Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Thailand.

We left India 45 minutes late and landed in Bangkok 1.5 hours early… figure that out if you can! 
(And no, it wasn't anything to do with the time change!) 
When we walked out of the airport, we were greeted by sun, greenery and a smiling cab driver. It felt like a weight was literally lifted off our shoulders. We settled into the guesthouse where we would stay for 2 nights and then went for a walk. We ordered pad thai, then sat on rickety plastic chairs beside the road to eat it. 



We fell in love. 


It has been hard to process India. We were so challenged, so sick, so happy, so blessed. But it really was a hard season for us. 

We were pushed way out of our comfort zone. We are so thankful for what we have learned, we would not change that time, not that there is an option!
But it was hard. 
Arriving here was refreshing and exciting! What will God do in this season? Where will He take us? What will we learn and who will we meet? These are exciting questions, ones that only God can answer! So we draw nearer still, feeling the ever present desperation for His presence, His word, His love. 
We are spending 6 weeks travelling through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. 
There will be challenges, joys, exploration and rest. 
We are excited for this time, getting to backpack and see, but we are also very excited for January, settling into yet another "home", our last one on this trip (where has the time gone?!) 
This is the last leg of our journey. 6 countries in the last 6 months (well, 5.5 but who's counting?!)
 There are decisions to be made before we go back to Canada, which makes us nervous and excited. At the moment though, we are enjoying the now. 
Tomorrow morning we head from Chiang Mai, to Chiang Khong, where we will cross the border into Loas! We aren't sure when we will have internet, but we will update you all when possible! 
And now, some fun pictures! Enjoy! 

Our backyard in Bangkok, chickens included!


Beautiful details everywhere! 


I love the markets! 


Lunch!


Awesome owl bags! 


Stopping for a break! (no thats not water on my shirt!)  

On the train to Ayutthaya!  


Fruit shakes! 


It started POURING rain! We were soaked, but it was so refreshing! 




Beautiful ruins from when this was the capital (over 700 years old!) 



Taking  a walk through the local park. 


Spotted some 3 foot long lizards! Crazy but apparently harmless (unless you corner them!) 



My favourite! Elephants!



"Roti" which is essentially a fried crepe with banana, chocolate etc inside. Yum! 

Chiang Mai! 




Sweet rice snacks. 


Fruit shakes! This one was dragonfruit. 


Dinner time! You just choose what you want and they put it in a little baggie for you! Voila, dinner! I chose the green thai curry, which was delicious! I did have to pull out the chicken feet, they aren't my favourite! 


The market down the road.


Fruit everywhere! 


Cute little steamed buns at the night market. 


Fresh juice everywhere for 10 baht (about 33 cents)


I found a VW! The market was pretty crazy, hence the lady in there with me! 


The lantern festival (like on the movie "Tangeled") is this week! There are lanterns everywhere!


Yeah. I want one. 


Amazing purses and fabrics! 


The cutest baby shoes!


A handle on my iced green tea (AMAZING!), how handy! 


AMAZING Penang curry! 


Andrew found a hat!


As you can see, we are enjoying our time so far!  I will post more when I have time/internet! Which might not be often. So bear with me if Im sparse on the blog over the next month! 

Thursday, November 22, 2012

The Taj and some other ramblings...

DontbejealousbutwesawtheTajMahal….


Did you get all that?
I thought if I said it in one breath that you wouldn't be as jealous.
Because really, if you need to be jealous about anything, its us going to the Taj Mahal! 
The rest of life is pretty mundane.
Don't believe me? Let me prove it. 
Today, instead of going out and exploring the city, we stayed home. We packed. Did laundry. Watched a movie. Laaaaame. But the real reason for that is point number 2!
Ive been sick.  Not fun sick either. 

(DONT READ THE NEXT PART IF YOU HAVE ISSUES WITH ME BLOGGING ABOUT BODILY FUNCTIONS! Disregard this warning if you are Dominick.) 
The sick where farting and coughing is risky business. 
The sick that makes you stay home, or within a 20 second reach of the bathroom. 
The gut cramping, make-you-wish-your-mom-was-closer-because-that-makes-you-feel-better, sick. 

Although, now that I think about it, what kind of sickness is fun anyway?

Ok, and we are back on topic. 

Don't worry, this blog isn't turning into some weird health-problem, bodily-function story centre. But lets be real, travelling in India reaches every part of you! And lets be real, in regular life, the topic of bodily functions comes up a lot. Just saying'. (If you don't believe me, ask Dominick) 

Anyway, where was I? 
Oh yeah, the Taj (thats what I call it now, cuz we have been there. Before we went it was "The Taj Mahal", all formal. Now its just Taj…)

The "gate" to enter into the gardens, which are in front of the Taj. Impressive already! 


The Taj, though, was just awesome! 


Beautiful! 


Of course I jumped! I wouldn't want to disappoint the fans! 


Perfectly symmetrical!

 (I thought you would appreciate that Amanda!) 


What a handsome guy! No wonder everyone was taking pictures of us! No but seriously, it was pretty crazy. We were followed and pictures were snapped constantly! We were asked to pose for people and with people and beside people. Awkward! It re-confirmed that I never ever want to be a celebrity! 

The details are amazing! It took 20,000 workers nearly 22 years to build this thing! 


Standing in front of the Taj, with the huuuuuge gardens behind us.


We saw some monkeys in the park just outside of the gates. 


The park that we totally meant to wander through for 30 mins before realizing we were walking away from the Taj…Totally.

When we saw the monkey sitting on the motorcycle, a joke was made about Michael (Andrews brother) and his new motorcycle. Im not saying who told the joke. But it was hilarious. Whoever it was, deserves an award for her sense of humour...


We also went and saw Agra Fort. 


Not as impressive as the Taj, but amazing none the less! 

It surprised us with its size and amazing details! Indians sure know how to make things ornate! 



Hey Sam, when you build us a house, make sure to include these on my balcony! Thanks! 



Andrew took this picture, being all artsy! I love the details! 


(The irony of this sign made us laugh)


It was a long day (10 hours of driving!) but so worth it!