preschool. We were told that the principal had invited very high-ranking monks to come. I thought that one of the monks might say something or maybe the principal would give a little speech, but they just lit candles and chanted for about 15 minutes. Then the monks were served a very elaborate lunch (I donated some homemade "American" cookies). Finally, we were dismissed, and everyone had lunch downstairs. Claire was proud to show us her school. I thought it was fun to see the pictures and artwork of the kids. Look at some of the crazy Thai nicknames of Claire's classmates.

The Rose Garden

learning about making silk

We love American holidays abroad, because we get the day off when the locals don't--perfect for sight seeing without the crowds. This time we went with another family to a place about an hour and a half outside of Bangkok called the Rose Garden. It was modeled after the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii with a culture village and show where you can experience traditional Thai culture, but the grounds were also extensive and beautiful. I'd like to go back. The best part was that we had the place to ourselves. 

Proud to be an American

Fourth of July family event at the Embassy: a little taste of home.

We missed going to a parade, but we did get hot dogs, watermelon, and whiffle ball at the Embassy family event. Don't think the weather could have been hotter anywhere in America!