Khaosan Road (backpacker alley) and Koh Samed (Island holiday)

Our goal was to get the girls on almost every form of transportation so we took them on the khlong (canal) boat down to the famous khaosan road where backpackers have taken over.  I'm still not sure what the thought of the boat ride but they are smiling.

Shopping...real smiles.

Next day we hoped in a taxi to the bus stop and here we got on the bus ...to the ferry....to the beach. No frills travel. We caught the bus at Ekami bus station but not without a stop at the 7-11 for snacks.

Our fancy bus.

The 35 min ferry ride.

Koh Samed...there is a fable involving these that I cannot remember. The statues were move up from the water in December and repainted.

The replacement statue. I don't think it is a mermaid offering her baby to the sea but then again, I'm not sure what else it might be.

Dinner on the beach.

The bust beach with a long line of people getting off the boat in the waves.

Sunset and getting ready for the fire show.

Buddha. Happiness is what the monk said.

Not 100% sure what this is.

Leaving Koh Samed is a super scary giant (Piseua Samut) but it was interesting to see from this angle that the sea has eaten away at her arm. She is "Butterfly of the Sea".

Back to Bangkok where the girls went to the city for a night and then headed back home. 

Boston Girls come to BKK

We were very excited that Jessi, Rachel and Brianna were coming to visit and we decided to show they beach, north country and city....they could catch up with sleep later. They got here one day and the next we were off to Chaing Mai.

The pink and purple of Thai Airways.

Temples

City gates.

Fish spa and giggles.

Me happy to be watching

Cooking class.

First the market.

Looking the part.

Working hard.

While the girls rested, Vince and I took a bike ride. 

Doll shopping.  Don' ask...it was very stressful.

This is the result.

This is the temple in the middle of the walled city of Chaing Mai. 

We read that the restoration efforts were disappointing and I agree....you can really see the difference at the top between new and old.

And a fat buddha.

What a find! A little tea place.

And the cutest little coffee stop.

Next stop...elephants. Riding bareback and bathing.

Somewhere there are many pics of this.....not here apparently. You will have to imagine us on elephant back.

Mor Pa Waterfalls....a day trip with a car.

Wait up!!!!

Worth the 20 in walk

Technology anyone?

Don't fall off! I have to return you in one piece.

Awwwwww.....

Jungle trek back to car.

Chaing Dao Caves

Vince?

Lunch?

Back to BKK

Minivan Ride (Bagan to Mandalay), Rike Mandalay

We opted for the shared minivan option to go back to Mandalay after our freezing cold experience.  One of the highlights was crossing this bridge (clearly a dried up river bed) via the railway bridge. Eeek!

Definitely rails.

....and now we are back on the road.

Bathroom stops can be scary

Food stop.

Window delivery.

Made it! And this is our hotel......

Phew.....there is an alleyway to the back where we have to say we spoiled ourselves for the night.

We had a full day so back to the bikes we went since we had been told of a good little self directed bike tour in lonely planet. I'm not sure what made us think we could get around Mandalay with only this but off we went.

It took us to amazing places we never would have seen. First off, the areas where they were packaging tons of onions and other vegetables.

Interesting alleys...

We crossed over this great little bridge revealing so much garbage in the water.

We found ourselves back at the place where we took the boat to Bagan which was much different in the light.

No idea what this boat was all about.

Drying clothes

Where the street meets the water.

Old style scales in use everywhere.

Playing a game like hacky sack and I was amazed how the boys hike up their longyi (skirt).

Travelling petrol station.

These kids were sliding on cardboard over and over again having a blast.

Piled high.

Time to head back to the hotel....and Bangkok. We have said we will be back to Myanmar.