Thailand

We've been home from Thailand about a week now, and we're finally adjusted enough for me to sit down to write this blog. Some people might think we're crazy for taking a 5-month-old halfway around the world and effectively switching her night with day, but Nora was a great traveler, and we're almost back to a normal sleep schedule! 

The traveling girl, ready to go on her first international flight

On our international flights, we got to sit in the bulkhead area that had a bassinet attachment for Nora to sleep in. This was a lifesaver. She slept almost the entire 10-hour flight from Tokyo to LA!

The main purpose for the trip was for Levi's brother, Jake, and his wife, Becca, to meet Nora. They've been traveling since before she was born, so it was special for them to finally meet her. I think Nora enjoyed all the extra snuggles.

While in Phuket, we managed to squeeze a lot in to a short week, even with a baby who needed to nap! We delivered dresses and shorts to a local orphanage, the Phuket Sunshine Foundation, as part of Dress a Girl Around the World, a charity that Sharie (Levi's mom) volunteers with. I wish I could post all the cute pictures we have with the kids, but I can't for privacy reasons.

Sharie with the director

Becca playing with the kids

We saw monkeys living wild on the side of the road.

Becca and I got to feed a baby elephant outside our restaurant one night. This brought us both sheer glee.

We rode elephants through the jungle. This was definitely a highlight for all of us. Elephants are a surprisingly rough ride. I was glad Levi was there to keep me and Nora from falling off!

We visited the local fire station, which our cab driver thought was hilarious. He just couldn't understand why we'd want to go there, of all places. I think we did finally get across that Levi is a firefighter in America, though, and I think that helped.

Their fire trucks are very similar to the 1940s truck that Levi restored last year.

We visited the Chalong Buddhist temple, which is very different from the Christian cathedrals we've visited in several other countries.

Sharie, Becca and I visited a "fish spa" where we put our feet in a tank of fish that were supposed to eat the dead skin off. It was awful! Sharie screamed so long and loud that when we passed by the place the next day, the ladies remembered her and laughed. I wouldn't put my feet in but for two seconds to take a picture. It was the weirdest feeling and I hated it. This foot picture is of Becca because I couldn't stand to hold my foot like that long enough to snap a picture.

 

We also visited the island of Phi Phi, where Levi got to do some beach-side rock climbing. The water was so clear there that you could see the fish! It was a really beautiful place.

There are no streets on the island, only these walking paths. Items are moved on hand-pushed wheel carts.

Lastly, we couldn't help but visit the local coffee roaster, Hock Hoe Lee. The coffee culture is really different in Thailand, and it was interesting to learn about. You can read all about it on Flatlander's blog.

As usual, we had an excellent trip. The Thai people are some of the most friendly I've ever met and they really really love babies, so it was fun to have Nora along. We're so thankful to Levi's mom for making trips like this possible. We get the opportunity to make great memories and see so many different corners of the world. I'm excited that Nora will get to grow up traveling and learning about other cultures, languages and people.