Bangkok and Beyond
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While in Ubon Ratchathani we were invited to a field house in an adjacent province. On the way we stopped by monkey sanctuary Dong Ling Don Chao Pu Park (อุทยานดงลิงดอนเจ้าปู่) and fed a few of the inhabitants. Sometimes it is hard to enjoy anything when the temperature is hovering around 100°F and air conditioning is…
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During our visit to Ubon over Songkran break we had the opportunity to share several meals with friends. A few of the highlights which were photographed include a meal with the woman who was the assistant director of the English Program when I taught at Benchama Maharat School and an afternoon drink with one of…
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One of the highlights of my time in Ubon Ratchathani fifteen years ago was Songkran. Having the opportunity to celebrate Songkran in Ubon with my children was special to me. We were invited to celebrate with old friends of mine. We shared food, we joined in the water play— both from the ground and from…
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We celebrated the first day of Songkran (สงกรานต์) in Khon Kaen (ขอนแก่น). Sonkran is a Thai holiday that is three days long. It is a giant water fight, but you have to make sure that the person you are splashing or squirting wants to be wet. A lot of people will ride in the bed…
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Today we travelled from Khon Kaen to Ubon Ratchathani with stops in both Roi Et and Yasothon. In both cities we climbed unique structures for a view of a park. Before leaving Khon Kaen we enjoyed a great bagel breakfast at Prodigy.Coffee In Roi Et (ร้อยเอ็ด or 101) we went to Roi Et Tower (หอโหวด…
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We planned to be in Khon Kaen (ขอนแก่น) for the opening day of Songkran (สงกรานต์). Khon Kaen was close-ish to half way to Ubon Ratchathani (our primary destination for this break) and it showed up in several lists of great places to celebrate Songkran in Thailand with some writers even including the descriptor “family friendly.…
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At a friend’s recommendation we started off our Songkran Break with a stop at Phimai Historical Park (อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์พิมาย). We enjoyed exploring the many nooks and crannies of the ruins. After the ruins we swung by the nearby Sai Ngam (ไทรงาม) where we walked under the canopy of Banyan trees and bounced our way across a…
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Last Saturday we went to Nong Bon Lake Park (สวนสาธารณะบึงหนองบอน). Just off the southeast corner of the park is a nice café and bike shop pair. We enjoyed our breakfast at the Happy Cup Café before heading next door to Happy Bike and renting bikes. The ride through the park was on nice paved trails…
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Our kids saw a sign for The Pizza Company’s Junior Chef program and thought it looked fun, so we gave it a go. They had fun making their own pizza’s and then designing a pizza box all while eating unlimited fries, drinking unlimited red drink, and wearing an apron and chef’s hat.
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One of the new holidays we get to celebrate here in Thailand that we didn’t have in America is Children’s Day (วันเด็กแห่งชาติ). The holiday officially occurs on the second Saturday of January, but many activities occurred on Sunday as well. There were special events all over Bangkok. Two that were of interest to our kids…
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After leaving Ao Nang, we travelled to Ko Samui (เกาะสมุย). In Samui we enjoyed our connected rooms at Ibis Samui and relaxed mornings at the hotel pool, lunch dates (Smile House Restaurant pictured), and fun afternoon activities. We enjoyed a game of miniature golf (our enjoyment was greatly facilitated by the proprietor’s bug spray). Minigolf…
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En Route After our time on Ko Lanta we travelled to Ao Nang (อ่าวนาง). On our way we chanced upon a gem of a cafe: Sabai Day. The food was as delicious as it was beautiful. Day 1: Khaothong Hill Our first day in Ao Nang after a relaxed morning on the beach and afternoon…