On Route

We are back in Bangkok at a hotel near the airport. We flew from Narita yesterday and arrived here in the middle of the night. The children had slept on the plane and Gordon had dozed, but I just watched movies and feel a little jet lagged even after several hours sleep in the biggest bed yet. We are gearing up for the big one tonight - we have to try and get a night's sleep on the plane (ha ha) clear customs early tomorrow in Sydney and then a domestic flight to Brisbane. We then have to travel to get the car (could be train, but we are thinking taxi splurge) and then a drive to our motel in Caboolture. If the marriage is still intact and the children still have heads we will then get on with the Australian leg of our trip! Just joking - the trip has been quiet harmonious so far. But we haven't driven anywhere yet...
I will post some more Japan pics soon - this internet is free and no facility. Hope all is well with you guys.
Leaving Thailand is sad. We have loved it here. We hope it sorts itself out soon, such smiley happy people deserve peace x

Karen-san!

Hello Karen. By now you will have arrived in Christchurch. We are all sorry we didn't say good-bye and thank you properly yesterday. We are guessing you didn't make it over to Terminal 1, we didn't get to McDs until 3.15 (after checking in) but figured you would have waited had you come. Time certainly zoomed by at the airport and we weren't surprised not to see you...I should have been smarter and predicted it really. You will be pleased to know the children now have the full set of dogs! We hope all is going well in Christchurch and things are happening as they should. Thank you for a fantastic week with you...we will catch up soon. Take good care x x x x o o o o PS I could go a 'Beard Papa' right now...

Where dreams come true...

I have never seen the children hug so much as they did while in Disneyland! What a brilliant day!!!



Off out for a walk yesterday - Karen's apartment in the centre at the back.

Numazu

Arrival in Japan with the Jarvis family.



Finn and Rosa's sleeping spot in Karen's apartment.



At the noodle house last night.


Hey folks. Thanks for you comments, I always try to have the last word in the comment box (what is new there?) so if you have written a comment, do look back because I might have said something especially to you. Not that it will be world changing, but would be a shame if you missed it...
We had a busy time transferring from Hua Hin to Bangkok, then waking at 3am to head to the airport. It was all made so much more bearable by having the company of the Jarvis family who were doing the same thing on their way back to Okinawa. They are a fabulous family and we know we will see them again. We really lucked in by having them on tour with us - and yes, I hope they read this! x So Rosa spent a bit of time with the Jarvis girls on the plane and Gordy, Finn, Meg and I managed to watch 'The Blind Side' together which we all loved...highly recommend as a family movie for around Finn's age.
Meg and Scott helped us navigate Narita airport before we had tea at McDonalds (and because I know you'll be interested...we had a meal deal each and it cost the four of us about $45) and said our goodbyes to them. Then we caught the bus down to Numazu. It took about three hours - the children were asleep when we passed through Tokyo city - but WOW! I think it is the most impressive man-made view I have ever seen. It was dark and drizzly and it was like passing through a model. All the buildings were lit up and they seemed artfully arranged around us on both sides for miles and miles. Really beautiful. So now we are onto our second day here. Karen has a lovely wee flat. Four rooms with sliding walls and doors - really practical for such a small space. There is a view of Mt Fuji but we haven't seen it yet due to weather. Yesterday was lovely - today it rains. We have been on a little walk but that is all. We are just chilling after our busy time...and gearing up for our next few days.
Now, at long last, after adult voices have dominated....I introduce to you....FINN CADDIE!

We are in Japan. Yesterday it was nice but now it is raining.
Last night I learnt how to use chopsticks that was at a noodle place where we got huge plates of noodles. Today we are just hangin' around here.The trip so far has been fun fun fun.Tuesday was hard work getting up at 3.00am and going to bed at 11.00pm.
Tomorrow we are going to Disneyland we are all looking forward to that.
My highlight in Thailand was elephant riding. It was cool watching one of the elephants paint a picture - his keeper pulled his ear for the elephant to move his trunk different ways to paint. It was nice for the elephants who live at the centre because they are well looked after compared to others who are drugged by their owners to work long hours and are taken into the city to beg for money.
Another favourite memory is the tour ride in the long tailed boat in Bangkok and also having a ride in a rickshaw. So far the trip has been 10/10. Kawp khun krup for watching our blog! (That's Thai for thanks - from boys. It is Kawp khun ka from girls) Sawadee krup!

Yo bro it's Rosa here. We've just been in Thailand and our tour guide's name was Khag. Our first activity with her was a boat ride. I liked going to the waterfall. We swam in it. There was fish in the water, mainly around the edges. We had to step through them to get in the water.
Now we are in Japan. We are staying at our friend Karen's house. She is a teacher at a school. We are going to Tokyo Disneyland tomorrow. It will take about four hours to get there on the trains! We will put some pictures on the blog after we have been there. Kawp khun ka!

Gordy here!!!
Everyone has said most of the things I'd be saying (what's new there!)
Thailand was a fantastic adventure. I can't speak highly enough of the country as a place to visit and we would have loved to stay longer. Never mind though as it leaves us with a great excuse to come back again one day! Highlights were many but if I am forced to choose then I'd have to mention the waterfall swimming, the elephant riding, the homestay village and the beaches around Hua Hin. Above all that though it was the experience of a whole different culture, their smiling easy going ways and the atmosphere that I will will remember most.I really hope they get their political situation sorted soon because it is an awesome country with awesome people and they deserve to live in peace.

Arrived in Japan and the 3 hour bus ride through central Tokyo was amazing!!!!! I thought Sydney Harbour was unbeatable but I was wrong!
We are catching up on sleep and rest ready for our Disney visit tomorrow. We have decided to go mid week in the hope of beating the massive weekend crowds-fingers crossed! The disadvantage is that we will be flying solo as Karen will be at work. We have to catch several different trains so hope we get there before closing time!!!

We about to put on Jackets for the first time and head out in to the Japanese rain.(Looks very similar to NZ rain!)

Hear from you real soon!
Gordy

Hua Hin

Can you see what is being used for a ball?

The more active amongst us hired the 'banana boat' for an hour and were towed - with vigour - up and down the beach. The Caddie kids most enthusiastic!

Our pozzy for the afternoon. Aaaah...

This one is for you, Dad. As you can see, I am no more thrilled about fishing now than I was 30 years ago!

At the floating markets.












We travelled down from Chiang Mai on the overnight train - arriving in Bangkok yesterday morning. The train trip was not as comfortable this time, we were near the back of the train and took the brunt of all the turns. This was illustrated when I heard a thump and looked out my curtain to find Rosa on the floor - yep, she had been on the top bunk. She doesn't remember falling out, but she has a big bruise on her forehead to show for it. Not to be left out, Finn fell out of bed last night, even though he was stationary in a hotel room!
After arriving in Bangkok we had breakfast at a local hotel then headed off in mini buses to Hua Hin via the floating markets (3 1/2 hours). We were all jaded yesterday afternoon and had kips in our lovely guest house rooms. Niiiice.
Hua Hin is a beach resort - a crazy busy one, sort of like the Gold Coast on speed. The beaches are nice though and not crowded - bars on the beach etc. I think it is the first time I have eaten a meal at a restaurant while rubbing my toes in the sand. Could get used to it! Today we went on a boat trip out to a neighbouring fishing village and an island. Included a spot of fishing - see photo - we used line wrapped around water bottles with prawns for bait. The fish ate the prawns but not the hooks. No surprises there! The rest of the afternoon was spent in a beach bar - the kids - and periodically the adults - played on the beach while we made use of the deckchairs. About 33 degrees with a cool breeze. You can be envious of today - heck, I will be envious of today in the future! Special hi to those gathered in Charles St - I wanted to make sure there was new news for you today xxxx

Back in Chang Mai

Hi all,
thought it was time I (Gordy) gave this blog thing a go!
The last week has been incredible in so many ways-Can't really believe we only been here for such a short time and done so much! It's only the morning after Sue's last blog so not much new to report. We are all in good health and having a blast. speaking of blasts.. yesterday afternoon Rosa and I walked in to the main 'moat area' of this great old city and participated full bore in the Song Kran water festival (Sue and Finn and older kids stayed at the pool) It was totaly wild. Lovely blonde Rosa was a natural target because the wetter you get and the more water you get thrown on you the better luck you have in the new year!!! So within seconds we were totally drenched. Every car was stopped, the streets gridlocked (all 6 lanes!) and everyone is just going for it with buckets, water guns and hoses. Water comes from the back of cars, the street and everywhere.(We armed with water pistols) There is live music and drinking everywhere-a recipe for disaster you would think-but amazingly everyone is in such good spirits (even the drunk ones being pulled out of the city moat!!!) We only lasted about an hour but it was amazing and the whole family plan to go down for the experience today.
Last night we Tuk Tuked a few kilometeres to the Night Bizzare where there were 1000s of markets (the 'real' rolex and cd variety) Finn brought a Manchester United Jersey for $12 so he happy for life!!!Rosa brought a hair clip that is a kit-kat!
Today we have free time until we board the train back to Bangkok at about 6pm. Don't panic people-we are only visiting the train station and then straight away 3 hours south to the beach of Hua hin.
We are having the adventure of a life time - we all could not be happier with our time in Thailand so far.
I hope all you kiwis are safe and well too and we look forward to catching you soon. We love getting your comments and photos so please keep them coming!!!!
Love to everyone-we miss you all,
Gordy

Paul Henry Eat Your Heart Out!

Participating in 'Songkran'.


Dinner last night. Our family would not eat with us - too shy.


With our homestay family.


Rosa fulfills a dream!


At the elephant conservation centre yesterday morning - the elephant is enjoying Finn's bananas.


Last night we starred in our own version of 'Intrepid Journeys'. We travelled 90 minutes from Chiangmai to a village of around 125 families. Each family on the tour was assigned a homestay. We were so proud of our kids - they not only coped but enjoyed it a lot. Rosa's quote of the day was 'the toilet has this amazing flushing system!' (a bucket!)(the toilet is for squatting - usually only western ones in the hotels). We were treated so well by these great people who live so simply in comparison to our own complicated lives. Last night we were treated to a concert by the nursery school children (some of the most heartbreakingly gorgeous kids - will upload photo at a later date - different camera) and a Thai boxing demonstration by the local youths. In Thai boxing you can use any part of your body. Yesterday we toured the village and they showed us their plan for regenerating the bamboo forrest. Today we went on a jungle tour and were shown lots of plants and a few bugs and beetles too. There are, we were told after I enquired, pythons, cobras and king cobras in that jungle, but they flee if they hear danger. Yipee that my footfall is danger! The biggest surprise was that they have moles in the jungle - similar to English moles. They are delicious apparently!
It is an exciting time in Thailand. It is New Year and the Songkran festival is on in full force. This is celebrated by throwing water(symbolising cleansing) and it is all on for young and old! Everyone expects and most enjoy getting soaking wet. As you can imagine the kids are loving it. When we got back to Changmai this afternoon we rebooked into our hotel and Rosa and Gordy went down to the canal. Apaprently the traffic is gridlocked - nobody cares and it is full on. Buckets of water - some iced - are thrown, water guns are everywhere and there are people in the canal, some more than a little tipsy and everybody going for it! Finn and I just stayed poolside here, but we'll go later. The market is on every night - hope it isn't as busy as Sunday - there were thousands and thousands of people and hundreds and hundreds of stalls. The crafts are fantastic - modern and traditional and very very cheap. From 5 baht (about 23 cents!). We are going to eat at the market tonight - the street snacks are great - fruit, iced smoothies, waffles and lots of traditional food. Restaurant meals are reasonable too - we spend on average $23 NZ for a full dinner including drinks. We are living the good life and may as well enjoy it because neither Japan or Aussie will be so kind! Only two of the familes (us and the Americans) are finishing the trip in Bangkok - the others had planned to stay at Hua Hin already. And get this - the Americans are going on the same plane to Japan as us! I know! Bizarre!!! We have been shifted to a different hotel in Bangkok - what I didn't tell you earlier (because I didn't know) that the violence a few days ago was only one street over from our first hotel. (We had walked down it several times of course) So now we are to be in a different part of Bangkok in a flasher hotel. Bonus! And a small relief! xxxx

Mad dogs and Englishmen...and 8 kiwis and a couple of Americans...go out in the midday sun.

Well, I am sure I have done more crazy things than get off an overnight train and then hop on a bike for 4 hours in 40 degree heat, but right now I can't think what!


Our sleeping arrangements last night on the train. Nifty and comfy!

Rosa was the leader of the pack attached to the tour guide David.

Cruising around outside Chiangmai, that is Khag, our tour guide behind me.






So, you have probably heard things did not go well yesterday in Bangkok. I would like to assure both Mothers and anyone else who feels concerned, that we are well out of that area of the country. And even if we were in Bangkok, it is a big enough place to stay well away from the trouble.

So, that said...I should head to the pool. I am getting quicker with the photo uploading so am quite pleased about that. This blog is really designed for the children to communicate with, however all their down time at the moment is spent sleeping or at the pool and I am not about to interrupt either!
Our tour mates are one Kiwi family (Auckland) and an American family who live in Okinawa. In total the children are girls aged 6, 6, 9, 10 and boys aged 10, 12. We seem to know each other quite well now and the tour is really really great. We're loving it. Our leader is a hard-case Thai woman who told us she 'laughs like a goat because she was born in the year of the ox' (!) She is fantastic with the kids and has a great knowledge of Thailand. We're just enjoying some relaxation right now, because tonight we hit the Chiangmai Sunday night Market (what good fortune shines upon us - and the stall holders - that we managed to be here on the right day!)xxxx

Kanchanaburi

The loading of the photos below took an hour - so just time to say all great here. Tour is busy, but fun, we are all exhausted. Staying in a lovely resort. Others on tour are all great, guide is terrific. You have probably heard more about Bangkok troubles than us, but sounds good time to be out of there. x x x x

Some of the story so far ...in pictures

Dinner tonight - overlooking the river Kwai.

Sue and Finn kayaking on the Kwai river towards the bridge of infamy.

Travelling on the 'Songtaew' open sided truck. Great air con!

Finn and Rosa with our guide Khag. As usual they are all laughing together.

At Erawan waterfalls today. Finn and Cooper in accord.

Our procession of trishaws on our arrival in Kanchanaburi yesterday.

On the river in Bangkok in a long tailed boat - was that really only yesterday?

Wednesday night dinner on our street in Bangkok. Restaurant completely open onto busy street.

The obligatory photo after our tuk tuk ride. And no, Finn did not drive!

Our sanctuary in Bangkok - the hotel pool!

One night in Bangkok

Sue (1pm local time): I fear that I have used all 30 minutes of my paid time changing the info to English from Thai script! I would love to publish a couple of photos but cannot, so will try and do this in words...So, hello! We have arrived safely, if a little jaded. All flights went smoothly and connections too. Kids had a bit of a sleep on plane and we all managed a few overnight - surfacing around 7am local time. Hotel is good - in a busy spot - cafes, stalls and hubbub right outside the window ( we are on the 3rd floor - 2 rooms) Western music until late...late. Could be called an alley but I think quite a main street. G and children are having second swim of day right now. Lovely pool. Kids taking all in their stride, although heat amazing. Arrived to 31 degrees at 11.30 last night. Phew! Took in the sights and smells locally this morn - kids shopped - Rosa an excellent passive bargainer - she only wanted one tshirt for 150 Baht but the price of two came down and down the more she quietly said she only wanted one. In the end got 2 for 200 baht. Good work! Finn has ...surprise surprise...bought a football shirt ...Ronaldo lookalike. Have not been too adventurous with food yet - huge hotel breakfast buffet was 150 baht ($6.50 each) and half for children so hunger made the choice easy. Icecream sundaes for lunch! Thai people very friendly. They love the blonde kids - especially the younger! She getting 'hello!' and high fives wherever she goes. We meet our tour at 6pm tonight - we are all curious to meet other families. All very glad to be here...I fear this entry a little random in thoughts and presentation, but hope you get the idea we are safe and well and functioning as usual, except in a different place. Love to all, thanks for your comments...and no, did not feel earthquake ..huge amount of turbulance on flight tho...does that count? xxxx PS I am sure I should be able to change settings, but time limit is making me anxious - it IS Wednesday, not Tuesday as dated. :)